Tag: Cartoon Network

Cartoon Network characters to take over mobile content with ‘CallToons’

MUMBAI: Cartoon Network New Media has announced that it has created CallToons, a new mobile application that integrates technology with entertainment, essentially allowing Cartoon Network characters to take over a mobile phone.

According to an official announcement by the network, Cartoon Network New Media has developed CallToons in conjunction with Turner Platform R&D, and has been in discussions with Ericsson regarding concept refinement and content delivery options. The technology takes Cartoon Network New Media into mobile licensing as the product will be available to non-Turner companies in the future.

At launch, CallToons will feature characters from Cartoon Network and Adult Swim, and will be offered as separate services for each brand. CallToons is targeted to be available to consumers in Q4 2007.

Using patent pending technology, CallToons creates a user experience that replaces ordinary mobile phone functions (such as ringtones and wallpapers) with an entertainment platform provided by the users’ favourite character.

CallToons ties together mobile content such as ringtones, ringbacks, wallpapers, and audio and text alerts into a character-driven narrative experience. Cartoon Network New Media will introduce additional functionality to the CallToons application in the coming months, adds the release.

“CallToons extends our fans’ relationship with our characters in a personal and interactive way through a mobile phone,” said Cartoon Network New Media senior vice president and general manager Paul Condolora. “With this application, we are developing a novel approach to the mobile experience. CallToons is a natural next step for the company and offers limitless cross-platform entertainment possibilities with cartoon characters, celebrities, sports figures and beyond.”

“CallToons does more than set a character’s voice to a ringtone. CallToons allows a character’s personality to take over the mobile phone’s functionality so that they actually interact with the user and incoming callers in a unique way,” said Cartoon Network New Media senior director of entertainment products Ross Cox.

February 14, 2007
Cartoon Network, FDA encourage Kids to Spot The Block

MUMBAI: US kids broadcaster Cartoon Network and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are unrolling a public education campaign this month.

It encourages kids and tweens to use the Nutrition Facts information on the food label to make healthier food choices.

Known as Spot The Block, the campaign uses online and customised public education on-air spots featuring characters from popular programs like Fosters Home for Imaginary Friends to promote portion control and a healthy eating lifestyle. This first of its kind partnership between Cartoon Network and the FDA kicks off today 14 February 2007.

Spot The Block will feature two public education on-air spots produced by Cartoon Network and showcase favorite characters from the networks original programming lineup. The first on-air spot, Spot The Block, Yo! includes a funky, soulful song, ala School House Rock!, performed by characters from series, Fosters Home for Imaginary Friends, The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy, Camp Lazlo, and My Gym Partners a Monkey.

The fun song and dance number demonstrates where to look for (spot) the Nutrition Facts label (the block) and the useful information it contains to help kids and tweens make healthy food choices. Creative components for the second public education on-air spot unveiled later in the year will be available at a later date.

Spot The Block will also feature a custom micro site. The online destination will offer kids the opportunity to engage with the FDAs key messaging and offer tools to enable them to better understand the Nutrition Facts label on their favorite foods.

Turner Entertainment Group president Mark Lazarus says, “We are extremely honoured that the FDA has selected Cartoon Network as their media partner for communicating these important nutrition messages directly to kids and tweens, said president . The campaign fits in with our overall commitment to kids and Cartoon Networks Get Animated programme, which helps to teach and inspire kids to get healthy, active and involved; and our beloved characters are the perfect ones to deliver such a message.”

Launched in February 2005, Cartoon Networks Get Animated provides on-air, online, print and off-channel programs to teach children the value of a healthy lifestyle that includes regular exercise, good eating and helping others. Featuring the networks roster of popular cartoon characters, Get Animated currently includes multiple animated PSAs, a mobile tour, community programmes and its 2006 Rescuing Recess initiative.

February 14, 2007
Cartoon Network head Jim Samples resigns after Boston terror scare

MUMBAI: Following a marketing stunt that went all wrong, resulting in the bomb scare in the city of Boston, Cartoon Network head Jim Samples has announced his resignation via an internal memo sent to the network’s staff.

“It’s my hope that my decision allows us to put this chapter behind us and get back to our mission of delivering unrivaled original animated entertainment for consumers of all ages,” Samples said.

“Compelled to step down, effective immediately, in recognition of the gravity of the situation that occurred under my watch,” he added.

Samples has been with the network for 13 years.

On 5 February, Turner Broadcasting, of which Cartoon Network is a division, and the advertising agency involved agreed to pay $2 million in compensation for the emergency response the devices had spurred in Boston.

The agreement between Turner, Interference Inc. and several state and local agencies resolves any potential civil or criminal claims against the two companies, states an official release.

The guerilla marketing campaign by Cartoon Network was intended to promote the upcoming movie release of its late-night cult Aqua Teen Hunger Force which triggered a police alert for a possible terrorist threat on 31 January.

February 10, 2007
Cartoon Network’s ‘Galli Galli Sim Sim’ second season to be repackaged

MUMBAI: In its second leg on Cartoon Network, the Indian adaptation of Sesame Workshop which is co-produced by Miditech, Galli Galli Sim Sim is set to be repackaged with new muppet characters in the show.

The second season is scheduled to roll-out in February following an advanced workshop on muppeteering conducted by Marty Robinson, and a writers workshop conducted by Annie Evan of Sesame Workshop, New York, with Miditech’s production team.

Galli Galli Sim Sim is India’s first international magazine format muppet show for pre-schoolers, that will now see new set of muppet characters introduced in the forthcoming series. The existing characters Boombah, Chamki, Googly and Aanchoo will have new friends joining-in to entertain children under the age of six.

Muppeteering is a scientific creation of characters, but more importantly a difficult art to perform as it must match the role of its scripted characters in the show. Robinson said, “Through their experience the muppeteers have mastered their individual physical technique and performance. In the workshop, we have further developed the relationships between the characters to help work as one team.”

“They are strong characters with great comic potential, and exciting additions to the Galli.”

Annie Evans has been working with the scriptwriters’ team to create new storylines, to introduce muppet characters. She says, “The new members of the Sim Sim family will add colour and energy to the Galli. These muppets have great potential for physical comedy, which is a great way for children to watch and learn.”

With a key challenge in creating television content for children that is entertaining and educative, Miditech has closely worked with Sesame Workshop, New York and Turner Broadcasting, in making multiplicity the mantra, using universal elements from different regions that would provide identity to children in any part of India. The programme features cross-genre content infused with basic childhood matters and is seen from children’s point of view, states an official release.

In addition to teaching basic cognitive skills, such as literacy, Galli Galli Sim Sim promises to represent the vibrancy of India’s multiculturalism. The series will celebrate the similarities and differences that are part of children’s every day lives built around cognition, emotion, physical well being, social relations and culture.

February 8, 2007
Ericsson, Turner to develop international mobile services

MUMBAI: Ericsson and Turner Broadcasting System International have formed a collaboration under which the users of mobile services and mobile operators will benefit from the companies’ leading positions in mobility and global multimedia content.

The two parties are collaborating to develop Turner’s internet, broadcast news and entertainment content – including CNN International, Cartoon Network and Adult Swim material – for mobile multimedia environments. The offering combines the delivery of Turner news and entertainment content with hosting and content management technology, developed by Ericsson.

The first of these jointly developed services will launch in Europe on 12 February 2007 at the 3GSM World Congress trade fair in Barcelona, bringing a new CNN Mobile service to the users initially in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

The initial product launch – CNN Mobile – and subsequent launches in this collaboration will make technologically advanced multimedia content available to users in two ways. Firstly, mobile operators will be able to deliver simple access to Turner content through their own branded portals; additionally, end users will have access to content such as the CNN Mobile site directly on their mobile devices.

Turner Broadcasting senior VP, digital media Casey Harwood says, “With this deal, we will have for the first time a full portfolio of solutions – from SMS through to mobile television – that will scale and easily move across the world. This partnership is a logical fit where the customer and mobile operators benefit through Turner focussing on providing innovative news and entertainment content to its global audience and Ericsson providing the technology behind it.”

Ericsson senior VP, head of multimedia Jan Wäreby says, “Our service-provider customers throughout the world will greatly benefit from our partnership with Turner Broadcasting, as they will be able to provide popular mobile multimedia content from Turner’s vast catalogue and greatly enhance the multimedia experience for the consumer.

The CNN Mobile product will be the first example of a true ’off-deck’ portal for mobile users, providing a state-of-the-art news service. A searchable archive of 14 days and over 2000 stories will sit with breaking news alerts and video news updates through the hourly updated ’World News Now’. Available to CNN users in EMEA and Latin America subscription free, the service will be accessible through CNNmobile.com in all mobile browsers or through operator portals where deals are in place.

The mobile services being developed include intelligent software that enables devices to show only the actual content that is appropriate to the particular handset, resulting in a richer user experience. The services will be rolled out to further territories and both Turner and Ericsson have committed to further product launches throughout 2007.

The partnership also extends beyond content development, and will have on screen elements on CNN International in a campaign that positions Ericsson as the global leading communications technology company.

February 7, 2007
Cartoon Network outdoor ads set off terror alert in Boston

MUMBAI: An outdoor campaign by Cartoon Network to promote the upcoming movie release of its late-night cult hit Aqua Teen Hunger Force triggered a police alert for a possible terrorist threat in the US city of Boston on Wednesday.

The scare spurred the Boston police to close highways, two bridges and a stretch of the Charles River before bomb squads determined the supposed bombs to be nothing more than electronic light boards (38 in all) depicting a Mooninite (one of the show’s alien characters) giving drivers the middle finger.

Two men who placed the objects have been charged, state officials said. Boston authorities are reportedly seeking damages to the tune of $ 500,000 as costs incurred in responding to the scare.

Following the ruckus, Cartoon Network’s parent company Turner Broadcasting released a statement: “We apologize to the citizens of Boston that part of a marketing campaign was mistaken for a public danger.

“We also directed the third-party marketing firm who posted the advertisements to take them down immediately.”

The apology didn’t satisfy incensed Congressman Ed Markey, who released a statement slamming the campaign: “Scaring an entire region, tying up the T and major roadways, and forcing first responders to spend 12 hours chasing down trinkets instead of terrorists is marketing run amok. It would be hard to dream up a more appalling publicity stunt. Whoever thought this up needs to find another job.”

That the “suspicious devices” had been in place for two to three weeks in Boston and in nine other cities — New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, Seattle, Portland (Oregon), Austin (Texas), San Francisco and Philadelphia — is the most curious aspect of this terror-filled tale.

February 1, 2007
Cartoon Network to telecast ‘Justice League – Starcrossed:The Movie’ on 28 January

MUMBAI: Its blockbuster movie time again on Cartoon Network Theatre. The movie block will feature Justice League – Starcrossed:The Movie on 28 January at 12 noon.

With the world TV premiere of Krishna:the Birth on Republic Day, the channel aptly caters to kid’s in the holiday mood.

The plot follows the visit of the Thangarians and the visit to Earth forcing Hawk Girl is to choose between loyalty to her people or love for her friends on her adopted planet Earth. It promises to be story of a battle that could rip the world’s greatest superheroes apart forever.

January 25, 2007
Cartoon Network to celebrate Republic Day with premiere of ‘Krishna: Makhan Chor’

MUMBAI: Cartoon Network will celebrate Republic Day with the Indian television premiere of Green Gold Animation Studio’s second 2-D animation feature Krishna: Makhan Chor on 26 January at 12 noon and 7:30 p.m. This also marks the worldwide premiere of the 2-D animated feature film.

This is Cartoon Network’s third acquisition from Hyderabad-based Green Gold Animation Studio, the earlier being Vikram Betaal in 2005 and Krishna: the Birth which was premiered on Janamashtami last year, informs an official release.

Turner International India Pvt. Ltd. VP advertising sales and networks, India and South Asia Monica Tata said, “There has been no looking back on local acquisitions since 2001, when Cartoon Network was the first kids’ channel to premiere Indian animation. Indian animations on the Network have been a hit with kids. In fact, the premiere of Krishna: the Birth, rated exceptionally well with a 1.2 TVR in the kids’ segment and its telecast positioned Cartoon Network not only as a leader in the kids’ segment, but also as the #2 National Channel in the 15+ audience (across general interest channels, all India, for the telecast time of 2p.m. on August 16, 2006).”

PMI Green Gold Animation Pvt. Ltd Managing Director Rajiv Chilakalapudi said, “Green Gold is dedicated to creating high quality original animation content for Television and Film. Our passion and commitment to Indian Animation has yielded fruitful results with the overwhelming success of Krishna: the Birth, our first part of the Krishna series. Indeed we are equally confident that its sequel Krishna:Makhan Chor will also be a huge success and resonate with kids and families alike. Over 100 professionals at Green Gold worked on this project and the passion and energy created was exemplary – it was unbelievable teamwork. We are extremely happy that our creations are seen on the number one channel for kids, Cartoon Network.”

Krishna: Makhan Chor which is the second part of a four part series, narrates the story of Lord Krishna in his childhood. It is set against the backdrop of his growing years under the love and care of his foster parents, Nandlal and Yashoda, to become the popular, mischievous but lovable “Kanha” of Gokul. This part also includes Krishna’s tryst with various demons, which have been sent by his uncle, Kansa.

January 22, 2007
Casbaa lauds Philippines in piracy case

MUMBAI: Casbaa lauded the Philippines Department of Justice (DoJ) for its recommendation in filing of 12 criminal cases under the “information for copyright infringement” law against cable operator Maguindanao Skycable CATV and its directors and officers.

Speaking on behalf of the Casbaa members who filed complaints with the DoJ against Maguindanao Skycable, Casbaa said the DoJ had strengthened the industry’s faith in a government commitment to protect intellectual property rights.

“With this decision, the DoJ strongly demonstrates the Philippine government’s strong political will to address the worsening pay-TV piracy situation. We are pleased with this development and eager to see the prosecution of the complaints,” said Casbaa CEO Simon Twiston Davies.

Casbaa and its members filed the complaints against Maguindanao Skycable for illegally acquiring and transmitting copyrighted programming from channels-AXN, CNN International, Cartoon Network, Discovery Channel, the Disney Channel, ESPN Star Sports, HBO Asia, MTV Asia, National Geographic, Star Movies, Star World, and Star Sports.

The complaints were filed based on evidence gathered by the National Bureau of Investigation – Intellectual Property Rights Division (NBI-IPRD) following a period of intensive surveillance and a raid on Maguindanao Skycable’s offices and head-end in Cotabato City in southern Philippines.

Under the Phillipines Republic Act the accused persons who have illegally transmitted copyrighted programs face a jail term of up to three years and fines amounting to Php 150,000 for the first offense.

The courts may also order a convicted operator to pay damages for economic losses resulting from the unauthorized broadcasting of copyrighted programs.

The Philippine Cable Television Association (PCTA) also welcomed the DoJ resolution, saying it is a “positive step towards creating a competitive Philippine pay-TV market that provides a level playing field for cable operators”.

January 22, 2007
Cartoon Network crowns video gaming champ at ‘Toonami: Game On’ competition

MUMBAI: Cartoon Network’s video gaming championship ‘Toonami: Game On,’ in which kids from across Mumbai competed for the state championship title, awarded 13 year old Nimish Parab from St. Francis High School with a Microsoft Xbox 360 console and a Cartoon Network trophy, at an event held in the city on 7 January.

The championship gained the participation of over 2000 kids who won invites to the championship through on-air contests and school contact programmes.

Children were invited in three batches at 9 am, 11.30 am and 2 pm. At a given point in time, 100 kids competed against each other across 50 Xbox 360 consoles and tested their skills at PGR, the racing game. Each round was followed by eliminations and winners of each batch competed with the winners of the previous batch., informs an official release.

‘Toonami: Game On Video Gaming Championship’ was aimed at taking Cartoon Network’s revamped and rejuvenated franchise – Toonami – beyond the realms of television and hence provided kids with an opportunity to personally experience the shows aired on the action block.

January 8, 2007