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Tag: P Jayakumar

  • Toonz and 1st Place draw up anime alliance to counter Japan’s talent drought

    Toonz and 1st Place draw up anime alliance to counter Japan’s talent drought

    MUMBAI: India’s Toonz Media group and Japan’s 1st Place have sketched out a strategic partnership on the fringes of Hong Kong Filmart, aiming to quench the world’s thirst for anime content while addressing Japan’s creative talent crunch.

    The tie-up comes as streaming giants, gaming moguls and entertainment behemoths scramble for fresh anime fodder, leaving Japan’s traditional animation houses gasping for artistic air.

    “There is already a significant talent shortage in Japan for anime production,” admitted 1st Place founder and president Kumiko, without a hint of artistic licence. “This strategic partnership with Toonz will help us bridge that gap by expanding our production capacity.”

    The artistic marriage melds Toonz’s 25-year animation pedigree and production muscle with 1st Place’s flair for anime storytelling, music production and 3D computer-generated wizardry.

    “At Toonz, we continuously seek new creative frontiers,” expounded Toonz Media group CEO P. Jayakumar, whose past dalliances include teaming up with Marvel on Wolverine and the X-Men and with Lionsgate on Speed Racer: The Next Generation.

    The Indian animation outfit views the partnership as a chance to colour itself into the booming anime picture, while Tokyo-based 1st Place brings 20 years of developing original intellectual property to the drawing board. The Japanese firm has previously orchestrated theme songs and soundtracks for anime tearjerker Clannad After Story and supernatural romp Angel Beats!

    Both firms hope their cross-continental coupling will create a sustainable anime ecosystem capable of delivering eye-popping content to worldwide audiences without succumbing to the industry’s capacity constraints—a picture-perfect solution to a most animated problem.

  • POGO announces Jay Jagannath Folklore Gem

    POGO announces Jay Jagannath Folklore Gem

    Mumbai: POGO, India’s homegrown kids’ entertainment channel today announced a new summer offering – ‘Jay Jagannath’. The new animated series, celebrating Indian culture and the theme of friendship from folklore, promises exciting adventures for kids and families. Premiering on 20 May, Monday, at 9:30 am in six languages – Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Marathi, and Malayalam.

    Embed link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQeaZVxEieQ

    Created and produced by ELE Animations in collaboration with Toonz Media Group, and Warner Bros. Discovery as broadcasting partner, ‘Jay Jagannath’ is inspired by the revered tales of Lord Jagannath of Puri. The series chronicles the endearing friendship between Lord Jagannath, depicted in his youthful form as Jagan, and his devoted companion Balram. Through their learnings and adventures, viewers will be transported into the enchanting world of Jagannath culture, exploring its rituals and folklore while celebrating India’s cultural heritage.

    A delightful fusion of action, humour, and valuable life lessons, Jay Jagannath exemplifies the power of trust and the beauty of camaraderie, offering kids together with their families an entertaining viewing experience. With each episode brimming with wisdom and showcasing the richness of India’s cultural ethos, the series promises to captivate audiences young and old alike.

    “POGO continues to champion local stories and talent, offering a national platform with pan-India viewership,” says Uttam Pal Singh, Head of the Kids’ Cluster, South Asia, Warner Bros. Discovery. “The launch of Jay Jagannath underscores our commitment to spotlighting hidden tales and gems that are locally developed and produced, all while nurturing India’s burgeoning animation talent. We are excited for our audience to enjoy the tales of Jagan and Balram as they take everyone on a journey of adventure, friendship and discovery.”

    Toonz Media Group chief executive officer P Jayakumar stated that ‘Jay Jagannath’ is having a PAN India appeal and exuded confidence that this collaboration will entertain and inspire viewers of all age groups, especially kids. “Through this collaboration with Warner Bros. Discovery and POGO, we aim to make this IP a successful one by showcasing the beauty of friendship, devotion, and the rich cultural heritage of India,” he added.

    ELE Animations founder-director Durga Prasad said embarking on the creation of ‘Jay Jagannath’ has been nothing short of extraordinary. “Hailing from Odisha, a bastion of rich heritage, we are excited to bring the quintessential tale of Jagannath by breathing life into this timeless narrative of camaraderie and exploration. ‘Jay Jagannath’ is the glorious celebration of Indian culture and folklore”.

    ‘Jay Jagannath’ emerges not just as a captivating entertainment show but as a valuable educational tool, enriching young minds with cultural insights and fostering essential non-cognitive skills. As POGO continues its mission to provide diverse and enriching content, this series stands as a testament to its commitment to nurturing both the hearts and minds of its viewers. With each episode, children embark on an inspiring journey that celebrates friendship, devotion, and the rich tapestry of Indian heritage, leaving a lasting impact that extends far beyond the screen.

    Get ready for an unforgettable adventure with Jagan and his cherished companions, as ‘Jay Jagannath’ promises to captivate hearts and ignite imaginations across the nation.

  • QYOU Media India and Toonz Media launch Q Toonz

    QYOU Media India and Toonz Media launch Q Toonz

    Mumbai: In an endeavor to revolutionise the world of animation entertainment, QYOU Media India collaborates with Toonz Media, a renowned global animation creator, producer, and distributor to announce the launch of Q Toonz, a FAST animation channel. Currently live, across the Q Play+ app and over 130 smart TV brands, the channel will emerge as the ultimate destination for premium animation entertainment.

    With a core messaging of ‘Unrivalled Animation, Timeless Entertainment’, Q Toonz boasts a content slate of over 2500 hours of high-quality, multi-genre animated shows and films. Designed to captivate not only children but also young adults, Q Toonz ensures a comprehensive and engaging viewing experience for families. From action-packed adventures to heart-warming tales, and whimsical comedies to gripping dramas, Q Toonz curates the best of animated content with high entertainment value. The channel offers nostalgia inducing classics such as The Raccoons, Wolverine and the X-Men, along with the latest animated sensations like GummyBear Show: GummyBear and Friends, Cat and Keet, Zoonicorn, Baby Einstein Classics and Sea Explorers, Pinocchio and Friends.

    Speaking on the launch of Q Toonz, QYOU Media India COO Krishna Menon said, “Our endeavor at QYOU Media India, has always been to expand the network’s portfolio, thus leading us to collaborate with Toonz Media. The launch of Q Toonz marks a significant stride for us in the Connected TV space. The introduction of our premium animation channel not only aligns with the thriving growth of the FAST category but also strategically strengthens our position as innovators in content curation. We are dedicated to delivering an immersive viewing experience tailored for audiences of all ages.”

    Speaking on the partnership, Toonz Media Group CEO P Jayakumar said, “We are excited to partner with QYOU to launch this FAST Channel in India which will be powered by 100 per cent Toonz managed content. By leveraging their reach into various platforms, we are now in an even better position to offer high quality Toonz kids content to viewers in India to start with.”

    Q Toonz stands as a testament to QYOU Media India’s commitment to recognising the immense potential of animated entertainment. This collaboration with Toonz Media aims to create a channel that transcends age barriers, offering an immersive journey into a world of endless imagination, creativity, and excitement.

    Toonz Media has also partnered with Warner Bros Discovery, Peacock, Media Corp, SVT, Sky Kids, TIM Vision, RTVE Clan TV, TV Azteca, Amazon, Netflix, Viacom18, Disney, and Marvel.

  • Aabid Surti and Biren Ghose to be honoured at Animation Masters Summit 2022

    Aabid Surti and Biren Ghose to be honoured at Animation Masters Summit 2022

    Mumbai: Renowned artist, writer and activist Aabid Surti and animation industry veteran and Technicolor Creative Studios country head Biren Ghose will be honoured at the 2022 edition of the Animation Masters Summit that will be held virtually between 23-27 May.

    Organised by Toonz Media Group, the five-day summit will include sessions by stalwarts in the fields of media and entertainment across the world. Google India country head Sanjay Gupta will deliver a keynote address at the inaugural session. The master sessions in the following days will be led by well-known artists and creators including Belgian director-producer Paul Demeyer who has worked on shows like “Mission Force One,” “The Rocketeer” and “The Rugrats” series and film, Emmy award-winning composer Wendel Harris, best known for supervising the music for the Netflix sitcom “Family Reunion,” Ravishankar Venkateswaran maker of the first Sanskrit animation feature “Punyakoti,” Ogilvy India chief creative officer Sukesh Nayak and NFT ecosystem GuardianLink co-founder and chief technology officer Arjun Reddy.

    “Animation Masters Summit is Toonz’s flagship annual event where we provide a platform for young artists and students to interact with veterans in the field art and entertainment,” said Toonz Media Group CEO P Jayakumar. “The AMS awards have been instituted to honour legends in the field of art. Aabid Surti is a true legend in this regard, having made his mark in multiples streams of art from painting to cartoon, to writing. After a scintillating career of more than 60 years, he continues to work tirelessly focusing more on social and environmental issues now. He is an inspiration for not just artists but for everyone. It is a privilege for us to present this year’s Legend Award to Surti.”

    “Biren Ghose, who is being awarded the Special Contribution Award, has helped build the AVGC ecosystem in India with his visionary leadership. As a mentor and industry spokesperson, he also played a significant role in fostering a strong and cohesive animation and VFX community in India,” added Jayakumar.

    At 87, Aabid Surti, has made significant contributions towards popularising cartoons and graphic novels in Indian languages in a career spanning over six decades. He is the creator of several memorable characters such as ‘Dhabbuji,’ ‘Inspector Azad,’ ‘Doctor Chinchu’ and the much-loved Indrajal comic superhero ‘Bahadur.’ A prolific author, he bagged the National Award in 1993 for his short story series titled “Teesri Aankh.” Having passed out of one of India’s oldest art institutions the JJ School of Art in Mumbai, Surti is also an acclaimed painter known for experimenting and developing innovative and critically acclaimed painting techniques. In recent years, Surti has made a mark with his trailblazing activism in water conservation through his organization Drop Dead Foundation, which was started as an initiative to provide free plumbing service for residents in suburban Mumbai. Surti personally leads his NGO in fixing an average of around 400 taps a year after visiting close to a thousand homes.

    Technicolor Creative Studios country head and industry leader, Biren Ghose is a prominent figure in the Indian AVGC (Animation Visual Effects Gaming and Comics) scene. As a thought leader and business head of some of the most prominent entertainment companies, Ghose has made significant contributions in the growth and development of the AVGC ecosystem in India over the years. He also holds several important roles in government and quasi-government agencies, institutions and trade bodies.

  • Discovery Kids to premiere new animated series on 18 April

    Discovery Kids to premiere new animated series on 18 April

    Mumbai: Discovery Kids is launching a new animated series ‘Bunty Billa aur Babban’ on 18 April at 1 pm and 7 pm from Monday to Friday. The slap-stick comedy series is produced by Toonz Media Group.

    The show follows the contrasting duo Bunty (the parrot) and Billa (the cat) who live in the same house. While Billa’s ambitions rest in living an easy life, he is annoyed with the hysterics of Bunty who never stops troubling him. Bunty unleashes mayhem in the house, inciting chaos, and confusion everywhere. Babban, the donkey also joins the duo, escalating the fun conflicts and comic situations. The Bollywood-inspired voiceover enhances the entertainment quotient.

    “We are on a journey of innovating our offerings and creating franchises out of characters that not only engage but also help expand our consumer footprint and provide a healthy dose of entertainment,” said Discovery Kids business head Uttam Pal Singh.

    “Bunty Billa aur Babban – the slap-stick comedy is a fun addition to our existing differentiated IPs including stylish and action-packed superhero in town ‘Little Singham’ and best slice-of-life school comedy ‘Fukrey Boyzzz’. It will further cement Discovery Kids’ position as the most preferred brand in the kids’ category,” he added.

    “This is Toonz’s first collaboration with Discovery Kids and we are really happy to forge this association with ‘Bunty Billa aur Babban’, which is a show that has tremendous potential to turn into a hugely successful kids IP,” added Toonz Media Group CEO P Jayakumar.

    “The show brings back the innocent charm of playfulness and hearty humour, with many beautiful moments to engage and enrapture the young audience,” he added.

  • Toonz Media Group revives iconic show ‘Swat-Kats’ after 28 years

    Toonz Media Group revives iconic show ‘Swat-Kats’ after 28 years

    Mumbai: Animation company Toonz Media Group has teamed up with show creators Christian and Yvon Tremblay to co-produce a brand-new series of “Swat-Kats” 28 years after the original series was produced.

    The new series “Swat-Kats Reovlution” will be co-produced by Tremblay Bros. and Toonz Media Group and will be targeted at five to 11-year-olds. It will include new characters alongside the classic protagonists and villains.  

    “While ‘Swat-Kats Revolution’ is a new series, the DNA of what made it successful will remain,” said Christian Tremblay. “The character relationships, the smart and witty writing, the action, the imaginative stories, and the bigger-than-life villains will evermore be present. The new series will be contemporary and explore themes that the new audience will identify with.”

    “’Swat-Kats’ is easily one of the all-time classics in animation,” said Toonz Media Group CEO P Jayakumar. “It is a privilege for Toonz to revive this iconic show after all these years. We see tremendous potential for the property in the new context and among new audiences. We cannot wait to bring life to the new series under the supervision of Christian and Yvon.

    “Swat-Kats Revolution” is also set in the fictional mega-metropolis of Megakat City, where the two vigilante heroes fight off evil powers to keep their city from becoming a dystopian world. The series will be distributed worldwide by Toonz.

    “We are thrilled to enter into a strategic collaboration with Tremblay Bros for ‘Swat-Kats Revolution’ new franchise to bring the two iconic heroes into new contemporary stories and conflicts toward their nemesis,” said Toonz chief sales and marketing officer Bruno Zarka.

    “Swat-Kats” first aired in September 1993. The original series “Swat-Kats: The Radical Squadron” produced by Hanna-Barbera Cartoons became the number one syndicated animated show of 1994. The show was admired by viewers for its bold and eye-catching animation style, power-packed action, and energetic rock and roll background score besides its iconic theme music.

    The show, which gained cult status in the ‘90s, enjoys immense fan following across the world. SK Fandom, as the fan community of the series is popularly known, has kept the show alive amongst the community over the years through discussions, fan fiction, artwork, and a variety of fan projects and games over online groups and forums. The fan community had also raised substantial sums to revive the show through a Kickstarter fundraising campaign a few years ago.

  • Toonz Media Group launches kids TV channel in Indonesia

    Toonz Media Group launches kids TV channel in Indonesia

    Mumbai: Toonz Media Group is launching a new kids TV channel in Indonesia. The 24X7 pay-TV channel Toonz kids will be available on Indonesia’s satellite TV network Transvision. The channel will go on air on 14 November.

    The bilingual channel will include shows in both Bahasa and English, and is targeted at four to 12-year-olds. This will be Toonz’s maiden television channel in Asia, said the statement.

    “Indonesia has a fast-growing kids entertainment industry and we felt it would be the best place to launch the expansion of our platform entertainment business,” said Toonz Media Group chief executive officer P Jayakumar. “We will be banking on Toonz’s 22 year old legacy in the industry and our strong multi-genre library with 1000+ hours of content. Toonz Kids will bring this world class content to kids and families in Indonesia, dubbed in native Bahasa.”

    Toonz had announced expansion of its platform entertainment business in October this year with the constitution of its new SBU Toonz Media Networks. The company has roped in former Zee Entertainment chief operating officer Mukund Cairae to head the SBU. After Indonesia, Toonz plans to launch television channels in other emerging kids’ television markets such as Malaysia, Singapore and MENA (Middle East and North Africa). The company already operates kids channels in select key global territories.

    “Indonesia has the largest television market and the second largest pay TV market in South-East Asia. The country has around 67 million homes and a TV penetration of 64 per cent, which translates to around 42 million TV homes. This includes a pay TV penetration of 12 per cent. If you look at the average revenue per user for pay TV in Indonesia, it is a healthy $10 per home per month. Clearly, there is huge potential for growth of pay TV business here,” said Toonz Media Networks president Mukund Cairae.

    He added that Toonz Kids will focus on edutainment and entertainment shows while also looking to explore content partnerships through animation co-productions with local companies in Indonesia. “We will be actively pursuing content partnerships to co-create premium content, including e-Sports, to engage the tweens and teens besides the kids audience category,” Cairae said. 

    Cloud broadcasting and live TV streaming company Amagi is the playout and transmission partner for Toonz Kids. Toonz already has a formidable presence in the digital media space with a robust YouTube ecosystem comprising of 18 YouTube channels and 18 million plus subscribers. Earlier this year the company had launched its own OTT platform MyToonz. Besides this, Toonz also has content syndication partnerships with world’s top kids’ VoD platforms including Roku, Kidoodle, Amazon Prime, Pluto TV, and many more.

    “This is the first international kids’ channel fully dubbed in Bahasa Indonesia. In line with our tagline, ‘broadcasting at the edge of technology’ we always strive to provide entertaining, quality, and educational content for all of our viewers,” said Transvision sales and marketing director Brando Tengdom. “We sincerely hope this partnership will accommodate our customer needs, as well as become an attractive point for our customer to access Transvision services.”

  • Toonz Media signs co-production deal for ‘Chi-Chi’

    Toonz Media signs co-production deal for ‘Chi-Chi’

    MUMBAI: Toonz Media Group, Neon Creation and Backbones Entertainment have signed a co-production partnership deal for Chi-Chi, The Apprentice Sorceress. It is an eleven-minute, 52-episode 3D CGI comic fantasy kids’ series, based on the pop-up book by the same name. Production is expected to be completed by mid-2019.

    Chi-Chi, The Apprentice Sorceress, which is aimed at 4 to 6-year old kids, is the story of a cheerful young girl, full of curiosity who, ever since she found a book of magic spells, constantly tests out new spells and potions. Accompanied by her friends Nino the dragonfly, Mew-Mew the artistic rabbit, Tiggy the squirrel who loves to cook, and postman Charlie the rhinoceros, they embark on wonderful fantasy-filled adventures. It is an enchanting, fun series full of magic and surprise that focuses on the importance of learning to live and grow together and teaching kids to have a true community spirit.

    Toonz Media Group CEO P Jayakumar said, “Chi-Chi is an amazing show which will entertain and enrich kids across the world. I am very happy that Toonz found the perfect partners in Neon Creation and Backbone Entertainment. We are absolutely positive that this collaboration would go a long way”. 

    Post-production is to be entirely done by Toonz while pre-production is shared by Neon and Toonz and animation production between all three. The series will be distributed in Korea, Greater China and Thailand by Neon Creation, in Malaysia by Backbone Entertainment, and for the rest of the world by Imira Entertainment, part of Toonz Media Group.

    Neon Creation president Sara Kyungwon Han-Williams adds “When I introduced Chi-Chi to the world for the first time it was received with accolades for its beautiful and outstanding design of characters and backgrounds. Since then I’ve ded 

  • Toonz Animation to develop Gummy Bear series for YouTube

    Toonz Animation to develop Gummy Bear series for YouTube

    MUMBAI: India-based Toonz Animation has signed a major deal with Gummybear International Inc, which will see the two companies extend the Gummy Bear IP into entertainment and merchandising. Additionally, YouTube has commissioned an initial 39 x 7’ episodes series, which Toonz will produce from its studio in India.

     

    Plans are also afoot to expand Gummy Bear’s presence online and in consumer products and exploit the brand in the television and feature film space.

     

    Gummy Bear (originally Gummibär in its native Hungary) is an internet phenomenon. The dancing and singing bear has grown into a YouTube multi-channel Gummy Bear network with over 5.2 billion video views and over 1.5 million subscribers in total. His multi-lingual abilities have led to a huge international following with his music released in over 40 different countries and in over 27 different languages. The original Single “I Am A Gummy Bear (The Gummy Bear Song}” was a Top 10 Hit in many major markets and reached No.1 on the Itunes Dance Charts in the USA, where it reached double platinum status.

     

    Toonz Media Group CEO P Jayakumar said, “With its considerable online fan base, this property has all the ingredients to be a success far beyond its current online presence. The commission by YouTube for a series of dedicated episodes is the first step in our plans to help build Gummy Bear into a 360° brand encompassing traditional broadcast, feature films and licensed merchandise.”

     

    Gummybear International Inc president Jurgen Korduletsch added, “We’re excited to have found in Toonz an enthusiastic and motivated partner for the further development of our Gummy Bear. We’re looking forward to working with a company that clearly shares our vision to introduce our YouTube star to an even bigger audience by creating new content for traditional media platforms.”

  • Toonz ropes in Baseline as exclusive licensing & merchandising partner

    Toonz ropes in Baseline as exclusive licensing & merchandising partner

    MUMBAI: Toonz Media Group has signed a multi-year global deal with sports marketing and licensing company Baseline, as its exclusive licensing and merchandising partner.

     

    Baseline with its expertise in marketing and licensing will offer sales and marketing support to the company.

     

    Toonz has several cartoon characters of which some are self created and some are acquired from the likes of Walt Disney, Turner, Nickelodeon, Sony, Universal, BBC, Paramount, Marvel and Hallmark. Baseline’s prime objective is to promote Toonz Media Group’s character in the South Asia region.

     

    Baseline managing director Tuhin Mishra said, “Licensing is a very important vertical of our overall company business. When an opportunity came to join hands with the premier licensing company like Toonz Media Group, we jumped at it as Toonz Media comes with a huge repository of brands that it owns or has acquired over a period of time.We are sure it will be a mutually beneficial partnership in the times to come.”

     

    Toonz Media Group CEO P Jayakumar added, “L&M forms an integral part of Toonz Media Group’s business strategy. It was indeed a delight to know that Baseline Ventures’ vision and ideology were in perfect synchrony with ours. We plan to collaborate with them on all our existing brands and also our new brands in the future. We look forward to a robust and fruitful partnership.”