ITV

Category: Kids

  • Nickelodeon franchise witnesses 20 per cent growth in weekly viewing minutes

    Nickelodeon franchise witnesses 20 per cent growth in weekly viewing minutes

    MUMBAI: In this period of lockdown, the kids’ category has seen a surge in viewership including the growth of the Nickelodeon franchise ratings, which have in fact fuelled the growth of the entire kid’s category. The kids’ genre has seen a 33 per cent growth by moving up to nine per cent share in total TV at 2+. While the Nickelodeon franchise dominates the category with eight out of Top 20 shows belonging to its programming line-up. Currently the Nickelodeon franchise leads the category with 34  per cent market share and has witnessed 28% growth in ratings with a 6% increase of weekly reach and a 20% increase in weekly viewing minutes across the franchise. As families stay indoors, co-viewing of the Nickelodeon franchise has grown substantially (15+ age group has seen a 23% growth) this week. 

    Nickelodeon’s first instinct was to offer them a high dose of entertainment in the current time of Covid-19. To get through this period, Nickelodeon, the popular entertainment destination in the kid space, continues to enhance engagement with the announcement of a new content line-up. 

    At a time when parents and kids across the country are at home, Nickelodeon has come to the rescue of these kids and their families by adding fresh new content to its already popular programming catalogue.

    The new content-line up comes at a time when kids are looking forward to all new episodes of their favourite toons. Nick and Sonic will ensure there is no dull moment in the lives of their fans by offering new stories across kid’s favourite shows such as Motu Patlu and Rudra on Nick and Ninja Hattori and Pakdam Pakdai on Sonic. Taking the kids into a new world of fun will be the made-for-TV movies of Motu Patlu and Rudra on Nick. Nick Jr., the channel for toddlers will also air new episodes of Paw Patrol. 

    All the content across Nick and Sonic will be available in eight languages – Gujarati, Bengali, Marathi & Malayalam along with existing languages Hindi, Tamil, Telugu and Kannada, thus ensuring that fans across the nation will be able to watch their favourite toons in the language of their choice.

    Viacom18 Hindi mass entertainment & kids TV network head Nina Elavia Jaipuria said, “Kids are at the centre of our universe and their wellbeing is of utmost importance to us. In the wake of COVID-19, we request all to stay safe indoors and have an enjoyable time at home. During this time when families must stay inside, we are offering our young viewers fresh episodes of their favourite shows so they can bond with their families while enjoying the company of their beloved Nicktoons. We at Nickelodeon believe this is a time to be positive, remain safe and we commit to doing all that we can to make our viewers smile and feel upbeat.”

    With a perpetual spirit to innovate, Nickelodeon is giving kids a reason to feel good with their lighthearted campaign #HomeOkPlease. The adorable Nicktoons are delivering the message of staying indoors, social distancing, washing their hands, etc. in a tone and manner that is lighthearted and humorous. This campaign comes to life on social media though posts, videos, memes, gifs. Nickindia.com has put up host of games of Rudra, Motu Patlu, Shiva to name a few in addition to some wonderful DIY videos and formats that kids can engage with and feel occupied.

    Until social distancing continues, the Nicktoons Motu Patlu, Shiva, Rudra, Ninja Hattori and many more will keep the young viewers happy and engaged. So Stay Home, Stay Safe, Stay Entertained. #HomeOkPlease

  • Sony YAY! brings new episodes of Kicko this summer

    Sony YAY! brings new episodes of Kicko this summer

    MUMBAI: Kids across the country are all ready to wrap up their schools and are gearing up for the long awaited summer break.  Kicko, kid’s favorite next door kid is all set to make this summer a memorable one with bag full of new stories for his young fans.

    Pegged as one of the most loved shows on Sony YAY!, ‘KickO & Super Speedo’s lead character is a favorite amongst the kids with them aspiring to be as brave as him. In the wake of Kicko’s growing popularity, Sony YAY! is airing brand new episodes where Kicko is seen in a re-loaded avatar fighting the evil villains of the Suncity. The channel also showcased a brand new movie called “Kicko and Superspeedo – The real heroes” recently. The high octane action movie that was premiered on 15 March received lots of love from the kids.

    The treat doesn’t stop here as Kicko is already winning hearts through his mobile game. The Kicko mobile game has hit a milestone with 2 million+ downloads already. It is a fun game where the notorious Joker with his equally evil partners in crime – Magnet Man and Dr. Crazy is on a rampage and seeks to destroy Sun City makes the game sticky with average time spent per user on the game is 16 minutes. Through this game, kids get a chance to be as brave as their favorite super-kid in his quest on saving the city from the clutches of evil and always fighting for the right as the game is hosting 2L daily active users (DAU). The game’s success asserts kids love and admiration for their favorite toon – Kicko.

    While kids start their break with these new offerings, there’s lots more that Sony YAY! has in store for them.

  • POGO and Cartoon Network announce three new homegrown comedies for 2020

    POGO and Cartoon Network announce three new homegrown comedies for 2020

    MUMBAI: POGO and Cartoon Network, channels under WarnerMedia Entertainment Networks Asia Pacific, are ramping up original India productions with three new home-grown animation comedies.

    POGO has commissioned both ‘Titoo’ and ‘Lambuji Tinguji’, produced by Cosmos Maya, and Cartoon Network will air ‘Bandbudh Aur Budbak’, from Paperboat Studios.

    Cartoon Network and POGO in South Asia senior director and network head Abhishek Dutta said, “Our top priority is our fans and they love characters and great stories. These quintessentially Indian shows will resonate strongly with them. We commissioned ‘Titoo’ and ‘Lambuji Tinguji’ and acquired ‘Bandbudh Aur Budbak’, for their clever use of comedy and humour. They all feature visual richness and robust characters, embedded in unique animated worlds and stories. The creativity and talent now seen in the Indian animation industry has developed tremendously and the commitment made to three homegrown IPs is testament to our belief in the industry to create world-class entertainment.”

    Entertainment Networks in South Asia managing director Siddharth Jain added, “India continues to be a priority market for WarnerMedia Entertainment Networks in Asia Pacific. Investing in three new shows for POGO and Cartoon Network in 2020 further demonstrates our commitment to scaling up and sustaining the quality of our kids entertainment.”

    As original productions, ‘Titoo’ and ‘Lambuji Tinguji’ offer myriad advertising opportunities including brand association and licensing partnerships. Even before the launch of these tentpole shows, brand integration and branded content production are being explored.

    Partners could also be a part of POGO’s nationwide promotional launch activities including mall events, digital promotions and on-air activations. These start in the months leading up to the launch and carry on during the initial airing on the channel, with additional sustaining tactics to maintain the excitement.

  • Mumbai got outdoors at the year’s premier festival curated for kids

    Mumbai got outdoors at the year’s premier festival curated for kids

    24th February 2020 Mumbai:  India’s largest festival for kids, Nickelodeon Windmill Festival, an initiative by Event Capital and Tribe Asia aimed at providing a wholesome experience for toddlers, pre-teens and parents which took place on 22nd and 23rd February 2020 at JioWorld Garden, BKC. The festival’s main objective was to give the urban child a healthy and positive outdoor experience and encourage families to spend quality time together via the various activities on offer at the festival.

    The two-day event had an eclectic selection of 50+ workshops specially curated and designed to cater to various age groups across interests like beat-boxing, robotics, Lego workshops, stop motion animation, aeronautics, karate and kick-boxing, storytelling, doodle art and many more. There was also a petting zoo which gave kids an opportunity to interact and spend time enjoying the company of several furry friends.

    The festival unfolded with great success and even saw some B-town glamour as several celebrities attended along with their children. Spotted at the festival were personalities like Rannvijay Singha with his daughter Kainnat Singha, Tannaz Irani, Barkha Sengupta and Sayantani Ghosh with their kids. The kids thoroughly enjoyed the petting zoo, dance workshop and pottery making activity while the Imagica dance parade and the live music band were some of the other highlights.

    The fest was co- powered by well-known brands like Kotak Mutual Fund and Hershey India Pvt. Ltd

    Commenting on his experience at the festival Rannvijay Singha with his daughter Kainaat Singha said “The WindMill festival had a variety of activities for all age group kids from a dance workshop to live parade. I really had a good time with my daughter and she had a lot of fun. Such events can create some unforgettable moments and one should actively participate. I am looking forward to such festivals where I can spend some quality time with my family.”

    Kotak Mutual Fund Kinjal Shah digital business & marketing head at commented "In a city like Mumbai, where schedules are so busy it's very difficult for kids to go outdoor for activities on daily basis, a festival like WindMill provides an opportunity for both parents and kids to go out together and freak out as there are so many activities to choose from for them to enjoy. This is the 2nd year in a row where we are one of the sponsors and for brands like us, we get a chance to closely observe the behavior of kids and parents together. We have always got an overwhelming response in the event so we continue to associate with them year on year."

    Speaking on this, Deepak Chaudhary, Founder and Director, Event Capital said “The event has been a huge success and we are overwhelmed seeing approximately 18,000 entries on ground. Organizing events that can become a lifetime memory is what we strive towards and we are glad to be able to create such thriving concepts that go on to have a life of their own."

    Speaking on this, Janak Vora, CEO, Event Capital said “We were extremely happy to bring the 4th edition of Windmill Nickelodeon Festival to such a successful close. This event was conceptualized with the intent to prioritize the need to step into the outdoor and take a break from all the screens we are surrounded by constantly. Petting Zoo is where saw the maximum attraction since it allowed the kids directly to spend time with animals. We look forward to create more such experiences for families."

  • Sony YAY!’s Honey and Bunny bring pet-parents closer to their pets this “Love Your Pet Day”

    Sony YAY!’s Honey and Bunny bring pet-parents closer to their pets this “Love Your Pet Day”

    MUMBAI: February 20 is celebrated as “Love your pet day” and what better occasion than this day to shower our furry friends with all the love. It was an eventful day at Sony YAY! where they celebrated this day with their famous pet Jodi – Honey Bunny. Not only that, this “Love your pet day” Sony YAY! also created a platform for pet parents to have a deeper connect with their pets. The channel brought together animal behavior experts to create conversations about pet nuances. It helped the audience understand the deeper meaning behind a seemingly normal conduct of their pets and helped them understand their furry friends better. 

    The conversation was led by experts, Dr. Pramod Meshram, Director, Upper Vets, Mr. Fakhruddin Motiwala – Secretary, Feline Club of India and Mr. Bobby Wankhede, Vice President, Feline Club of India. The discussion with the experts made pet owners realize how little things can have such a profound meaning for their pets. The experts shared insights on the best ways to handle pets, do’s-and-don’ts and also how having pets moulds kids’ lives differently. The gathering saw pet owners happy to pick up new tips to improve their bond with their pets. In addition to the above, the fun event was attended by prominent mommy bloggers such as Zeenat Khan, Manali Jain, Angela, Banashree and more, amplifying the information to a wider audience on social media. Not just that, TV child actress, Ruhaanika Dhawan joined in on the fun and interacted with her fans adding to the fervour.

    The day ended with fans clicking lots of pictures and selfies with Honey Bunny and shaking their leg with their favourite toons. With all the masti and fun along with a deeper understanding of their pet kids, it was truly a day of YAY! for all animal lovers.

  • An Indian IP For Kids: Brands Collaborating With Windmill Look To Create Meaningful, Interactive Conversations

    An Indian IP For Kids: Brands Collaborating With Windmill Look To Create Meaningful, Interactive Conversations

    MUMBAI: The 4th edition of Nickelodeon Windmill Festival, an initiative by Event Capital and Tribe Asia, will take place on 22nd – 23rd February 2020 at JioWorld Garden, BKC. Having grown into India’s largest children’s outdoor festival, Windmill has brought on board sponsors like Hershey’s, Kotak Mutal Funds, Soulfull, V-Nourish, Toppscholars, WOK, Sarda Farms, Laughing Cow, Enrich and Club Mahindra who are looking to create deeper brand connects with consumers.

    The need of the hour today is to better understand children as consumers, and communicate with this segment in an impactful, integrated manner.  Windmill as a platform is built as a fun, safe and interactive environment which attracts hundreds of parents and children year on year.

    Commenting on the upcoming event, Janak Vora, CEO, Event Capital said “We are pleased to announce our sponsors for the 4th edition of Nickelodeon Windmill Festival.  With the support of brands collaborating with us, we look forward to provide a better platform for them to engage with families in the best way possible. Our aim is to encourage families to step out and involve their kids to discover their inner passion and interact with various brands as well”.

    Brands coming on board have chosen the platform as a less intrusive form of marketing, as it enables the brand to start a relationship with potential customers and strengthen the bond with existing customers effortlessly. As compared to in your face advertising, playing a pivotal role enhancing a kid’s experience builds a positive recall value which works wonders for a brand.

    The collaborations have all come on board with a purpose in mind and are perfect brand fits to avoid mindless clutter. 

    Brands who have chosen to collaborate with Windmill have similar sentiments in mind.

    Commenting on this, Rasika Prashant, CMO, Soulfull said,”Windmill Festival has been a tent pole partnership for Soulfull. We have been able to reach out to thousands of kids and mothers during the event and establish meaningful conversations with them. The event organization is very good and allows us to showcase brand Soulfull in an impactful manner."

    Adding to this, Mrs.Kiran Agarwal, Founder, WOKA said,  “Associating with WindMill is always special as they cater to children as we at WOKA feel the same. Connecting at a platform with which WindMill comes in the market is a great way to reach to children with different backgrounds, age and sensibilities. WOKA looks for opportunities such as these where we can showcase our association and connect with children through our value based animation films and yet exchange a bond of happiness with our young minds.”

    Building a healthy ecosystem for effective play and learning, Windmill is dedicated to the best interests of kids.

    WindMill will take place on 22nd and 23rd February 2020 at Jio Gardens, BKC and the tickets can be bought on:  https://bit.ly/2R3lwEw

  • Disney Junior’s animated series ‘Mira, Royal Detective’ to premiere in U.S and India on 20 March

    Disney Junior’s animated series ‘Mira, Royal Detective’ to premiere in U.S and India on 20 March

    MUMBAI: Disney Junior's animated series Mira, Royal Detective will premiere in the U.S. on  20 March (11:00 a.m. EDT/PDT on Disney Channel and 7:00 p.m. EDT/PDT on Disney Junior). Disney Channel India will also be premiering a sneak-peek that same day, followed by the series premiere on Sunday, March 22. Set in the magical Indian-inspired land of Jalpur, the series introduces a brave and resourceful girl named Mira, a commoner who is appointed to the role of royal detective by the queen. Following its premiere in the U.S. and India, the series will roll out worldwide in an estimated 160 countries on Disney Channel and Disney Junior platforms globally.

    "Mira, Royal Detective," which has already been ordered for a second season, stars Freida Pinto, Kal Penn, Utkarsh Ambudkar, Hannah Simone, Jameela Jamil, Aparna Nancherla, Aasif Mandvi, Karan Soni, Maulik Pancholy, Sarayu Blue and Sarita Choudhury. Newcomer Leela Ladnier stars as the voice of Mira, alongside additional cast members Roshni Edwards, Kamran Lucas, Karan Brar, Parvesh Cheena and Sonal Shah.

    Joining the previously announced cast in recurring and guest star roles are Kunal Nayyar ("The Big Bang Theory"), Danny Pudi (Disney's "DuckTales"), Iqbal Theba ("Glee"), Sunita Mani ("GLOW"), Karen David ("Fear the Walking Dead"), Rizwan Manji ("Perfect Harmony"), Hari Kondabolu ("Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell"), Nardeep Khurmi ("Jane the Virgin"), Aarti Sequeira ("The Next Food Network Star"), Avantika Vandanapu (Disney+ Original Series "Diary of a Future President"), Julian Zane (Disney's "Doc McStuffins"), Brian George ("The Big Bang Theory"), Sakina Jaffrey ("House of Cards") and Madhur Jaffrey ("I Feel Bad").

    Created for kids age 2-7 and their families, "Mira, Royal Detective" centers on Mira, who, along with her friend Prince Neel, creative cousin Priya, and comical mongoose sidekicks Mikku and Chikku, set out on mystery-solving adventures that highlight critical thinking and encourage deductive reasoning for young viewers. Each episode is comprised of two 11-minute stories that celebrate the cultures and customs of India by incorporating authentic food, fashion, language and art. Reflecting their importance in Indian culture, music and dance play an integral role in "Mira, Royal Detective," with each episode featuring at least one original song and dance number that showcases the diversity of the culture.

    A music video featuring a mash-up of the series' main title song and Mira's song, "We're on the Case," will debut Friday, Feb. 21, on DisneyMusicVevo and in the DisneyNOW app. In conjunction with the series premiere on Friday, March 20, Walt Disney Records will release a digital soundtrack with 20 songs from the series, and the DisneyNOW app will debut a hidden object game in which players are invited to help Mira solve mysteries by following a trail of clues in an immersive 3D environment. Additional extensions for the series will continue to roll out later this year.

    In advance of the series premiere, Disney Parks, Experiences & Products will debut a product line by Just Play at the 2020 American International Toy Fair. Featuring dolls, role-play products, figures, playset and more, the line is set to release Fall 2020.

  • Sonic launches a month-long campaign this exam season

    Sonic launches a month-long campaign this exam season

    MUMBAI: Sonic launches the latest edition of its school contact programme, Alpenliebe Pop presents Sonic Prank Sessions with Golmaal Junior, Monday – Friday, 7 pm. This month-long campaign will see Golmaal Jr.’s Prank gang, Gopal and Madhav, reaching out to kids through various interactive games and direct engagement in 250 schools across the country. The campaign would span schools in multiple cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, Pune, Nagpur, Vadodara, Ahmedabad, Surat , Ludhiana , Amritsar and Kolkata.

    The latest edition of Sonic’s multi city School Contact Programme will make students’ everyday school routine more exciting through a host of games, trivia, competitions and will also give them a chance to take back some exciting prizes. These Prank Sessions will also bring alive the masti of Golmaal Jr. in classrooms with a series of funny pranks integrated with team building activities.

    Viacom18 Hindi and Kids TV Network head Nina Elavia Jaipuria commented, “Every year with our School Contact Programme, we aim to engage with kids through fun and interactive initiatives that are also meaningful.  Kids are all set to enter a very intensive exam season and this year’s school contact programme is crafted to help kids approach the exam season with positivity and high spirits.  We are sure that kids will have a great time taking a break with our toons and recharging themselves for a stress free and successful exam season.”

    With high octane promotions on the channel, interesting social media promotions and a larger than life engagement in the schools, Sonic will get the masti back in the lives of kids. Tune into Golmaal Jr. Monday-Friday, 7pm.

  • Cosmos-Maya appoints Priti Karandikar as senior VP, new businesses

    Cosmos-Maya appoints Priti Karandikar as senior VP, new businesses

    MUMBAI: It is a very exciting time to be in the kids’ audiovisual space. With the sheer increase in consumption, proliferation of platforms and new technology coming in every day, the market is at a very exciting junction. Harnessing the tailwinds in the macro-economic scenario, Cosmos-Maya is targeting holistic growth for the new financial year. With the studio going great guns with its Production, International and Digital Businesses, there is enough and more scope to grow the New Businesses division which includes the maturing Licensing & Merchandising, Ed-Tech Content Creation, New Digital Media verticals, all working in concert.

    Priti Karandikar has been appointed Senior Vice President, New Businesses at Cosmos-Maya. Priti will be based in Mumbai and will report in to Anish Mehta, CEO Cosmos-Maya. The appointment is in line with the company’s expansion plans and its dictum of ‘Animation beyond Entertainment’, which includes increasing reach, further exploitation and variegation of offerings for both owned and acquired brands.

    Said Anish Mehta on the development, “My hearty welcome to Priti. Her appointment heralds a new growth phase. The revenue generation ecosystem at Cosmos-Maya has been very active. With her coming in, we envisage a more holistic approach to brand monetization, with all divisions working in tandem to drive revenues.”

    Karandikar has over 15 years of Sales & Marketing experience and has held senior positions in the Consumer Products Divisions at The Walt Disney Company and Viacom18. At Disney, where she worked for close to a decade, she was part of the brand building efforts in India right from the start-up phase in 2004. Priti has been a part of the core L&M team at Viacom 18 as a Sales Director, managing 5 key categories for the entire kids portfolio across India and servicing brands like Colgate, Kellogg's, Perfetti and ITC for Viacom 18's promotional licensing portfolio.

    Cosmos-Maya’s journey from being a standalone animation production studio to creator of both fully-owned domestic, and globally co-produced IPs, has been momentous and has seen the studio develop a robust sales and syndication pipeline. The next phase of organic growth will see a thrust on the New Businesses division.  

    Karandikar said, “I thank the Cosmos-Maya family for making this transition so seamless. Cosmos-Maya has some of the most established kids’ IPs in its portfolio, those which lend themselves beautifully to licensing and brand extensions. My immediate focus areas are L&M, EdTech content creation and New Digital Media with the aim to further strengthen the value chain right from content creation to content monetization for the next cycle of growth.”

    Cosmos-Maya revenue and corporate strategy senior vice president Devdatta Potnis said, “Priti is an astute salesperson with the right blend of enthusiasm, passion and diligence. She is a welcome addition to the sales force, which has now become stronger and more diversified.”

  • POGO appoints Value 360 Communications as its brand communications partner

    POGO appoints Value 360 Communications as its brand communications partner

    MUMBAI: Leading kids’ entertainment channel POGO, a part of WarnerMedia Entertainment Networks Asia Pacific, has appointed Value 360 Communications as its PR and brand communications partner. The agency assumed the brand mandate on February 1, 2020, and will be responsible for planning, managing, and supporting all PR-related activities for POGO in India.

    Value 360 Communications won the POGO mandate after a multi-stage, multi-agency pitch and was chosen for its brand-building expertise in the entertainment domain with existing clients like JioSaavn, Comic Con, Navrasa Duende and former clients including SonyLIV, PVR Pictures, and KWAN Entertainment. The firm’s extensive media network and proven track record of consistently delivering high-impact communications solutions also played a key role in securing the contract.

    Value 360 Communications founder and director Kunal Kishore said, “We are delighted that India’s first home grown kids’ channel and leading entertainment brand, POGO has chosen us to lead its communications strategy. We are looking forward to creating and executing high-impact campaigns and delivering tangible brand results for the brand, as we contribute towards consolidating POGO’s market leadership in India.”

    Value 360 Communications’ latest account win follows close on heels of the recent additions to its client portfolio, which include prominent brands such as Union Bank of India, Angel Broking, DB (Dainik Bhaskar) Digital, and LensCrafters. The organisation already caters to several big global and national brands across sectors such as Lufthansa, Qlik, Cleartrip, MG Motor India, Quick Heal, Indian Angel Network, TCL, Shine.com, TiE Delhi-NCR, Oriflame, and ASUS.

    WarnerMedia Entertainment Networks in South Asia  director communications Deepa Sridhar added, “Value 360 Communications has differentiated itself in the brand communications space through innovative strategies and compelling brand narratives. We have full faith in the team’s ability and expertise. We view Value 360 Communications not as an agency or a partner but as an extension of our in-house team and are confident that they will live up to their name by adding 360-degree value to all our PR-related brand initiatives.”

    Launched in 2004, POGO is WarnerMedia’s only-for-India kids’ entertainment network featuring content that spans multiple genres like chase comedy, adventurous escapades and fun-filled action. The channel is home to popular Indian shows like Chhota Bheem, Super Bheem, as well as international hits Grizzy and the Lemmings and Mr. Bean.

    One of the fastest-growing PR and communications firms in India and Southeast Asia, Value 360 Communications has crafted its unique niche within the country’s PR and communications landscape on the back of its integrated communications approach. It has won several recognitions, both in India and internationally, and was named the Agency of the Year at all the leading industry awards in the last year.

    With a strong team of more than 250 professionals, Value 360 Communications is currently managing a portfolio of over 150 brands in sectors as diverse as hospitality, entertainment, lifestyle, travel, IT/ITeS, automotive, on-demand logistics, fintech, proptech, etc. It is headquartered in New Delhi and has principal offices in key regional centres such as Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad and looking to expand to more cities in the near future.