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Tag: Abhishek Dutta

  • Warner Bros. Discovery announces South Asia leadership team

    Warner Bros. Discovery announces South Asia leadership team

    Mumbai: Warner Bros. Discovery has unveiled its new leadership team for South Asia. The business is led locally by a general manager – South Asia Arjun Nohwar and includes brands such as Discovery, HGTV, Eurosport, Cartoon Network, POGO, Discovery Kids, DC, and the discovery+ streaming service.

    Ruchir Jain has been named head of distribution & Eurosport and heads up the integrated network distribution function. Jain led the finance team at Discovery Network from 2018 to 2021, and then distribution. He continues to lead the Eurosport channel.

    Tanaz Mehta has been appointed as head of ad sales, tasked with growing revenues across all networks in South Asia. Mehta is a seasoned sales leader with deep expertise and a nuanced understanding of the market.

    Uttam Pal Singh will head the kids’ cluster and is tasked with developing a compelling content strategy for growth. In his previous capacity at Discovery Kids, Singh led the team behind successful original IPs, including Little Singham and Fukrey Boyzzz. The combined kids portfolio now includes Cartoon Network and POGO, in addition to Discovery Kids.

    Sai Abhishek was named head of the factual and lifestyle cluster and will be responsible for delivering growth and profitability across the genre. Sai comes with a strong background of leading original productions, programming, and acquisitions.

    “With this exceptional new-look team, Warner Bros. Discovery is well-positioned to achieve our ambition of being the leading and most dynamic media company in the region,” said Nohwar. “All our leaders are looking forward to working closely together across divisions as one united team.”

    Nohwar also paid tribute to two outgoing executives who will be exiting the organisation. Rohit Khetarpal will be leaving the company after 14 years, having been a key member of the legacy WarnerMedia and Turner network distribution team. Abhishek Dutta also departs, having led the legacy WarnerMedia Kids team in South Asia, including programming strategy, acquisitions and original production.

    Other lines of business, shared services and corporate functions that support the wider region will be announced at a later date.

    The new company combines WarnerMedia’s premium entertainment, sports and news assets with Discovery’s leading non-fiction and international entertainment & sports businesses.

  • Cartoon Network launches a new initiative ‘Redrawing India’

    Cartoon Network launches a new initiative ‘Redrawing India’

    Mumbai: Cartoon Network has launched an initiative called ‘Redrawing India’. This announcement is part of Cartoon Network’s new brand promise ‘Redraw Your World’, which aims at empowering children to think outside the box, and to own & hone their abilities. It is celebrating inclusivity, creativity, and entertainment through music, new content, activations, and brand collaborations. The Redrawing India Series is taking that thought ahead by spotlighting real kids and their stories.

    The six children from across India were chosen by Cartoon Network because of how differently they are leading change, one cause and innovation at a time. From music and environment to sports & technology, these inspiring young minds are breaking down barriers, redefining dreams and are recognised nationally & globally for their bold and defining actions. Their unique and equally diverse stories of redrawing India are showcased through a video series on Cartoon Network’s social platforms – Instagram, Facebook and YouTube – encouraging kids around India to step ahead and redraw their world. The Redrawing India Series further solidifies the ethos of the ‘Redraw Your World’ anthem launched earlier in May, that celebrates the individuality and diversity of kids through music.

    Commenting on the campaign, Cartoon Network and POGO South Asia Network Head Abhishek Dutta said, “‘Redrawing India’ is a catalyst that will show every child that they too have the power to redraw their world. India is brimming with talent, and kids are its future. We hope that this video series will ignite passion in India’s young minds to identify and nurture their unique abilities and dreams.”

     

  • Cartoon Network ups the marketing ante with global campaign ‘Redraw Your World’

    Cartoon Network ups the marketing ante with global campaign ‘Redraw Your World’

    Mumbai: Cartoon Network has revealed a new brand positioning and tagline ‘Redraw Your World’ across its key tentpoles in summer, the flagship school contact programme and the year end festive season. Perfetti Van Melle India has come on board as the campaign’s ‘presenting sponsor.’

    From 30 March onwards, viewers will be “able to enjoy a completely new look and feel of the Cartoon Network channel refreshed with vibrant colours, music and design, and an expansive new programming slate,” said the channel in a statement.

    “With the Redraw Your World launch, we are all set to provide kids with a platform that celebrates uniqueness, empowers little actions and inspires storytelling,” said South Asia network head Cartoon Network and Pogo Abhishek Dutta. “It strengthens our content commitment for India with fun and family-friendly narratives starring popular and iconic characters, reflecting the world and depicting the tales of adventure and bravery.”

    The campaign will feature alongside shows like “Ekans – Ek Se Badhkar Snake,” “Dragon Ball Super,” “Digimon Adventure,” Emmy-nominated series “Lamput,” “The Powerpuff Girls,” “Ben 10,” “Tom and Jerry,” and “DC Super Hero Girls” among others.

    Cartoon Network will bring over 200 hours of fresh content including original homegrown series, international shows, acquisitions, and specials. The channel will also bring a special block for preschoolers under ‘Cartoonito’ later this year.

    The tagline ‘Redraw Your World’ is a brand proposition that has been rolling out across the world.

    “At Cartoon Network, we create original and diverse worlds that are vibrant and fun. Armed with creativity, ‘Redraw Your World’ is an extension of our global commitment to inject stories that reflect the world, inspire imagination, and empower kids,” said head of WarnerMedia Kids in Asia Pacific Leslie Lee.

    The campaign will also have an on-ground activation in leading malls. Cartoon Network has partnered with the Indian Premier League (IPL) and several brands in the food and beverage and technology sectors.

    In collaboration with the IPL team, Rajasthan Royals, Cartoon Network’s characters ‘Ekans’ and ‘Tom’ and ‘Jerry’ will co-create engaging content with the players for their digital platforms.

    The channel has inked a deal with 99 Pancakes across its 33 outlets in 14 cities all through April to May and launched a curated menu.

    Cartoon Network has partnered with Reliance Digital to bring its campaign theme closer to viewers with in-store displays and character meet and greets held across 100 outlets across Maharashtra and Gujarat.

    In May, the channel will unveil a new music video anthem, that would be a hybrid of animation and live action to empower kids to ’embrace their true selves.’

    The network has launched ‘Cartoon Network Fan Art’ talent showcase contest across Instagram, YouTube, Facebook where kids may follow the hashtag #RedrawYourWorld and participate.

    The channel is planning to conduct its 15th edition of school contact programme across 13 cities followed by on-air content, social media activations and on-ground activities during Diwali and Christmas later this year.

  • Right time for young parents to introduce their kids to ‘Ben 10’: WarnerMedia’s Abhishek Dutta

    Right time for young parents to introduce their kids to ‘Ben 10’: WarnerMedia’s Abhishek Dutta

    Mumbai: As one of the biggest beneficiaries of the swell in content consumption during the pandemic, the kids genre witnessed a sea change in terms of formats, time bands, and content themes. The heartening news is, even as kids return to school and exaggerated patterns stabilise, the segment is stabilising at a higher threshold than before. This indicates “a positive movement ahead for the genre,” according to WarnerMedia South Asia network head for Cartoon Network and Pogo Abhishek Dutta.

    While some recalibration in strategies to address the pending rationalisation was expected, the pandemic agnostic rise in demand for homegrown content is unanimously acknowledged as ‘here-to-stay,’ and hence a top priority, by heads of all channels. But that does not take away from the charm of international classics that are universal and timeless in their appeal. This understanding led Dutta to bring back the action-comedy show “Ben 10” on Cartoon Network in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu after a gap of six years.

    A timeless proposition

    Dutta believes that now is the perfect opportunity for the next generation of kids to experience the ‘Ben 10 phenomenon.’ “Many youngsters in the 2000s are now parents, and can introduce their favourite show to their kids to enjoy as a family,” he says alluding to the emerging trend of co-viewership on kids’ channels.

    The concept is enduring. A boy finds a watch that can transform him into a whole load of aliens with an assortment of special powers to combat bad guys from outer space…what’s not to love? But it’s also got plenty of humour and heart – Ben’s connection with his family is a critical component. Dutta asserts that “Ultimately, it’s an iconic superhero action show featuring alien transformations with an energised style and plenty of visual gags that have kept young viewers hooked over the years. It doesn’t go out of style.”

    The journey of 10-year-old Ben Tennyson’s adventures with the Omnitrix watch started with “Ben 10” (2005-2008). It was followed by “Ben 10 Alien Force” (2008), “Ben 10 Ultimate Alien” (2010), “Ben 10 Omniverse” (2012), “Ben 10 Ultimate Challenge” (2013), “Ben 10 With Bentuition” (2016), “Ben 10” (2016), “Ben 10 Express” (2017) and “Ben 10 Challenge” (2017).

    As per Ormax Brand Health Study 2021, “Ben 10” is among the top-10 shows watched online. “Ben 10’s popularity has never faded and has transcended age groups with the evolution of its stories and characters. Its appeal on television has played a significant role in driving the channel viewership,” remarks Dutta.

    Sharing an understanding of its brand potential he adds, “Ben 10 has been one of the highest-grossing Cartoon Network properties for our Warner Bros Consumer Products business across any kind of category imaginable. Over the years, kids have played with Ben 10 toys, worn Ben 10 clothes, and even tried out Ben 10 adventure rides at theme parks.”

    Going local with international content

    In 2020, a year after Dutta took charge, the channel launched an all-new version of “The Tom and Jerry Show” with ‘thought-over commentaries’ in regional languages that became an instant hit among fans in India. For “Ben 10,” it is bringing back the entire series with dubs in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu to give young fans and families an opportunity to relive the magic of Ben 10’s multiverse and understand the evolution of the series.

    The show has consistently featured multiple times among the top-10 slots of the kids category week-on-week since its launch on Cartoon Network in March. In the latest week, it occupied the top slot of the genre in urban India, claims Dutta. He further tells that Cartoon Network and Pogo’s Indian viewers are looking for relatable and engaging stories, resulting in an increased demand for localised content.

    “We identified this trend a while ago and have been focusing on developing unique native IPs and localising international content to suit the preferences of our young fans. Our localisation strategy ensures that our fans understand the nuances of the storyline and indulge in the content and quirks of the show. To achieve this relevance we focus on adaptation in our regional feeds instead of literal translation of the international shows that we bring in,” notes Dutta.

  • Cartoon Network to air Harry Potter film series

    Cartoon Network to air Harry Potter film series

    Mumbai: For the very first time, the “Harry Potter” film series will be airing on kids’ entertainment channel Cartoon Network. The first four films in the series will premiere every weekend of November 2021 and the following four will premiere in January 2022 every Sunday at 8 p.m, said the channel in a statement.

    Titles airing in November include “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” (13 November), “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets” (14 November), “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban” (21 November), and “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire” (28 November).

    The line-up for January 2022 includes “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix” (2 January), “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” (9 January), “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1” (16 January), “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2” (23 January).

    “We are thrilled to extend the festive celebrations by bringing one of the world’s most beloved and magical tales to Cartoon Network in India,” said South Asia Network Head for Cartoon Network and companion channel Pogo Abhishek Dutta. “Harry Potter and his journey is one of enchantment and wonder and the movie series will be a treat for all our young fans and their families.”

  • Cartoon Network, Pogo unveil content lineup for Oct-Nov

    Cartoon Network, Pogo unveil content lineup for Oct-Nov

    Mumbai: Kid’s entertainment channels Pogo and Cartoon Network have unveiled their special lineup of shows to be aired during the festive months of October and November.

    As a part of this telecast schedule, “Titoo – Har Jawaab Ka Sawaal Hu” will return on Pogo with new episodes of the series that will air from 18 October from Monday to Friday at 11.15 a.m. “Chhota Bheem” specials will air every day from Monday to Friday, at 8.15 p.m, including a premiere, “Chhota Bheem Aur Chand Pari ki Dastaan,” on 15 October. In November, viewers can tune in to new episodes of “Smashing Simmba,” “Titoo – Har Jawaab Ka Sawaal Hu,” “Shaktimaan” specials, and the premiere of “Krishna Aur Kans.”

    Pogo has also launched an on-air content ‘Gift Wali Diwali’ where viewers need to spot and win cool gifts from the mystery gift box that will open on their TV screens, every day between 12 p.m and 2 p.m as they binge on episodes of “Titoo – Har Jawaab Ka Sawaal Hu” and “Smashing Simmba.” Gifts like mobiles, laptops, tablets, cycles, scooters, headphones, and more are up for grabs.

    On Cartoon Network, “The Tom and Jerry Show” Dussehra special will begin from 15 October, 1 p.m onwards. The new episodes of the “The Tom and Jerry Show” will air from Monday to Friday at 3:30 p.m, starting 18 October. The show “Grizzy and The Lemmings” will air between 4-8 November. The channel’s first sci-fi superhero show “Ekans – Ek Se Badhkar Snake” will return with season three.

    “We are excited to present an action-packed, entertaining and fun content lineup for the entire family to watch together and enjoy this festive season,” said WarnerMedia South Asia network head for Cartoon Network and Pogo Abhishek Dutta. “We are delighted to bring a combination of specials and new seasons of the most loved shows that are bound to take the spirit of celebration a notch higher.”

  • Warner Media greenlights new ‘Titoo’ episodes for Pogo

    Warner Media greenlights new ‘Titoo’ episodes for Pogo

    Mumbai: Warner Media has greenlit more episodes of the Indian animated comedy series “Titoo: Har Jawaab Ka Sawaal Hu” for its kids entertainment channel, Pogo. Produced by Cosmos-Maya, the original series premiered in July 2020.

    After four successful seasons, the latest commission of this local production includes a further 52 half-hour episodes as well as four 80-minute TV specials, said the channel in a statement On Monday.

    Commenting on the development, South Asia network head for Pogo and Cartoon Network, Abhishek Dutta said, “After we received so much love for ‘Titoo’ from Pogo fans over the past year, it was in many ways an easy decision to greenlight new episodes. It’s such a great show and is clearly making an impression on kids and families.”

    “We continue to put faith in locally-made shows that demonstrate India’s burgeoning creativity and talent within the animation industry. In addition to ‘Titoo’, Pogo’s line-up for the rest of 2021 is looking really impressive, with a steady rollout of new episodes, specials and fan-favourites,” he added.

    Cosmos-Maya CEO, Anish Mehta stated, “We are elated to see the love that has been showered on ‘Titoo’ since his debut. With his unique quirks and funny antics, he embodies the ‘novelty with familiarity’ mantra and is clearly a hit with the viewers. We’re certain that young fans will enjoy these brand-new escapades of ‘Titoo’. This is one of India’s fastest growing IPs and, together with Pogo, we are pushing all creative boundaries to make this a mega show.”

    Since early 2020, Warner Media has premiered a number of new local titles like “Lambu-G Tingu-G” and “Smashing Simmba” on Pogo and “Bandbudh aur Budbak” and Bollywood-inspired show “Dabangg – The Animated Series” on Cartoon Network. More recently, it launched its first-ever Indian CGI superhero series, “Ekans – Ek Se Badhkar Snake”.

  • Cartoon Network India serves up ‘The Tom and Jerry Show’ with an Indian tadka!

    Cartoon Network India serves up ‘The Tom and Jerry Show’ with an Indian tadka!

    MUMBAI: Cartoon Network’s long-running, classic chase comedy, The Tom and Jerry Show, is now available in India with ‘Badle tevar aur flavour’! For the first time ever, the iconic show has been dubbed with Hindi, Tamil and Telugu commentary, bringing the duo’s legendary tales to Indian kids in a more relatable way. Adding another layer of immersive storytelling, Cartoon Network is airing this brand-new adaptation daily at 1.30pm and 6pm.

    The quirky commentary version of the most-loved slapstick comedy The Tom and Jerry Show stems from Cartoon Network’s approach to creating kids’ entertainment content that is fun, diverse, inclusive and relatable for all its fans. Cartoon Network and Pogo have exemplified this approach with tremendous success in India, with shows like Grizzy and the Lemmings, rib-tickling international silent-comedy animation.

    Cartoon  Network and Pogo South Asia network head Abhishek Dutta said, “We have been betting big in recent years on ‘glocal’ content that is relevant and relatable. The addition of commentary to enhance a slapstick silent comedy is a delicate task, one that we have successfully accomplished in the past. In our experience, this works brilliantly in India and the larger South Asian market. It was only a matter of time that we broke new frontiers with a ‘glocalized’ rendition of international fan-favourite, The Tom and Jerry Show, that is an inseparable part of Cartoon Network’s legacy. We are confident that our younger, newer audiences will definitely love the cat and mouse duo more than ever before, in the all-new Hindi, Tamil and Telugu commentary versions.”

    A quintessential slapstick animation comedy, The Tom and Jerry Show follows the misadventures of Tom, a house cat, in his never-ending quest to nab a feisty and notoriously clever mouse Jerry. The iconic rivalry between the titular characters and their unrelenting capers have garnered a global audience base. Already well-received in India, the dubbed edition of The Tom and Jerry Show is set to consolidate Cartoon Network’s leadership position in the Indian kids’ entertainment space.   

    Watch Tom & Jerry’s new ‘Badle tevar aur flavour’ promo here

  • ‘Smashing Simmba’: Bollywood supercop gets an animated avatar

    ‘Smashing Simmba’: Bollywood supercop gets an animated avatar

    MUMBAI: Rohit Shetty’s Simmba, the most recent blockbuster of his sensational supercop brand, has been transformed into an animated series for young fans. The Bollywood-inspired Pogo original production Smashing Simmba will premiere on Saturday, 14 November at 1 pm and will be aired regularly in the same time slot. The series is produced by Rohit Shetty Picturez in association with Reliance Animation, a part of Reliance Entertainment.

    Film director and producer Rohit Shetty said he was onboard with a cartoon avatar for his cop character the moment the concept was pitched to him.  “It is amazing to see how the series has shaped up. The blend of comedy and nail-biting action, with young Simmba’s cool quotient, and funny traits, is sure to appeal to the young audience. I am eager for kids to experience the animated rendition of their favourite big-screen hero Simmba on Pogo.”

    Cartoon Network and Pogo South Asia network head Abhishek Dutta believed the time was ripe for a fresh entrant in the Indian cartoon animation scene. “Within the diverse genres of homegrown animation, Bollywood has emerged as a theme widely appreciated by young fans. When Indian cinema’s most popular characters are presented in animated universes with relatable stories, kids absolutely love it. We are excited to associate with industry stalwarts Rohit Shetty and Reliance Entertainment for this unique venture, and Diwali is the perfect time to celebrate this partnership.”

    Following the recent launch of Titoo, Pogo has been strengthening its offerings of popular and premium homegrown kids’ entertainment content, shared Dutta. “Smashing Simmba is exactly the kind of locally-made and relatable show that will delight our young viewers. I’m sure kids will extend the same love to our new hero, Simmba, that they have for all our shows and characters over the years.”

    Reliance Entertainment group CEO Shibasish Sarkar said, “We are thrilled to be a part of this exciting new show with a pioneering channel Pogo which has championed the evolution of kids’ entertainment in India. Given the channel’s vast and growing viewership comprising kids across the length and breadth of the country, there could be no better partner for Simmba’s foray into the kids’ entertainment space.”

    The Indian animation space for kids is evolving rapidly along with its viewers, and content creators are eager to experiment with stories, characters, and backdrops, explained Reliance Animation COO Tejonidhi Bhandare. “Cinema-inspired IPs, featuring characters who are loved for their memorable personalities and nuances, have massive potential to become popular properties. ‘Smashing Simmba’ is an excellent example of how creatively Bollywood and animation can come together, opening avenues for endless possibilities.”

    Pogo’s has adopted a high-octane promotional campaign for the nationwide launch of Smashing Simmba. This includes extensive digital marketing, PR, influencer engagement, brand integrations along with on-air activation. To amp up the buzz and excitement, the channel will unveil an Simmba-themed game ahead of the show’s launch. The programme will also be available in Hindi and Tamil.

    Smashing Simmba follows the hilarious cavorts of the quick-witted and fearless teenager Simmba, who aspires to be a police officer. A fun-loving prankster with endless tricks up his sleeve, Simmba spends the better part of his days nabbing villains and miscreants. Thick as thieves with his friends Ricky and Kittu Khabari, Simmba finds himself on exciting adventures which perfectly represent his catchphrase, “mind is blowing.” With his signature move – the infallible ‘jumpy chumpy’ – the villains don’t stand a chance.

    Watch the mind-blowing Smashing Simmba promo here.

  • POGO sets airdate for new homegrown original Titoo – Har Jawaab Ka Sawaal Hu

    POGO sets airdate for new homegrown original Titoo – Har Jawaab Ka Sawaal Hu

    MUMBAI: POGO, homegrown kids’ entertainment channel, is set to launch Titoo – Har Jawaab Ka Sawaal Hu a brand-new animation-comedy series produced by Cosmos Maya. The latest original in POGO’s rich portfolio of locally-made content will air weekdays at 12:30 pm from 27 July.

    Speaking about the launch, Cartoon Network and POGO South Asia Network head Abhishek Dutta said, “Homegrown content is currently the cornerstone of kids’ entertainment in India and POGO has long been a pioneer in recognizing the potential of localized stories. It gives us great pleasure to debut Titoo – Har Jawaab Ka Sawaal Hu, created with a distinctive Indian environment. With a mix of relatable situations, endearing characters, slapstick humour and world-class animation, Titoo will win the hearts of our young fans.”

    POGO’s nationwide promotional launch for Titoo includes brand integrations and branded content production bolstered with digital promotions and on-air activations. The channel has also collaborated with iconic kids’ magazine, Tinkle, and a leading digital parent platform, Momspresso, to amp up the buzz around ‘Titoo’. In addition to Hindi, the new show will also be available in Tamil.

     Watch the promo here.

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