INDYCAR and Dreamworks announce movie partnership

IndyCar News/Releases, INDYCAR PR — By on March 12, 2012 9:13 am

[Source: INDYCAR press release]

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INDIANAPOLIS (March 12, 2012) – INDYCAR, the sanctioning body for the IZOD INDYCAR Series and Firestone Indy Lights, and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (“IMS”) announced today a first-of-its-kind movie-themed collaboration with DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc. (Nasdaq: DWA) for the Company’s upcoming animated feature film “Turbo,” which is scheduled to be released on July 19, 2013.

DreamWorks Animation’s “Turbo” is the story of an ordinary garden snail with an impossible dream: to win the Indy 500. When a freak accident gives him extraordinary speed, Turbo sets out to try to make his impossible dream come true.

“The Indianapolis 500 is a one-of-a-kind live event that has fascinated people of all ages for many, many years and Turbo is a character whose biggest ambition is to add his name to its list of international champions,” commented Jeffrey Katzenberg, Chief Executive Officer of DreamWorks Animation. “DreamWorks Animation’s alliance with the INDYCAR team represents an authentic tie-in between a real-life race and an imagined adventure that is certain to culminate in a thrilling ride for the whole family next summer.”

“Today is a very exciting day for us, as we announce our collaboration with the DreamWorks Animation team on ‘Turbo,'” said Randy Bernard, CEO of INDYCAR. “We’re very honored to work with Jeffrey, his team and the incredible star power of the cast to bring the Indy 500 to the world in such a unique and engaging format.  We believe new and existing fans of all ages will be captivated by the animated depiction of Indianapolis Motor Speedway as well as the wonderful characters that inhabit the universe of DreamWorks Animation’s Turbo.  ”

“For more than 100 years, the dream of competing in the Indianapolis 500 has attracted some of the greatest drivers to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway,” added Jeff Belskus, Indianapolis Motor Speedway Corporation president and CEO. “Legendary names like Mario Andretti, Jim Clark, A.J. Foyt, Emerson Fittipaldi, Helio Castroneves and Dario Franchitti all have been fast and fortunate enough to win it. We are excited to work with DreamWorks Animation’s creators, staff and cast and look forward to seeing Turbo himself race at Indianapolis in 2013!”

In addition to DreamWorks Animation, INDYCAR’s entertainment division is tapping into the home entertainment and sports video arenas by forming alliances with Circle King Networks, Inc., known for their work with the Full Throttle Video series and El Jefe Entertainment (producers of Jesse James video content), as well as CineSport Video Network.

Circle King Networks will reach millions of motorsports fans through traditional and non-traditional home video outlets, including at mass retail in automotive and convenience stores, and on digital formats. CineSport will produce and syndicate original, exclusive highlight videos and programming to more than 100 premium local/national media web sites.

INDYCAR Entertainment has also secured driver appearances as well as network and cable television programming segments, such as Graham Rahal’s recent appearance on CBS’s “Super Bowl’s Greatest Commercials,” which also showcased the 2012 Indy car, and Michael Andretti starring as a member of this season’s “Celebrity Apprentice,” “Nerve Center” for Discovery Networks Canada, “How It’s Made” for Discovery, “Pawn Stars” on the History Channel and “Day Jobs” on GAC.

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