NBCUniversal, a division of Comcast and has completed its acquisition of DreamWorks Animation for approximately $3.8 billion.

April 6, 2018

2 Min Read

DWA's consumer products program will now be integrated into NBCUniversal Brand Development.

NBCUniversal, a division of Comcast, has completed its acquisition of DreamWorks Animation for approximately $3.8 billion.

Under terms of the agreement, DWA stockholders will receive $41 for each share of DWA common stock and post-closing DWA shares will no longer be listed on the NASDAQ.

DWA will become part of the Universal Filmed Entertainment Group, which includes Universal Pictures, Fandango and NBCUniversal Brand Development. Its corporate functions, as well as marketing and distribution, will be aligned with NBCU’s structure.

The DWA feature animation group will also be added to Universal’s portfolio of film labels and productions partners. It will be run by co-presidents of feature animation, Bonnie Arnold and Mireille Soria, under the leadership of Donna Langley, chairman, Universal Pictures.

NBCUniversal will now become the No. 7 top global licensor with combined retail sales of $7.8 billion according to License! Global's exclusive Top 150 Global Licensors report.

Vince Klaseus, president, NBCUniversal Brand Development, will lead the combined Universal and DWA games, digital and consumer products organization. He will report to Jeff Shell, chairman, Universal Filmed Entertainment Group.

Additionally, Universal Filmed Entertainment Group unveiled its new structure and senior management teams for the DWA business segments. Key appointments include:

  • Margie Cohn, head, animation TV, will lead the integrated DreamWorks and Universal TV animation business. She will report to Shell.

  • Former DWA chief executive officer Jeffrey Katzenberg will become chairman of DreamWorks new media, which will oversee NBCU’s ownership stakes in AwesomenessTV and NOVA.

  • DWA president Ann Daly will step down from her position and will serve as an advisor during the transition.

“The DreamWorks Animation brand brings with it a cachet that few family entertainment companies can match,” says Shell; Ron Meyer, vice chairman, NBCU; and Langley. “As we integrate its operations into Universal Filmed Entertainment, we are confident the first-class team we’ve put in place to lead various segments will build on that great tradition of success across film, television and related businesses.”

NBCUniversal bought DreamWorks in April.

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