Thursday, June 21, 2012

Jim Parsons and Rihanna To Star In DreamWorks Animation's Happy Smekday!



20 Jun 2012 14:15 Africa/Lagos

Emmy® And Golden Globe® Winner Jim Parsons And International Superstar Rihanna To Star In DreamWorks Animation's Happy Smekday! In 2014

GLENDALE, Calif., June 20, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc. (Nasdaq: DWA) today announced that Emmy® and Golden Globe® winner Jim Parsons (Harvey on Broadway and The Big Bang Theory) and international superstar Rihanna (Battleship) will star in the leading roles in Happy Smekday!, a feature film based on the critically acclaimed book "The True Meaning of Smekday" by Adam Rex. The studio plans to release Happy Smekday! during the fourth quarter of 2014.

Tim Johnson (Over the Hedge, Antz) will serve as the film's director. Chris Jenkins (Rio, Surf's Up) and Suzanne Buirgy ( Kung Fu Panda 2) are serving as producers and DreamWorks Animation's Head of Development Gregg Taylor is overseeing the project. Tom J. Astle and Matt Ember (Get Smart) are currently writing the screenplay.

"Adam's hilarious book is the perfect recipe for a compelling animated feature and we are ecstatic that Jim Parsons and Rihanna will contribute their immense talents to the production," said Bill Damaschke, DreamWorks Animation's Chief Creative Officer. "We're also thrilled that Tim Johnson is back to direct another DreamWorks Animation feature film and show the world just how fun an alien invasion can be!"

"When I read Adam Rex's remarkable book, I knew it would make an amazing film. I can't wait to introduce audiences to the unique world and characters of Happy Smekday!" added Tim Johnson.

In Happy Smekday! an alien race invades Earth and uses it as a hideout from their mortal enemy. When one lowly alien accidentally notifies the enemies of his whereabouts, he is forced to go on the run with a teenage girl. The two become unlikely buddies and embark on a comical globe-trotting adventure to right his wrongs, in which our alien hero learns what it really means to be human.

About DreamWorks Animation

DreamWorks Animation creates high-quality entertainment, including CG animated feature films, television specials and series and live entertainment properties, meant for audiences around the world. The Company has world-class creative talent, a strong and experienced management team and advanced filmmaking technology and techniques. DreamWorks Animation has been named one of the "100 Best Companies to Work For" by FORTUNE® Magazine for four consecutive years. In 2012, DreamWorks Animation ranks #14 on the list. All of DreamWorks Animation's feature films are now being produced in 3D. The Company has theatrically released a total of 24 animated feature films, including the franchise properties of Shrek, Madagascar , Kung Fu Panda and How to Train Your Dragon. The Company's theatrical releases for the current year are Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted on June 8, 2012 and Rise of the Guardians on November 21, 2012.

Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements


This document includes certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company's plans, prospects, strategies, proposals and our beliefs and expectations concerning performance of our current and future releases and anticipated talent, directors and storyline for our upcoming films and other projects, constitute forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about the industry in which we operate and management's beliefs and assumptions. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions which are difficult to predict. Actual results may vary materially from those expressed or implied by the statements herein due to changes in economic, business, competitive, technological and/or regulatory factors, and other risks and uncertainties affecting the operation of the business of DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc. These risks and uncertainties include: audience acceptance of our films, our dependence on the success of a limited number of releases each year, the increasing cost of producing and marketing feature films, piracy of motion pictures, the effect of rapid technological change or alternative forms of entertainment and our need to protect our proprietary technology and enhance or develop new technology. In addition, due to the uncertainties and risks involved in the development and production of animated feature projects, the release dates for the projects described in this document may be delayed. For a further list and description of such risks and uncertainties, see the reports filed by us with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our most recent annual report on Form 10-K and our most recent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. DreamWorks Animation is under no obligation to, and expressly disclaims any obligation to, update or alter its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions or otherwise.

SOURCE DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc.

CONTACT: Shannon Olivas, Corporate Communications, +1-818-695-3658, Shannon.Olivas@dreamworks.com; Jeff Hare, Publicity, +1-818-695-6055, Jeff.Hare@dreamworks.com

Web Site: http://www.dreamworksanimation.com




Hottest-Selling Summer Concert Tours


20 Jun 2012 14:00 Africa/Lagos

TicketsNow Entertainment Index Charts Hottest-Selling Summer Concert Tours
- Ticketmaster's Resale Marketplace Tracks Fans' Top Ticket Picks -
- American Idols LIVE! Beats Out Bieber Fever In May -

ROLLING MEADOWS, Ill., June 20, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- With temperatures on the rise, the concert scene is heating up across the nation with some of the most popular musical acts going on tour this summer. From country to rock, classics to pop, some of the hottest musical artists are taking their shows on the road, creating great demand for concert tickets. TicketsNow, Ticketmaster's resale marketplace, provides a snapshot of the most sought-after concert tickets of the season in the company's Entertainment Index for May.

"Now that we've officially kicked-off the summer entertainment season, we are seeing a number of artists launching their tours," said Julia Vander Ploeg, general manager of TicketsNow. "Music fans can shop our site with confidence, as TicketsNow is the only resale marketplace able to offer Ticketmaster verification and barcode reissue on all Ticketmaster tickets, including tickets for all events held at Live Nation amphitheaters."

Top-Selling Concerts for May 2012 (by tickets sold):

Nationwide

1. American Idols LIVE!

2. Justin Bieber

3. One Direction

4. Drake

5. Jason Aldean

6. Kenny Chesney

7. Roger Waters

8. Carrie Underwood

9. Dave Matthews Band

10. Lady Antebellum

Hottest Tickets by City


1. Barbara Streisand


1. American Idols LIVE!



3. One Direction


3. American Idols LIVE!


3. One Direction




Chicago


Dallas/Fort Worth


Denver

1. Vincente Fernandez


1. Kenny Chesney


1. American Idols LIVE!

2. American Idols LIVE!


2. Drake


2. Drake

3. Roger Waters


3. One Direction


3. Jack White

About TicketsNow

TicketsNow is your connection to all of the fun and excitement of live entertainment events. A leading online resale marketplace for music, theater, and sports tickets, TicketsNow provides fans secure and convenient access to tickets that are often hard to get through other distribution channels. TicketsNow is the only resale marketplace with the ability to validate tickets and fulfill them through Ticketmaster's TicketFast™ delivery. A Live Nation Entertainment company, TicketsNow powers a number of partner marketplaces, including the Official Fan Marketplace for Madison Square Garden, Barclays Center, Radio City Music Hall, US Open Tennis, Los Angeles Lakers, Allstate Sugar Bowl, Cotton Bowl Classic, Capital One Bowl, and Champs Sports Bowl, as well as several other college bowls and universities. For more information, visit www.TicketsNow.com, www.facebook.com/TicketsNow and @TicketsNow.

SOURCE TicketsNow

CONTACT: Jennifer Swanson, +1-815-444-4923, jennifer.swanson@ticketmaster.com

Web Site: http://www.TicketsNow.com

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