Time Warner

Posted on October 16, 2016 by emmichae

Lizzie Michael and Andrew Maercklein

Time Warner, Inc. logo [1]

Time Warner, Inc.

One Time Warner Center
New York, NY 10019-8016
212-484-8000

Company

Time Warner, Inc. is an entertainment and media conglomerate whose works and influence reaches all over the world. First created in 1989 in a $14 billion merger between Time, Inc. and Warner Communications, Time Warner now owns magazines such as Time, People, and Sports Illustrated; HBO, The CW, and Cinemax, as well as the Turner Broadcasting System, which in turn holds networks such as TBS, CNN and Cartoon Network; DC Comics; and one of the world’s largest production companies, Warner Brothers Entertainment. [2] [3].

Some of Time Warner’s assets. [4]

The company has undergone a few trouble spots in the past, including a $164 deal with AOL in the year 2000. [5]. The deal, which eventually proved to be misguided and led to major financial losses in 2002, was said to be “the biggest mistake in corporate history” by current CEO and Chairman Jeff Bewkes. [6]. That being said, Time Warner has since rebouded and is currently enjoying success from several of its assets, including HBO and Warner Brothers, and is looking forward to the completion of an acquisition, with a total transaction value of
$108.7 billion, with AT&T. [7].

Who are some key executives?

: Jeff Bewkes – Chairman of the Board and CEO, Time Warner Inc. [8]

: Howard M. Averill – Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer [8]

: Paul T. Cappuccio – Executive Vice President and General Counsel [8]

: Gary L. Ginsberg – Executive Vice President, Corporate Marketing and Communications [8]

: Karen Magee – Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer [8]

: Carol A. Melton – Executive Vice President, Global Public Policy [8]

: Olaf J. Olafsson – Executive Vice President, International and Corporate Strategy [8]

Financial information

Time Warner is a publicly traded company on the NYSE under the ticket TWX. As of 11/17/16, their current stock price is $93.20, as compared to one of their primary competitors, Walt Disney Co., who is at $98.82. [9]. On Oct. 27 the company announced cash dividends for Common Stock at $0.4025 per share, with a record date of Nov. 30. and a payment date of Dec. 15. [10] [11]. Thanks in part to the AT&T announcement, Time Warner’s stock has been on the upswing, having increased nearly 22.07% since April 2016; additionally, about 67% of analysts covering Warner’s stock rate this as a good time to buy. [11].

TW revenues and earnings per share [12]

In Warner’s 3rd quarter reports for 2016, total revenues for Turner, HBO, and Warner Broadcasting combined were at more than $7 billion, and there was an increase of $153 million in cash and cash equivalents. [13]. With the recently released Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them and HBO’s Westworld recently having success, revenues from ticket sales and merchandising for Time Warner can be expected to increase in 2016’s 4th quarter, and should give the company a strong year-end yield. [14].

Warner Brothers

Warner Bros. Logo [15]

Warner Bros., which was founded in 1923 and notably produced the first “talkie” in 1927’s The Jazz Singer, is one of the largest production companies in the world, with both New Line Cinema and DC Films in its toolbox. [16]. In 2015, Warner Bros.’ worldwide box office receipts exceeded $3 billion for the ninth consecutive year ($3.71 billion worldwide), and saw both international and domestic reaching the billions. [17].

[18]

The company houses several major franchises, including the Matrix series, the Harry Potter Franchise, and the world of DC Comics. In 2016 alone, multiple films were released to massive success, including Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Sully, Suicide Squad, and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. Suicide Squad was in theaters for an impressive 14 weeks and earned more than $700 million worldwide, while Fantastic Beasts has been open for less than two weeks and has already made nearly $500 million. [19] [20].

This success will likely carry into 2017, as Wonder Woman, Justice League, and two more animated Lego movies are all slated for wide release. [21].

Machinima’s logo [22]

In news besides its releases, Warner Bros. also recently announced it will acquire Machinima, a “global programming service and production company” with a focus on gamer culture. [23]. The deal, which was estimated to be just slightly under $100 million, will allow Machinima to be its own entity within the Warner Bros. Digital Networks. [24].

HBO

HBO logo [31]

Home Box Office, or HBO, is one of Time Warner’s most successful divisions. In terms of its financial performance, in the 2016 third quarter HBO’s revenues increased 4%, or $59 million, to $1.4 billion due to a 5% increase in subscription revenues. [12].

HBO’s content has gone over incredibly well with viewers. HBO took home 22 Primetime Emmys at the 2016 Emmy Awards, the most of any other network for the 15^th year in a row. [12] [29]. Shows such as Veep, Game of Thrones, and Last Night with John Oliver all have loyal fan bases, while newcomer Westworld premiered in October 2016 to more than 13 million viewers. [12].

In other news, HBO just recently launched a new video streaming service in Spain, HBO España, that is expected to very well. The service offers both original HBO content, as well as films and programming from other networks as well, like Disney, Nickelodeon, and other Spanish programming. [30].

AT&T Merger

Click here for AT&T and Time Warner Merger (Video): http://nyti.ms/2exY5SK [27]

AT&T is looking to purchase Time Warner, Inc. in a $85 billion deal, and despite many setbacks, AT&T is confident the deal will go through. [25]. Were the FCC to oversee this deal, the time frame would have been elongated and the deal itself would be much less likely to go into effect. However, it is likely the deal will not be subject to the tight restrictions set by the FCC, as the FCC may be excluded from the process and the decision will be made by the Department of Justice. Randall L. Stephenson, the CEO of AT&T, is very optimistic regarding this scenario and said this deal will satisfy not only those looking for earnings growth, but also investors that are simply searching for income. [27]. However, this deal will cause AT&T to push its debt upwards of $190 billion. [27]. The average user of DirecTV Now will pay $35 per month, which translates to $1.32 gross margin, and despite an apparent lack of funding, there are expected to be approximately 15 million paid subscribers by 2020. [26].

AT&T logo [28]

Many investors are skeptical of the deal and doubt the level of success predicted by AT&T. AT&T, being the only company of its competitors to move in this direction, will be able to corner a large section of the market before anyone else. Through securing customers with a low price now, AT&T hopes to attract many more consumers in the future while still being able to raise the price of service as necessary. [26]. Furthermore, AT&T wants to boost their wireless business in an attempt to take back some of the market from other wireless companies. They plan to do this by allowing wireless users to watch DirecTV without using data. This is known as zero-rating and it’s frowned upon by the FCC because it would allow for AT&T to reduce competition, especially among its own assets. [25]. Between the low prices as well as other incentives to switch, AT&T is focused on increasing its consumer following as opposed to generating revenue. Revenue will theoretically be the focus after AT&T has accrued a mass following. In addition, it’s predicted there will be less subscription cancellations as well as a large boost in advertising revenue. [25]. Should the deal be successful, it will be one of the largest to date and will push AT&T further ahead of competitors. Should the deal not be approved, or even fail, AT&T will have to tread very carefully to avoid serious damage to the company’s finances, as well as the integrity of the company.

[27]

Resources

[1] Time Warner Cables Customer Service Phone Number, Office Address, Toll Free Helpline Support. Retrieved November 27, 2016. http://www.officeaddresshelplinenumber.com/time-warner-cables-customer-service-phone-number-office-address-toll-free-helpline-support/

[2] The Creator of Time Warner, Steven J. Ross, Is Dead at 65. Retrieved November 27, 2016. http://www.nytimes.com/1992/12/21/obituaries/the-creator-of-time-warner-steven-j-ross-is-dead-at-65.html

[3] Top 3 Companies Owned By Time Warner (TWX). Retrieved November 27, 2016. http://www.investopedia.com/articles/markets/102215/top-3-companies-owned-time-warner.asp

[4] Company Profile. Retrieved November 27, 2016. http://www.timewarner.com/company

[5] Statistics on Mergers. Retrieved November 27, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20120106045040/http://www.imaa-institute.org/statistics-mergers-acquisitions.html

[6] AOL merger was ‘the biggest mistake in corporate history’, believes Time Warner chief Jeff Bewkes. Retrieved November 27, 2016. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/mediatechnologyandtelecoms/media/8031227/AOL-merger-was-the-biggest-mistake-in-corporate-history-believes-Time-Warner-chief-Jeff-Bewkes.html

[7] AT&T to Acquire Time Warner. Retrieved November 27, 2016. http://about.att.com/story/att_to_acquire_time_warner.html

[8] Senior Corporate Executives. Retrieved November 27, 2016. http://www.timewarner.com/company/management/senior-corporate-executives

[9] TWX: NY. Retrieved November 27, 2016. https://www.bloomberg.com/quote/TWX:US

[10] Time Warner Declares Regular Quarterly Cash Dividend. Retrieved November 27, 2016. http://www.timewarner.com/newsroom/press-releases/2016/10/27/time-warner-declares-regular-quarterly-cash-dividend

[11] Dividend Action: Time Warner Inc. (NYSE:TWX) advises to “Mark your calendars” for Dec 15, 2016; dividends expected to reach $0.40. Retrieved November 27, 2016. http://friscofastball.com/2016/11/27/dividend-action-time-warner-inc-nysetwx-advises-to-mark-your-calendars-for-dec-15-2016-dividends-expected-to-reach-0-40/

[12] Time Warner Inc. Revenue & Earnings Per Share (EPS). Retrieved November 27, 2016. http://www.nasdaq.com/symbol/twx/revenue-eps

[13] Earnings Releases & Related Materials. Retrieved November 27, 2016. http://ir.timewarner.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=70972&p=quarterlyearnings

[14] Weekend Box Office: November 25-27, 2016. Retrieved November 27, 2016. http://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/chart/

[15] Warner Bros. Logo Design Evolution. Retrieved November 28, 2016. http://annyas.com/screenshots/warner-bros-logo/

[16] Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Retrieved November 28, 2016. http://www.warnerbros.com/studio/divisions/warner-bros-entertainment-inc

[17] Warner Bros. Pictures. Retrieved November 28, 2016. http://www.warnerbros.com/studio/divisions/warner-bros-pictures

[18] Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them – Final Trailer [HD]. Retrieved November 28, 2016. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vso5o11LuGU

[19] Box Office Mojo: Suicide Squad. Retrieved November 28, 2016. http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=dc2016.htm

[20] Box Office Mojo: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. Retrieved November 28, 2016. http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=fantasticbeasts.htm

[21] Warner Bros., Quietly Thriving, Recasts Its Own Story. Retrieved November 28, 2016. http://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/08/business/media/warner-bros-quietly-thriving-recasts-its-own-story.html

[22] Machinima. Retrieved November 28, 2016. http://www.machinima.com/

[23] Warner Bros. Entertainment to Acquire Machinima. Retrieved November 28, 2016. http://www.warnerbros.com/studio/news/warner-bros-entertainment-acquire-machinima

[24] Warner Bros. Acquires Full Control of Machinima. Retrieved November 28, 2016. http://variety.com/2016/digital/news/warner-bros-acquires-machinima-1201920793/

[25] McAlone, Nathan. “Here’s Why AT&T Is Buying Time Warner, and Why It Thinks the Government Can’t Stop the Sale.” Business Insider. Business Insider, Inc, 15 Nov. 2016. Web. 28 Nov. 2016. http://www.businessinsider.com/att-time-warner-merger-government-regulation-2016-11

[26] Molla, Rani, and Shira Ovide. “AT&T Plays It Forward.” Bloomberg.com. Bloomberg, 23 Nov. 2016. Web. 28 Nov. 2016. https://www.bloomberg.com/gadfly/articles/2016-11-23/at-t-wants-digital-video-share-with-direct-tv-now

[27] Morgenson, Gretchen. “The AT&T-Time Warner Merger: A Match Built on Hope.” The New York Times. The New York Times, 28 Oct. 2016. Web. 28 Nov. 2016. http://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/30/business/the-att-time-warner-merger-a-match-built-on-hope.html?_r=0

[28] LLC, UnderConsideration. “Reviewed.” Brand New: New Logo and Identity for AT&T by Interbrand. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Nov. 2016. http://www.underconsideration.com/brandnew/archives/new_logo_and_identity_for_att_by_interbrand.php#.WDyz-6IrL_Q

[29] How FX Broke HBO’s Grip on the Emmy Awards. Retrieved November 28, 2016. http://fortune.com/2016/09/19/emmy-awards-2016-hbo-fx/

[30] HBO Launches in Spain, Adds Content from Disney, Nickelodeon. Retrieved November 28, 2016. http://variety.com/2016/biz/global/hbo-espana-spain-disney-nickelodeon1201927778-1201927778/

[31] HBO Logos. Retrieved November 28, 2016. https://www.homeboxoffice.com/lodging/cmp/logos.html

Disney

Posted on October 16, 2016 by jlrose

by JACK ROSE, AUDREY LEW, and BRITTANY ORTIZ

Disney Logo [1]

Background

Disney is a leading producer, owner, and distributor of media that owns, among many other things, broadcast network ABC; movie studios Pixar, Walt Disney Animation, Marvel, and Lucasfilm; Walt Disney Parks and Resorts that attracted nearly 150 million people in 2015 [2]; and cable sports network ESPN [3]. Between ABC, its affiliates, and ESPN, Disney operates more than 300 channels worldwide, while its movie studios own the rights to The Avengers family and Star Wars [4]. The last Star Wars release became the highest grossing domestic film earlier this year and with another releasing this December, the company’s film division remains strong [5]. However, fluctuating results on the television side have led Disney to invest in new technologies and a desire to expand international reach birthed a new theme park in China, which opened earlier this year.

Corporate Structure

CEO Bob Iger [1]

Disney’s Chief Executive since 2005, Bob Iger helmed the acquisitions of Pixar, Marvel, and Lucasfilm. Since Iger’s promotion from Chief Operating Officer, Disney’s stock price has risen more than $70 while it’s TV division has come to account for half of the company’s profit [6]. Nearing the end of his career, Iger has repeatedly delayed his retirement and most recently set 2018 as the expiration date for his own tenure. His last task will be selecting his successor, after a recent candidate failed to last as heir.

Disney’s Organizational Chart [7]

Beyond Iger, various chairmen run each of Disney’s major compartments and the company’s board of directors is comprised of 11 members. However, it is this organizational chart, distributed by Walt Disney Studios in 1943, that largely explains Disney’s management philosophy [7]. Rather than the typical hierarchy, the chart displays an interlocking web of managers, producers, and creators that are needed to produce a film. This organization is intended to encourage creativity and teamwork by emphasizing collaboration rather than chain of command. Each role supports, instead of merely instructing, another.

Financials

Annual revenue, profit, and net income have increased yearly since at least 2013, as has Disney’s valuation of its assets and balance sheet as whole. Disney’s revenue dwarfs that of most of its competitors in media, exceeded only by Sony and other conglomerates that produce and own as much content as Sony and Disney. Disney’s stock price is similarly higher than most competitors, currently hovering around $100 [8]. The company’s price per share seems to be inextricably linked to the success of ESPN, which is struggling with subscriber losses and adapting to the future (see “Investments in Technology” section below).

Disney’s Stock Price for last two years [8]

Investments in Technology

MLB Advanced Media Logo [11]

Disney’s future focus is in technology as it attempts to revitalize ESPN and stay on the cutting edge of content creation and media. Primarily, in August the company invested $1 billion for a 33% stake in Major League Baseball’s BAMTech, a leading television streaming company. The deal included an option for Disney to take a majority stake in the company down the road. The first collaboration between the two will be BAMTech’s creation of a standalone streaming service for ESPN, which Disney hopes will help ease the network’s subscriber losses and struggling ratings. BAMTech adds 7.5 million paid subscribers across a multitude of streaming platforms to Disney’s already massive user base [9]. The investment in BAMTech isn’t completely black and white, however. Television’s trend toward skinny bundles complicates the relationship between every content producer and cable provider, with Sling, DirecTV, Hulu, and more getting into the live over-the-top business. Disney’s BAMTech investment suggests a possibility that Disney itself could run a direct-to-consumer cable distributor itself [10].

Throughout this year, rumors swirled about the possibility of Disney purchasing Snapchat, Twitter, and/or Netflix, though analysts agree: none of these are likely. Twitter’s struggle to remain profitable and stabilize its stock price creates nonstop purchase rumors, but it seems that Disney doesn’t stand to benefit much from a Twitter acquisition [11]. Snapchat has proved to be a unique outlet for Disney’s content, but doesn’t seem to be a likely purchase for the social media company [12]. Though the investment in BAMTech signifies Disney’s interest in streaming, Netflix doesn’t appear to be a perfect partner, either. Netflix’s dominance in the streaming market has waned as challengers such as Amazon and Apple have stolen subscribers [13].

Box Office

Star Wars Moana banner [17]

After the November 23 release of Moana, Disney is nearing $2.5B in total domestic box office gross for 2016 [14]. With the top four grossing films of 2016 thus far (Finding Dory, Captain America: Civil War, The Jungle Book, and Zootopia), the company topped $6B in worldwide box office gross for the first time in its history [15]. This new record will only increase as Moana and Doctor Strange continue to screen and Disney’s final 2016 film releases: the newest film, Rogue One. Beyond the box office, movies like Star Wars, Finding Dory, and Moana provide massive profits in merchandising, both in America and abroad. In 2013, Disney merchandise sales brought in over $40B.

Theme Parks

On June 16, Disney’s fourth international theme park opened in Shanghai, with the tagline “authentically Disney, distinctly Chinese” [16]. The company avoided western branding and symbols by changing street names within the park and by filling the concessions with 70% Chinese food. Traditional Disney characters can be seen wearing traditionally Chinese silk costumes and speaking the native language. The Shanghai Disney Resort seeks to take advantage of the massive potential offered by China and the wider Asian market.

Shanghai Disney Resort [18]

Conclusion

Despite Disney’s losses in television, its massive successes at the box office in 2016 have made up for it. The control of Star Wars, Marvel, and Pixar promises success in the motion pictures department nearly every year. Further, Disney’s land holdings of theme parks underscore the company’s finances with physical propoerty–while most media conglomerates own intellectual property, Disney holds more tangible assets as well. The company’s investments in technology put it in a good place for the future–its theme parks’ MagicBands have already proven successful. But while the company must hope these investments pay off, it also faces the uncertain future of navigating an evolving marketplace with a new CEO. Iger’s selection of his successor is by far the most important storyline to follow within the massive world of Disney.

Sources

About The Walt Disney Company. Retrieved November 25, 2016. https://thewaltdisneycompany.com/about/
The Data Team. June 16, 2016. The Economist. A New Disney Theme Park Opens in China. Retrieved November 25, 2016. http://www.economist.com/blogs/graphicdetail/2016/06/daily-chart-11
Johnson, Madeleine. June 16, 2016. Zacks. Your Complete Guide to All the Things Owned by Disney. Retrieved November 25, 2016. https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/220682/your-complete-guide-to-all-the-things-owned-by-disney
Carpenter, J. William. October 29, 2015. Investopedia. Top 5 Companies Owned by Disney. Retrieved November 25, 2016. http://www.investopedia.com/articles/markets/102915/top-5-companies-owned-disney.asp
Brevet, Brad. January 7, 2016. Box Office Mojo. ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ Becomes Highest Grossing Domestic Release of All-Time. Retrieved November 25, 2016. http://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=4142&p=.htm
Belloni, Matthew. June 22, 2016. The Hollywood Reporter. In-Depth With Disney CEO Bob Iger on China Growth, ‘Star Wars’ Reshoots and Political Plans: “A Lot of People Have Urged Me to [Run]”. Retrieved November 25, 2016. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/features/bob-iger-interview-star-wars-905320
Hirasuna, Delphine. August 7, 2009. At Issue Journal. Walt Disney’s Creative Organization Chart. Retrieved November 25, 2016. http://www.atissuejournal.com/2009/08/07/walt-disney%E2%80%99s-creative-organization-chart/
Yahoo! Finance. The Walt Disney Company (DIS). Retrieved November 25, 2016. https://finance.yahoo.com/quote/DIS/financials?p=DIS
Brown, Maury. August 9, 2016. Forbes. Disney Buys $1B Stake In MLB’s BAMTech, To Launch ESPN Streaming Service. Retrieved November 25, 2016. http://www.forbes.com/sites/maurybrown/2016/08/09/disney-co-makes-1-billion-investment-becomes-minority-stakeholder-in-mlbams-bamtech/#1f44b1915972
Markman, Jon. August 23, 2016. Forbes. Disney Streaming Into A Perilous Future. Retrieved November 25, 2016. http://www.forbes.com/sites/jonmarkman/2016/08/23/disney-streaming-into-a-perilous-future/#4f34784210f7
Kafka, Peter. September 26, 2016. Recode. Why Disney won’t buy Twitter. Retrieved November 25, 2016. http://www.recode.net/2016/9/26/13062276/disney-won-t-buy-twitter
Munarriz, Rick. April 9, 2016. The Motley Fool. Disney Isn’t Buying Netflix or Snapchat. Retrieved November 25, 2016. http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2016/04/09/disney-isnt-buying-netflix-or-snapchat.aspx
Cohan, Peter. October 5, 2016. Forbes. Why Walt Disney Should Not Buy Netflix. Retrieved November 25, 2016. http://www.forbes.com/sites/petercohan/2016/10/05/why-walt-disney-should-not-buy-netflix/#710bdc20395d
Box Office Mojo. Studio Market Share. Retrieved November 28, 2016. http://www.boxofficemojo.com/studio/?view2=yearly&view=parent&p=.htm
Tartaglione, Nancy. November 6, 2016. Deadline Hollywood. Disney Crosses $6B At Global Box Office; First Time In Studio’s History. Retrieved November 28, 2016. http://deadline.com/2016/11/disney-crosses-six-billion-dollars-global-box-office-studio-record-doctor-strange-finding-dory-zootopia-captain-america-1201849749/
Gardner, Hannah. June 16, 2016. USA Today. Disney’s new Shanghai park is supersized. Retrieved November 28, 2016. http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2016/06/15/disneys-new-shanghai-park-supersized/85920926/
Disney. Moana. Retrieved November 28, 2016. http://movies.disney.com/moana

21st Century Fox

Posted on October 16, 2016 by erlipins

Gina Reitenauer, Erika Lipinski, Dwayne Ellmore

[1]

Adress/ Contact Info:

1211 6TH AVE.

NEW YORK, NY 10036

(212) 852-7000

Key Executives:

James Murdoch Co-Chief Operating Officer

James Murdoch- CEO

Murdoch has been with the Fox corporation for over 20 years, over these years, he has held a variety of different leadership positions in the company. He was appointed as the CEO in 2015.

Lachlan Murdoch- Executive Chairman

L. Murdoch has been in the communications industry for over twenty years. Some of his past leadership positions for the company include: Board of Directors member, Deputy Chief Operating Officer, and Co-Chairman of the corporation.

Rupert Murdoch- Executive Chairman

R. Murdoch has served as both the CEO and Chairman of the company, a role that he had since 1979 when the corporation was known as “News Corporation” . R. Murdoch was appointed to his current position as Executive Chairman of the company on July 1st, 2015.

Reed Nolte- Executive Vice President of Investor Relations

Before becoming an executive at 21st Century Fox, Mr. Note held a variety of different financial positions at communications companies. Most notably, he was the Assistant Treasurer at Paramount Communications. Additionally, Mr. Nolte was previously the Vice President of Investor Relations at Viacom.

Julie Henderson- Chief Communications Officer

Ms. Henderson is the Chief Spokesperson for the company. Her previous experience in Public Relations and the communications field extensive; she has worked as the Senior Vice President of MPRM Public Relations and also Fox Interactive Media. Ms. Henderson has been apart of the 21st century fox team since 2012 when she took her current position.

John Nallen- Senior Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer

John Nallen assumed his current role at 21st century fox in July of 2013. Mr. Nallen originally joined the “News Corporation” back in 1995 after working at Arthur Andersen as a partner.

[2]

Brief Overview:

Twenty-First Century Fox is one of the largest mass media conglomerates in the world. The four major segments of this company include cable network programming, television, filmed entertainment, and direct broadcast satellite television. Twenty-First Century Fox is parent organization to many subsidiaries. For instance, Fox Entertainment Group is a subsidiary of which are many of Fox’s well-known divisions, such as FOX News Channel, Twentieth Century Fox Film, and Fox Network Group. Going even further, Fox Network Group is the parent of many other subsidiaries as well, one of them being Fox Broadcasting Company. [3]

[4]

FOX Broadcasting Company, like other traditional television outlets, is experiencing declining viewership. This is partly due to the fact that media consumers are embracing newer digital platforms, which leads broadcasting networks like FOX to be dependent on the news and coverage of national and international events, such as the 2016 Summer Olympics, the 2016 Election, and general sports coverage. For instance, FOX is hopeful that its coverage of the Super Bowl in 2017 will boost ratings as it did in the past. [5]

Finances:

Stock Price:

The stock of the 21st century corporation, has not changed much since the beginning of the year through the current fourth quarter of stock trading. The peak point of the stock price in 2016 was on April 25th, 2016 at $31.06. The lowest point of the stock price was on September 9th, 2016 when the stock price was $23.57. Since this low point, the stock has only rebounded to the point where it is as of Mid-November (Nov 15th, 2016) at $27.45. [6]

Revenue:

For the fiscal year 2015, the revenue for 21st Century Fox was $28.99 billion dollars and the the revenue for the 2016 fiscal year was $27.33 billion. In Quarter 4 of 2016, the company beat expert’s estimates coming in at $6.65 billion. This marked at 7% increase over the prior year’s Quarter 4 results. [7] As of 2016, 21st Century Fox is the 4th highest grossing media company in the world, only behind Alphabet, The Walt Disney Company, and Comcast. [8]

Current Projects/ Recent Releases:

Some Fox films in theaters now include: Trolls, Keeping Up with the Jones, and the recent release Rules Don’t Apply.

Rules Don’t Apply

Rules Don’t Apply was released by Twenty-First Century Fox on November 23rd, 2016, two days prior to Thanksgiving. There are many Thanksgiving releases this week from competing studios such as: Moana from Walt Disney Studios and Bad Santa 2 from Broad Green Pictures. We’ll see how Rules Don’t Apply performs in comparison to the films from other studios. Their last release, Trolls, was expected to gross 35 to 40 million, yet ended up grossing $45.6 million in its first week. [9]

Assassins Creed

[10]

Assassins Creed is based on the video game franchise and will hit theaters on December 21st, 2016. Several sources in the trade say that Assassins Creed won’t make money. The movie budget has not been released yet, but it is estimated to be between $100-200 million.[11] With a movie budget that high it could be hard to break even.

Listed in the image below are future releases to look out for:

[12]

What’s happening/ News:

On July 26th, 2016 former Fox CEO and Chairman, Robert Ailes, resigned from his position. Ailes was replaced by successor Rupert Murdoch. [13] The scandal broke out when Gretchen Carlson, an ex Fox News Anchor, filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against Ailes. Carlson won the case and received a settlement of $20 million from Fox. Afterward, dozens of other female workers at Fox came forward also accusing him of sexual harassment. Megyn Kelley, a Fox News Journalist, writes about her experience of sexual harassment from Robert Ailes in her new book Settle For More, released on November 15th, 2016. When corporate leaders are misogynistic and abuse their power, it shows a lot about the culture of the studio. The scandal has caused public-relation issues for Fox. Hopefully Murdoch assuming this position of power will end favorably. [14]

On another note, on Election Day 2016, FOX News debuted a new studio in honor of the company’s 20th anniversary. The studio cost $30 million. [15]

[16]

However, despite the new glitzy studio, FOX was still outnumbered by its opponents in the news sector of election coverage ratings; FOX News averaged 3.25 million viewers, putting it in fourth place behind NBC, ABC and CBS consecutively. [17]

However, Bill Shine and Jack Abernethy, the co-presidents of FOX News Channel, are both certain the new studio will lead to success. After gathering colleagues in the new studio, Abernethy assured them: “Our records show that about a little over 190 people have been here from the very beginning, continuously,” Jack said. “Most of you, like me, have been here for only a portion of that time. As I get reacquainted with folks, I find tremendous amount of pride in what we do here – I can assure you that Bill and I are going to do our very best to innovate.” [18]

Future Outlook:

An article written for Forbes suggests that three factors will spur growth for 21st Century Fox. These factors are:

Increasing advertising revenue due to premium content
- Because more than half of 21st Century Fox’s revenue comes from subscriptions and advertising, and based on recent success in ratings, it is likely that both consumers and advertisers alike will be drawn to the content. An example of a movie that indicates the recent success of the company’s content is Deadpool,
The ability to stream media
- With a 30% stake in Hulu, the company can compete with other media-streaming powerhouses like Netflix. With the addition of live streaming television on Hulu next year, FOX can expect a boost in revenue. Fox is also hoping to make streaming arrangements with Sony and Sling TV.
Entertainment production (both film and television)
- With an expected increase from $2.3 billion within the next year in terms of licensing revenues, and 20% of Fox’s value grounded in the production of film and television series, Fox is expecting growth and loyalty from distributors as new distribution platforms continue to emerge. [19]

Sources:

[1] “21st Century Fox Logo | Logok.” Logok. May 08, 2014. Accessed November 16, 2016. http://logok.org/21st-century-fox-logo/.

[2] “Executive Team.” Executive Team | 21st Century Fox. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Nov. 2016. https://www.21cf.com/management/executive-team.

[3] “Businesses.” Businesses | 21st Century Fox. Accessed November 16, 2016. https://www.21cf.com/businesses.

[4] “Businesses.” Businesses | 21st Century Fox. Accessed November 16, 2016. https://www.21cf.com/businesses.

[5] Great Speculations. “Fox’s Broadcasting Revenue Growth Is Largely Dependent On Its Sports Programming.” Forbes. February 9, 2016. Accessed November 16, 2016. http://www.forbes.com/sites/greatspeculations/2016/02/09/foxs-broadcasting-revenue-growth-is-largely-dependent-on-its-sports-programming/#65c1dd6269b3.

[6] “21st Century Fox Inc. Cl A.” FOXA Stock Quote – 21st Century Fox Inc. Cl A Stock Price Today (FOXA:NASDAQ) – MarketWatch. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Nov. 2016. http://www.marketwatch.com/investing/stock/foxa.

[7] Statista. “Revenue Generated by 21st Century Fox in the Fiscal Years 2011-2016. Accessed November 27th, 2016. https://www.statista.com/statistics/262513/21st-century-foxs-annual-revenue/

[8] O’Reilly, Lara. “The 30 Biggest Media Companies in the World.” Business Insider. Business Insider, 31 May 2016. Web. 29 Nov. 2016. http://www.businessinsider.com/the-30-biggest-media-owners-in-the-world-2016-5/#4-21st-century-fox–1867-billion-in-media-revenue-27.

[9] “‘Rules Don’t Apply’ Roundtable with Warren Beatty and Key Crew.” IndieWire. N.p., 27 Nov. 2016. Web. 29 Nov. 2016. http://www.indiewire.com/2016/11/rules-dont-apply-warren-beatty-crew-roundtable-interview-1201749928/.

[10] Nicolas Wright & James A. Woods and Dean Devlin & Roland Emmerich and James Vanderbilt. “Independence Day: Resurgence.” Independence Day: Resurgence | 20th Century Fox. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Nov. 2016. http://www.foxmovies.com/movies/independence-day-resurgence.

[11] “Ubisoft Doesn’t Think Assassin’s Creed Movie Will Be Very Profitable.” Screen Rant. N.p., 08 July 2016. Web. 29 Nov. 2016. http://screenrant.com/assassins-creed-movie-ubisoft-box-office-predictions/.

[12] “20th Century Fox Upcoming Releases.” 20th Century Fox Upcoming Releases. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Nov. 2016. http://www.boxofficemojo.com/studio/chart/?view2=upcoming&view=company&studio=fox.htm.

[13] 21 CF Staff. “Roger Ailes Resigns as Chairman and CEO of Fox News Channel and Fox Business Network, and Chairman Fox Television Stations”. 21st Century Fox Press Releases. July 21, 2016. Accessed November 22, 2016. https://www.21cf.com/news/21st-century-fox/2016/roger-ailes-resigns-chairman-and-ceo-fox-news-channel

[14] Grynbaum, Michael. “Fox Settles With Gretchen Carlson Over Roger Ailes Sex Harassment Claims“. The New York Times. September 6, 2016. Accessed November 23, 2016. http://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/07/business/media/fox-news-roger-ailes-gretchen-carlson-sexual-harassment-lawsuit-settlement.html

[15] 21 CF Staff. “FOX News Channel Celebrates Its 20th Anniversary by Introducing a New State-of-the-art Studio to Debut on Election Day.” FOX News Channel Celebrates Its 20th Anniversary by Introducing a New State-of-the-art Studio to Debut on Election Day | 21CF BLOG. October 7, 2016. Accessed November 16, 2016. https://blog.21cf.com/blog/2016/10/07/fox-news-channel-celebrates-20th-anniversary-new-studio.

[16] “Fox News Unveils Nearly $30 Million Election-Night Studio.” AdWeek. November 6, 2016. Accessed November 16, 2016. http://www.adweek.com/news/television/fox-news-unveils-nearly-30-million-election-night-studio-174405

[17] “Election Night Broadcast Numbers down a Bit from 2012: Tuesday Final Ratings.” TV By The Numbers by Zap2it.com. November 10, 2016. Accessed November 16, 2016. http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/daily-ratings/tuesday-final-ratings-nov-8-2016/.

[18]”Fox News Unveils Nearly $30 Million Election-Night Studio.” AdWeek. November 6, 2016. Accessed November 16, 2016. http://www.adweek.com/news/television/fox-news-unveils-nearly-30-million-election-night-studio-174405

[19] Forbes. “These Three Factors Could Drive Growth For 21st Century Fox In Future”. September 27, 2016. Accessed November 28, 2016. http://www.forbes.com/sites/greatspeculations/2016/09/27/these-three-factors-could-drive-growth-for-21st-century-fox-in-future/#56b0884d30ae.

Weinstein Company

Posted on February 18, 2016 by Julia Teti

By Julia Teti

[14]

The Weinstein Company

345 Hudson Street New York, NY 10014 [3]

http://weinsteinco.com

Introduction

MV5BMzU5MjEwMTg2Nl5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwNzM3MTYxNA@@._V1_UY268_CR0,0,182,268_AL_

The King’s Speech, Best Picture Winner 2011, Source: imdb.com [15]

Known for it’s numerous films; The Weinstein Company is responsible for the distribution of such movies as The Reader, The King’s Speech, and Silver Linings Playbook and within this past year Macbeth, Carol and The Hateful Eight.[1] A winner of multiple prizes when it comes to awards season, The Weinstein Company is a dominant film distributor and, though still relatively new to Hollywood, is distributing films that have received numerous critical accolades and various nominations among other accomplishments.

History

In 2005, the founders of Miramax (1979), Robert and Harvey Weinstein, launched the distribution company known as The Weinstein Company. Dimensions Films is also part of The Weinstein Company as a genre label founded in 1993 by Robert Weinstein. The Weinstein Company has received over 300 Oscar nominations and has won 81 Academy Awards in the short time since it’s founding. The Weinstein Company also is very strong in the realm of television; however, the focus here will be placed on its accomplishments and noteworthy happenings in film.[1] Headquarters for the company are located in New York, NY. The Weinstein Company does not disclose for the public it’s financial reports.

Awards and Accolades

The Hateful Eight, Source: imdb.com [16]

Known for it’s award winning films, The Weinstein Company saw a year in which none of its films were nominated in the Best Picture category, the first time since 2008.[2] The Weinstein Company has boasted films such as The King’s Speech and The Artist, both of which took home the Oscar for Best Picture. The year 2016 saw The Weinstein Company receiving ten nominations for it’s three films Carol, The Hateful Eight, and The Hunting Ground.[2] For these three films that did receive nominations, The Hateful Eight won the Oscar for Best Original Score, by Ennio Morricone.[6] Harvey Weinstein has been known to be associated with the Oscars and for campaigning heavily for his nominated films, dating back to before the founding of The Weinstein Company through the Weinstein brother’s previous company Miramax. With the issue of this awards season being equal representation of races in film, Weinstein had stated he would cause a stir with the Academy if Ennio Morricone did not win for his category.[6]

Executives [3]

Photo of Mr. Robert Weinstein (right), Co-Founder, Co-Chairman and Principal and Mr. Harvey Weinstein (left), Co-Founder, Co-Chairman and Principal [17]

Corporate Shake Ups

Erik Lomis, former Distribution Chief for The Weinstein Company, left his position as of March 2016 to pursue the role of Lead Distributor at Megan Allison’s Annapurna Pictures.[5] The news came in early March of 2016 as Lomis decided not to renew his contract with The Weinstein Company. Lomis has created positive business relationships with theatre owners and various talents in the film industry. Lomis is credited for taking Quentin Tarantino’s ambition to release The Hateful Eight in 70mm and making the idea come to fruition. Lomis is not the only associate to leave The Weinstein Company as of recently.[5]

[18]

RADiUS-TWC heads Tom Quinn and Jason Janego exited in summer of 2015.[5] Meryl Poster, former TV President, and Stephen Bruno, Marketing Chief, also dissolved their relationships with The Weinstein Company. With the loss of Janego and Quinn, The Weinstein Company is reconfiguring its boutique distributor RADiUS, responsible for such films as It Follows and Citizenfour. The Weinstein Company is currently planning to expand RADiUS day-and-date releases into new niche markets. An interviewing process has begun for the role of senior acquisitions executives to manage the VOD division. RADiUS is credited in helping The Weinstein Company with a scaled down, multi-platform release of the film Snowpiercer. The Weinstein brothers are also currently downsizing with a more focused slate of films for the 2016-year.[4]

Current Film: Jane’s Got a Gun

954a40124bdf5a69_JGAG-ONESHEET-FINAL.xxxlarge_2x

Jane Got a Gun, Source: imdb.com [19]

The Weinstein Company’s latest film to come to theaters is Jane Got a Gun, starring Natalie Portman and Joel Edgerton. The film had been hit with constant delays. In production, Jane Got a Gun’s original director, Lynne Ramsay, quit, various casting changes were made, and the loss of an original distributor, until The Weinstein Company acquired it in September of 2015.The film premiered at the Museum of Modern Art in New York on January 27, 2016. With an unknown production budget, Jane Got a Gun’s wide release date was January 29, 2016.[7] The film’s domestic gross is currently $1,513,793 and made $835,572 in its opening weekend with it’s widest release being shown in 1,210 theaters. The close date for the film was February 25, 2016.[8]

Future Projects

With a shift to television, The Weinstein Company will be releasing fewer films this year. As of now, The Weinstein Company has three films with set release dates; The Founder is being released August 5, 2016, Hands of Stone is set to be released August 26, 2016, and Lion is going to be released November 25, 2016.[10] Originally, The Weinstein Company had the release dates for The Founder and Lion switched. In previous years, The Weinstein company has seen much success when releasing it’s films around the Thanksgiving holiday, which may be the cause for the change in the McDonald’s origin story starring Michael Keaton being released in August rather than November. Lion, a more touching family story, has the advantage a very dominant cast, including Nicole Kidman, Dev Patel and Rooney Mara, who recently saw success with her second Oscar nomination for Carol, another Weinstein Company production.[9] With the changed date, this means publicity for The Founder is beginning in full swing.

[20]

The trailer for the film premiered on April 21, 2016 and a poster for the film was previously released.[13] By creating space between the two films, The Weinstein Company is offering opportunity for its films to be considered awards season bait as they are spread further apart. Further in the future, Rooney Mara will be working in another Weinstein production, portraying New Testament figure Mary Magdalene in a biopic.[12] Being eyed to play the role of Jesus Christ is Joaquin Phoenix. A deal is in the works with the actor for the Garth Davis film.[11] In terms of distribution, The Weinstein Company will be working with the production company See-Saw Films, with whom they worked with on the release of The King’s Speech, Macbeth, and this November’s Lion.[12] Helen Edmundson and Philippa Goslett write the film’s screenplay, and production is scheduled to begin this summer. The Weinstein Company is planning to release the film in 2017.[11]

Sources

[1] The Weinstein Company. (n.d.). Retrieved April 24, 2016

[2] Piccalo, G. (2016, January 14). Oscars 2016: Where was Harvey Weinstein’s nomination? Retrieved April 24, 2016,

[3] The Weinstein Company Inc.: Private Company Information. (n.d.). Retrieved April 24, 2016

[4] Thompson, A. (2016, March 8). The Weinstein Co. to Reconfigure RADiUS. Retrieved April 24, 2016,

[5] McClintock, P. (2016, March 10). Weinstein Co. Shake-Up: Distribution Chief Erik Lomis Exiting (Exclusive). Retrieved April 24, 2016

[6] Harvey Weinstein Jokes About Academy’s Diversity Problem. (2016, February 26). Retrieved April 24, 2016

[7] Chi, P. (2016, January 28). Natalie Portman on Making ‘Jane Got a Gun’: ‘There Was an Obstacle Every Hour, Every Day’. Retrieved April 24, 2016

[8] Jane Got a Gun (2016) – Box Office Mojo. (n.d.). Retrieved April 24, 2016

[9] D’Alessandro, A. (2016, March 01). Weinstein Co.’s ‘The Founder’ Moves To August; ‘Lion’ To Roar During Thanksgiving Week. Retrieved April 24, 2016

[10] Upcoming Movies by Studio / Distributor. (n.d.). Retrieved April 24, 2016

[11] Jaafar, A. (2016, April 22). Joaquin Phoenix Eyed To Play Jesus Christ In Mary Magdalene Pic. Retrieved April 24, 2016

[12] Siegel, T. (2016, February 9). Weinstein Co. in Talks to Acquire Mary Magdalene Biopic. Retrieved April 24, 2016

[13] Khatchatourian, M. (2016, April 21). Michael Keaton Builds McDonald’s Empire in ‘The Founder’ First Trailer. Retrieved April 24, 2016

[14] Weinstein Company Logo. The Weinstein Company. Retrieved April 24, 2016

[15] The King’s Speech Poster. IMDB Media. Retrieved April 24, 2016

[16] The Hateful Eight Poster. IMDB Media. Retrieved April 24, 2016

[17] Photo of Robert and Harvey Weinstein. The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved April 24, 2016

[18] RADiUS TWC logo. Retrieved April 24, 2016

[19] Jane Got a Gun Poster. IMDB Media. Retrieved April 24, 2016

[20] The Founder Trailer. Youtube. Retrieved April 24, 2016

[21] Photo of David Glasser. Retrieved April 25, 2016

Relativity Media

Posted on February 18, 2016 by Noah Mintz

by Noah Mintz

Relativity Media Logo [1]

RELATIVITY MEDIA

9242 Beverly Blvd #300, Beverly Hills, CA

http://relativitymedia.com

OVERVIEW:

Founded in 2004 by venture-capitalist and movie enthusiast, Ryan Kavanaugh, Relativity Media has and continues to produce, distribute, and structure financing for more than 200 films through their Relativity Studios division. These films have successfully accumulated more than $17 billion of revenue in the worldwide box office and generated over 60 Academy Award nominations [2]. Upon its inception, Relativity Media was widely praised for reimagining the Hollywood landscape in their buying of “textured, mid-budget films… To bankers, Kavanaugh appeared to have cracked the code, having come up with a way to forecast a famously unpredictable business by replacing the vagaries of intuition with the certainties of math” [3].

KEY EXECUTIVES:

RYAN KAVANAUGH, Chief Executive Officer [4]

RAMON WILSON, Interim President [4]

CAROL GENIS, Managing Director [4]

FINANCIALS & RESTRUCTURING:

After six years of financing and distributing high-profile films for major film studios like Sony Pictures Entertainment and Universal Pictures, Relativity Media began making and distributing their own movies in 2010 with their first original film, Season of The Witch (2010). Many industry professionals predicted the company’s downfall after witnessing Kavanaugh’s proven history of financial irresponsibility [5]. Yet Relativity persevered, dealing out successful high-grossing films like Immortals (2011 – $83.5 million), Limitless (2011 – $79.3 million), and Safe Haven (2013 – $71.3 million) [6]. Ryan Kavanaugh’s algorithmic, low-risk business model finally proved to be successful. With over $560 million of assets by the summer of 2015, Relativity seemed relatively untouchable. Yet when an outstanding $330 million in debt to various lenders came due in July of the same year (not to mention the $1.8 billion of debt due in the following years), Relativity was forced to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on July 30th in New York State Bankruptcy Court [5].

Relativity’s Ryan Kavanaugh Breaks Silence, Points Fingers in Emotional Post-Bankruptcy Interview [5]

With this major speed bump in Kavanaugh’s plan for the future of Relativity Media, the production company came out of the 2015 fiscal year on a surprisingly high note: ranking 12th amongst all other production companies in total market share with 0.6%, and grossing $74.2 million on four movie releases (making them the third largest mini-major production company) [7]. Similarly, things began to look up for Relativity Media at the start of this Spring when United States Bankruptcy Judge Michael Wiles confirmed a reorganization plan for Relativity on February 8th, 2016. With an offer from Trigger Street Productions‘ notable industry moguls Kevin Spacey and Dana Brunetti, Relativity was set to have their debt reduced by over $630 million [8]. Although the deal included Relativity losing their television, fashion, and sports agency divisions to various lenders as a partial settlement for their egregious debt, the film division, Relativity Studios, was granted approval to release their upcoming films Masterminds, The Disappointments Room, Before I Wake, Kidnap, and The Strangers 2 upon successful completion of the deal. Just one month after the negotiation was proposed on the other hand, Spacey backed out, citing his busy acting schedule as an excuse for his inability to serve as Relativity Studio’s new chairman [9][10]. Brunetti did remain on board, however, and now serves as the studio’s President of Production in both film and television operations [11]. After multiple other financial dealings fell through including the unsuccessful Trigger Street negotiation, Relativity entered bankruptcy court once again on March 19th, now with only $16 million of financial help from various capital groups, as opposed to the $100 million Kavanaugh had pledged upon filing Chapter 11 [10].

Image from The Wrap’s “Ryan Kavanaugh’s Relativity Media Declares Chapter 11 Bankruptcy” [13]

On top of Relativity’s fruitless financial dealings, news broke of Relativity Media’s apparent ‘Ponzi Scheme’ in late March. According to Variety magazine’s online article, “The New York investment firm Colbeck Capital aided and abetted Relativity Media’s fraudulent acquisition of a crucial film-release loan — money that was misspent on corporate expenses and to support the high-flying lifestyle of Relativity founder Ryan Kavanaugh” [9]. This claim by RKA Film Financing seeks over $110 million in damages, and has the potential to put Relativity further in debt if found guilty [9].

Amongst Relativity Media and Kavanaugh’s slew of shortcomings and failures to fulfill many of its early bankruptcy pledges, Judge Michael Wiles shockingly granted Relativity Media approval to exit bankruptcy status after many negotiations and a successful $400 million refinancing plan with UK investment firm, Maple Leaf Films (of Maple Leaf Capital Group) [12]. While the investment company has an oddly shady past and limited credits in the film industry, Maple Leaf Films proved to be a significant life saver for the drowning Relativity Media. In the meantime, as they begin the post-bankruptcy reorganization phase, Relativity must face RKA Film Financing and FTI Consulting in court. In the coming months, Relativity will attempt to resolve RKA’s ‘Ponzi Scheme’ claim against the company, and FTI’s fee dispute that began in the summer of 2015 and could cost Relativity an added $4 million of debt [9].

PROJECTION & CONCLUSION:

Upon Relativity Media’s ultimate emergence from bankruptcy, Ryan Kavanaugh and his newly diminished team of industry professionals will continue in their attempt to regain the reputation that was lost in the summer of 2015. With the help of Maple Leaf Films’ convenient endorsement and Judge Wiles’ thoughtful compassion in bankruptcy court, Relativity looks to rebound with its upcoming films Masterminds (which was postponed from its original 2015 release), The Disappointments Room, Before I Wake, Kidnap, and Strangers 2. After a full year without a release, Relativity needs a break. While these upcoming releases do not necessarily ensure a future of success for Relativity, the big-named high-profile comedy, Masterminds, looks to be the company’s one saving grace. With Kristen Wiig, Zach Galifianakis, Owen Wilson, and Jason Sudeikis as the headlining cast, the 2016 comedy earned a 96% in the “Want to See” category on Rotten Tomatoes [14]. While it falls under the throw away genre of stupid comedies, it is likely to make Relativity some much needed cash. Check out the trailer below.

[17]^

There is no certainty when it comes to the future of Ryan Kavanaugh and his brainchild, Relativity Media, but on Relativity’s website dedicated to the company’s reorganization, the CEO and Chairman of the board said it best. While their shaky past two years have further diminished the reputation of a company once recognized as a revolutionary force in the film industry, Kavanaugh promised that “the Relativity that emerges from the Chapter 11 process will be better capitalized and have greater financial flexibility” [15].

Finally, here’s a sneak peek of Realtivity Media’s upcoming film slate directly from their website.

Screenshot of Relativity Media’s upcoming film slate direct from their corporate website [16].

SOURCES CITED:

[1] Logopedia. “Relativity Media – 2013 (Free Birds).jpg.” Wikia. Retrieved on: April 22, 2016.

[2] “Relativity Corporate Site – Leadership: About.” Relativity Media. Retrieved on: April 22, 2016.

[3] Wallace, Benjamin. Janruary 25, 2016. “The Epic Fail of Hollywood’s Hottest Algorithm.” Vulture Magazine. Retrieved on: April 22, 2016.

[4] “Relativity Corporate Site – Leadership.” Relativity Media. Retrieved on: April 22, 2016.

[5] Siegel, Tatiana. August 05, 2015. “Relativity’s Ryan Kavanaugh Breaks Silence, Points Fingers in Emotional Post-Bankruptcy Interview (Exclusive).” The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved on: April 22, 2016.

[6] “Box Office By Studio – All Time: Relativity.” Boxofficemojo.com. Retrieved on: April 22, 2016.

[7] “Studio Market Share – 2015.” Boxofficemojo.com. Retrieved on: April 22, 2016.

[8] Gardner, Eriq. February 08, 2016. “Judge Officially Confirms Relativity’s Reorganization Plan.” The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved on: April 22, 2016.

[9] Rainey, James. March 10, 2016. “Colbeck Capital Aided Ryan Kavanaugh’s ‘Ponzi Scheme,’ Film Lender Claims.” Variety Magazine. Retrieved on: April 22, 2016.

[10] Rainey, James and Lang, Brent. March 15, 2016. “Without Kevin Spacey or New Equity, Relativity Now Must Face Judgment Day.” Variety Magazine. Retrieved on: April 22, 2016.

[11] Lang, Brent and Littleton, Cynthia. March 13, 2016. “Relativity Relaunch: Kevin Spacey Nixes Chairman Role, Dana Brunetti Sets Deal.” Variety Magazine. Retrieved on: April 22, 2016.

[12] Rainey, James. March 17, 2016. “Relativity Media Claims Lifeline From Obscure Maple Leaf Films.” Variety Magazine. Retrieved on: April 22, 2016.

[13] Cunningham, Todd and Donnelly, Matt. July 30, 2015. “Ryan Kavanaugh’s Relativity Media Declares Chapter 11 Bankruptcy.” The Wrap. Retrieved on: April 22, 2016.

[14] “Masterminds (2016).” Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved on: April 22, 2016.

[15] “Relativity Corporate Site – Reorganization.” Relativity Media. Retrieved on: April 22, 2016.

[16] “Relativity Corporate Site – Films.” Relativity Media. Retrieved on: April 22, 2016.

[17] Movieclips Trailers. “Masterminds Official Trailer #1.” YouTube. Retrieved on: April 22, 2016.

Focus Features

Posted on February 18, 2016 by Tianjia Zhang

Focus Features

[21] Focus Features Logo

Corporate Offices

LOS ANGELES OFFICE

1540 2nd St #200

Santa Monica, CA 90401

NEW YORK CITY OFFICE

c/o NBCUniversal

30 Rockefeller Plaza

Building 5TS – 10th Floor

New York, NY 10112Phone: (818) 777-8738
Fax: (818) 866-4579

http://www.focusfeatures.com

Key Executives

[19] Peter Kujawski, Chairman

[20] Robert Walak, President

About

Focus Features is an art film production and distribution subsidiary of Universal Pictures/NBCUniversal under Comcast Corporation. Focus and Universal Pictures together compose the film department of Universal Studios. [1] Merged of Universal Focus, USA Films and Good Machine on 2002, the company is moving forward with diverse ranges of film genres as well as releasing appealing to filmmakers. [2] Some of the most successful films of Focus includes Brokeback Mountain (2005), which earns $83 million domestically and $95 million from foreign markets, Burn After Reading (2008), which earns $163.7 million in worldwide film revenue, and the recent hit London has Fallen (2016) with a worldwide gross $182 million is one of the most selling features of Focus. Focus also participates in other good-reviewing features like The Danish Girl (2015), The Theory of Everything (2014), Pride and Prejudice (2003) and etc. [3]

Financials

Although Focus Features does not have a separate financial report from its parent company, the first quarter of 2016 is not a bad start for Focus. With four new 2016 releases and two 2015 ones (Suffragette and The Danish Girl still in theaters), Focus earned $120.2 million and bumped up the ranking on the top grossing film studios to the sixth place with a 3.7% market share up dated to April 17. [4] Focus Features and Universal together earned $372.8 million for their parent company with a market shared of 11.4%. Focus has already made up the gap comparing to 2015 with 728.1% more grossing this time. [5]

Leadership Changes

Focus Features has some breaking news in its major management shakeup this year.

Universal Pictures International Production (UPIP) is merging with Focus Features under Focus’ banner. The company’s former CEO Peter Schlessel, who replaced founder James Schamus in 2013, exited his position on April 1 as part of a drastic housecleaning by Universal Pictures. Current Focus COO Adrian Alperovich, Marketing President Christine Birch and President of Acquisitions Lia Buman will also be exiting Focus Features in April.[6] This merging is an attempt to make the unit more global and artistically relevant after a couple of awards-season pictures such as “The Danish Girl” and “Suffragette” collapsed at the box office. Universal depicted the move as “combining the resources of Universal Pictures International Productions with the highly respected creative legacy of Focus Features,” in order to “grow the specialty film sector both domestically and around the world.” The announcement came from Universal Pictures Chairman Donna Langley. [7] “Peter Schlemiel of Focus Features to Exit as CEO After Universal Pictures International Merger”

Peter Schlessel oversaw the release of the division’s upcoming releases of Race, London Has Fallen and The Young Messiah before his departure. Peter Kujawski, the formal managing director of Universal Pictures International Productions, became the chairman of of Focus Features that combined UPIP and Focus. Under his leadership, UPIP acquired rights to hugely successful films, including The Wolf of Wall Street, Room, which Universal released in select territories. UPIP Co-Managing Director Robert Walak, who came to Universal after serving as Managing Director Europe/President Production, Acquisitions and Television at The Weinstein Company, Alliance Films, where he led some great acquisitions, including Carol, The King’s Speech, Paddington and The Imitation Game, became Universal Pictures’ Executive Vice President of Film Strategy. Abhijay Prakash, joined Focus as Chief Operating Officer. [6][8]

Last year, only four Focus releases took in more than $10 million at the box office, while other studios began to play in the specialty film space. Focus is losing audience to its competitors like STX Entertainment, armed with financial backing from Chinese private-equity firm Hony Capital, Broad Green, fueled by mutual fund billionaire Gabriel Hammond, Fox Searchlight, intended in making films that can cross over beyond the art and international borders.[6]

“The independent world has been squeezed in the last ten years,” said Jason Squire, a professor at USC. “The question is whether Focus will continue to be an independent-style studio or will it fade?” [6]

Current News & Releases

Focus has released four new films during this semester time, including the second film of London vs Olympus series London has Fallen, horror movie The Forest, sports drama Race, and a Christian film The Young Messiah. The four new films together earned $113 million domestically. [10]

[9] London Has Fallen’ image courtesy of Focus Features

London Has Fallen, on a $60 budget, opened with just $22 million and bumped to $62m domestically. With the help from strong overseas which has made 66% of its box office, especially from China (where it has earned $45m and is still in theaters), the film’s worldwide total is now $182m. [9]

While London has Fallen brings Focus great possibilities, The Forest (closed with $26.6m) earned $16m more than its budget, The Young Messiah (closed on April 21, $6.4 million), Race (closed on April 21, $19 million) are doing ok under the studio’s expectation. [10]

[11] Alicia Vikander Winning Oscar for Best Supporting Actress

During the Award season, Alicia Vikander wins Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in Focus’s The Danish Girl, a remarkable love story inspired by the real lives of Lili Elbe and Gerda Wegener (Academy Award winner Eddie Redmayne [“The Theory of Everything”] and Alicia Vikander [“Ex Machina”]), directed by Academy Award winner Tom Hooper (“The King’s Speech,” “Les Misérables”). [11]

Focus Future Releases

Following the upcoming release of an animation Ratchet & Clark on April 29, Focus has six new films in 2016. [12]

[17] Kubo and the Two Strings Poster

Laika and Focus Features are teaming again on Kubo And The Two Strings after their Oscar-nominated animation The Boxtrolls. the first film under Laika and the studio’s three-picture deal.[13] Focus Features has also announced a theatrical release for “Loving” on November 4 after paying a $9 million for the film directed by Jeff Nichols, which depicts the real-life story of Richard and Mildred Loving, an interracial couple living in the state of Virginia in the 1960s, at the time that interracial coupling was illegal. [14]

[14] Ruth Negga and Joel Edgerton as Mildred and Richard Loving, on the set of the movie “Loving,” being shot in Richmond, Va.

Following the success of The Forest, the two years direction journey of Juan Antonio Bayona’s A Monster Calls finally will be in theaters on October 14. With Felicity Jones to star and Liam Neeson to voice the Monster. [15]

[18] A Monster Calls Poster

A Monster Calls Official International Teaser Trailer #1 (2016) – Liam Neeson Drama HD

Focus Features also partners with Time Inc. and The Advocate to display the new digital short film documentary series We’ve Been Around. The series tells previously untold histories of transgender pioneers, will premiere exclusively across three Time Inc. websites – People.com, EW.com, Essence.com. [16]

[1] Focus Features, About. Retrieved April 23, 2016. focusfeatures.com
[2] Focus Features, LLC. Retrieved December 2, 2015. focusfeatures.com
[3] Focus Features All Time Box Office Results. Retrieved April 23, 2016. Boxofficemojo.com
[4] Studio Market Share January 1-April 17. Retrieved April 23, 2016. Boxofficemojo.com
[5] Yearly Comparison. Retrieved April 23, 2016. Boxofficemojo.com

[6] “Why focus features is again getting a drastic reboot”. Retrieved April 23, 2016. Variety.

[7] “Peter Schlemiel of Focus Features to Exit as CEO After Universal Pictures International Merger”. Retrieved April 24, 2016. Variety.

[8] “Peter Schlemiel Out At Focus Features In Universal Shake-Up”. Retrieved April 24, 2016. Deadline.

[9] “Box Office: ‘London Has Fallen’ Tops’ Olympus Has Fallen,’ Triples Its Budget”. Retrieved April 24, 2016. Forbes.

[10] Box Office by Studios January 1-April 17. Retrieved April 23, 2016. Boxofficemojo.com.

[11] “‘Danish Girl’s Alicia Vikander Wins Oscar For Best Supporting Actress”. Retrieved April 24, 2016. Deadline.

[12] Focus Features Future Releases. Retrieved April 23, 2016. Boxofficemojo.com.

[13] “‘Kubo And The Two Strings’ Trailer: Laika Takes On Japanese Folklore”Retrieved March 20, 2016, Deadline.

[14] “Focus Features Picks Up Ruth Negga/Joel Edgerton ‘Loving’ Story”. Retrieved April 16, 2016. Blogs.indiewire.com

[15] “‘A Monster Calls’ Trailer: Felicity Jones & Liam Neeson Branch Out”.Retrieved April 23, 2016. Deadline.
[16] Focus Features Debuts Docuseries “We’ve Been Around”. MovieGeeks. Retrieved April 23, 2016. MovieGeeks.com

[17] Kubo and the Two Strings Movie Poster. Retrieved April 23, 2016. Focus Features.

[18] A Monster Calls Poster. Retrieved April 23, 2016. Focus Features.

[19] Peter Kujawski Profile. Retrieved April 23, 2016. Variety.

[20] Robert Walak Profile. Retrieved April 23, 2016. Variety.

[21] Focus Features Logo. Retrieved April 23, 2016. Deadline.

(Sorry, I tried to fix the format of my sources but failed.)

20th Century Fox (Film)

Posted on September 30, 2015 by Derrick Owens

By Derrick Owens

20th Century Fox Logo [1] Source: foxmovie.com

Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation

10201 W Pico Blvd

Los Angeles, CA 90064

http://www.foxmovies.com/

Overview

Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, commonly referred to as 20th Century Fox or Fox, is an international film production and distribution company headquartered in Los Angeles, California. 20th Century Fox is a subsidy of the 21st Century Fox Corporation, which also owns assets in television stations, television broadcast networks, and cable network programming. Fox is a part of the “Big Six” film studios, which includes Columbia, Warner Brothers, Disney, Universal, and Paramount. The “Big Six” serve as Fox’s main competition. 20th Century Fox owns the rights to a number of valuable franchises including, X-Men, Ice Age, Die Hard, and Planet of the Apes. Fox is also known for distributing the two highest grossing films of all-time, Avatar and Titanic, both of which were directed by James Cameron [2].

Key Executives

Jim Gianopulos, Chairman and CEO [3]

Stacey Snider, Co-Chairman [4]

History

The origins of 20th Century Fox began in 1915 when film distributor William Fox established his own film production company after moving out to Los Angeles called Fox Films. In 1935, Twentieth Pictures’ Joseph Schenck and Darryl F. Zanuck left United Artists and merged with Fox Films to create the 20th Century Fox Film Corporation [6].

From the 1952 film Viva Zapata! [5] Source: Wikepdia.com

In 1981, the company was sold to investors Marc Rich and Marvin Davis. They subsequently sold the company to Rupert Murdoch, who merged the company into his own media conglomerate, News Corp, in 1985. News Corp was split into two companies in 2013. There is now the new News Corporation, which contained most of Murdoch’s print media assets, and 21st Century Fox, which specializes in filmed entertainment and is the current parent company of 20th Century Fox [7].

Finances

In the last fiscal year (June 30, 2014 – June 30, 2015), 20th Century Fox put out 25 films into general release domestically and they plan on releasing another 25 in fiscal 2016. Of those 25 planned films, Fox has already released six titles including Fantastic Four, The Martian, and The Peanuts Movie. Fox’s most anticipated movies yet to be released in 2016 include Deadpool, X-Men: Apocalypse, and Independence Day Resurgence [8].

20th Century Fox produces and distributes its films through a number of internal units:

Twentieth Century Fox and Fox2000 handles films for mainstream audiences.

Logo for Fox Searchlight [9] Source: foxsearchlight.com

Fox Searchlight Pictures produces and releases smaller, independent films for specialized audiences.

Twentieth Century Fox Animation produces and distributes feature length-animated films

Fox International Productions, Inc. co-produces and acquires local-language films for distribution worldwide.

Fox generates money from its films by distributing the films theatrically (domestically and internationally), through home media formats (such as digital distribution), on premium pay and SVOD, and on television and cable networks. Last year, the domestic home entertainment division for Fox released or re-released approximately 1,268 produced and acquired titles [10].

For fiscal 2015, revenues at the Filmed Entertainment segment decreased $154 million, or 2%, as compared to fiscal 2014. Increased production and marketing costs as well as a decrease in home entertainment sales led to the change. 20th Century Fox’s parent company, 21st Century Fox Corporation, has seen their stock dip in the last year. After reaching a high of $37.49 in December of 2014, the stock has fallen to its lower point since January 2012. In September it stood at only $25.41. Even with the drop of its stock prices, 21st Century Fox Corporation saw profit increase by 54% in 2015 compared to the previous year. Profits were at $8.306 billion in 2015 versus $4.514 billion in 2014 [11].

In Theatres

The Martian

Directed by Ridley Scott and starring Matt Damon, Jessica Chastain, Kristen Wiig, and Jeff Daniels, The Martian is a science-fiction adventure film produced and distributed by Fox. It was released on October 2, 2015 and posted the second highest October opening weekend of all time with a $54.3 million haul. It has gone on to be Fox’s most successful film of the year thus far bringing in over $217 million domestically and nearly $500 million worldwide. It’s production budget of $108 million means the film will be significantly profitable for the corporation. The film’s box office revenue has the possibility of growing even further as many Oscar analyst predict it will be in the running for best picture, best director, and best actor. The Martian is unique because it is a standalone, original film which has achieved worldwide success [12].

The Maze Runner: Scorched Trials

This sci-fi action-adventure film is a sequel to the 2014 hit Maze Runner. The film opened on nearly the same weekend as its predecessor and opened slightly under expectations. Scorched Trials brought in $30.3 million in its first weekend after opening on September 18, which was down from the 32.5 million opening of Maze Runner.

The film, based off of the popular novel series, is directed by Wes Ball and stars Dylan O’Brien, Kaya Scodelario, and Thomas Brodie-Sangste. Even though it has only grossed $80.9 million domestically with a $61 million production budget, Scorched Trials has been saved by its international performance. It has grossed over $230 million overseas, which motivated Fox to greenlight the film’s sequel, Maze Runner: The Death Cure, due out in 2017 [13].

The Peanuts Movie

This family animation film was released by Fox as part of their distribution deal with Blue Sky Studios. It was the first feature film in the Peanuts franchise in 35 years. It took over eight years to make, because the family of Charles Schultz, the creator of the comic, wanted the film to done with respect to his original work [14]. The film opened to $44.2 million on the weekend of November 6, playing as counter-programming to Spectre, Although there are still a few major international markets left to open, Peanuts has 92.6% of its revenue coming from domestic totals as of 11/29. The film has been a domestic hit with $116.7 million grossed so far, but international performance may need to increase before the $99 million production can be called profitable [15].

News and Developments

20th Century Fox has three films to be released before the end of 2015. The first film is Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip, which is due out December 18. Fox hopes to continue the success of the franchise, which has banked over $1.1 billion at the box office [16]. The other two films, The Revenant and Joy, are being distributed in limited release on December 25 before going wide in January. These two films are both expected to be major Oscar players and they star Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence respectively [17].

Oculus Video by Oculus VR [22] Source: roadtovr.com

Fox signed an agreement with Oculus VR, making it the first major movie studio to invest in virtual reality as a way of showing their films. Over 100 films from Fox’s library will be released in the virtual reality cinema Oculus Video [18].

Fox International Productions entered into an exclusive first look deal with Paul Heth and Michael Schlicht for Russian-language films. The duo is known for their successes as they have overseen five of the ten highest grossing local language films in the modern Russian film era [19].

Planned 20th Century Fox World Theme Park in Dubai [21] Source: variety.com

Fox announced plans to open its first Fox-branded resort in Dubai featuring rides based off of its most popular films including Titanic, Aliens, Predator, and Ice Age. It will open in 2018 and is planned to cost approximately $850 million [20].

Sources

[1] 20th Century Fox Logo. Fox Movies. Retrieved November 30, 2015

[2] About. Fox Movies. Retrieved November 30, 2015

[3] James N. Gianopulos. 21st Century Fox. Retrieved November 29, 2015

[4]. Stacey Snider. Variety. Retrieved November 30, 2015

[5] From the 1952 film Viva Zapata! Wikipedia. Retrieved November 30, 2015

[[6] About. Fox UK. Retrieved November 29, 2015

[7] Welch, Chris. May 9, 2013. The Verge. 21st Century Fox logo unveiled ahead of News Corp split. Retrieved November 30, 2015

[8] 21st Century Fox Annual Report 2015. 21st Century Fox. Retrieved November 30, 2015

[9] Fox Searchlight Logo. Fox Searchlight. Retrieved November 29, 2015

[10] 21st Century Fox Annual Report 2015. 21st Century Fox. Retrieved November 30, 2015

[11] Twenty-First Century Fox, Inc. Yahoo Finances. Retrieved November 30, 2015

[12] Tartaglione, Nancy. November 24, 2015. Deadline Hollywood. ‘The Martian’ Closing In On $500M Global: How Fox Marketers Brought Ridley Scott’s Cool Science To The Masses. Retrieved November 29, 2015.

[13] Maze Runner: Scorched Trials. Box Office Mojo. Retrieved November 28, 2015.

[14] Smith, Chris. November 1, 2014. The Press Democrat. How the Schulz family made ‘The Peanuts Movie’ a reality. Retrieved November 30, 2015

[15] The Peanuts Movie. Box Office Mojo. Retrieved November 28, 2015.

[16] Alvin and the Chipmunks. Box Office Mojo. Retrieved November 29, 2015

[17] Cunningham, Todd. September 8, 2015. The Wrap. Fox Fuels Yule Logjam With 3 Christmas Releases. Retrieved November 30, 2015.

[18] Geier, Thom. September 24, 2015. The Wrap. ‘Alien,’ ‘X-Men: Days of Future Past’ Among 100 Fox Movies Coming to Oculus Virtual-Reality Headsets. Retrieved November 29, 2015.

[19] Business Wire. November 18, 2015. Fox International Productions Strikes Strategic Alliance With Paul Heth and Michael Schlicht for Russian-Language Films. Retrieved November 29, 2015

[20] Lang, Brent. November 3, 2015. Variety. Fox Building Theme Park in Dubai With ‘Titanic,’ ‘Aliens’ Attractions. Retrieved November 30, 2015.

[21] Lang, Brent. November 3, 2015. Variety. Fox Building Theme Park in Dubai With ‘Titanic,’ ‘Aliens’ Attractions. Retrieved November 30, 2015.

[22] Oculus Cinema. Oculus VR. Retrieved November 30, 2015.

Focus Features

Posted on December 1, 2014 by jepflieg

by John Pflieger

[21] Focus Features Logo

Focus Features is a film production and distribution company that serves at the art house film department of the NBCUniversal brand. Started in 2002, Focus Features is currently run by CEO Peter Schlessel, who took the helm in late 2013 after Focus and the FilmDistrict merged in 2013 [1]. Focus Features has had great success over the last 12 years with critically acclaimed releases like Brokeback Mountain, Dallas Buyers Club, and Lost in Translation just to name a few. The former being the most successful Focus Feature production to date, grossing $83 million and receiving 3 Academy Awards and receive nominations for 5 more along with a slue of other awards [2][3].

Financials

Catering usually to more specific audiences then some of the major production house, Focus Features is currently ranked 12^th for top grossing production companies in the 2014 year, with a total gross of $104 million, which puts them in control of 1.1% of the current market share [4]. Though falling short to its 5^th ranked older brother Universal Pictures, the smaller production company has managed to sustain an average gross of $8.7 million per release over the course of its 11 releases in 2014 [4][5]. With award season approaching, Focus has the potential to see continued growth in revenue through the beginning of 2015. With Oscar buzz surrounding actor Eddie Redmayne of Focus Features most recent release The Theory of Everything, a nomination for best actor has the potential to increase revenue by about $600,000, where a win in the category could yield nearly $6 million in increased revenue[6][7]. Though Focus is only responsible for a small portion of NBCUniversal’s $1.4 billion filmed entertainment revenue, the small production house continues to boast impressive figures[8].

Recent Releases

“The Theory of Everything “

[22] The Theory of Everything Poster

The biographical film chronicles the life of astrophysicist Stephen Hawking as he fell in love with his wife Jane, explored the science of universal time, and struggled with the debilitating neurological disease of ALS [9]. Eddie Redmayne, who plays Steven Hawking, has already been labeled by Variety as one of the main contenders for the Best Actor Academy Award[6]. The film, which opened November 7^th in a limited release to 5 theaters grossed $208,763 and continued to succeed as it hit a wide release November 26^th in 802 theaters and grossed slightly over $5 million in its wide release opening[10]. As of December 1^st the film has grossed $9.6 million and has the potential to see continued success as the holidays and award season approaches[10].

“Kill The Messenger”

[23] Kill The Messenger Poster

A political thriller starring Academy Award nominated actor Jeremy Renner, tells the story of journalist Gary Webb, who stumbles across a dark story that involves drugs and government cover-ups[11]. The film opened October 10^th in 374 theaters and grossed $941,809 in its opening weekend. At its widest relapse the film was only in 427 theaters and to date has only grossed $2.4 million, having been stifled by the Buena Vista release of “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day” which was release the same day and saw far greater success[12][13].

“The Boxtrolls”

[24] The Boxtrolls Poster

This family film tells the tail of an adventure of a group of unique creatures as they raise an orphan and fight for their lives in an effort to thwart their local town villain[14]. This film has been the most successful release for Focus Features this year having grossed nearly $50 million. The feature opened September 26^th 3,464 theaters and gross $17.2 million, which accounted for 34.9% of the films total gross domestically[15]. The film went on to gross $56.2 million worldwide, making a total of $105.7 million, which is a huge success not only for Focus Films, but also for the small Oregon based stop-motion animation house Laika Studios, which carried out the animation for “The Boxtrolls.”[15][16] The small animation studio also produced “ParaNorman” and “Coraline” for Focus Features, which are both in Focus Feature’s top 5 for most successful domestic grossing films[5]. Only days after the opening of “The Boxtrolls”, Focus Features signed an agreement with Laika to work with them on 3 more feature length films[17]. This agreement proves to be especially wise when looking at the fact that all three of the films that Laika and Focus have teamed up on have grossed over $100 million world wide, making them highly profitable[17]. There is still room for more success in the coming months, seeing that “The Boxtrolls” received 13 nominations in this years Annie Awards, and is only expected to receive more nods as award season get underway[18].

Upcoming

Focus Features consistently releases 10-12 films a year, making them a highly productive production house for the scale of their operation[5]. As of now, Focus has announced a few new projects that will be coming up in 2015 which will have the potential to make quite a splash in the market place in the upcoming year.

[25] 50 Shades of Grey Poster

One of the more anticipated Focus Features releases of 2015 is the adaptation of the novel 50 Shades of Grey. The popular 3 part book series will be treated as a trilogy by focus and will follow the saga of the novels quite closely. The film is scheduled to be released on Valentines Day, offering an interesting option for holiday viewing[19].

[26] Black Sea Poster

Another highly anticipated 2015 Focus release is the upcoming release starring Jude Law, “Black Sea”. The apparent action movie casts Law as a submarine captain who is working with a team of Russian and English crew members to salvage Nazi gold in a sunken U-boat. The film is scheduled to be released January 23 of 2015[20].

Future of Focus Features

The future for Focus Features appears to be very bright. With a recent 3 film deal with Laika Studios, this is a air of optimism, because with the success of the studio’s earlier films, we can only assume that with the proper marketing and distribution the next 3 should be just as successful. Also with the “50 Shades of Grey” series on the horizon, there are multiple prospects for continued growth. As we see the success of Comcast and NBCUniversal and their continued growth, the potential for the expansion of Focus Features is exponentially increased.

Citations:

1. Focus Features Announces More Key Senior Hires, hollywoodreporter.com, RT; 12/01/14

2. Brokeback Mountain, Boxofficemojo.com, RT: 12/01/14

3. Brokeback Mountain Awards, imdb.com, RT: 12/01/14

4. Studio Market Share, Boxofficemojo.com, RT: 12/01/14

5. Focus Features, Boxofficemojo.com, RT: 12/01/14

6. Contender: Lead Actor Preview, Variety.com, RT: 12/01/14

7. How Oscar Nominations Affect the Box Office, Businessinsider.com, RT: 12/01/14

8. Comcast Earnings Release, cmcsk.com, RT: 12/01/14

9. The Theory of Everything, Rottentomatos.com, RT: 12/01/14

10. The Theory of Everything, Boxofficemojo.com, RT: 12/01/14

11. Kill the Messenger, Rottentomatos.com, RT: 12/01/14

12. Kill the Messenger, Boxofficemojo.com, RT: 12/01/14

13. Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, Boxofficemojo.com, RT: 12/01/14

14. The Boxtrolls, Rottentomatos.com, RT: 12/01/14

15. The Boxtrolls, Boxofficemojo.com, RT: 12/01/14

16. Laika Studios, Laikastudios.com, RT: 12/01/14

17. Focus Features, Laika Ink Three-Film Pact, hollywoodreporter.com, RT; 12/01/14

18. Boxtrolls leads Annie Award nominations, bbc.com, RT; 12/01/14

19. 50 Shades of Grey, fiftyshadesmovie.com, RT; 12/01/14

20. Black Sea, focusfeatures.com, RT; 12/01/14

21. Focus Features Logo, thewrap.com, RT; 12/01/14

22. The Theory of Everything Poster, imdb.com, RT; 12/01/14

23. Kill the Messenger Poster, imdb.com, RT; 12/01/14

24. The Boxtrolls Poster, imdb.com, RT; 12/01/14

25. 50 Shades of Grey Poster, imdb.com, RT; 12/01/14

26. Black Sea Poster, imdb.com, RT; 12/01/14

Columbia Pictures

Posted on December 1, 2014 by iwmccour

by Ian McCourt

Columbia Pictures

Image Courtesy Fortune.com [i]

Contact Information: [ii]

10202 West Washington Boulevard

Culver City, CA 90232

310-244-4000

www.sonypictures.com

Key Executives:

Michael Lynton CEO, Sony Entertainment, Chairman and CEO, Sony Pictures Entertainment

Amy Pascal Co-Chairman, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Chairman, Sony Pictures Entertainment Motion Picture Group

Doug Belgrad President, Sony Pictures Entertainment Motion Picture Group President, Columbia Pictures

David Hendler Senior Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, Sony Pictures Entertainment

Michael De Luca
President, Production, Columbia Pictures

Hannah Minghella President, Production, Columbia Pictures

Executives Photos and Information Courtesy of: http://www.sonypictures.com/corp/management.html [iii]

About Columbia Pictures:

In 1918, Harry and Jack Cohn formed CBC Film Sales with an associate of theirs, Joe Brandt. CBC Film Sales (Cohn-Brandt-Cohn) then produced small-budget short films and featurettes until a few experiments with feature films and an eye for larger profits prompted them to form Columbia Pictures Corporation in 1924. Columbia established itself in the cinema world, however, with the discovery of director Frank Capra in 1927. He would bring the company many Academy Awards, including the Best Picture films “It Happened One Night” and “You Can’t Take it With You.” Columbia would continue to grow and prosper as the decades moved past, and it was bought by Coca-Cola in 1982. However, a mere seven years later, Columbia Pictures and all of its holdings were bought by the Sony Corporation in 1989. [iv] It is now a part of Sony Pictures Entertainment‘s Columbia Tristar Motion Picture Group, along with Tristar Pictures, Sony Pictures Classics and Screengems. [v]

Financials:

It is to be noted that Sony’s Financial Reports for the Pictures Division encompasses not only Columbia Pictures, but also the Tristar Pictures and Screengems studios, as well as any TV production and distribution financials. Regardless, Sony Pictures Entertainment reported that revenue decreased 3% on a constant currency (U.S. dollar) standard to 1,671 million dollars for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2014 from 1,815 million for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2013. [vi][vii] This was due to lower theatrical revenues due to fewer theatrical releases in Q2 FY14 as opposed to Q2 FY13. [viii] Sony predicts that the pictures division will make 8,100 million U.S. dollars for the total Fiscal Year ending March 31, 2015. [ix]

What’s Happening Now?

In 2014, Columbia Pictures has released nine films, three of which are still in theaters as of December 1, 2014. The Amazing Spider-Man 2 and 22 Jump Street are leading in gross so far respectively, with 22 Jump Street still in theaters. [x]

22 Jump Street
This sequel to the hit 21 Jump Street, 22 Jump Street stars Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum and follows the adventures of Officers Schmidt and Jenko as they go undercover as college students. The film is directed by Christopher Miller and Phil Lord.

Image and Synopsis Courtesy IMDB [xi]

In its opening weekend (June 13-15, 2014), 22 Jump Street opened at number one, making $57,071,445 domestically to its $50 million budget. The film is now in its twenty-third week, having made $331,333,876 worldwide as of December 1, 2014. [xii]

The Equalizer
In The Equalizer, Denzel Washington stars as a man who has put his dark past behind him, only to return to his old ways when he meets a girl who is under the control of Russian gangsters. The film is directed by Antoine Fuqua.

Image and Synopsis Courtesy IMDB [xiii]

In its opening weekend (Sept. 26-28, 2014) The Equalizer opened number one at the box office, earning $34,137,828 to its $55 million budget. Now in its ninth week, the film has made $190,173,178 internationally as of December 1, 2014. [xiv]

Fury
Fury, starring Brad Pitt, Logan Lerman, and Shia LaBeouf, tells the tale of an Army Sergeant nicknamed Wardaddy (Pitt) who commands a Sherman tank with a five-man crew against amazing odds in an attempt to cripple Nazi Germany. The film is written and directed by David Ayer.

Image and Synopsis Courtesy IMDB [xv]

Opening number one at the box office, Fury made $23,702,421 to its $68 million budget during its opening weekend (Oct. 17-19, 2014). Going through its seventh week in theaters, Fury has made $171,707,000 internationally as of December 1, 2014. [xvi] On Veteran’s Day, Nov. 11, 2014, the movie was free at Regal and AMC Theaters for all current personnel or veterans with a valid I.D. [xvii]

Ghostbusters (30th Anniversary Re-Release)
To celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the 1984 classic, Ghostbusters was back in theaters beginning August 29, 2014. [xviii] It tells the story of three parapsychology professors struggling for work who decide to open up a ghost removal business. It stars Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis, and Sigourney Weaver. It is directed by Ivan Reitman. [xix]

Image Credit Fandango.com [xx]

The re-release opened at fifteenth its opening weekend (August 29-31, 2014), making $1,756,513. It closed on September 18, 2014, despite being advertised as only being open for one week. During this time, it made $3,580,343. This makes the film’s total lifetime gross $242,212,467 as of December 1, 2014. [xxi]

In Other News:

In early November, Columbia Pictures requested to a Florida federal court that its anti-piracy policies be kept secret. The information on these policies is now in a closed case between Hotfile, a file-sharing site that closed down in 2013, and the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA). [xxii] Columbia is insisting that if this information were released, it would render the company incapable to protect its copyrighted works. This comes after U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams ruled that the information is in the public interest and should be released. [xxiii]

Image Courtesy Dailytech [xxvi]

On November 24, 2014, hackers took control of Sony’s computer systems. A group claiming to be the hackers then criticized Sony CEO Michael Lynton in a tweet, calling him “a criminal.” [xxiv] Since then, versions of five films belonging to Sony Pictures have been released online: Annie, Fury, Still Alice, Mr. Turner, and To Write Love on Her Arms. Of those five films, only Fury has been released in theaters, but even that film hasn’t had a DVD release yet. These films are already reported to have been illegally downloaded hundreds of thousands of times. [xxv] Sony has since hired Mandiant Forensics Unit to clean up the attack, and the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigations has begun looking into the incident. Sony has been looking to see if the attack was perpetrated by North Korea-backed hackers in retaliation to the upcoming release of the movie, The Interview, which is a comedy about an attempt to assassinate North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. [xxvii]

What’s To Come:

Annie

Image Courtesy IMDB [xxix]

One of the films leaked from the hack, Annie will be released in theaters on December 19, 2014. Starring Quvenzhane Wallis, Jamie Foxx, and Cameron Diaz, this musical film tells of a young foster kid (Wallis) who toughs out the hard knock life of New York City in 2014. While it will be competing against Disney‘s Into The Woods, the film is predicted to make about $95 million. [xxviii]

The Interview

Image Courtesy IMDB [xxxi]

To be released on Christmas Day, December 25, 2014, The Interview is the latest comedy co-directed by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg. Starring Rogen and James Franco, the film is about journalist Dave Skylark and producer Aaron Rapoport from the popular TV show Skylark Tonight as they are hired by the CIA to assassinate Kim Jong Un. It is predicted to make $90 million. [xxx]

[i] Columbia Pictures Logo. Retrieved 11/29/2014.
[ii] Sony Pictures Contacts. Retrieved 11/29/2014.
[iii] Sony/Columbia Executives. Retrieved 11/29/2014.
[iv] History of Columbia Pictures. Retrieved 11/29/2014.
[v] Sony Divisions. Retrieved 11/29/2014.
[vi] Sony Financials Q2 FY14. Retrieved 11/30/2014.
[vii] Sony Financials Q2 FY13. Retrieved 11/30/2014.
[viii] Sony Financials Q2 FY14. Retrieved 11/30/2014.
[vix] Sony Predictions. Retrieved 11/30/2014.
[x] Columbia Films 2014. Retrieved 12/1/2014.
[xi] 22 Jump Street Info. Retrieved 11/30/2014.
[xii] 22 Jump Street Box Office. Retrieved 12/1/2014.
[xiii] The Equalizer Info. Retrieved 11/30/2014.
[xiv] The Equalizer Box Office. Retrieved 12/1/2014.
[xv] Fury Info. Retrieved 11/30/2014.
[xvi] Fury Box Office. Retrieved 12/1/2014.
[xvii] Fury Free for Veterans 11/11. Retrieved 11/30/2014.
[xviii] Ghostbusters Re-release Info. Retrieved 11/30/2014.
[xix] Ghostbusters Info. Retrieved 11/30/2014.
[xx] Ghostbusters Re-release Poster. Retrieved 11/30/2014.
[xxi] Ghostbusters Re-Release Box Office. Retrieved 12/1/2014.
[xxii] Hotfile Shuts Down. Retrieved 12/1/2014.
[xxiii] Columbia Anti-Piracy Case. Retrieved 12/1/2014.
[xxiv] Hackers take Sony. Retrieved 12/1/2014.
[xxv] Sony Movies Leaked. Retrieved 12/1/2014.
[xxvi] Hackers Call Out Lynton on Twitter. Retrieved 12/1/2014.
[xxvii] Sony Responds to Hack. Retrieved 12/1/2014.
[xxviii] Annie Info. Retrieved 12/1/2014.
[xxiv] Annie Poster. Retrieved 12/1/2014.
[xxx] The Interview Info. Retrieved 12/1/2014.
[xxxi] The Interview Poster. Retrieved 12/1/2014.

Warner Bros. Pictures

Posted on October 5, 2014 by nlopezlu

by Nancy Lopez-Luna

Warner Bros. Pictures

: Photo Courtesy of deadline.com [1]

Contact Information: [2]

4000 Warner Blvd.

Burbank, CA 91522

P: 818.954.3000

http://www.warnerbros.com/

About Warners Bros. Pictures:

Warner Bros. Pictures is one of the six major American film studios. The company was founded on April 4, 1923 by Albert, Harry, Jack and Sam Warner. [3] Warner Bros. Pictures is an entertainment company involved in the creation, production, distribution, licensing and marketing on all their forms of entertainment. [4] In 2008, Warner Bros. Pictures acquired New Line Cinema to maximize film performance. [5]

Warner Bros. Pictures has created blockbuster films based on books, including Harry Potter, The Hobbit, Sherlock Holmes, among others. [6] Warner Bros., with the collaboration of New Line Cinema, releases approximately 18-22 films each year. [7]

Competitors

Warner Bros.’ competitors include: Paramount Pictures Corporation, Fox Filmed Entertainment and The Walt Disney Studios. [8]

Key Executives:

Kevin Tsujihara; chairman and Chief executive officer

Thomas Gewecke; executive Vice president & CHIEF DIGITAL OFFICE

Edward a romano; executive vice president & Chief financial officer

Photo and info courtesy of: http://www.warnerbros.com/studio/executives [9]

Financials:

In 2013, Warner Bros. Pictures grossed in $5.03 billion in global box office, their most successful theatrical year in company history. That year marked the company’s first time surpassing the $5 billion mark. [10] As of September 30, 2014, Warner Bros. Pictures has grossed a revenue of $1.17 million in their recent quarter. This is a 3% increase from last year. These increases were offset by Pacific Rim, The Conjuring and We’re the Millers. Through November 2, Annabelle grossed over $230 million in worldwide box office. [11] Currently, Warner Bros. Pictures employs 9,000 people. [12]

What’s happening now?

In 2014, Warner Bros. Pictures released a total of 18 films, with Inherent Vice being released last on December 12th. [13]

The Lego Movie

One of the movies that stayed #1 for the first half of 2014 was The Lego Movie directed by DeAlan Wilson. [14] The Lego Movie is a 3D animation film that tells the story of a construction Lego worker, Emmet. He is recruited on a quest to stop an evil tyrant from destroying the Lego universe. [15]

: Photo Courtesy of rottentomatoes.com [16]

The budget set for this film was $60,000,000 million. In its opening weekend (7-9 February 2014), The Lego Movie received $69,050,279 million. In total, it grossed $252,756,197 million. [17] The Lego Movie won the kids’ feature film prize at the BAFTA Children’s Awards Sunday, fighting off competition from Maleficent, How to Train Your Dragon 2 and Frozen. [18]

If I Stay

If I Stay recounts the story of Mia Hall after suffering a car incident that puts her in a coma. During her out-of-body experience, she has to decide if she wants to wake up and live a completely different life. During her journey she decides what she wants to do. The film is directed by R.J. Cutler and it stars Chloe Grace Moretz. [19]

Photo Courtesy of IMDb.com [20]

During its opening weekend (22-24 August, 2014), If I Stay earned $15,679,190 million. To date, it has grossed $50,474,843 million domestically. [21]

Annabelle

Annabelle reunites the filmmakers behind 2013’s hugely successful supernatural thriller The Conjuring. A couple begins to experience supernatural happenings in their house after satanic cultists invade their home. The films stars Ward Horton, Annabelle Wallis and Alfre Woodard. [22]

Photo Courtesy of IMDb.com [23]

Annabelle was big for Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema. It is the highest grossing horror movie of 2014. Directed by John R. Leonetti, Annabelle has taken over $250 million at the worldwide box office. Opening weekend (3-5 October 2014), Annabelle grossed in $37,134,255 million. [24]

Interstellar

Interstellar is a current release from Warner Bros. Pictures. Directed by Christopher Nolan, Interstellar tells the story of a team traveling through a wormhole in an attempt to find a potential planet sustainable for habitat. This film stars Matthew McConaughey and Anne Hathaway. [25]

Photo Courtesy of IMDb.com [26]

In its opening weekend (5-7 November 2014), Interstellar grossed in $47,510,360 million. It is 3.7 weeks in and Interstellar has grossed in $147,090,000 million domestically and $542,290,000 worldwide. [27]

Horrible Bosses 2

A sequel to Horrible Bosses, three men decide to start their own business but things don’t go as planned because of an investor, prompting the trio to pull off a misguided kidnapping scheme. Directed by Sean Anders this film stars Jason Bateman, Jason Sudeikis and Charlie Day. [28]

Photo Courtesy of IMDb.com [29]

In its opening weekend (26-28 November 2014), Horrible Bosses 2 grossed in $15,700,000 million. Domestically it has gained $23,010,000 million as of November 30, 2014. Worldwide it has reached $34,710,000. This movie was one of the popular to watch over Thanksgiving weekend. [30]

In other news

Cuts

On November 9, 2014 Warner Bros. began to cut their employees. These cuts will eliminate 1,000 jobs, or 12.5% of the studio’s staff. Warner Bros. is trying to increase their profitability in lieu of their weak domestic box office sales. These layoffs are part of Time Warner, its corporate parents, who also seek to cut costs. Despite the hit in The Lego Movie, it has suffered with movies like Edge of Tomorrow, The Judge and Blended. It is ranked third at the domestic box office, behind 20th Century Fox and Walt Disney Studios. [31]

Royalties

A private arbitrator has decided against the Weinstein brothers and Miramax in a dispute with Warner Bros. over royalties for the second and third Hobbit films. In 1988, Miramax agreed to sell the big-screen rights it controlled to New Line Cinema, which is now owned by Warner Bros. Warner Bros. has decided to not pay the Weinstein company royalties for the second and third installation of The Hobbit. [32]

The Stand

Director Josh Boone has announced that the studio has allowed him to turn Stephen’s King’s novel The Stand into a four-part franchise. Matthew McConaughey is said to take the role of villainous Randall Flagg. [33] The Stand is about one man who escapes from a biological weapon facility after a deadly virus wipes out most of the world’s population. The survivors are stuck in a predicament of what to do, facing both good and evil. [34]

What to Expect:

Focus

Warner Bros. Picture will release its first 2015 film, February 27. Focus is based on a veteran grifter who takes in an attractive woman under his wing. After time spent together they become romantically involved. Directed by Glenn Ficarra and Josh Requa this film stars Will Smith, Margot Robbie and Rodrigo Santoro. [35]

Photo Courtesy of IMDb.com [36]

In the Heart of the Sea

Out March 13, 2015, In the Heart of the Sea is said to be based on true events. In the winter of 1820, the New England whaling ship Essex was assaulted by a whale of mammoth size. The real-life disaster inspired Herman Melville’s Moby-Dick. But In the Heart of the Sea reveals the aftermath, as the ship’s surviving crew is pushed to their limits and forced to do the unthinkable to stay alive. [37]

Photo Courtesy of IMDb.com [38]

Directed by Ron Howard, this film stars Chris Hemsworth, Cillian Murphay and Charlotte Riley.

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Video courtesy of youtube.com [39]

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[2] Warner Bros. contact. warner bors. rt: 11/29/14

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[10] 2013 Gross Income. variety. rt: 11/29/14

[11] 2014 3rd Quarter Income. time warner. rt: 11/29/14

[12] Employees. variety. rt: 11/29/14

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[14] Lego Movie. time warner. rt: 11/29/14

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[16] Lego Movie Image. imdb. rt: 11/29/14

[17] Lego Movie Revenue. boxofficemojo. rt: 11/29/14

[18] Lego Movie Award. variety. rt: 11/29/14

[19] About If I Stay. imdb. RT: 11/29/14

[20] if i stay movie poster. imdb. rt: 12/1/14

[21] If I Stay Revenue. Boxofficemojo. rt: 11/29/14

[22] About Annabelle. imdb. rt: 11/29/14

[23] Annabelle movie poster. imdb. rt: 12/1/14

[24] Annabelle Revenue. boxofficemojo. rt: 11/29/14

[25] About Interstellar. imdb. 11/29/14

[26] Interstellar movie poster. imdb. rt: 12/1/14

[27] Interstellar Revenue. boxofficemojo. rt: 11/29/14

[28] About Horrible Bosses. imdb. rt: 11/29/14

[29] horrible bosses 2 movie poster. imdb. rt: 12/1/14

[30] Horrible Bosses 2 Revenue. boxofficemojo. rt: 11/30/14

[31] Warner Bros. Cuts. ny times. rt: 11/29/14

[32] Warner Bros. Royalties. wall street journal. rt: 11/29/14

[33] Joseph Boone. deadline. rt: 11/29/14

[34] About The Stand. stephen king. rt: 11/29/14

[35] About Focus. imdb. rt: 11/29/14

[36] focus movie poster. imdb. rt: 12/1/14

[37] About In the Heart of the Sea. imdb, rt: 11/29/14

[38] In the Heart of the Sea Image. imdb. rt: 11/29/14

[39] In the Heart of the sea trailer. youtube. rt: 11/29/14

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