Warner Bros. in Middle Eastern Entertainment Deal

NEW
YORK, September 27: Warner Bros. Entertainment, Abu Dhabi-based real estate
developer Aldar and the newly established Abu Dhabi Media Company have formed a
long-term alliance that calls for the creation of a theme park and hotel, as
well as the formation of a joint fund to finance feature film production and to
develop and publish video games, among a host of other activities.

For
the hotel and theme park project, Warner Bros. Entertainment will draw on
select properties from its live-action and animated libraries, to provide
themes for the overall project as well as individual attractions. Aldar will
coordinate and oversee physical construction of both the theme park and hotel.
Ground breaking on the theme park and hotel is expected in 2009. Warner Bros. Movie World theme parks
are already available on Australia’s Gold Coast, in Madrid, Spain and in
Bottrop, Germany. Warner Bros. also has previous ownership of and an ongoing
licensing agreement with Six Flags theme parks in the U.S.

The
film production fund, a 50-50 venture, calls for the development and production
of mutually agreed-upon, broad-appeal films, with Warner Bros. retaining
worldwide distribution options/rights. Separate from this arrangement, Warner
Bros. Pictures International will work with Abu Dhabi Media Company to develop
and produce a slate of Arabic-language films for local and pan-Arabic
distribution.

Warner
Bros. Home Entertainment Group (WBHEG) will also combine its expertise in all
aspects of content with the Abu Dhabi Media Company’s resources and
capabilities to build Abu Dhabi’s infrastructure for the development of new
media and digital delivery systems. Under the interactive games part of this
deal, which will be overseen by WBHEG, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
will serve as publisher and hold worldwide distribution rights on all gaming
properties (based on both Warner Bros.-owned brands and titles and third-party
properties) created under this fund. Approximately a dozen games are currently
in various stages of development and publishing as part of the agreement. The
first games published as part of the deal are “Looney Tunes: ACME Arsenal” for
X-Box 360, Wii and PlayStation 2 and the accompanying “Duck Amuck” on Nintendo
DS.

Additionally,
Warner Bros. International Cinemas will develop, design and manage jointly-owned
multiplex cinemas in Abu Dhabi to be built by Aldar, with initial plans to
include the construction of four Warner Bros.-branded and themed cinemas,
featuring iconic characters and titles from Warner Bros.’ classic and
contemporary film libraries. Ground-breaking on the multiplex cinemas at the
Central Market Development has occurred and they are due to open in the fourth
quarter of 2010. WBIC currently operates cinemas in Italy and Japan and manages
the Mann Theatres chain in the U.S.

“This
is a great opportunity for us to expand our local-language film production
business to a new region, developing talent both in front of and behind the
camera,” said Richard Fox, the executive VP of international at Warner Bros.
“As is our practice around the globe, we’ll work closely with our partners each
step of the way to impart our filmmaking experience and expertise, making sure
that we’re respectful and supportive of local customs and mores, both in our
local film production and across all of these in-territory businesses.”

Beyond
the businesses specifically outlined in Warner Bros.’ initial agreement with
Aldar and the Abu Dhabi Media Company, the companies will discuss and explore
additional areas in which they can work together, including such ventures as production
facilities, digital content distribution and retail opportunities in the Gulf
region.