Raving Toy Maniac

DreamWorks Animation Teams with Hasbro for Two Tentpole Franchise Properties

Leading Branded Play Powerhouse Comes Aboard for B.O.O.: Bureau of Otherworldly Operations and Trolls

GLENDALE, Calif. & PAWTUCKET, R.I. -- July 31, 2013 -- In a powerful ghost and troll combo pack, Hasbro, Inc., a leading branded play company, and DreamWorks Animation have entered into an agreement to create toys and games inspired by DreamWorks Animation's B.O.O.: Bureau of Otherworldly Operations and Trolls properties. Through this deal, Hasbro will unveil franchise-inspired product lines across major toy categories, with theatrical releases supporting B.O.O. and Trolls arriving in theaters in 2015 and 2016, respectively.

"B.O.O. and Trolls are incredible properties and we are thrilled to be collaborating with DreamWorks at the very early stages of these great franchises," said Samantha Lomow, Senior Vice President of Global Brand Strategy and Marketing at Hasbro. "Both properties offer rich and expansive play patterns and we cannot wait to get started."

DreamWorks Animation Acquires IP For Trolls With Plans To Take Iconic Dolls' Brand (And Hair) To New Heights

American Girl Branding Vet Shawn Dennis Tapped to Head Trolls Global Franchise

GLENDALE, Calif., April 11, 2013 -- DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc. has acquired the IP for the iconic Troll franchise from the Dam Family and Dam Things of Denmark with plans to introduce the beloved brand to a new generation of fans around the world. In support of the brand's enormous global potential, DreamWorks Animation has named American Girl veteran Shawn Dennis as head of brand development to cultivate this classic franchise.

"Trolls is a brand with over fifty years of deep heritage and we are thrilled to bring this iconic, multi-generational property to DreamWorks Animation," said Chief Operating Officer Ann Daly. "We have big plans for this franchise and Shawn Dennis is uniquely suited to lead this charge. She helped grow the American Girl brand into a household name and by bringing this expertise to Trolls she will introduce these characters to legions of new fans around the world."

Spin Master Ltd. and DreamWorks Animation Take Flight with Exclusive Global Licensing Relationship for DreamWorks Dragons Franchise

Toy Line from Hit TV Series DreamWorks Dragons: Riders of Berk to Debut in Fall of 2013

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 19, 2013 - To forge an alliance worthy of the great Vikings and dragons of Berk, Spin Master Ltd., one of the leading toy manufacturers in the world and DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc. have entered into an exclusive licensing relationship in which Spin Master will serve as the worldwide master toy licensee for the DreamWorks Dragons slate of upcoming franchise properties, which includes a television series as well as the much-anticipated sequel to the original film.

New Distributor Twentieth Century Fox Unveils DreamWorks Animation's Release Slate Through 2016

GLENDALE, Calif., Sept. 9, 2012 -- New distributor Twentieth Century Fox today unveiled DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc.'s feature film release slate for 2013 to 2016, which includes twelve CG animated films in four years – a major industry first.

The following DreamWorks Animation films will be distributed by Fox: The Croods for March 22, 2013, Turbo for July 19, 2013 and Mr. Peabody & Sherman for November 1, 2013; Me and My Shadow for March 14, 2014, How to Train Your Dragon 2 for June 20, 2014 and Happy Smekday! for November 26, 2014; The Penguins of Madagascar for March 27, 2015, Trolls (working title) for June 5, 2015, B.O.O.: Bureau of Otherworldly Operations for November 6, 2015 and Mumbai Musical (working title) for December 19, 2015; Kung Fu Panda 3 for March 18, 2016 and How to Train Your Dragon 3 for June 18, 2016.

Dreamworks Animation Agrees to Acquire Classic Media

Casper the Friendly Ghost, Where's Waldo?, Lassie, George of the Jungle and Christmas Classics Among Extensive Portfolio of Intellectual Property Sold to DreamWorks Animation for $155 Million

GLENDALE, Calif., July 23, 2012 -- DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc. today announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Classic Media, owner of one of the most extensive portfolios featuring many of the best-known and most-enduring franchises in all of family entertainment, for $155 million in cash from Boomerang Media Holdings I LLC, a portfolio company of Chicago-based private equity firm GTCR.

Classic Media's library of intellectual property, which is focused on family characters and brands, features a vast collection of filmed entertainment with over 450 titles and more than 6,100 episodes of animated and live-action programming. Classic Media owns one of the world's largest comic book archives and media rights to the titles in the Golden Books library, which have sold over two billion copies worldwide. Their properties have been distributed in over 170 territories around the globe.

Dreamworks Animation is Off to the Races with High-Octane Cast for Turbo In 2013

GLENDALE, Calif., Feb. 24, 2012 -- DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc. today announced that Ryan Reynolds will lead an all-star cast including Paul Giamatti, Michael Pena, Luis Guzman, Bill Hader, Richard Jenkins, Ken Jeong, Michelle Rodriguez, Maya Rudolph, Ben Schwartz, Kurtwood Smith, Snoop Dogg and Samuel L. Jackson in the Company's upcoming original film Turbo, which tells the story of an ordinary garden snail with dreams of racing greatness. Turbo is scheduled to come to the big screen on July 19, 2013.

"Ryan Reynolds' infectious enthusiasm and humor will bring life to the lead role of Turbo and set the tone for this amazing roster of all-star voice talent," said DreamWorks Animation Chief Creative Officer Bill Damaschke. "This high-octane journey will take audiences on the race of their lives and completely re-define the traditional notion of moving at a snail's pace!"