Sony Pictures seeks buyer for half of digital unit
Los Angeles Times, Home Edition, Sec. Business, p 3 (11-01-2007)
By Claudia Eller. Times Staff Writer

Sony Pictures Entertainment is looking to sell at least 50% of its low-margin digital production unit and its 5-year-old animation division, studio officials confirmed Wednesday.

Sony Pictures Imageworks has produced computer-generated effects and 3-D animation for the Culver City studio's movies and those of rivals for 15 years. But the unit's profit is "much below" SPE's target of 10%, said a Sony executive who asked not to be named because discussions with potential investors are preliminary.

"The business is labor-intensive and has become highly competitive," explained the source, noting that advances in digital technology have made it possible for smaller shops to compete with larger effects houses such as Imageworks, which employs more than 800 people.

Sony has been approached by private investors and video game companies that believe the firm could be more profitable if it added new customers such as producers of computer games and TV commercials.

Sony has not been able to break into those markets on its own.

As reported Wednesday by the New York Times, Sony has retained an investment-banking firm to attract investors and assess the value of Imageworks and Sony's animation division, which so far has produced two films. "Surf's Up," released this year, was a box-office disappointment, and last fall's "Open Season" became a modest hit thanks to DVD sales.

An infusion of capital from an equity investor would help Sony co-finance its annual slate of animated movies, which includes "Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs," due out in spring 2009, and "Hotel Transylvania," scheduled for release in 2010. The unit has no movies scheduled for release next year.

Sony Pictures issued a statement Wednesday confirming its exploration of equity partnerships and stressing its "strong commitment to making animated movies going forward."

Imageworks most recently produced visual effects for such upcoming releases as Paramount Pictures' "Beowulf," and Warner Bros.' "I Am Legend" as well as Sony's planned 2008 release "Hancock," starring Will Smith.

claudia.eller@latimes.com

PHOTO: LOOKING AHEAD: Characters in "Surf's Up," one of two productions from Sony's animation division. Sony wants to assess the value of the operation and sell at least half of its digital effects unit.

PHOTOGRAPHER: Sony Pictures Entertainment


就是出《狩猎季节》的那个

说实话挺渣的

[ 本帖最后由 萝卜 于 2007-11-1 17:00 编辑 ]

这个部门估计没有赚到钱

说实话根本不知道有这个部门

现在大公司普遍把非核心业务剥离出去吧

狩猎季节还行啊

我倒是挺想买的，可惜我没这么多个MILLION。。。

又卖啊,不错,家大业大就是好,卖卖更健康,不卖不舒畅

为了这个季度的财报好看点 又开始砸锅卖铁了

引用:

原帖由 金碧辉煌 于 2007-11-2 09:11 发表
为了这个季度的财报好看点 又开始砸锅卖铁了

有脑子的人都知道家电厂商每年第三季度的是不用为业绩发愁的，年底的销售旺季，去年第三季度光电子部门好像就17亿的的利润:D

还真不记得sony电影出过什么好动画.

卖掉亏钱又没前途的部门,这是正道,早该这么做了.

引用:

原帖由 2006arg 于 2007-11-2 09:14 发表

有脑子的人都知道家电厂商每年第三季度的是不用为业绩发愁的，年底的销售旺季，去年第三季度光电子部门好像就17亿的的利润:D

有大脑的人都知道06财年第三季度骚泥整个集团才赚了13亿美元 而且同比下滑5.3%

第一次 知道这个部门。

才13亿，很好，很强大:D

马达加斯加那个动画片不就是SONY出的，买了到现在还没看过

关键是利润下降了 看骚泥今年怎么样了