Tyler Perry Studios and Writers Guild Announce Agreement

ATLANTA, GA -- Tyler Perry Studios and the Writers Guild of America, West today announced that they have come to an agreement following more than five months of negotiations. Vic Bulluck, executive director of the NAACP Hollywood Bureau, was instrumental in bringing the two parties together.

"We are pleased to have come to a resolution with the WGA, and thank the NAACP for their support during negotiations. We look forward to many years working with the talented writers who are members of the Guild." stated Tyler Perry. "With a continued focus on fostering young, diverse talent, we are eager to continue our dialogue with the WGA to dramatically increase the number of minority writers working in Hollywood today."

"At a time when true independent producers like Mr. Perry are rare in this business, we congratulate him on his success and welcome his decision to become signatory to a WGA contract," said Writers Guild of America, West President Patric M. Verrone. "I also would like to thank Ben Jealous, NAACP national president and CEO, Vic Bulluck, executive director NAACP Hollywood Bureau, and Clayola Brown, national president of the A. Philip Randolph Institute, for their help during this negotiation."

"The NAACP is a staunch advocate for workers rights and for nearly one hundred years has fought for greater minority representation and inclusion in Hollywood. We applaud Tyler Perry's efforts to not only promote, but to also provide work for people of color in the entertainment industry," stated Benjamin Jealous, president and CEO of the NAACP. Adding, "We recognize the unique and important influence writers have in our society. The NAACP will continue to work with the WGA to make sure their rights are protected and that all the networks and studios provide greater opportunity for minority writers."

The contract with the WGA was the last union agreement outstanding for Tyler Perry Studios, which had previously brokered deals with the Teamsters, IATSE, SAG, DGA, and others. Acknowledging that some of the writers on the TBS series House of Payne and Meet the Browns will not be returning, Perry thanked them for their services and wished them well in their future endeavors.

Matt Johnson of Ziffrren, Brittenham negotiated the deal for Tyler Perry Studios.

Tyler Perry Studios is 100% financed by Tyler Perry in an entrepreneurial endeavor, and is not backed by a studio or other investors. The studio produces both Meet the Browns and House of Payne, as well as several feature films a year including the upcoming Madea Goes to Jail. Perry recently announced the formation of another production arm, 34th Street Films, which will develop projects written and directed by talent other than Perry under the Tyler Perry brand.

The Writers Guild of America, West (WGAW) is a labor union that negotiates and administers contracts and represents writers of motion pictures, television, radio and Internet programming, including news and documentaries. For more information on the WGAW, please visit: www.wga.org.

Founded on February 12, 1909, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is the nation�s oldest and largest civil rights organization. Its half-million adult and youth members throughout the United States and the world are the premier advocates for civil rights in their communities, and monitor equal opportunity in the public and private sectors. For more information on the NAACP and the NAACP Hollywood Bureau, please visit www.naacp.org.