ITV

Tag: Nickelodeon

  • Nickelodeon & Produce for Kids campaign encourage kids to lead healthier lifestyles

    Nickelodeon & Produce for Kids campaign encourage kids to lead healthier lifestyles

    MUMBAI: Kids channel Nickelodeon, has partnered with Produce for Kids to kick off a health campaign which will run till 5 November. Produce for Kids is an organization that educates kids on the benefits of healthy eating.

    The campaign will use promotional programs in produce departments across the US featuring Nick Jr.’s Dora the Explorer and messaging surrounding the network’s health and wellness campaign Let’s Just Play encouraging kids to “Eat Smarter” and “Play Harder.” In addition, retailers will provide support for the program through advertising in circulars.

    Point-of-sale materials will be featured in produce sections that encourage kids to take their own personal steps towards living healthier lifestyles. Kids will also be encouraged to join the Produce for Kids’ Healthy Kids Club as well as sign up for the Nickelodeon network’s Let’s Just Play Go Healthy Challenge, which empowers kids with the tools they need to live healthier lifestyles.

    The campaign will also be cross promoted on Nickelodeon’s Let’s Just Play web site (http://www.nick.com/letsjustplay) and the Produce for Kids web site (http://www.produceforkids.org/). Both sites will encourage kids to sign up for the Let’s Just Play Go Healthy Challenge and Produce for Kids’ ‘Healthy Kids Club’.

    Produce for Kids’ ‘Healthy Kids Club’ provides kids with activities and nutritional tips that will aid them in choosing healthier food options. ‘Healthy Kids Club’ members will be able to earn points and track their progress toward healthy living through an online scorecard at http://www.produceforkids.org/healthykids. The Grand Prize winner will receive a free bicycle and a $750 grant in their name for their school’s athletic department or local Boys and Girls Club, informs an official release.

    “The Nickelodeon partnership with Produce for Kids allows us to expand the company’s health and wellness resources on a local level in stores all over the country,” said Nickelodeon and MTVN Kids and Family Group senior vice president public affairs Jean Margaret Smith. “It raises awareness about the health benefits of eating fruits and vegetables when kids and families are actually making food choices in the supermarket. And it aligns with our commitment through the ‘Let’s Just Play’ campaign to provide community resources and tools for kids to make healthy lifestyle choices.”

    “We are very excited to enter into this partnership with Nickelodeon,” said Shuman Produce president and Produce for Kids founder John Shuman. “With incredible retail partners and sponsors on-board, we believe the partnership with Nickelodeon, and its Dora the Explorer and ‘Let’s Just Play’ brands, will strengthen the Produce for Kids program as we continue to boost the awareness of healthy eating with kids and parents nationwide.”

  • Nickelodeon’s ‘Let’s Just Play Go Healthy Challenge’ kicks off in US

    Nickelodeon’s ‘Let’s Just Play Go Healthy Challenge’ kicks off in US

    MUMBAI: Nickelodeon and the Alliance for a Healthier Generation has kicked off the “Go Healthy Challenger Search 2007,” today, a nationwide US campaign that seeks to find the kids who will be featured in next year’s Let’s Just Play Go Healthy Challenge.

    Kids are encouraged to send in personal home videos sharing how they want to “go healthy” and why they want to be a 2007 role model for the campaign. The Let’s Just Play Go Healthy Challenge follows real kids on-air on their personal journeys towards healthier lifestyles. It is part of Nickelodeon’s Let’s Just Play pro-social initiative, with partner the Alliance for a Healthier Generation — a joint initiative between the American Heart Association and William J. Clinton Foundation — to encourage kids to participate in active, healthy and playful lifestyles, informs an official release.

    To be considered as a Let’s Just Play Go Healthy Challenger, kids will need to submit a “Performer Application,” which is available for download on http://www.nick.com/letsjustplay, along with no more than 10 minutes of home video footage.

    The 2007 Let’s Just Play Go Healthy Challengers will be determined in early November. The chosen participants will be notified and those selected will be posted on http://www.nick.com/letsjustplay.

    Nickelodeon and the Alliance for a Healthier Generation will also be holding local casting calls open to kids on 14 and/or 15 October. The casting calls will consist of a videotaped interview, in which kids will be asked to answer questions about their health goals, how they would like to achieve those and why? A location for the casting call in New York is still to be determined.

    In addition, local American Heart Association divisions and Boys and Girls Clubs of America will support the casting process in various cities. Local volunteers will be on-site (specific venues to be determined) with required paperwork and video cameras to create the home video footage for kids to participate. Kids attending any casting calls are required to be accompanied by a legal guardian to provide permission to participate.

    The solicitation for the 2007 Go Healthy Challengers begins on 30 September, marking the network’s Worldwide Day of Play celebration which includes the Let’s Just Play Go Healthy Celebration finale at 7:30 pm ET/PT, adds the release.

    The 2006 Let’s Just Play Go Healthy Challenge inspired more than 150,000 kids across the country to “go healthy” and become more active by following four real kids on-air in their personal health quests, and with tactical online tips that kids could use in their own lives. The Go Healthy Challenge, an on-air and grassroots campaign developed by Nickelodeon and the Alliance for a Healthier Generation encourages real kids to make their lives, schools and communities healthier.

    Nickelodeon is currently in its fourth year of its award-winning pro-social initiative, Let’s Just Play. In November 2005, Let’s Just Play entered into a partnership with the Alliance for a Healthier Generation to combat the spread of childhood obesity. The three organizations combined forces on a comprehensive media and public awareness campaign, encouraging young people to engage in healthy and active lifestyles.

  • Nickelodeon launches live-action interactive series ‘The Upside Down Show’ in the US

    Nickelodeon launches live-action interactive series ‘The Upside Down Show’ in the US

    MUMBAI: Preschoolers will “just press play,” as Noggin, the commercial-free, educational preschool network from Nickelodeon, introduces a new form of interactive viewing for preschoolers, on its new, original, live-action series, The Upside Down Show.

    Starring comedy duo, The Umbilical Brothers (David Collins and Shane Dundas), the 13 episode half-hour preschool series developed by Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit educational organization behind Sesame Street will debut on Noggin on 16 October with two back-to-back episodes from 11:00 am – 12:00 pm (ET). Beginning Friday, November 10, The Umbilical Brothers can be seen performing in Manhattan at The New Victory Theater with their comedy show Speedmouse.

    Noggin will premiere a new episode every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 4:30 pm (ET) for four weeks straight through Friday, November 10. The Upside Down Show will air regularly on Noggin weekdays at 11:00 a.m. and 4:30 pm (ET), informs an official release.

    The Upside Down Show provides a fresh new way for preschoolers to interact by learning critical thinking skills, rich vocabulary and relational concepts and life skills through pretend play. The series elevates the concept of imaginative play to a new platform in which children build valuable reasoning skills, develop creative problem solving abilities and enhance their understanding of and joy in the world around them. The remote control featured on the series becomes a fun tool to help children learn unique vocabulary and relational concepts, as well as to play along with these completely original, imaginary stories.

    Set in a fantastical living room with more doors than walls, The Upside Down Show stars David and Shane, two brothers who live with their fun-loving sidekick Puppet, their invisible pet fly Fido, and the Shmuzzies, adorable fluff balls who speak “Shmuzzish” and love to rhyme. Each episode begins as the brothers “hand” an imaginary remote control to the viewers at home so they can “control” the duo’s physical motion by fast forwarding, rewinding or pausing their movement. Breaking “the fourth wall” of the television set, the brothers encourage their audience to participate in their antics and accompany them on their excursions.

    Every week, the duo will embark on a journey to explore new infinite worlds like the Very Hairy Room, Wind Room or Puppy Room, and everyday destinations like the beach, the airport or the movies. But Shane and David need help from their friends and viewers at home, as they don’t know where their destination is or how to get there! They take detours through magical doors in their apartment which allow the brothers — and the preschoolers playing along — to investigate the world around them, adds the release.

    “David and Shane may be the two funniest men on the planet. They are silly, spontaneous, ridiculous, amazing and on the perfect wavelength for preschoolers,” said Nickelodeon Preschool Television executive creative director Brown Johnson. “The Brothers make ordinary things extraordinary — from taking a trip to the art museum or the beach to visiting wacky places like the sticky room, the no-room room, or the sandwich room, where they achieve ‘total sandwich.’ They make me laugh every time!”

    “We’re very excited about the debut of The Upside Down Show, which is very different than other preschool shows,” said Sesame Workshop’s executive VP/Creative Director Liz Nealon. “Pairing the irresistible antics of the Umbilical Brothers with the Workshop’s understanding that young children learn best through imaginative play has created a special kind of alchemy. We’ve worked hard to make sure that this offbeat and funny show also serves up serious school readiness — teaching and reinforcing cognitive thinking and language skills, and fostering a sense of mastery and self- confidence, all while keeping kids laughing and engaged.”

    Noggins’s website http://www.noggin.com will feature a variety of content to complement the premiere of The Upside Down Show, including an online game where preschoolers can personalize an imaginary play experience with Shane and David by creating their own interactive video. The site will also feature downloadable clips from the series and several activities including The Upside Down Show printables, crafts, E-cards and more. Nick Jr.’s website http://www.nickjr.com will also launch The Upside Down Show interactive game and activities, in addition to featuring a dedicated playlist of clips from series on Nick Jr. Video.

  • Nick US allows fans to create and produce original characters online

    Nick US allows fans to create and produce original characters online

    MUMBAI: US broadcaster Nickelodeon has announced an online interactive initiative for its comedy/adventure series Avatar: The Last Airbender.

    A new episode Avatar: Secret of the Fire Nation airs on 15 September. The story revolves around Aang and his friends, who are prevented from taking the easy route into Ba Sing Se while escorting a family of refugees and are faced with the challenge of making their way through the deadly Serpent’s Pass. Along the way, Aang discovers a secret Fire Nation invention heading straight for Ba Sing Se and must stop it before it destroys the great wall that protects the city from invasion.

    Fans who are looking for an interactive “Avatar” experience can log onto the “Avatar Secret Scene Creator” on www.nick.com. Here they will find the tools they need to create an original character and animate it, producing their own “Avatar” scenario.

    Nickelodeon will randomly select ten scenes from the online game, record the dialogue with the actual “Avatar” voice actors and feature the completed scenes on Nickelodeon television as on-air interstitials. More than 100,000 scenes have been created and submitted to date. The Secret Scenes Creator is just one part of a larger online initiative for “Avatar.”

    In July, a new enhanced “Avatar” supersite launched on Nick.com, which provides fans with the content they crave for, like the details on the environment, games, videos,
    character profiles and more. Launched in February 2005 Avatar is currently in its second season.

  • Hungama TV clocks its highest ratings; ‘Doraemon’ & ‘Shinchan’ key drivers

    Hungama TV clocks its highest ratings; ‘Doraemon’ & ‘Shinchan’ key drivers

    MUMBAI: Hungama TV has scored big yet again! A notch higher, the channel now boasts of the maximum ratings ever with 182 GRPs for week 39 (24-30 September), marking a good leap from the previous week of 155 GRPs, for the target group CS 4-14 ABC in all Hindi speaking markets. 

    The market share for the same period for Hungama TV is pegged at 29 per cent, as the key properties giving an impetus to this growth are Doraemon and Shinchan together contributing 105 out of 182 GRPs, according to the latest data from Tam. 

    The oldest player in the market Cartoon Network however, seems to be trailing behind with 139 GRPs and a share of 23 per cent. A later entrant from the Turner stable, Pogo has scored 104 GRPs with a 17 per cent share for the mentioned period. While the market shares for the other kid’s channels in India – Disney Channel, Toon Disney and Nickelodeon follow in the order outlined.

    Hungama TV also claims to have occupied the leadership position in this space for three consecutive weeks, spanning 10 – 30 September 2006, for the weeks 37-39 among both boys and girls, older (10-14 years old) and younger (4-9) kids alike.

    But the little ‘gun slingers’ seem be more glued to the channel as the ratings for boys have in fact shot up by 25 per cent, while the ratings for girls have dropped by 4 per cent over the previous week.

    The month of September appears to be a prosperous one for the channel as it has seen a ratings jump of 14 per cent from August where it had received average GRP’s of 133, says a channel spokesperson.

    What’s interesting is that among the two key properties that thrust the channel ahead, Doraemon’s GRPs have increased by 43 per cent over the previous week from 37 to 53 (week 39). Meanwhile, Shinchan has also jumped from 48 to 52 GRPs with a margin of 8.3 per cent.

    It is however, the little boys that seem to be the drivers of this success, as 78 per cent of viewing comes from boys and 22 per cent from girls. Also, 4-9 year olds contribute to 58 per cent of viewing while 10 – 14 year olds harvest 42 per cent.

  • MTV and Nickelodeon to take on larger role at Paramount

    MTV and Nickelodeon to take on larger role at Paramount

    MUMBAI: Viacom Inc.s has announced that MTV and Nickelodeon will become full labels under the Paramount Motion Picture Group (PMPG) as part of a new structure designed to deepen their already successful track record with their core target audiences.

    The two former production companies, which previously operated as on-lot producers, will now join several other labels under PMPG’s umbrella, including Paramount Pictures, DreamWorks SKG, Paramount Vantage and Paramount Classics.

    “After successful 12-year stints as production companies at Paramount, we are going to upgrade MTV and Nick to full movie label status,” says Viacom president & CEO Tom Freston.
    “This will expand their role at Paramount, will better leverage their considerable talent and marketing capabilities, and will allow for smoother day to day management on the lot with strong connections back to the core brands. This move plays perfectly to our company’s unique strengths and will surely increase the positive momentum that we’re seeing at Paramount under the leadership of Brad and his team.”

    “MTV and Nickelodeon are two of the strongest brands in entertainment reaching families and young adults,” says Paramount Pictures Corporation chairman & CEO Brad Grey. “We look forward to great films and a great future with these two new labels at the Paramount Motion Picture Group.”

    “In partnership with Paramount, this new model represents a great opportunity to build on the growing success we’ve experienced making movies over the last decade,” adds MTV Networks chairman & CEO Judy McGrath. “We believe that together we can take these brands to the next level, attract the best talent and material across genres, and really tap into our strong relationships with kid, teens, young adults and families around the globe.”

    Additionally, Paramount and MTV Networks named veteran producer Scott Aversano President of MTV Films and Nick Movies, giving him responsibility for film development, production and acquisitions for the two film labels. Aversano will work on the lot, reporting to Paramount Pictures president Gail Berman. On all image- and brand-related matters for these pictures, he will also report to MTV Networks Music Group president Van Toffler and Nickelodeon and MTV Networks Kids and Family Group president Cyma Zarghami, states an official release.

    Aversano will assume his new position effective immediately, transitioning from his current role as an independent producer for Paramount Pictures. Prior to his producing deal with Paramount Pictures, Aversano spent more than seven years with producer Scott Rudin, most recently as president of Production, the release adds.

    “MTV and Nickelodeon are household names with audiences in every corner of the world,” says Aversano. “I’m excited to embark on this new challenge to continue bringing movies to the marketplace that utilize Viacom’s unique strengths in targeted demographics.”

    MTV Films and Nick Movies will continue to release films targeted to their respective demographics; with Nick Movies releasing animated and family films, and MTV Films focusing on comedies, documentaries, urban fare and horror films for teens and young adults.

  • MTV and Nickelodeon to take on larger role at Paramount

    MTV and Nickelodeon to take on larger role at Paramount

    MUMBAI: Viacom Inc.s has announced that MTV and Nickelodeon will become full labels under the Paramount Motion Picture Group (PMPG) as part of a new structure designed to deepen their already successful track record with their core target audiences.

    The two former production companies, which previously operated as on-lot producers, will now join several other labels under PMPG’s umbrella, including Paramount Pictures, DreamWorks SKG, Paramount Vantage and Paramount Classics.

    “After successful 12-year stints as production companies at Paramount, we are going to upgrade MTV and Nick to full movie label status,” says Viacom president & CEO Tom Freston.
    “This will expand their role at Paramount, will better leverage their considerable talent and marketing capabilities, and will allow for smoother day to day management on the lot with strong connections back to the core brands. This move plays perfectly to our company’s unique strengths and will surely increase the positive momentum that we’re seeing at Paramount under the leadership of Brad and his team.”

    “MTV and Nickelodeon are two of the strongest brands in entertainment reaching families and young adults,” says Paramount Pictures Corporation chairman & CEO Brad Grey. “We look forward to great films and a great future with these two new labels at the Paramount Motion Picture Group.”

    “In partnership with Paramount, this new model represents a great opportunity to build on the growing success we’ve experienced making movies over the last decade,” adds MTV Networks chairman & CEO Judy McGrath. “We believe that together we can take these brands to the next level, attract the best talent and material across genres, and really tap into our strong relationships with kid, teens, young adults and families around the globe.”

    Additionally, Paramount and MTV Networks named veteran producer Scott Aversano President of MTV Films and Nick Movies, giving him responsibility for film development, production and acquisitions for the two film labels. Aversano will work on the lot, reporting to Paramount Pictures president Gail Berman. On all image- and brand-related matters for these pictures, he will also report to MTV Networks Music Group president Van Toffler and Nickelodeon and MTV Networks Kids and Family Group president Cyma Zarghami, states an official release.

    Aversano will assume his new position effective immediately, transitioning from his current role as an independent producer for Paramount Pictures. Prior to his producing deal with Paramount Pictures, Aversano spent more than seven years with producer Scott Rudin, most recently as president of Production, the release adds.

    “MTV and Nickelodeon are household names with audiences in every corner of the world,” says Aversano. “I’m excited to embark on this new challenge to continue bringing movies to the marketplace that utilize Viacom’s unique strengths in targeted demographics.”

    MTV Films and Nick Movies will continue to release films targeted to their respective demographics; with Nick Movies releasing animated and family films, and MTV Films focusing on comedies, documentaries, urban fare and horror films for teens and young adults.

  • British Olympic promo to become Hollywood film

    British Olympic promo to become Hollywood film

    MUMBAI: Inspiration, the three-minute promotional film created for London’s 2012 bid, will be transformed into a full length feature film. Moongate Films’ producer and founder Caroline Rowland and director Daryl Goodrich have signed an agreement in this regard with Paramount/Nickelodeon. 

    The producers have zeroed in on the working title Legend of the Rings for the film.

    Relating the story of four young Olympic hopefuls from across the world, the short film formed part of London’s successful presentation to the International Olympic Committee in Singapore last July. It highlighted London 2012’s commitment to inspire youth to take up sport through the Games.This full-length feature is intended for release to coincide with the Beijing Games in 2008, said an official release.

    London 2012 organising committee Chair Sebastian Coe says: “We are extremely proud of the Singapore film as it brought to life so perfectly the vision we created for the London Olympic Games to inspire the youth of the world.”

    “We are delighted that vision has captured the imagination of Hollywood.” Rowland adds. “It’s a universal story of triumph, tragedy and heroism that will appeal to children and families all over the world and, hopefully, inspire many who see it to follow their dreams.”

    This will be the U.K.-based production company’s first feature. Their sister-company, New Moon, specializes in commercials, promotional films and documentaries, adds the release.

  • Ann Sarnoff named Dow Jones Ventures president

    Ann Sarnoff named Dow Jones Ventures president

    MUMBAI: Dow Jones & Company has named Ann Sarnoff president of Dow Jones Ventures, a new position charged with expanding the reach of Dow Jones brands to new markets and customers.

    An executive with media, consumer-marketing and professional-sports experience, Sarnoff will lead development of new digital businesses in adjacent consumer markets at Dow Jones, states an official release.

    Sarnoff, 44, comes to Dow Jones with a background in consumer media and young-adult marketing. She held senior strategy, finance and development roles at Viacom and was a key player in the growth of the Nickelodeon, VH1 and Country Music Television brands and businesses. Sarnoff also ran the business operations of the Women’s National Basketball Association, the release adds.

    “We want to create compelling new products and businesses to make the very most of our indispensable brands, content, products and people for the benefit of existing and new customers. With her experience and success building and expanding brands and businesses, Ann is ideally suited to help us innovate and take the Journal and other Dow Jones franchises to new audiences and new arenas,” says Dow Jones chief executive Rich Zannino.

    Sarnoff spent 10 years at Viacom, rising in 2001 to become COO for both VH1 and CMT:Country Music Television where she was responsible for the strategic planning and business development of both channels, and oversight of their brand extensions and digital strategy. Previously, she was responsible for consumer products and business development at Nickelodeon.

    More recently, Sarnoff was the COO of the WNBA, where she oversaw all the league’s business operations, including programming, marketing, licensing and merchandising. She worked earlier in her career at the strategic consulting firm, Marakon Associates.