MUMBAI: The second season Hungama TV‘s kid‘s marathon just got bigger. The Hungamthon this time round has roped in former Indian cricketer Ajay Jadeja to flag off the event, for which Britannia Tiger has come on board as the official brand sponsor. With the addition of a third city this year, the Britannia Tiger Hungamthon ‘06-07 will be held on 7, 14 and 28 January in Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata respectively. To add star power to the event, the cast of UTV produced film Hattrick – Rimmi Sen and Kunal Kapoor will extend their support to the runners. Hungama TV has tied-up with sports association Athletic Federation of India to ensure appropriate adjudication for the entire event. This year the race will be divided into two categories of the ‘Masters‘ and ‘Blasters.‘ The applicable age for participants is between 8-15 years, while the Masters will consist of 8 – 12 year olds who would run for 2 km, the Blasters will include 13 – 15 year olds who would run for 3 km. |
The entire event will not be telecast but snippets of it will be shown in Feburary next year. To ensure participation, an on going school contact program across 100 schools each in Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata was rolled out in November. The channel states that last year the distribtution of forms to the various schools claims to have garnered maximum response from the kids. Additionally, this will be supported by a mass media promotion comprising of print, radio and internet. The channel has tied up with Times NIE and TTIS as print partners and ABP and Telegraph to promote the event in Kolkata. The radio partners are Red FM 93.5 and Total Sports Asia the event partners. What‘s more, this year the event has lured more advertisers including Set Wet Nottee and Bournvita as co-presenting sponsors, the associate sponsors are Boomer, Dabur Chyawanprash, Sustacal, Haldiram‘s Chips and Dukes Waffy. The water partner is Oxyrich and the Multiplex partners are Cinemax and PVR Cinemas. Speaking about the Britannia Tiger Hungamthon, UTV senior vice president marketing and communications Siddharth Roy Kapur said that much like last year the event would have a carnival feel with a holding area for parents and kids that will have food and games stalls. “In addition to the Hungama characters interacting with the kids, there will also be a live band performing at the venue.” Application forms are available at Cinemax chain in Mumbai and PVR chain in New Delhi as well as on the website www.hungamatv.com. |
Category: Kids
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‘Britannia Tiger Hungamthon’ ropes in Ajay Jadeja to kick off the event
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Pogo expands merchandise to apparel, publishing, stationery & home videos
MUMBAI: Cartoon Network Enterprises (CNE), the global licensing and merchandising division of Cartoon Network, has announced the strategic roll out of the second phase of Pogo merchandise, with the launch of Pogo branded apparel, activity kits, publishing, stationery, electronics and school bags.
Cartoon Network’s sibling Pogo, has tied up with Karmatex, a garment manufacturing and export enterprise, for the launch of the apparel range at their exclusive ‘Scram’ outlets. The channel is targeting a 10 city roll out of ‘Scram’ stores in May next year. The branded apparel will be available in three ranges Surf, Word Trails and Party wear for boys and girls, aged 3 to 12 years.
Besides, the collection will also be available at typical retail outlets including Lifestyle, Pyramid and Lilliput. Following the standard roll out strategy in key metros, the channel has also expressed their plans to enter smaller markets. With 80 SKUs, the range will be priced between Rs 399 to Rs 995. Currently, Karmatex has two stores at malls in Mumbai (Inorbit and Atria), while another 12 stores across India are expected to be operative by the end of next year.
Based on the M.A.D. (Music Art and Dance) theme, the new additions to Pogo merchandise will lend itself to a consolidated range of the latest home entertainment DVD’s, six new book titles, stationery and ‘Do it yourself’ activity kits. The M.A.D. range of products will be priced between Rs 25 to Rs 525.
In addition, the company is also looking to introduce to the existing Pogo portfolio more branded merchandise across categories such as innerwear, sleepwear, gifts and novelties, bags and activity games in the New Year. This is in line with company’s plans to expand its width of consumer products, which will ultimately find its way to the theme parks slated to launch next year in the form of ‘Planet Pogo.’
Cartoon Network Enterprises India and South Asia director Jiggy George said, “This year has been fabulous for us! Over the last quarter we have announced two strategic initiatives in the consumer goods division and it makes me proud to close the year with the announcement of the extension of Pogo Merchandise across these exciting categories. The division has recorded a fantastic double digit growth, registering an annual jump of 50 per cent in business and I am looking forward to witness similar success in 2007, with the launch of many such exciting announcements.”
“Our channel, Pogo, stands for fun, learning and excitement and keeping these brand characteristics in mind, coupled with a recent qualitative research conducted amongst three age groups of kids and parents, it was found that the extension of Pogo into merchandise would be welI accepted. The categories that would best fit the brand would be apparel, toys, back to school products and gifts and novelties. This gave us the clear direction that the right time to commence our merchandising programme for Pogo had arrived.”
Beefing up its retail presence in the country Cartoon Network Enterprises’ previously launched character themed consumer products like The Powerpuff Girls, Johnny Bravo, Galli Galli Sim Sim and Pogo Wheels. The Pogo toys range, launched in the first phase, will also see extensions, as new and higher end versions will be launched next year.
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Disney forays into publishing, teams up with Infomedia to launch ‘Disney Adventures’ in India
MUMBAI: The Walt Disney Company‘s publishing arm, Disney Publishing Worldwide India (DPW) has entered into a strategic alliance with Infomedia India Ltd., special interest publications firm, to unveil Disney Adventures, a tweens and kids‘ magazine in India.
Disney Adventures is targeted at Indian tweens in the age group 8-13 years and will feature local content, beginning with the first issue that will include a special feature on latest Bollywood release – Dhoom 2.
An official release states that the international format of Disney Adventures has been adapted to suit Indian tweens and kids, as it contains over 35 per cent local content. The 100-page monthly publication will feature the Indian tweens‘ favourite Disney and Bollywood characters, comic pages, jokes, games, tech news and reviews, fashion, and contests. Other Indian language editions for this magazine are also being considered.
The first monthly issue of magazine will be priced at a cover price of Rs 40.
“Kids and their families have an affinity for Disney content. The launch of Disney Adventures significantly advances our strategic priorities, which include – first and foremost – delivering high-quality, compelling creative product to consumers across all platforms” said The Walt Disney Company (India) MD Rajat Jain.
Infomedia India MD Prakash Iye said, “Our tie-up with Disney is a perfect fit for the two brands as we are leaders in our respective space and will complement the strengths of both the groups. The tweens‘ magazine sector in India has still not been explored and we are confident that the launch of Disney Adventures will meet the expectations of the growing Indian teens‘ demands for consuming the best in International content.”
The magazine was first published in the United States in early 1990s and has seen many evolutions in its content mix, in keeping up with the evolving tweens and kids.
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Nick ramps up marketing activities around ‘Masti Dosti’ contest
MUMBAI: As the action on Nick heats up with the launch of the month long ‘Masti Dosti’ contest, the channel has sought new avenues to reach its target 4-14 year olds. Nick is looking to capitalise on multiple mediums to build awareness of its latest initiative that runs along the “best buddy pairs” theme promoting three key properties Spongebob Squarepants, Ninja Hattori and The Munnabhai Show.
Specific to Mumbai city, Nick has been authorised by 18 schools to paint schools buses with Nick themes, as well as on bus backs for Best buses that follow various school routes in the city.
Apart from the city oriented plans, the channel is also looking to take the 30 second commercial beyond Nick to include several GEC’s such as Zee, Zee Cinema, SET Max and Discovery, which is often frequented by kids. Regional channels like ETV Bangla and Gujrati will also be targeted.
In addition, the channel has joined hands with several local cable TV operators in metros and smaller markets, to showcase the 30 second promotion in between blockbusters aired.
Nick has also devised a plan for the innovative use of print, through a tie up with Diamond comics that will advertise the contest across both the Hindi and English editions. The campaign is focused in going all the way to capture the attention of kids via mediums that are a ‘sure shot’.
The contest will culminate on 29 December and apart from winners and their best friends pocketing goodies, Nick has lined up a special telethon that will span three days – 30 and 31 December 2006 and 1 January 2007, each day running 9 hours of back to back episodes of the three shows.
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Disney forays into publishing, teams up with Infomedia to launch ‘Disney Adventures’ in India
MUMBAI: The Walt Disney Company’s publishing arm, Disney Publishing Worldwide India (DPW) has entered into a strategic alliance with Infomedia India Ltd., special interest publications firm, to unveil Disney Adventures, a tweens and kids’ magazine in India.
Disney Adventures is targeted at Indian tweens in the age group 8-13 years and will feature local content, beginning with the first issue that will include a special feature on latest Bollywood release – Dhoom 2.
An official release states that the international format of Disney Adventures has been adapted to suit Indian tweens and kids, as it contains over 35 per cent local content. The 100-page monthly publication will feature the Indian tweens’ favourite Disney and Bollywood characters, comic pages, jokes, games, tech news and reviews, fashion, and contests. Other Indian language editions for this magazine are also being considered.
The first monthly issue of magazine will be priced at a cover price of Rs 40.
“Kids and their families have an affinity for Disney content. The launch of Disney Adventures significantly advances our strategic priorities, which include – first and foremost – delivering high-quality, compelling creative product to consumers across all platforms” said The Walt Disney Company (India) MD Rajat Jain.
Infomedia India MD Prakash Iye said, “Our tie-up with Disney is a perfect fit for the two brands as we are leaders in our respective space and will complement the strengths of both the groups. The tweens’ magazine sector in India has still not been explored and we are confident that the launch of Disney Adventures will meet the expectations of the growing Indian teens’ demands for consuming the best in International content.”
The magazine was first published in the United States in early 1990s and has seen many evolutions in its content mix, in keeping up with the evolving tweens and kids.
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GlowSkin Active Illumination powers Cartoon Network’s ‘Adult Swim’ in US
MUMBAI: GlowSkin Active Illumination Technology manufacturer Safe Lites, LLC has announced that it has added animated illumination to the advertising billboards for Cartoon Network‘s Adult Swim in 14 markets throughout the US. This claims to be the largest such implementation in North America.
“Our goal with any Adult Swim ad campaign is to present something highly creative and completely unexpected,” said Cartoon Network and Adult Swim senior vice president of marketing Dennis Adamovich. “This new GlowSkin technology captured our imaginations by providing a unique solution for infusing actual animation to a traditionally static billboard campaign. The result is an iconic, memorable presentation that should get people talking.”
GlowSkin is Safe Lites‘ proprietary specification of industrial-grade electroluminescent (EL) lighting, which is a powered lighting system that glows, rather than shines, and is designed to stand up to harsh outdoor conditions while improving the visibility of vehicles, equipment, people, or nearly anything. The thin and flexible nature of GlowSkin, the fact that it requires minimal energy to power it, the ability to create GlowSkin in nearly any colour, size, and shape, and the safety elements designed into GlowSkin all make it an ideal technology for advertising and promotion applications, states an official release.
“In the two months since Safe Lites applied GlowSkin to the sides of light rail cars in Portland for Pentax Imaging, we have rolled out nearly 60 billboards across the US through the cooperation of dozens of organizations. We are proud to be working with Adult Swim, and the many OOH (Out of Home) Advertising organizations that are going to make this campaign a success for the late-night network‘s programming,” said Safe Lites founder, chairman and CEO John Golle.
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Nick UK wins channel of the year award at the Baftas
MUMBAI: A few days ago the British Academy Children’s Film and Television Awards announced the recepients of its awards for children’s film and television.
Nickelodeon UK was voted the channel of the year. Nickelodeon UK GM Howard Litton said, “Through our in-house team and family of brilliant independents, we’re lucky enough to be home to some of the greatest talents in children’s television. These awards are testament to the brilliant team at Nickelodeon. It’s been an exceptional year for Nickelodeon UK – and here’s to a fantastic 2007.” Nick’s show Lazytown came out on top in the international category.
The award for the best drama show went to The Giblet Boys. The award for best factual show went to Michaela’s Wild Challenge. The award for the best children’s film went to Wallace and Gromit. Children in the UK voted for Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire as their favourtie film of the year.
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Nick kicks off Masti-Dosti contest; plans multi-media campaign
MUMBAI: In line with Nick’s new funda “Bitaiye masti ke pal, apne khas doston ke sang,” the channel will kick off the Masti-Dosti contest starting 4 December on the Masti-Dosti block from 6 – 7 pm, Monday to Friday.
Nick also seems to be pulling up their socks in promoting this initiative, with plans of launching a multi-media campaign. This would comprise of television, print and on-ground, including colourfully painted school buses and visits to the agencies by its characters – SpongeBob SquarePants and his buddy, Patrick.
To participate in the Masti-Dosti Contest, kids have to spot the prize on air and report it right back to Nick by calling 1250111555 in Mumbai and Delhi or 1250155 in other cities, or SMS ‘NICK’ followed by either A, B or C and their name to 6882. Alternatively, they can log on to www.nickindia.com and participate in the contest.
Remote controlled cars, Gameboys, DVD players, cell phones, MP3 players, Discmans and rollerblades – all in pairs will be up for grabs. Ten lucky winners will have the privilege of seeing their names on air. As for the grand prize winner – he/she and a friend get to feature in special promotion that will be aired on Nick at the end of the contest, informs an official release.
If back-to-back episodes of Nick’s characters and best buds Spongebob and Patrick, Ninja Hattori and Kenny Chee and Munnabhai and Circuit scheming, ploting, sharing and caring is not enough. On the eve of World AIDS Day, the channel extended its hand of ‘dosti’ to children from the NGO – Committed Community Development Trust (CCDT) to come and party with Nick buddies SpongeBob and Patrick and enjoy Nickloads of fun.
Speaking on the initiative, Nick India vice president and general manager Nina Jaipuria said, “At the onset of the festive season, Masti-Dosti is Nick’s unique way of reaching out and celebrating the ‘spirit of friendship’ with the kids. Over the past many months Nick has formed a special bond with the kids and ‘Masti-Dosti’ is an initiative to strengthen that even further.”
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The Game Factory unveils ‘Cartoon Network Racing’ on Nintendo DS and PS 2
MUMBAI: The Game Factory, international publisher of video and computer games based on children‘s characters, has announced the release of ‘Cartoon Network Racing,‘ its first arcade-style racing videogame for Nintendo DS and PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system platforms starring characters from the original animated series The Powerpuff Girls, Cow and Chicken, Courage, the Cowardly Dog, I Am Weasel, Johnny Bravo and Dexter‘s Laboratory.
Taking on the roles of the various characters, players compete in the first Annual Cartoon Network Racing Championship. Further adding to the entertainment value, both titles include several full-length episodes of Cartoon Network programs. Geared toward children seven and older and rated E for everyone, the game is available for a suggested retail price of $29.99 beginning 29 November for the Nintendo DS version and 1 December 2006 for the PlayStation 2 system, informs an official release.
Gamers race as their favourite Cartoon Network stars in an attempt to be the first to cross the finish line and gain the highest popularity score. Both platform versions include a variety of colourful show-themed Cartoon Network environments and locations such as Dexter‘s Laboratory and Aron City, home of Johnny Bravo. The more successful players are at winning races, the more items such as new characters and fun bonus games they can unlock.
“The Game Factory‘s ‘Cartoon Network Racing‘ game is the perfect way to bring some of the best loved characters from Cartoon Network‘s roster of original animation to our fans in an exciting new arcade format,” said US Consumer Products for Cartoon Network Enterprises – the global merchandising and licensing arm of Cartoon Network VP Christina Miller. “With all the innovative gaming features and unlockable full-length bonus episodes of these classic shows — it is sure to be very popular with our fans.”
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The Game Factory unveils ‘Cartoon Network Racing’ on Nintendo DS and PS 2
MUMBAI: The Game Factory, international publisher of video and computer games based on children’s characters, has announced the release of ‘Cartoon Network Racing,’ its first arcade-style racing videogame for Nintendo DS and PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system platforms starring characters from the original animated series The Powerpuff Girls, Cow and Chicken, Courage, the Cowardly Dog, I Am Weasel, Johnny Bravo and Dexter’s Laboratory.
Taking on the roles of the various characters, players compete in the first Annual Cartoon Network Racing Championship. Further adding to the entertainment value, both titles include several full-length episodes of Cartoon Network programs. Geared toward children seven and older and rated E for everyone, the game is available for a suggested retail price of $29.99 beginning 29 November for the Nintendo DS version and 1 December 2006 for the PlayStation 2 system, informs an official release.
Gamers race as their favourite Cartoon Network stars in an attempt to be the first to cross the finish line and gain the highest popularity score. Both platform versions include a variety of colourful show-themed Cartoon Network environments and locations such as Dexter’s Laboratory and Aron City, home of Johnny Bravo. The more successful players are at winning races, the more items such as new characters and fun bonus games they can unlock.
“The Game Factory’s ‘Cartoon Network Racing’ game is the perfect way to bring some of the best loved characters from Cartoon Network’s roster of original animation to our fans in an exciting new arcade format,” said US Consumer Products for Cartoon Network Enterprises – the global merchandising and licensing arm of Cartoon Network VP Christina Miller. “With all the innovative gaming features and unlockable full-length bonus episodes of these classic shows — it is sure to be very popular with our fans.”