Digital Domain Media (NYSE: DDMG) and CORE Media Group to Create Virtual Elvis Presley

Orlando, FL 6/6/12 (StreetBeat) -- Digital production company Digital Domain Media Group (NYSE:DDMG) announced today that it has signed an exclusive agreement with CORE Media Group (formerly CKx) to jointly develop, produce and own a series of “virtual” Elvis Presley likenesses for a range of entertainment projects – from shows and appearances to film, TV and multi-platform productions throughout the world.

Digital Domain Media Group, the only company whose employees have received an Academy Award® for creating a completely believable computer-generated (CG) human, created the CG likeness of Tupac Shakur for Dr. Dre’s recent show at the Coachella Valley Music Festival. CORE Media Group, a portfolio company of Apollo Global Management LLC, is the driving force behind such iconic brands as Elvis Presley, Muhammad Ali, “American Idol” and “So You Think You Can Dance.”

“This is a new and exciting way to bring the magic and music of Elvis Presley to life. His lifelong fans will be thrilled all over again and new audiences will discover the electric experience of Elvis the performer,” said Elvis Presley Enterprises President and CEO, Jack Soden. “The high level of quality entertainment that both CORE Media Group and Digital Domain deliver gives us great confidence that these projects will help continue the growth of Elvis’ rich legacy all over the world.” Elvis Presley Enterprises is a division of CORE Media Group.

The companies have already begun work on the virtual Elvis Presley likenesses and will announce when and where audiences can expect to see the first virtual Elvis performances.

“Elvis is the most iconic, most recognized performer on the planet, and we are thrilled to have been chosen to bring new performances and original shows where fans can have their own, new experiences of Elvis,” said Digital Domain Media Group Chairman and CEO John Textor. “In addition to being a dream project on the creative side, this agreement enables us to participate in the success of any number of potential virtual Elvis appearances.”

“As we look for new ways to offer audiences our intellectual property across multiple platforms, this partnership is the perfect fit for CORE Media, and exactly the type of announcement you can expect to see more of from us,” said CORE Media Group President Marc Graboff. “Clearly the team at Digital Domain is at the leading edge of the virtual experience arena, and we are anxious to get working on this exciting project.”

With more than 150 albums and singles certified gold, platinum or multi-platinum, Elvis Presley continues to show the world why he's the King. From Broadway plays and live entertainment to books, movies, television, music, and concerts, Elvis sightings occur every day, all over the world. With more than six million fans on Facebook, over 70,000 official app downloads and more than five million unique visitors annually to Elvis.com, he is also now the King of Digital.

From Digital Domain’s work on “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” to “TRON: Legacy,” “X-Men: First Class” to Tupac Shakur, the company has spent a decade and tens of millions of dollars in perpetual development perfecting its technology, tools, and techniques to create realistic computer generated humans.

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Digital Domain (NYSE: DDMG) Announces Abu Dhabi Expansion

Orlando, FL 5/21/12 (StreetBeat) -- At the Cannes Film Festival today, digital production company Digital Domain Media Group (NYSE:DDMG), and twofour54, the Abu Dhabi government-backed media and entertainment hub, announced that they are collaborating to drive development of the local film, TV and media production industry in the Middle East.

Digital Domain Media Group (DDMG) will establish an animation, visual effects and motion capture studio and Digital DomainInstitute media school in Abu Dhabi. The collaboration is designed to support the Emirate’s goal to become the region’s center of excellence for media content creation, growing both the industry and national talent.

DDMG will begin production of visual effects and animation in studios in twofour54 at the beginning of 2013, with plans to recruit and hire staff immediately from local and international talent pools. Over time the studio will employ upwards of 500 people. DDMG will develop a purpose-built 150,000 square foot (14,000 square meter) state-of-the-art entertainment production complex, which is expected to be operational by the end of 2015.

The new Digital Domain studio will create animated feature films, produce visual and 3D effects, engage in the production of original Middle Eastern-branded entertainment for global audiences and contribute to international productions. The studio will become part of Digital Domain’s global feature film VFX and animation pipeline, connected to its studios in Los Angeles, Vancouver, San Francisco, London, Florida and Mumbai.

The Digital Domain Institute/Abu Dhabi, modeled after the Digital Domain Institute in West Palm Beach, Florida, will train students in the essential skills of digital media production for entertainment, simulation and related applications. Classes at the Digital Domain Institute/Abu Dhabi are scheduled to begin early in 2014. The market development initiative and creation of the DDMG studio and school are funded by $100M (US) in grants from the Abu Dhabi government.

This marks the first time a major, global studio has established a presence in the region, highlighting the impact that twofour54 has had on the media industry in the Arab world. By bringing leading edge technologies and creative techniques to Abu Dhabi, DDMG will support the wider film and TV production industry and provide massive opportunities for talent and creative development in the region.

Separately, earlier this week, twofour54 announced that the Emirate of Abu Dhabi now offers one of the world’s most competitive production incentives -- a 30% rebate for film, television and commercial media projects.

“We are incredibly excited to join twofour54 in building a strong foundation for the filmmaking industry in Abu Dhabi,” said DDMG CEO and Chairman John Textor. “There is tremendous opportunity to produce original entertainment content for Middle Eastern audiences worldwide, and to bring Hollywood work and our own original productions here as well. Pairing the studio and school enables us to help the Emirate to build a sustainable creative industries base. Abu Dhabi was the natural location for us given its strategic location, modern infrastructure and supportive government. We’re looking forward to grooming up-and-coming Arab filmmakers at a time of such great awakening in this part of the world.”

“Digital Domain represents the next great leap forward for twofour54 and Abu Dhabi – a strong move into digital production and the development of locally created feature films and TV content,” said Wayne Borg, Deputy CEO and Chief Operating Officer of twofour54. “The establishment of DDMG in Abu Dhabi is a significant event in the evolution of the media industry in the Middle East. It will provide incredible opportunities for young Arabs to develop skills and careers in an area of the media industry that has simply never existed before in the region.”

An award-winning digital production company founded in 1993, DDMG is a leading provider of digital visual effects and has contributed to more than 90 major motion pictures. twofour54 is the Abu Dhabi government-backed, media and entertainment hub which focuses on training and talent development, supports creative entrepreneurship and provides enabling production, post-production and broadcast facilities. twofour54 is home to more than 160 local, regional and international media companies including CNN, BBC, Ubisoft, Fox Intl Channels, Cartoon Network, Financial Times and Charisma.

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