Jeff Zucker pretends as though he isn't already kicking the tires on Dreamworks SKG, While Phil Dauman acts as if all is well

-MARTY Media execs are some of the biggest diplomats in the world. They could be closing a deal right under your nose, and you wouldn't know based how they talk the subject down. NBC Universal head Jeff Zucker is the latest media biggie talking down a hot topic. David Geffen, a partner in all things Dreamworks made it clear that NBC Universal is one of only two companies he would do a deal with. In a report in the New York Times we got the impression that the only thing stopping a deal from happening is the annual $600 Million bankroll the DreamWorks partners were seeking if they were to do a deal with NBC Universal. But now in front of a bunch of media rollers and investors, Jeff Zucker is playing the "If" game. Guess he was trying to play it cool with Phil Dauman from Viacom on hand. Speaking of Viacom CEO Phil Dauman, he is playing Mr. Nice regarding the public beef between DreamWorks and Viacom. "Our objective is to proceed with mutual respect," Dauman said. "We're going to proceed with calm and deliberateness." Zucker: Would Take a Look at DreamWorks [AP]

Will NBC Universal let DreamWorks get away from them again over money? GE's pockets are too deep to allow this to happen

-SDH Jeff Zucker, if he is smart, has another shot at adding some major wattage at Universal Studios. DreamWorks which has been unhappy with its deal at the Viacom owned Paramount mainly due to oldman Sumner's vicious mouth, wants out of that marriage and will only do a deal with News Corp's 20th Century Fox or NBC Universal's Universal Studios ,but there is a catch. The DreamWorks team is seeking $600 million to $700 million a year which insiders say may hold up any deal from happening. Jeff Zucker needs to let his boss, GE CEO Jeff Immelt know that he cannot let this deal get away from them a second time. Because Rupert Murdoch is known for swooping in and offering more than what a seller is asking leading to a win, just ask Tom Freston. Jeff Zucker needs to Tell Immelt to back off and cut the check so he can secure DreamWorks and its legendary founders. “These DreamWorks guys are the A-Rods of the movie business,” said Harold L. Vogel, an independent media analyst. “They have megawatt personalities and great track records, but almost nobody can afford to pay them.” Discontented, DreamWorks Is in Talks to Join NBC [NYT]

sumner redstone will probably die an isolated and miserable old man, and phil dauman will be the only one at his funeral

At his age you would think the old fart that is Sumner Redstone would be humble, warm and grandfather like. Nope. It seems like the older he gets, the meaner and more insecure he gets. He rules Viacom and CBS from his mansion in the hills of Hollywood and he creates tension between himself and the people who work for him. Current Viacom CEO Phillippe Dauman must be the only person Sumner doesn't fight with. Then again when you're a yes man you tend to be in line right with the boss. Well it looks like a new war is brewing but this time Dreamworks founder David Geffen is firing the first shot in the new issue of Vanity Fair. -SHINESY "Nobody is going to treat me or my partner [Spielberg] in that manner and stay in business with us. Nobody." geffen goes on to call DreamWorks sale to paramount "a poor choice" and accuses Redstone of "bullying. And I will not be bullied. There is no fight I will run from. I am absolutely unafraid of Sumner Redstone." Geffen continues: "These people are a nightmare. I've never seen behavior like this in my entire life." Showdown at Fort Sumner [VF]

Viacom slowly ruining yet another relationship

Lately it seems like Viacom doesn't know how to preserve relationships. If it isn't old man Sumner yapping way over the line about someone, its CEO Phil Dauman. Dauman reportedly may have pissed off director Steven Spielberg by implying that Viacom and Dreamworks would continue to be successful without Spielberg's imput. You would think that a CEO would know how to choose his words more carefully. Now poor little Brad Grey has to step in and play the calmer while trying to avoid calling his boss a dick head. Speaking by telephone on Thursday, Brad Grey, Paramount’s chairman, was eager to calm the waters stirred up by one of his bosses. “I have the greatest respect for the creativity of Steven Spielberg and the entire DreamWorks team, as well as the immense entrepreneurial business skills of David Geffen,” he said. Mr. Grey added, “On behalf of Viacom and Paramount, I hope we’re all in business for a very long time.” Viacom Chief’s Remark on Spielberg Stirs a Furor [NYT]

Entertainment CEOs believe that 3D movies are about to take on a new life, if you're willing to pay for it

-NEIL YOSHIDA Michael Campbell, chairman and CEO of Regal Entertainment Group, said box office results from the handful of 3D films released so far convinced him of the "potential advantages for theaters, not just studios" in switching to digital projection systems that support modern 3D technology. Campbell told analysts at a Bank of America conference that audiences were willing to pay premium ticket prices for 3D films, and said they preferred them by a 2-to-1 margin. Could you imagine if porn film studios started releasing all their movies in 3D? Regal, DreamWorks CEOs see 3D transforming movies [Reuters]

Afternoon Wire: DreamWorks bail out, Magic in media, Google stashes cash for a rainy day

The great escape from DreamWorks Billionaire Paul Allen and other investors in movie studio DreamWorks are looking to bail out washing their hands of the studio and anything DreamWorksy. Paul Allen and others plan to sell $330 million of shares in an offering that will unwind the partnership that controls the movie studio. Bringing magic to media Magic Johnson will finally bring some clarity on at least one new venture, when he launches Magic New Media. Mr. Johnson, who is chairman-CEO of both Johnson Development Corp. and Magic Johnson Enterprises, said his new venture will include wireless and the web. "Every company's looking for these eyeballs," Mr. Johnson said later in a brief interview with Advertising Age. "There's no urban play." Hmmm you may want to back that up a bit Magic. Putting away for a rainy day Google has reportedly stashed away about $200 Million just in case they have to go to court to fight off any lawsuits related to their new company Youtube. We would say they will pretty much need that and maybe more. Critics of the YouTube deal have argued that Google would face major lawsuits from media companies whose copyrights were infringed by content being illegally uploaded onto the YouTube site.