Youku Tudou Inc. Signs Exclusive Disney Marketing Deal

Youku Tudou Inc. (NYSE: YOKU) picked up about 8 percent after the Chinese Internet television platformed disclosed a marketing agreement with Walt Disney Co. (NYSE: DIS).http://finance.yahoo.com/news/youku-tudou-disney-form-marvel-071200478.htmlYouku shares have gained more than 82 percent in the past three months and traded recently at $29.92, up $2.28; Disney was little changed at $111.Youku said it will become the exclusive online movie marketing platform in China for Disney's Marvel collection of superhero movies and TV series.The deal includes promotion of trailers, online ticketing, live events and original programming.Financial terms weren't disclosed.Youku said its previous online marketing efforts contributed to boosting the box office revenue of both Avengers: Age of Ultron and Guardians of the Galaxy.In the case of Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Youku said its online marketing contributed to box office receipts in China of nearly $130 million, compared with $13 million for the previous installment of the franchise in China. "We are committed to expanding our media and entertainment ecosystem by working with strong partners," according to Youku's Chief Executive Victor Koo, who expects the Disney deal will "drive future revenue streams."Youku, which last month issued a higher-than-expected revenue forecast, recently got swept up by a rumor that it might get acquired by the far larger Baidu Inc. (NASDAQ: BIDU).https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/6568919/merger-rumors-china-youku-tudou-iqiyi-tencent-video"Analysts believe it's a question of when, not if, China's online video industry consolidates," according to Billboard.