ITV

Tag: 000 entries

  • NGC’s ‘Mission Udaan’ gets airborne with 60,000 entries

    MUMBAI: With over 60,000 entries received for National Geographic Channel’s (NGC) latest localisation initiative Mission Udaan: Inside the Indian Air Force, the selection process took off in full throttle, yesterday. NGC claims to have received 60,000 entries across the country.

    At the Western Naval Command Ground in Mumbai, 2000 short listed candidates were invited to try out on whether they had the mettle to be one of five individuals who will fly with the elitist of the Indian Air Force (IAF). The prize will be a once in a lifetime opportunity to fly at supersonic speeds in a fighter jet and experience life of an air force pilot for an entire month.

    As had been reported earlier by Indiantelevision.com Mission Udaan is the third Mission property following Mission Everest in 2003 and Mission Mars last year. It allows not only the viewer but also the advertiser to get more closely involved with the brand.

    Dwelling on the initiative NGC senior VP content and communication Dilshad Master said, “Based on the tremendous response we received with regard to the call for entries, this biggest yet wholly India based programming initiative has set off on the right foot. For the first time ever Indian audiences will get a unique glimpse into the life and science behind military aviation of the fourth largest Air Force in the world. Mission Udaan is an ongoing effort in broad basing the channel’s appeal and ability to produce programmes that are locally relevant, more topical and more relatable.”

    The selection process covers three cities (Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore) and targets youthful candidates between 18-30 years. NGC states that with so many entries received it was a challenge to select the final 2000 participants per city, who have been invited to try out on basis of their Body Mass Index (BMI). Of the 2000 a further 500 have been short-listed and the first 300 to register at the venue would be given an opportunity to fulfill their dream of flying in a super sonic fighter aircraft.

    In the first round candidates have to prove their physical mettle by doing monkey crawls, to running backwards, hopping and a 50-meter sprint. The list of candidates will further be downsized to 90.

    The qualified participants go into the second round. Here they will face problem solving puzzles and strategy in groups of nine. From here only 30 will qualify for the third round That will be an exam testing the mental abilities of the candidates of which only 15 will remain.

    The final 15 will face a judge’s panel for a final interview in the crucial fourth round. That round will determine the 10 candidates from each city. The fifth and final round takes place in Bangalore where there will be medical tests and IAF training. The final five to experience the life of a pilot in the IAF will be chosen.

  • Next Big Toon picks ‘final five’ from 230,000 entries

    MUMBAI: Cartoon Network’s unique marketing initiative the Next Big Toon has announced its “final five”.

    Of the 230,000 entries received for Next Big Toon, Abhishek Datta from Kolkata, PP Sai Ravi from Secunderabad, and three winners from Mumbai – Deepa V. Matprati, Govinda and Rohit Salian – emerged as the five finalists. The five original cartoons created by these kids are Madloo, Terminite, Leo – A Magic Pencil, Compman and Bulby, respectively.

    A distinguished panel consisting of celebrated film Lagaan director, Ashutosh Gowariker, advertising personality Piyush Pandey, well-known animation producer Ram Mohan and Cartoon Network representatives Ian Diamond and Anshuman Misra were the judges.
    The Next Big Toon judging panel: (from left) animation producer Ram Mohan, film director Ashutosh Gowariker, advertising personality Piyush Pandey and Cartoon Network’s Anshuman Misra and Ian Diamond.

    “We are delighted that through Next Big Toon, Cartoon Network has yet again successfully encouraged kids to think laterally and stimulate their creative potential. The rules of entry for the contest were by no means simple, and the 230,000 odd entries that we have received from Indian toonheads is a testament to their inherent creative talent and passion for the medium of animation. Cartoon Network salutes the creative spirit of these young participants,” said Ian Diamond, senior vice president and general manager, Turner Entertainment Networks Asia, Inc.

    Commenting on the entries, Ashutosh Gowariker said, “I am just amazed at the talent these kids have exhibited through their designs for the Next Big Toon contest. Not only are they good artists but they are also excellent weavers of a back-story for each character.” .

    The five finalists will win an HP Pavilion computer each, a special plaque recognising each of the five finalists’ as creative toon geniuses and exclusive Network goodies. In addition, a three-member Cartoon Network creative services team will travel to meet the five young celebrities to find out more about their lives, their friends, and especially about their original character. The best entry from these five will be converted into an animated short and have the honour of being showcased on Cartoon Network in December 2003.

    Launched on 23 June, Next Big Toon is a creative contest giving Indian kids an opportunity to create their own original cartoon character complete with a name, a personality, a family, enemies if required, and superpowers if needed.

    The presenting sponsor of Next Big Toon is Joyco, with Laughing Cow Cheese, Kellogg’s Chocos, Atlas Cycles and Hewlett Packard as associate sponsors.