Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chavez was also enthusiastic. "Imageworks' presence will further enhance Albuquerque's status as one of the nation's top cities for creativity and quality of life," said Mayor Chavez.

"Albuquerque is progressive, the quality of life is high with the cost of living low, and production incentives from the state of New Mexico make it advantageous for us to do business there," said Tom Hershey, svp of operations, Sony Pictures Imageworks. "The overwhelming opportunity is to build a facility from the ground up and influence the way this cutting-edge culture develops."

As part of the relationship between Imageworks and the state, Sarnoff also announced that the University of New Mexico has been selected to be a member of the Imageworks Professional Academic Excellence program (IPAX). This educational program, designed by Imageworks, is intended to build stronger relationships with established academic programs and to nurture and grow future generations of digital talent. One aspect of IPAX gives the faculty of IPAX member schools the opportunity to attend in-house training programs and experience a real world production environment, so they may return with valuable production knowledge and skills to the classroom. The University of New Mexico joins a roster of member schools that includes Animation Mentor, Carnegie Mellon, DePaul University Computer Graphics and Animation Program, Gnomon School of Visual Effects, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Otis College of Art + Design, Pratt Institute School of Art & Design, Ringling School of Art & Design, Stanford University and University of Southern California School of Cinema-Television.

Sony Pictures Imageworks Inc. is an Academy Award-winning, state-of-the-art visual effects and character animation company dedicated to the art and artistry of digital production and character creation. The company has been recognized by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences with Oscars for its work on SPIDER-MAN 2 and the CG-animated short film THE CHUBBCHUBBS!, as well as nominations for SUPERMAN RETURNS, SPIDER-MAN, HOLLOW MAN, STUART LITTLE, STARSHIP TROOPERS and THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE.