IMAX And CJ CGV Announce 35 New IMAX® Theatres Across China And Korea
Agreement Marks Second-Largest International Deal in IMAX History
SHANGHAI, July 15, 2013 /CNW/ - IMAX Corporation (NYSE:IMAX; TSX:IMX) and CJ CGV Holdings, Ltd., today announced an expansion of the companies' partnership with the addition of 35 new IMAX® theatres. The deal includes 30 theatres to be installed in new construction projects across China as well as five previously optional theatres in Korea, now confirmed, which are subject to final documentation. Today's agreement brings CJ CGV's IMAX commitment to 95 theatres, with 20 in South Korea and 75 in China, positioning it at present as IMAX's largest exhibitor partner in Asia.
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"The strength of our brand and technology in China enabled this agreement with CJ CGV, a world-class exhibitor and marketer of the IMAX brand," said IMAX CEO Richard L. Gelfond. "As our largest deal to date with CJ CGV, this agreement not only reinforces the value of The IMAX Experience® to drive business results for our partners, but also signals the momentum that continues to build for IMAX internationally. We're excited to build on our successful partnership with such a substantial commitment."
As of Mar. 31, IMAX has 133 theatres open and 117 theatres in backlog in Greater China. Since 2010, the company has released ten local-language films in the region, with three thus far in 2013 and four planned for the remainder of the year.
"With today's agreement, we are building on our success with IMAX, which continues to generate incremental attendance and revenue to our complexes," said Mr. Seo Jung, CEO of CJ CGV. "We are delighted to expand our IMAX network as it is a key strategy to supporting our growth across Asia Pacific, which has shown strong demand for IMAX's immersive experience."
Under the terms of the agreement, CJ CGV has also agreed to install IMAX's next-generation laser digital projection system in a theatre located in a major metropolitan area within Korea by the end of 2015, subject to final documentation. The system, which represents the culmination of the largest R&D initiative in IMAX's history, incorporates the laser digital intellectual property IMAX exclusively licensed from Eastman Kodak and Barco's unique laser innovations. It is expected to set a new benchmark as the industry's premium entertainment experience and will enable IMAX's largest screens to deliver the highest-quality digital content available with greater brightness and clarity, a wider color gamut and deeper blacks.
About CJ CGV HOLDINGS, LTD.
CJ CGV HOLDINGS is a wholly-owned subsidiary of CJ CGV, and is incorporated under the laws of Hong Kong. CJ CGV HOLDINGS was established by CJ CGV specifically to oversee the expansion of theater business throughout Greater China.
About CJ CGV
CJ CGV operates South Korea's largest multiplex cinema chain, with its headquarters in Seoul. It is a subsidiary of CJ Group and was established in 1996. CGV opened its first multiplex cinema in Korea in April 1998. Since the opening of its first cinema in eastern Seoul, CGV has expanded and currently operates 816 screens over 103 sites nationwide. CGV opened its first overseas branch in Shanghai, China in late 2006, opened its first North American branch in Los Angeles, California in June 2010 and acquired Megastar, Vietnam's largest multiplex cinema chain in July 2011. CGV now has 50% of the market share in South Korea.
About IMAX Corporation
IMAX, an innovator in entertainment technology, combines proprietary software, architecture and equipment to create experiences that take you beyond the edge of your seat to a world you've never imagined. Top filmmakers and studios are utilizing IMAX theatres to connect with audiences in extraordinary ways, and, as such, IMAX's network is among the most important and successful theatrical distribution platforms for major event films around the globe.
IMAX is headquartered in New York, Toronto and Los Angeles, with offices in London, Tokyo, Shanghai and Beijing. As of March 31, 2013, there were 738 IMAX theatres (606 commercial multiplexes, 19 commercial destinations and 113 institutions) in 53 countries.
IMAX®, IMAX® 3D, IMAX DMR®, Experience It In IMAX®, An IMAX 3D Experience®, The IMAX Experience® and IMAX Is Believing® are trademarks of IMAX Corporation. More information about the Company can be found at www.imax.com. You may also connect with IMAX on Facebook (www.facebook.com/imax), Twitter (www.twitter.com/imax) and YouTube (www.youtube.com/imaxmovies).
This press release contains forward looking statements that are based on IMAX management's assumptions and existing information and involve certain risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed or implied by such forward looking statements. These risks and uncertainties are discussed in IMAX's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and most recent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.
For additional information please contact:
Investors: IMAX Corporation, New York Teri Loxam 212-821-0100
Business Media: Sloane & Company, New York Whit Clay 212-446-1864
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Media: IMAX Corporation, New York Ann Sommerlath 212-821-0155
Entertainment Media: Principal Communications Group, Los Angeles Melissa Zuckerman/Paul Pflug 323-658-1555 |
SOURCE: IMAX Corporation
http://www.imax.com
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