Sony considers selling digital and animation studios - Blu-ray Forum

Cyorg · 11-01-2007, 02:01 PM

Sony considers selling digital and animation studios

Spider-Man, Open Season effects houses could be worth $500m

Sony Pictures Entertainment is considering selling over 50 per cent of its digital and animation divisions, with investment bank Houlihan Lokey Howard & Zukin currently assessing the value.

Sony Pictures Animation, responsible for Open Season and Surf's Up, and Sony Pictures Imageworks, best known for effects in the Spider-Man and Stuart Little movies, could generate up to USD 500 million, according to a report in the New York Times.

Sources close to the talks have said investors believe both divisions could expand into the production of videogames and television ads.

Sony is looking to sell 50 per cent of its animation business and even more of the digital effects studio, but it is thought it would want one investor as both businesses are very closely linked.

A Sony spokesperson told the NYTimes that the company was "open to exploring equity partnerships, and it's no surprise that there is market interest in our visual effects and animation businesses."

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=30151

thrlride · 11-01-2007, 02:10 PM

I wonder who would be in the market for this. EA would love the games but wouldn't care about the movie division I don't think.

BluFox · 11-01-2007, 02:53 PM

I hope not. I like all of Sony's movie units as it is and the division is making profits.

WickyWoo · 11-01-2007, 04:11 PM

Actually a friend of mine works for Imageworks and he just got laid off until spring because they don't have any projects to work on. All the Christmas stuff wrapped a few weeks back

thrlride · 11-01-2007, 04:16 PM

Wicky, sorry to hear about your friend. Anyone losing their job sucks bigtime.

WarCraft · 11-01-2007, 04:20 PM

Wouldnt it be cool if Steven S comes on board and bring his DW people with him and make it "profitable"

-- just a thought assuming that SP is on his way out of Para

WickyWoo · 11-01-2007, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Wicky, sorry to hear about your friend. Anyone losing their job sucks bigtime.

SFX is a work for hire business. You move around a lot unless you get put on staff somewhere(then they only lay you off in situations like this).

He had another job all lined up, it wasn't that big of a deal, but thanks for the well wishing

11-01-2007, 02:01 PM	#1
Cyorg Special Member Member since:Jul 2007 Location:San Antonio, TX. PSN ID: Cyorg Blu-ray collection:62 Blu-ray reviews:1	Sony considers selling digital and animation studios Sony considers selling digital and animation studios Spider-Man, Open Season effects houses could be worth $500m Sony Pictures Entertainment is considering selling over 50 per cent of its digital and animation divisions, with investment bank Houlihan Lokey Howard & Zukin currently assessing the value. Sony Pictures Animation, responsible for Open Season and Surf's Up, and Sony Pictures Imageworks, best known for effects in the Spider-Man and Stuart Little movies, could generate up to USD 500 million, according to a report in the New York Times. Sources close to the talks have said investors believe both divisions could expand into the production of videogames and television ads. Sony is looking to sell 50 per cent of its animation business and even more of the digital effects studio, but it is thought it would want one investor as both businesses are very closely linked. A Sony spokesperson told the NYTimes that the company was "open to exploring equity partnerships, and it's no surprise that there is market interest in our visual effects and animation businesses." http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=30151

Similar Threads
thread	Forum	Thread Starter	Replies	Last Post
Is dreamworkand bluesky animation finally onthe level of Pixar animation?	General Chat	mixalotboy	77	07-24-2009 04:24 PM
Sony Computer Entertainment Acquires Evolution Studios and Bigbig Studios	PS3	Shin-Ra	5	09-20-2007 06:32 AM
Sony Ericsson Considers PlayStation Phone	General Chat	E-Dogg	3	09-15-2007 09:57 AM

11-01-2007, 02:10 PM	#2
thrlride Banned Member since:Oct 2007	I wonder who would be in the market for this. EA would love the games but wouldn't care about the movie division I don't think.

11-01-2007, 02:53 PM	#3
BluFox Active Member Member since:Jan 2007	I hope not. I like all of Sony's movie units as it is and the division is making profits.

11-01-2007, 04:11 PM	#4
WickyWoo Blu-ray Champion Member since:May 2007 Trading Score:2	Actually a friend of mine works for Imageworks and he just got laid off until spring because they don't have any projects to work on. All the Christmas stuff wrapped a few weeks back

11-01-2007, 04:16 PM	#5
thrlride Banned Member since:Oct 2007	Wicky, sorry to hear about your friend. Anyone losing their job sucks bigtime.

11-01-2007, 04:20 PM	#6
WarCraft Active Member Member since:Oct 2007	Wouldnt it be cool if Steven S comes on board and bring his DW people with him and make it "profitable" -- just a thought assuming that SP is on his way out of Para

Best Blu-ray Movie Deals