Strategic Rebranding

Alibaba Pictures rebrands as Damai Entertainment, effective May 2025, following its 2023 acquisition of ticketing platform Damai (¥1.2B) and parent group’s renaming to Orca Entertainment. The shift reflects post-acquisition success: live entertainment and IP monetization now drive growth, with Q1 2025 revenue rising 12% to ¥5.55B and adjusted EBITA turning profitable (¥36M). Damai’s 2024 revenue surged 236%, while IP licensing hit ¥1.43B (+73%). Despite China’s booming live events (¥57.95B票房 in 2024), challenges include streaming arm Youku’s uncertain profitability amid declining ad spending and rising production costs. The rebrand underscores a pivot from traditional cinema to IP ecosystems and live experiences.