ITV

Tag: Kids

  • Firstcry.com hits 100 stores in India

    Firstcry.com hits 100 stores in India

    MUMBAI: Firstcry.com, Asia’s largest online baby products portal today announced that it has now got 100 franchisees on board. As part of the vision to create the ultimate parenting eco-system in India, Firstcry now has a presence across Tier I, II and III towns. The 100 stores expand the retailers presence to a staggering 82 cities.

     

    Consistently growing at more than 100% growth rate, Firstcry.com had announced this year to reach 100 stores by end of December 2014. Not only has Firstcry achieved this faster than planned, it has also become the largest e-commerce player with an omni channel business model with a focus on mobile, physical store and web.

     

    All Firstcry.com stores are standardised and display more than 500 brands across 20 categories. The carpet area of stores range anywhere from 1000 sq ft to 2000 sq ft. There has been a franchisee investment of about Rs. 3,000 per square ft in store all across the cities. Continuing to keep the novelty aspect intact, ‘Kiosk innovation’ at Firstcry stores, is a unique concept which acts like a catalogue allowing customers to look through the 70,000 and above products on a 32 inch touch screen in stores, order online on spot, and find the product available at the store in 2-3 days. The Kiosks have enabled to increase conversions by 10% and now by default part of all new upcoming store format across the country.

     

    Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Supam Maheshwari, Founder and CEO, Firstcry.com said “Owing to the outstanding success of our offline stores, we have extensively increased our offline presence. With 100 stores, we have crossed a milestone but we have considerable distance yet to travel.  At Firstcry, we believe in creating a seamless experience, offering purchasing flexibility for parents through the mobile, web and offline store formats. With the omni channel strategy, we are best placed to build the best relationship with the mother and bring her the largest and most appropriate range of products.”

     

    By making a strong offline presence in baby product market, Firstcry is consistently fine-tuning processes by studying purchasing patterns and demands of parents across all tiers. People in India and around the world display balanced buying behaviour in terms of online and offline. There is a huge opportunity in integrating the two, what is termed as O2O – online to offline or omni channel strategy – and is seen as a trillion dollar opportunity globally.

     

    Thus, holding a clear vision of reaching 400 stores by December, 2017 Firstcry.com aims to be the only one stop solution in this market of baby & kids products.

     

  • MipJunior 2014: Broadcasters look for creative content creators to attract kids

    MipJunior 2014: Broadcasters look for creative content creators to attract kids

    CANNES:  MipJunior 2014 has established one thing for all kids’ content creators and broadcasters: kids want to watch their favourite programme at the place of their choice and time. But the big question now is how to reach these kids who are consuming content using different platforms? This remained the main focus of the panel discussion on ‘What do buyers want: Emerging multi platform acquisition trends’ on day two of MipJunior 2014.

     

    While a lot is being spoken about kids moving to the second screen to consume content, Australian Broadcasting Corporation head of children’s TV Deirdre Brennan informed that in Australia even now close to 89 per cent of children’s viewing happens on traditional TV.

     

    Today, kids are ready to watch the content over and over again. “With so many platforms, we will now have to devise ways to reach to these platforms,” said Disney Channels Worldwide VP worldwide programming strategy, acquisitions and co-productions Karen K Miller.

     

    The increasing number of platforms poses another problem, of not being sure about which platform the consumer is consuming content from.  Citing the example of Germany, ZDF head of international co-production and acquisition Nicole Keeb said, “90 per cent of content viewing happens on TV. Being a public broadcaster, ZDF is also obliged to deliver content for TV first, followed by online or other platforms.

     

    Broadcasters world over feel that the television monitoring data is still evolving. “The quality of data is important, since we want to monitor the behavior of the consumers. Better data also helps us strategise better and know which platform is better for our audience,” said Cartoon Network VP content acquisitions and co-productions Adina Pitt.

     

    The session also delved on what these tech-savvy kids are doing on portable devices. “They are watching their favourite shows, playing games, they are using it in every way possible for entertainment,” informed Miller.

     

    With numerous kids’ channels offering almost the same content, it becomes important for channels to ensure that kids associate with the brand. “Kids are smart. They know the brand and associate with it. For us, word of mouth publicity helps. In fact the consumer becomes the marketer,” said Pitt.

     

    The broadcasters, while they have their core target audience, they also feel that there should be entry points. “So while Disney is considered more of a girls’ channel, we do have entry points for boys,” added Miller.

     

    For Australian Broadcasting Corporation, until a few years back, it had started looking at children as a separate audience. “We have now started looking at bringing both parents and kids together through our content,” said Brennan.

     

    Brennan also feels that reality shows have seeped in Australian television industry. “I want to bring back storytelling on television,” she opined.

     

    Another key point brought out during the session was that while internet has increased access to content, it is the responsibility of the content creators to ensure that kids are able to find the content.

     

    On a parting note, when World Screen group editorial director Anna Carugati, the moderator for the session, asked what was missing in the kids broadcasting space, Amazon Studios head of kid’s programming Tara Sorensen said, “There is a need for more creative content. The creators need to spend time in creating content.”

  • World animation industry comes together at MipJunior 2014

    World animation industry comes together at MipJunior 2014

    CANNES: The wait is over as the influential buyers, sellers and producers from world over unite at MipJunior 2014, what is called the biggest international digital library of kids’ programmes. Over the next two days, these influential digital players, publishers and licensing executives will present, discover and screen the very latest content, giving them the edge on concluding deals at MIPCOM.

     

    Presenting a huge bouquet of content is also the Indian animation industry, which is looking for co-production deals with international players, while also presenting its work to the world.

    Being held at Palm Beach in Cannes, MipJunior has a new address this year.

     

    The focus at this year’s MipJunior is to capture kids where ever they are watching content. Setting the right tune for the exciting two days, is the session on ‘Kids and Multi Screens’, where panelists will find out how changes in technology is impacting kids’ viewing habits.

     

    Another exciting session to look forward to is ‘The digital strategists show and tell: Hit IPs breaking through all screens’, moderated by World Screen managing editor Brzoznowski Kristin. The session will see Rovio Entertainment head of content strategy Dorra Nick, PlayKids worldwide head of content Gorfine Bethany, Unicorn Black founder and CEO Haroon Rashid Aaron and 1B9 Entertainment COO Liberini Marcelo educating people on the strategies that work the most to engage young audiences in multi-screen content consumption.

     

    While day one will conclude with close to four screenings, day two will see speakers talking about the emerging multi-platform acquisition trends, the next gen TV projects for connected kids, keeping up with connected kids and a guide to developing the future kids’ classics on the web.

     

  • ‘In a fragmented environment, managing leadership position is a challenge but we’ve done so in the kids’ space’ : Monica Tata – Turner International India VP ad sales & networks (India & South Asia)

    ‘In a fragmented environment, managing leadership position is a challenge but we’ve done so in the kids’ space’ : Monica Tata – Turner International India VP ad sales & networks (India & South Asia)

    The kids’ channels’ space in India suddenly became the talk of the town with the Walt Disney Company buying out UTV’s kids’ channel Hungama TV. In the midst of this hullabaloo, the market leaders – Cartoon Network and Pogo – stood unperturbed and went about their daily business.

    Turner International India vice president advertising sales and networks (India & South Asia) Monica Tata too comes across as calm, composed and confident. She has recently been given the added responsibility of Cartoon Network and Pogo’s operations in India spanning programming, marketing, public relations, production, research and licensing to drive the channels’ business initiatives and revenue growth.

    What’s more, as part of her portfolio, Tata is also responsible for the development and launch of Galli Galli Sim Sim, the localised version of the revolutionary TV series, Sesame Street, on Turner’s entertainment networks. In addition, she will continue to oversee advertising sales for Cartoon Network, Pogo, CNN and HBO.

    In a chat with Indiantelevision.com’s Hetal Adesara, Tata speaks on the Disney – Hungama alliance as well as Turner’s plans to stay on top… no matter what!

    Excerpts:

    How has last year been compared to the previous year in terms of revenues?
    Year on year, Turner International India has been showing outstanding performances, whether it is in terms of channel shares or revenues. 2005 was a fantastic year. From an ad sales perspective, we grew by 25 per cent and the combined growth between Cartoon Network and Pogo was about 30 per cent.

    We established ourselves in numerous spaces. For example, from a sales perspective, we expanded our base of advertisers when we decided to go into the retail advertising strategy. As a result of this, we added nearly 56 new clients to our portfolio.

    From a network perspective, we further consolidated our position as being the number one and number two kids channels. We came up with huge amount of initiatives on the content and marketing sides. For Cartoon Network, we did the Powerpuff Generation contest and Toon Cricket event. Last year, we had the biggest phenomenon in kids’ programming – Beyblade, which sort of changed the game for us in the market from a content and licensing point of view.

    As far as Pogo is concerned, we had Pogo Funtakshari and Pogo Amazing Kids Awards. We also launched quite a few original productions, which is a clear focus for us even this year.

    We did shows like M.A.D and Bam! Bam! Bam! Gir Pade Hum. Apart from that, we also launched a couple of Indian acquisitions likeKhichdi and Karma. Shaktiman, of course, was not launched last year, but it continued to reinforce our position in that aspect as we wanted to ensure that Pogo was seen as a channel for kids and families.

    From a marketing point of view, we supported all of this. We had a huge amount of on-air and off air activities for Join the Powerpuff Generation and Pogo Amazing Kids Awards.

    As far as licensing business goes, we launched a new range of products. We had started out with a seven categories and then introduced more than 30 product categories. In the licensing business, we had our brands like Johnny Bravo, Powerpuff Girls and Dexter and, of course, Beyblade was added on when it became a huge phenomenon.

    All this kept reinforcing to everyone around and also within the company that we need to keep consolidating and moving on. And, that is what we have been doing very successfully in 2005. Overall, in Turner India, between Cartoon Network and Pogo, we have created new benchmarks for ourselves so that we are able to better that in the coming years.

    What percentage does the licensing and merchandising business contribute to the company’s overall revenues in India?
    Merchandising has recently become big for us. While the division was always there, it was only last year that we came out in a big way by bringing out more categories and consolidation began. We’ve shown a 50 per cent growth so far from a year on year perspective.

    At the moment, this business contributes about 10 per cent to our bottomline, but it’s still tip of the iceberg. The potential is huge with the retail business becoming big in the country and everyone focusing on it. This is one area, which is going to get a huge push by the network in India in the coming years.

    Can you give us a breakup of the revenue contribution of the four Turner channels in India – Cartoon Network, Pogo, HBO and CNN?
    I can’t share the exact figures, but each channel’s positioning is very different. Cartoon Network and Pogo are very focused on the kids entertainment space. HBO is clearly targeted towards upwardly mobile English speaking individuals and CNN has its own distinctive positioning.

    In their individual space, we are leaders when compared to nearest competitors; whether it is in terms of revenue or channel share. CNN’s positioning is more driven with high networked individuals.

    Collectively, we have done extremely well and have shown year on year growth. As a network we have grown by 30 per cent.
    ‘On our merchandising business, we have shown a 50% growth so far from a year on year perspective‘

    HBO recently hiked its ad rates. What prompted this decision?
    This decision was basically based on the demand and supply graph. As the market grows, so does demand. Whereas the supply is limited as there are not too many players of HBO’s reckoning in the market.

    HBO is the leader of the pack amongst the few channels that exist in the space. And, because HBO has been strengthening its positioning through its content as well, it made sense to come out and consolidate our rate strategy. That’s when we decided that it was time to take the next step and increase the rates. It makes the game a little more interesting.

    Going forward, is there going to be any change in strategy in selling HBO?
    The strategy is pretty much the same. We are focusing on client solutions and integration. Selling time is generic across every channel. But we are looking at bringing additional value to the table for our clients. Our team comes up with ideas and strategies and we go to the client as a problem solver rather than telling them about our channel and rates and asking them to buy it.

    We’ve come up with some great creatively integrated solutions for Titan Xylus, which revolved around Titan’s positioning statement for their brand. So the movie selection, packaging and promotion happened accordingly. The client also felt good about it because there was clearly a distinction that we brought to the table. We have also done similar initiatives for Pepsi TV and are in the process of finalizing something for Marico’s Parachute.

    We keep adding brands and coming up with integrated creative solutions for clients.

    What is going to be your strategy to improve ad sales across the bouquet?
    Ad sales is a critical function. Improvisation on every strategy whether it is ad sales, programming or marketing is always important. The whole objective is to keep bettering what has been done before. Our internal mantra is: we are our own competitors.

    Keeping that in mind, the strategy really is to focus and come up with the best marketing solutions for clients and to be seen more as a partner in the game rather than creating a them-versus-us situation. We try to see wherever a partnership can be further consolidated and figure out how to bring the best value to a client. At the same time not losing focus on what you think is value for your brand.

    So whether it is Cartoon Network, Pogo, HBO or CNN, the distinction we bring to the table is the solution providing techniques or approaches we have.

    With CNN, for example, we did this exercise with the department of tourism. We created six films for them where we needed to identify certain genres to highlight facts about Indian tourism in the international market. Such initiatives make the difference.

    With the news channels space opening up in the last couple of years, how is CNN perceived in the market versus earlier when there was not much competition in India?
    I think the perception is still the same that CNN is a global leader. CNN clearly brings that value to the table wherein it is an international news channel. We are not even in the space of competing with Indian channels and we don’t consider them as competitors. Our position is clearly distinctive and the clients we go and talk to are the people who are looking for international audiences and not so much the Indian audiences. That’s where the clear distinction lies.

    For us, it’s not about what the other news channels are doing because that’s not where we are placing ourselves. With all the surveys that we have done globally and at the Asia Pacific level, CNN is the clear leader in every aspect. That’s where our positioning stands and will continue to.

    What are the properties on each channels – Cartoon Network, Pogo, CNN and HBO – that you believe will drive revenues in the next fiscal?
    We have so many of them. As a channel per se, when you take kids into account, Cartoon Network will have a clear focus on better content coupled with marketing support, more communications techniques and mediums. Between Cartoon Network and Pogo, that’s where the consolidation will happen.

    For HBO again, better content and hence better integrated solutions to clients will be able to drive growth apart from the rate increase that will drive revenues. The same goes for CNN as well. The strategy remains the same.
    For Cartoon Network and Pogo we have defined three pillars, which are: content, creativity and choice. This will be coupled with innovation as well.

    So if we say content is king, then innovation is key. That is important because in today’s dynamic environment where there is so much of choice, if you’re not going to be different then you will be left behind. So, how you make yourself different is not found in just one big Black Book. The difference lies in every aspect of how we do our business.

    In Cartoon Network and Pogo’s case, we’ve been around for the last 10 years and in these 10 years we were in a monopolistic environment so we were obviously number one then. But even in a multi-layered environment we have still maintained our leadership position.

    Therein lies the answer and speaks volumes about our credibility and what we bring to the table. We know the kids best, we listen to them and going by what we hear, we replicate what we have on-air. Those are the things which will continue to be our focus in the coming years.

    You have recently been given added responsibility of overseeing programming, marketing, production, research and licensing to drive Cartoon Network and Pogo’s business initiatives and revenue growth. Are there any new initiatives or new revenue generating areas that you are looking at in the kids’ space?
    Like I said, we believe we are our own competitors and we will be focused on what we think is best so as to take it to the next level.

    New media is going to be a huge focus in India in the coming years. We will be seeing how we can leverage that — whether it is wireless or dotcom – and how we can integrate them in our portfolio.

    Our products and licensing division too has huge potential. It is our philosophy that Cartoon Network and Pogo are super brands in the kids’ entertainment space and we have consolidated our position in the last 10 years. But how do we take our experience of television, outside of television is what this division will help us to. This will create multiple touch points for our brands. From television to a bus stop, mall, shop and a theme park, Cartoon Network will be omnipresent. At every level, wherever you are, your brand will be there and that’s the kind of experiential marketing is what we will be focusing on.

    When will the branded theme parks be ready in India?
    We are launching Pogo Planet first by mid-next year and the Cartoon Network theme park will be launched by the end of 2007.

    What do you think about the recent buyout of Hungama by Disney? How will it impact the overall kids’ channels’ space in India?
    Actually this consolidation is something that we were expecting. In fact, we were expecting it earlier. This doesn’t come to us as a surprise because when you have to deal with well entrenched players, you need things like this to happen.

    That said and done, we will not change our strategy, our thinking and how we want to deal with our business. Those cannot be based on other people’s strategies or on changing market dynamics. We will do what we think is best for us because that’s where our forte lies. We will continue to re-invent and keep pushing the envelope as much as we can to maintain our leadership position.

    All said and done, Disney will now be in a better position in the space and Hungama is a strong brand. How do you see the kids’ channels’ market changing with this development?
    I think fragmentation is a reality and that’s something every genre has experienced in these 10 years of the cable and satellite boom in the country. And what is interesting to know is that despite the fragmentation happening in the kids space, we are still maintaining our leadership position. I just want to reiterate to everyone that just don’t forget that we have been here for 10 years and you can’t overnight come up with something, which our experience has build for us.

    Secondly, in a fragmented environment, managing leadership position is a challenge. So while people have come in and taken a bit of share, within that itself we are in the number one and two positions. In terms of audience shares, the analysis that we do is based on what the industry benchmarks are in terms of a 24 hour channel share. You can’t have an analysis based on specific markets and time bands and say you’re number one!

    While we are still the leaders, we are not being complacent about it. We are rolling out many new initiatives and of course our biggest launch this year is going to be Galli Galli Sim Sim. That’s taking the whole association with Sesame Workshop to the next level. It is going to change the whole game, not only in terms of television viewing but also in terms of education in the country.

    These things are only going to consolidate our position in the kids’ channels’ space.
    Have you seen any new brands/categories coming in the kids space?
    Over the last few years we have seen a huge shift of focus in brands that we used to call originally non-traditional advertisers, who one would have thought would not come on to a television channel — whether it is the banking sector, financial sector or personal products. Now over the last year or so, the lines between the traditional and nontraditional have blurred.

    Even now about 35 per cent of my audience base is adults. So, we are talking to them too and you will see a lot of advertisers who are not just selling confectioneries, sweets and candies. We have grown our advertiser base and that’s where the opportunity lies – how do you increase the pie by tapping into other genres of advertising.

    Clients like L’oreal, TVS, Citibank, ING Vyasa, P&G and Levers brands like Clinic All Clear and Surf have come on to our kids’ channels.
    And what about HBO?
    HBO again has seen a huge shift in advertisers. The base has expanded. Telecom and financial sectors have been new additions, which we have managed to pull away from the English news genre.
    What are the challenges involved in selling a channel where decisions are based to a degree on perception in the absence of high ratings as in HBO?
    It is about managing perceptions and managing clients’ expectations. These are key to brands like HBO. As you rightly said, these are not sold on ratings but on the environment you’re buying into, the value you’re bringing for the brand and on how you’re able to differentiate the buy on the channel versus a rating driven channel.

    Relationship building is another important aspect in the market, which is a big connect that we have in the market across all the brands we represent. While HBO has been a recent entrant in our lives, between Cartoon Network and Pogo, we have built many relationships in the industry. Our aim is to always find ways to consolidate our relationships in the market.
  • Tata Sky launches ‘TV is Good’ campaign for Kids!

    Tata Sky launches ‘TV is Good’ campaign for Kids!

    MUMBAI: Tata Sky, the leading DTH player in the country, launched its latest ad campaign ‘Ab Bachchey Seekhein TV se’ (Kids learn with television). The ad is set out to convey the fact that while television is a great entertainment medium, it is equally a good learning aid, helping children gain beyond bookish knowledge.

     

    The campaign is targeted primarily at the parents with children between ages 6 to 12 years, trying to break the myth most Indian parents have on ‘television is only mindless viewing for kids’. Hence one of the three ad films features a young boy stating an interesting fact on how to find out if the eggs are old or new. Similarly the other two ads have two kinder garden aged girls quizzing the audience on facts about ‘rhyming words to orange’ or ‘how to escape a leopard’ that catch you by surprise and leaves you with a smile. All the three ad films deliver the overarching message – Television is good!

     

    Vikram Mehra, Chief Commercial Officer, Tata Sky said, “Kids today are smart, not just studious. Give them the right content in an interesting package and see them absorb the knowledge at lightning speed. Over the last few years, Tata Sky’s pioneering efforts in ‘education through television’ with interactive (Actve) services and a bouquet of infotainment channels have been very well received by subscribers, specifically kids. With this campaign we wish to take the message to markets across the country on how fruitful learning through television can be.”

     

    Elaborating on the ad campaign, Abhijit Avasthi, National Creative Director, Ogilvy & Mather, “If you ask any parent they would say that television and education are like chalk and cheese, rather most will insist that television gets in the way of education. But what we found out in research was quite the contrary. Parents are starting to recognize that there is enough wholesome content on television to supplement their kid’s academic learning, more so in smaller cities where there are very few avenues to give kids holistic education, television plays a role to provide that. Our campaign, ‘Kitna kuch seekh saktein hai bacche TV se’ features kids flaunting the interesting pieces of knowledge that they have learnt from the 13 learning channels that Tata Sky has to offer. Actually we ourselves learnt so much while shortlisting these knowledge facts for the campaign. That discovery only fueled our conviction that kids can learn so much from TV.”

     

    · Name of the ad agency: Ogilvy & Mather

    · Name of the creative director: Abhijit Avasthi

     

    Isko laga daala toh TV jinga lala!

     

    YouTube links to the three TVCs:

    Orange – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0uhWKas1YSM

    Eggs – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9bErWRuglk

    Leopard – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FP9h2sf-aJA

  • Kids of Today and Tomorrow

    Kids of Today and Tomorrow

    If you tell your kid that ‘A is for Apple’…your kid will inform you about how Steve Jobs created Apple and how Newton saw the apple falling to the earth…

     

    Kids, today, are not the same as kids 10 years back! They are tech savvy, have a strong point of view about what they consume and are extremely perceptive about the cultures they absorb. To understand the psyche of kids and to keep pace with them, Viacom and Nickelodeon conducts numerous studies internationally and regionally. Through the research study “Kids of Today and Tomorrow” (2012) and years of experience in entertaining kids, Nickelodeon dives deep into the kids’ minds.

     

    Following are some of the key insights, the network has found out over the years.

     

    Key driver of success is happiness

     

    The key indicator of success for today’s kid is being happy. They are an optimistic bunch with a very positive outlook towards life. Humor plays an important role and it brings fun and relaxation which kids use to navigate their lives. Being funny is considered a great badge of honor. As entertainers, we should bear in mind that humor is important but should be smart and not cynical, a playful approach would be in line with the fun and happiness they seek in life. The brand philosophy of Nickelodeon is “Funny Rules” and this is kept at the core of all that is created and conceptualised on the brand.

     

    Keep it Simple Silly!

     

    This generation can separate the make-believe from what’s real. They can see through fakery and hate it when you try too hard. Kids respond best to authentic brand messages: be honest – they recognise when someone is trying to spin them a line! They’re more interested in real value than superficial trends. They respond best to direct and simple communication and connect immediately with stories told simply with characters that are honest and straightforward.

     

    Outward looking and connected

     

    Being connected is as much a part of everyday life as eating and sleeping. The advances in digital media have played a large part in broadening horizons and helping kids to be more outward looking. They interact with various screens from a very young age and as a consequence of this, broadcasters are bringing entertainment to them on multiple screens and in many different formats. The flip side to this, however, is that they have limitless cyber connections some of whom they have never even met but few close friends in real life. When it comes to the people who inspire them or the people they trust most, it’s all about close family and friends.

     

    Proud to be Indian

     

    The kids of today are increasingly expressing a great sense of love for their country. Their sense of national pride is growing stronger and they believe it’s important to maintain their country’s traditions. However, this doesn’t mean they want to close themselves off from the world or take a narrow view. Hence, it’s important for brands to localize in order to keep the Indian sensibilities intact at the same time be globally appealing to them.  

     

    More We than Me

     

    Today’s kids believe it’s important to help people in the community, protect the earth and the spirit is truly ‘We’ more than ‘Me’. They have the desire and sensitivity to be a bigger and more responsible part of the world they belong to. As a responsible brand, Nickelodeon internationally has created ‘The Big Help’, an ongoing grassroots pro-socio campaign that empowers kids to give back to their communities and planet in many interesting ways.

     

    We have only touched the tip of the iceberg when it comes to cracking their code and our journey will have to keep pace with their constant evolution.

     

    Kids are the real change agents of today. They are wired and versatile, resilient and life ready. They have the potential to change the world for the better and they firmly believe they can make a difference. We believe that too!

     

    (These are purely personal views of Viacom18 Media EVP and business head kids cluster Nina Elavia Jaipuria and indiantelevision.com does not subscribe to these views.)

  • ‘Engineer This!’: An all new ‘Do-It-Yourself’ show by ZeeQ

    ‘Engineer This!’: An all new ‘Do-It-Yourself’ show by ZeeQ

    MUMBAI: Aiming to unleash the creative side in every child, ZeeQ, India’s fastest growing channel in the kids’ genre, has launched Engineer This!, a show based on simple engineering techniques and fun-filled ‘Do-It-Yourself’ activities that can be carried out at home. Engineer This! will debut on ZeeQ on April 23, 2014, Wednesday at 6:30 pm.

    Engineer This! is a show that uses the broken bits and pieces around the house, and gives it a face lift. It features simple techniques which can be applied on various materials available easily to create a home-made masterpiece.

    The show will feature concepts across diverse fields viz. Hydrophonics, image stabilization in today’s digital cameras, the purpose of weight in unique structures, cleaning equipments like a vacuum cleaner, wind energy via a wind turbine and many more in an engaging manner. Furthermore, the show will also feature exciting craft projects that can be used to brighten up homes everywhere.

    Speaking on the show launch, Mr. Subhadarshi Tripathy, Channel Head, ZeeQ said, “Engineer This! is a show designed to stimulate the grey cells of our young viewers. It is a show based on innovation compelling children to think about various usages of sundry materials, it teaches them to widen their view, think out of the traditional use of materials available at home and create an innovative magnum opus of their own. Through Engineer This! we plan to unleash the ingenious side of a child.”

  • Hathway launches 151 SD and 4 HD channels

    Hathway launches 151 SD and 4 HD channels

    MUMBAI: Hathway Cable & Datacom is doing all that is needed to enhance consumer experience. The multi system operator (MSO) has announced the launch of 151 additional Standard Definition (SD) channels and four new High Definition (HD) channels to their existing cable TV distribution network in Bengaluru and Mysore.

     

    With this, the number of channels now offered by Hathway is 442 including 31 HD channels. “Hathway now has the largest bouquet of SD and HD channels in Bengaluru and Mysore and covers the entire spectrum of south Indian channels (both paid and free to air),” says the statement released by the MSO.

     

    The MSO in order to enhance the regional flavour now also has a line-up of Kannada channels.  “We are the only MSO in Bengaluru to offer key regional TV channels in HD and now have 31 HD channels, which is the largest HD portfolio in Bengaluru,” reveals the release.   

     

    That apart, Hathway has also introduced its new HD digital set top box, which will deliver high quality HD video with Dolby Sound technology thereby enhancing the television viewing experience for its subscribers in Bengaluru and Mysore.

     

     “This is the single largest channel expansion in the country; more than 150 additional TV channel expansion at one go is unprecedented in India,” said Hathway Cable & Datacom MD & CEO Jagdish Kumar.  

     

    “We are the largest provider of digital TV services in Bengaluru and Mysore, thanks to the quality of our services and now with this channel expansion, we are in a position to cater to the diverse viewership demands of our subscribers in Bengaluru and Mysore,” he added.  

     

     This channel offering will be available to Hathway subscribers in Bengaluru, Bengaluru Rural and Mysore. Hathway is expanding to other cities in Karnataka and has already started services in various cities of North Karnataka.

     

    With on-going digitisation of the Indian cable television industry, “Hathway is committed to bringing compelling content to its consumers in India.”

     

    The MSO has launched Hathway – CCC, Hathway Entertainment and Hathway Movies. In addition to these, it will soon launch many more channels covering genres like general entertainment, kids, music, regional movies, lifestyle and adventure.

  • Kellogg’s Chocos unveils a new integrated campaign for Chocoland

    Kellogg’s Chocos unveils a new integrated campaign for Chocoland

    Kellogg’s Chocos, the popular breakfast cereal for kids launches a novel land of chocolaty fun – Chocoland, exclusively for kids. Children will now have access to a virtual world of their own, where they can explore new adventures, unravel mysteries of the chocolaty world and indulge in adventurous activities with their friends. Through this integrated campaign, Kellogg’s Chocos aspires to transport kids into a world of chocolaty delight. Coco the brand mascot will guide kids in the world of Chocoland.
     

    At Chocoland, children will witness special features such as the never-seen before chocolate volcano, the river of milk, the delicious chocolate-coated wheat fields and delectable chocolate waterfalls. Children will also learn the unique ways of living in Chocoland by visiting Chocoversity. In the process, kids will get a chance to win some exciting goodies.

    According to Harpreet Singh Tibb, Marketing Director, Kellogg India, “Our research has shown that for kids, chocolaty fun is not only about taste but a delight for all senses. Kids would love to be part of their ‘own world’ of Chocolaty fun. The brand Kellogg’s Chocos strives to create memorable childhood experiences filled with fun and learning, which delight both kids and their mothers. Chocoland campaign is another step in this direction.”

    The Chocoland campaign is an Integrated Promotion Campaign comprising of TV, digital and on-pack offers for kids.
     

    The Chocoland TVC gives kids a peek into the world of Chocoland. It is a mix of animation and real life shots wherein a child is seen enjoying Chocos in the morning and suddenly finds his friends and himself, in an unknown land. The kids are mesmerized by this new world of chocolaty fun called Chocoland!
     

    This TVC will also be supported by a second advertisement which encourages kids to be a part of the secret recipe hunt. Coco, the monkey, will take kids into the fascinating journey of what goes into making Kellogg’s Chocos.  Lucky winners will get a chance to go to Singapore.
     

    Speaking about the campaign, Vice President & Client Services Director, JWT, Samarth Shrivastava says, “Chocoland offers a world, where children can have uninhibited fun, have limitless possibilities to explore and enjoy. Coco the monkey, the Chocos mascot is their passport into the world of Chocoland; he is their friend and the fun starter. The fun stories and adventures in Chocoland have just begun”

  • Disney Channel adds ‘Doc McStuffins’ to its programming line-up

    Disney Channel adds ‘Doc McStuffins’ to its programming line-up

    MUMBAI: Disney Channel from the Disney Network is adding a renowned animation series to its programming line-up. Doc McStuffins, is an animated series about six-year-old Dottie “Doc” McStuffins, who communicates with and heals stuffed animals and toys out of her backyard clinic.

     

    The show is produced by Brown Bag Films and is primarily targeted at pre-school kids between ages two and seven. It was created and executive produced by Humanitas Prize and Emmy Award-winner Chris Nee and premiered on 23 March, 2012 on Disney Channel and Disney Junior.   

     

    Sharing her views on premiering the series, Disney India kids channels director programming Devika Prabhu says: “We are dedicated in developing and building properties that appeal to kids, parents along with the entire family and with its unique story models a strong sense of community and the importance of lending a helping hand, or paw, when people and stuffed animals need it most. Last year, we launched Sofia the First with movies and series and completely dedicated ourselves to making her relevant to kids and families and now we are bringing another wonderful series with Doc Mcstuffins”.

     

    The show revolves around the concept that stimulates the imagination of a kid, and encourages them to adopt and live their dreams. Additionally, the show also aims to inculcate values among the kids and will premiere on Saturday, 1 March 2014 at 10:00 am and run for 26 episodes every Saturday.

     

    “We believe that heartwarming stories with relatable characters have an universal appeal and resonate with kids and families. Doc Mcstuffins’, very interestingly, is a marriage of every kid’s dream of their toys coming to life with valuable lessons about health and wellness,” adds Prabhu.

     

    The series chronicles a six-year-old girl named Dottie McStuffins who, one day, wants to become a doctor like her mother. As a kid, she imagines playing a doctor and fix toys and dolls (because of which, everyone calls her ‘Doc’). In the series, when she puts on her stethoscope, toys, dolls, and stuffed animals magically come to life and she is able to communicate with them.

     

    With a little help from her stuffed animal companions, Stuffy, Hallie, Lambie and Chilly, Doc helps toys feel better by giving them check-ups and checking their illnesses with ‘The Big Book of Boo Boos’. Each 11-minute episode includes original songs, the Time for Your Check-Up song the I Feel Better song and Tell Me What’s Wrong song. There is also an additional song about things you must do with a doctor’s check-up. During ending credits in Season One, Doc gives advice to viewers about staying healthy as well.

     

    Prabhu expounds: “Helping their kids live a healthy lifestyle is a top priority for every parent, irrespective of the geography and we are confident that Doc’s relatable warmth and charm will ease young viewers’ natural anxieties about familiar situations, including visiting a doctor and taking medicines.”

     

    On 5 June 2012, Disney Junior renewed the series for a second season, which is currently on air and beginning 10 March 2014, Disney Junior has renewed Doc McStuffins for a third season in US.

     

    The program has been a hit on Disney Junior in US. The series premiere attracted 1.08 million children aged two to five, and the show has attracted an average of 918,000 viewers in the same demographic.

     

    It has also attracted large amounts of positive attention for older males as well. The series is also a huge cultural impact, generating loud applause on parent blogs, Facebook and even in academia for its positive vocational message for African-American girls.

     

    Disney Channel India is confident that the show will be a hit among young minds between the ages two to seven years.