ITV

Tag: Power Rangers

  • Lionsgate inks movie output deal with Disney’s Buena Vista for Russia

    Lionsgate inks movie output deal with Disney’s Buena Vista for Russia

    MUMBAI: Reflecting its continued growth in a major international territory, Lionsgate has forged an output deal with Disney’s Buena Vista International (BVI), for distribution of its titles in Russia and the rest of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).

     

    The agreement will kick off with Lionsgate’s revenge thriller Sicario this fall and will also encompass titles as: Francis Lawrence’s adventure fantasy, The Odyssey; the first live action Saban’s Power Rangers film; and the film adaptation of Hasbro’s Monopoly.

     

    “We’re thrilled to expand our relationship with Buena Vista International through this output agreement in a major territory with enormous upside. We’re pleased to continue building our BVI relationship with a powerful, commercially exciting slate loaded with blockbuster tentpoles, potential franchises and star-driven event films,” said Lionsgate Motion Picture Group co-chairs Patrick Wachsberger and Rob Friedman and Lionsgate International COO Andrew Kramer.

     

    “BVI’s stature, experience and tremendous track record coupled with Lionsgate’s diverse film portfolio promise significant upside for both companies. This new output agreement reflects our commitment to Russia and our continued emergence as a creative force in the global marketplace,” added Lionsgate EVP of international sales Crystal Bourbeau.

     

    Lionsgate previously teamed with BVI on Summit Entertainment label films including the Japanese release of the action thriller Red, the release of the Step Up franchise in Japan and the Spanish and Japanese releases of Source Code and Tree of Life. Most recently, both companies announced that they will be launching the fourth installment of the global blockbuster The Hunger Games franchise, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2, on 19 November in Russia and CIS.

  • Fly to USA to meet the SONIC “Power Rangers”

    Fly to USA to meet the SONIC “Power Rangers”

    MUMBAI: Its action time for all the Power Rangers fans across the country.  Sonic the channel for the action loving generation is geared up to turn every kid’s dream into reality with the launch of their new initiative – ‘Meet the Power Rangers in USA’ contest. The lucky kids will win an all-expenses paid trip to the United States of America where they will meet the Power Rangers in person and get a chance to click photographs alongside their favorite superheroes.

     

    The contest is currently on-air on Sonic Monday to Friday 3:30pm, giving kids the opportunity to not just meet the Power Rangers in USA, but also a chance to win super cool Power Ranger figurines daily.

     

    Speaking about the initiative, Nina Elavia Jaipuria, EVP & Business Head, Kids Cluster, Viacom18 said, “The key priority for us has always been to consistently engage with kids through innovative and experiential campaigns on television and beyond. The ‘Meet The Power Rangers in USA’ campaign is another step towards creating a tangible interface for children by providing them their most memorable and priceless moment – A personal tryst with their favorite superheroes.”

     

    Adding to the excitement of the contest, Sonic – the destination for real action and adventure, will also spread thrill and delight amongst children across India with  the all new power-packed episodes of Power Rangers. The new high octane season – Super Megaforce will see the Power Rangers stop at nothing to foil the plans of alien attack force.

     

    Sonic will take the action beyond television and engage with this wired generation. ‘Meet the Power Rangers in USA’ contest will also be promoted through a 360 degrees marketing campaign that will include an extensive on-air promotion on the Nickelodeon franchise channels and on relevant GECs and Movie channels. In addition, there is also a high decibel promotion across multiple platforms like digital with a dedicated microsite for the Power Ranger Contest on sonicgang.com and print promotions.

     

    The campaign will be further amplified through on- ground activations in malls in Mumbai and Delhi and extended to relevant touch points for kids such as Hamley’s, Funcity, etc. The Hamley’s activity in November will be across Mumbai, Delhi and Chennai will have performances and meet and greet with the Power Rangers. Kids can also participate in trivia sessions and win exciting prizes.

     

    Staring 8th November, the action and excitement begins at Funcity in 11 cities like Delhi, Jaipur, Mumbai, Thane, Chennai and more as kids battle it out against each other to be the ultimate Sonic gaming Champion along with promotions for the Sonic Meet the Rangers in USA campaign across 15 outlets.

     

  • Sonic unleashes ultimate action this summer

    Sonic unleashes ultimate action this summer

    MUMBAI: Sonic, the ultimate action destination is all set to turn on the heat this summer. An exciting line-up of new shows coupled with a month long interactive campaign is giving kids an action-packed summer. Sonic’s summer campaign ‘Sonic Action Mania’ will travel the length and breadth of the country giving kids their dose of adrenalin with its key shows – Power Rangers, SupaStrikas and Idaten Jump.

     

    The on-air leg of ‘Sonic Action Mania’ excites kids to come to the channel every Mon-Fri from 1 PM to 3 PM to watch shows that are a perfect mix of action, sports and adventure. Power Rangers SPD showcases the samurai warriors battle the evil with their cohesive team-work, intergalactic weaponry and their fighting skills. SupaStrikas is a series for the ones who love sports and the surprises it brings along. The show revolves around the world’s greatest football team. Idaten Jump, a popular adventure series revolves around a young boy and his love for mountain biking. All that kids have to do is to watch Sonic between 1PM-3PM, answer simple questions and win exciting prizes like mobile phones, bi-cycles and watches. Kids can voice their answers through SMS to 56882 or dial 5056882 from Vodafone, Aircel, Airtel, Idea, Reliance, Tata mobile &Airtel Landline/ 1255568 from BSNL Landline, mobile & MTNL mobile and even log on to www.sonicgang.com. Other exciting line-up of action shows includes Power Rangers Mega Force, Koni Chan and Naruto Rock Lee.

     

    ‘Sonic Action Mania’ raises the action meter further with a nation-wide engagement program. In addition to a 360 degree marketing campaign spanning cross channel promotions, print, radio and ambient, Sonic will innovatively connect with kids through a comprehensive on ground activation plan that includes gaming championships, all India van activations and meet and greet with the famous Sonic action heroes.

     

    Speaking on the channel’s initiatives, Ms. Nina Elavia Jaipuria, EVP & Business Head, Kids Cluster, Viacom18 Media stated, “Sonic fills the need gap for action which, as a genre, was missing earlier from the television screens. A great variety of shows and the huge on-ground engagement is only enhancing the experience of real action, sports and adventure.We hope kids enjoy meeting their favourite action heroes and experience the thrill and the adrenaline rush Sonic has to offer on-air and beyond.”

     

    Kids will get a chance to meet and greet their action heroes- ‘The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ and ‘Power Rangers’,  at popular malls like Phoenix Market City in Kurla, Mumbai and Hamleys outlets in Mumbai and Delhi every weekend. A dedicated Sonic Zone has been created to give kids a flavor of the action and adventure with games like Kill the Alien with Power Rangers, Shoot a Goal with SupaStrikas or even play video games. There are energetic performances by the Samurai heroes and the Ninja turtles, hour long workshops and storytelling sessions at the zone.

     

    That’s not all! Sonic and Fun City have come together to engage the video game enthusiasts in a gaming championship starting June 7,, 2014 across 14 outlets in India. Every weekend of June will have kids join their favorite heroes, Power Rangers and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, across Mumbai, Pune, Thane, Delhi, Gurgaon, Ghaziabad, Chandigarh, Jaipur, Kanpur, Chennai and Ahmedabad, and participate in cool and unique action-packed games.

     

    The ‘Sonic Action Mania Vans’, yet another leg of the ‘Sonic Action Mania’ will travel across 19 cities that Include Pune, Aurangabad, Nasik, Nagpur, Solapur, Surat, Vadodara, Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Indore, Bhopal, Jabalpur, Lucknow, Kanpur, Ghaziabad, Meerut, Allahabad, Varanasi, and Jaipur all through June. Kids will get to meet their favourite action heroes and there will be engaging games and fun activities like Foosball with SupaStrikas, Bi-Cycle Balance with Idaten Jump lots more at the Action Van.

     

    Sonic will continue to keep the online audience busy on www.sonicgang.com. The website will not only host the Sonic Action Mania Contest but will also give kids a chance to win all through summer with the ‘Kung Fu Panda – Watch-n-Win’ contest this season.

  • Its Mipcom time again

    Its Mipcom time again

    CANNES: Frenzy marks Nice Airport as staff is in a tearing hurry to attend to the 1,200-odd delegates who’ve flown in from 60 countries across the globe to participate in the world’s largest content fair.

    Indeed, the city of Cannes is draped in finery as it gears up to host Mipcom 2013 and Mip Junior – the biggest event(s) in the television trade.

    Flagging off the extravaganza on 5 October at the Carlton is Mip Junior; a two-day content sale market-cum-conference whose focus is children’s content.

    A significant precursor to Mipcom, Mip Junior sees influential international buyers, sellers and producers of kids’ programmes converge to present, screen, license, discover and acquire the latest content. A platform that aims to offer maximum exposure to all participating companies, while focussing on new opportunities, business models and challenges facing the creative world, Mip Junior is a huge draw. Statistics-wise, 520 buyers, 44,000 screenings, 1,000 programmes and 700 companies certainly make it a not-to-be-missed event.

    This year, the who’s who of the animation industry will be in attendance, both their ongoing and upcoming shows in tow. So while, there will be Unicorn Black with Burka Avenger and Marvista Entertainment with Digimon and Power Rangers, they will share space with say a Kumanta Animation Studios that is bringing its all new Miles and Stones to Mip Junior.

    What’s more, a special workshop will be held on the first day to offer insights to producers and distributors as to how to make the most of the mainstream online platform.

    Day One of the 2013 edition will also see the return of the international competition for newest projects created for children. In the race are Being Zeth by Source Animation, India; Goris the Gorilla by Split, Brazil & Gong, Chile; Koouka by Aldebaran Distribution and Vallaround, Italy; Nelly and Nora by Geronimo, Ireland and The Little Train Choo Choo by JM Animation, Korea.

    Add to all this, participants will get an opportunity to understand and unveil new trends in kids’ content in Russia. Not to mention, Argentina, the country of honour this year, will be partnering with the Argentine National Film Board to showcase original animation, live action and digital series produced by independent Argentina-based producers.

    In case you thought a day of showcasing, networking, buying and selling was it, no way… Reed Midem hosts a night party to present Argentina as this year’s country of honour. So, time to get your LBD and dancing shoes out…

  • US toy manufactures lure internet savvy kids

    US toy manufactures lure internet savvy kids

    MUMBAI: At the recently held annual American International Toy Fair, toy makers showed playthings like Power Rangers helmets which store secret missions found online, plenty of online games and even devices that take kids to secure web sites where they can play activities without wandering into the darker corners of the Internet.

    “Toy companies are looking at where kids are playing and targeting product against it. Younger and younger kids are becoming more comfortable with the Internet,” said New York-based toy consultant Chris Byrne.

    According to Nielsen/Net Ratings Inc., an Internet research company, the number of online users in the 2-to-11 age group rose 19 percent to 15.1 million in December 2006, from 12.6 million in December 2002.

    The latest strategy comes as the nation’s toy industry has been under pressure to bring back children bombarded with other entertainment options from iPods, cellphones and online community sites, informs an official release.

    Children as young as three years old are using the computer, said VTech Holdings Ltd. vice president of marketing Julia Fitzgerald. “We have become a download nation,” she added, noting that children are constantly downloading music to their digital music players.

    VTech showcased the Whiz Kid Learning System, a learning pad that comes with an USB drive to connect to the computer, enabling books and activities to come to life. The system also has an icon button on the computer screen which children can click onto, connecting them to an online site for more games and activities.

    The company launched the V.Smile learning system in 2004 and followed with a portable handheld version to capitalize on video games, so it was time to come out with a learning system that would connect to the computer, Fitzgerald said.

    Toy companies are looking online to make even traditional stuffed animals look modern. For example, MGA Entertainment Inc., the maker of Bratz dolls, unveiled Web-Pups under its Rescue Pets brand. The plush dogs come with registration codes that children input onto the site Web-pubs.com to access games and activities, adds the release.

    Neil Friedman president of Mattel’s Mattel brands division, said new security technology is helping to fuel interest in these toys. Mattel’s Fisher-Price brand is showcasing Easy-Link Internet Launchpad, where parents can plug a character figure like Elmo and be taken directly to the game section of the character’s Web site like sesamestreet.com.

     

  • Disney powers it up with the first ‘Power Rangers’ tour in India

    Disney powers it up with the first ‘Power Rangers’ tour in India

    MUMBAI: Setting the stage for a mammoth on-ground initiative, the Walt Disney Company has brought the Power Rangers to India for the first time in a multi-city tour called ‘Jetix Live.’ This also marks their first visit to the Asia Pacific region.

    One of the key properties of Disney, the Power Rangers that airs weekly at 4 pm on ‘Jetix’, the action adventure block on Toon Disney, will tour six cities. It will perform a sequence of four half-hour live shows in each city.

    As a prelude to the event, Disney hosted a special welcome for the action heroes at the Gateway of India in Mumbai today.

    The company has launched a mass media campaign and has conducted a three week contest on the Disney Channel, Hungama TV and Jetix that short listed children to attend the performances, as entry is by invitation only.

    The three city outdoor campaign for ‘Jetix Live’

    Speaking to Indiantelevision.com Walt Disney Television International (India) director marketing and communications Tushar Shah said that besides using outdoor and print in the six cities, radio will also be used in Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata. The company has roped in sponsors to initiate a multimedia co-promotional activity. Partnering Disney are Dabur, Real Fruit Juice, Colgate, Boost ChocoBlast and Nerolac on radio and retail activation.

    Additionally, a special edition of the Power Rangers game was added to the official website www.toondisneyindia.com. While on the mobile route, the Power Rangers Gaming Challenge across principal mobile networks in the country was used to promote the arrival of the super heroes.

    Mumbai’s Inorbit Mall will house the first show on 14 January. Other cities on the agenda include Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Delhi, Kolkata and Hyderabad. The channel promises that the shows will be charged with high octane music, dynamic action, interactive games and on ground contests in each of the six cities.

    Disney MD Rajat Jain strikes a pose with the Power Rangers at the Gateway of India in Mumbai

    Welcoming the action heroes was Walt Disney Company (India) Managing Director Rajat Jain. He said, “Power Rangers is amongst the most popular action adventure series of all time around the globe. With over two years of television viewing on Jetix in India, Power Rangers has created a captivating experience for Indian audiences in the form of merchandise, on air contests, mobile gaming and home entertainment. Power Rangers Dino Thunders Live performance in the country will complete our 360 degrees entertainment offering to consumers around this popular franchise. “

    The Power Rangers franchise lends itself to a range of kid’s merchandise including toys, books, clothes, bags, stationary and bed linen. The Power Rangers mobile game claims to be the most downloaded game in India with over a million downloads.

    The schedule for the six city tour is as follows:
    Mumbai, January 14, at In Orbit Mall
    Ahmedabad, January 18 at 10 Acres Mall
    Delhi, January 21 at Ansal Plaza
    Kolkatta, January 26 at City Centre
    Bangalore, January 28 at Garuda Mall
    Hyderabad, January 31 at Spencers Mall

  • Hungama TV names board of directors for this year

    Hungama TV names board of directors for this year

    MUMBAI: The former UTV owned kids channel Hungama TV made its first official announcement today following its acquisition by the Walt Disney Company. Hungama TV announced their annual selection of their board of directors called the Captains Club which includes ten children from across key cities who act both as a network of local information systems as well as official spokespersons for the channel.

    Representing Hungama TV was VP programming and production Aparna Bhosle who has recently joined the Disney bandwagon and will report Walt Disney Company (India) managing director Rajat Jain. Hungama TV however, appears to be scouting for a head. Bhosle declined to divulge details of the same.

    After coming under the Disney banner, gradual changes are likely to be expected in the acquired channel. However, both parties say that the positioning of the channel will remain the same. On the programming front, the first fruits of these changes are visible as Toon Disney’s Power Rangers series has been added to Hungama’s portfolio of shows, as of 1 January.

    In addition, driver properties on Hungama TV like Doreamon and Shinchan are likely to be pushed further with the support of Disney’s Consumer Products Division with merchandising activities on the anvil.

    When queried by Indiantelevision.com about the occurrence of a conflict of interest as being a natural outcome following the buy out, Bhosle said Hungama TV compliments the offerings of the Disney pair and so far there have been no such demands to implement any such adjustments.

    Kicking off the New Year, Hungama TV has been swift in getting down to business by taking the opinions of the newly appointed board of directors to plan for the year ahead. This board will meet on a quarterly basis to discuss business, an area in which they will be trained by industry experts from each of their local centers. They will also spearhead all local activities of the channel in each of their cities.

    What appears to be a glaring demand among these kids is the need for more live action content. Primarily governed by ‘tweens’, this board will act as a critique for the channel and keep them abreast of the growing competition.

    On speaking to the Captains some of them freely spoke of the changes they would like to see implemented on the channel. Being given priority is the live action show Hero, which the kids see as unrealistic and far fetched.

    Instead, they have suggested a more practical approach based on science rather than imagination. In additions, they also proposed that more on-ground activities need to be executed to drive kids to the channel. They will be required to put into perspective “What children want to see on television across the nation.” This is a culmination of a three month long event titled Parle G Hungama TV Captains Hunt 2006- 2007.

    Bhosle of course said that considering their suggestions has helped the channel in the past and that changes in live action content such as Hero are likely to be seen, as the core focus for the channel is the belief in “kid’s empowerment.”

     

  • Jetix to go live with Power Rangers in India

    Jetix to go live with Power Rangers in India

    MUMBAI: Jetix, the action-adventure programming block on Toon Disney, is bringing Power Rangers to India. The Walt Disney Company India will present Jetix live, which will bring the action adventure icons Power Rangers Dino Thunder to perform at 24 shows across six cities for their fans in India.

    Following the success of Disney Magic in January this year, Indian audience will be the first ever to witness the performances of the Power Rangers as a part of Jetix Live.

    Each show will comprise a music and action based performance with Power Rangers Dino Thunder showcasing their individual powers, asserts an official release.

    The six cities that will host Jetix Live Power Ranger Dino Thunder in the month of January are Mumbai (14th), Ahmedabad (18th), New Delhi (21st), Kolkata (26th), Hyderabad (28th) and Bangalore (31st).

    Each city will witness a whole day packed with four half-hour shows held at intervals, games and on-ground contests at leading malls in each city.

    The tour is being sponsored by brands like Dukes Waffy, Nutrine Maha-Lacto, Dabur Real Fruit Juice, Boost Chocoblast, Nerolac, Newboy Toys and Wrigley’s Boomer.

    Power Rangers is the highest performing property on JETIX. There are four hours of Power Rangers on the programming block everyday with four distinct series: Power Rangers Dino Thunder; Power Rangers Lost Galaxy; Power Rangers Space Patrol Delta and Power Rangers Mystic Force.

    The super-hero action on JETIX content is available for kids across India on Toon Disney in Tamil, Telegu, Hindi and English and reaches over 30 million households in India, adds the release.

  • Disney & Payless ShoeSource join hands for character-based footwear range

    Disney & Payless ShoeSource join hands for character-based footwear range

    MUMBAI: Disney and Payless ShoeSource have announced their plans to develop their first ‘direct-to-retail’ licensed footwear collection. The multi-year deal will bring together the Payless and Disney design teams to create a special line of fun, high-quality footwear styles featuring Disney and Disney Pixar characters. Payless will source, market and sell the line through its nearly 4,600 store chain and on Payless.com.

    Payless has sold Disney-themed footwear and accessories for several years; however, the two companies will now work more closely on shoe design, creative direction and retail marketing.

    As a result of this collaboration, the character styles will include: Disney Princess — Disney’s $3.4 billion girl’s lifestyle brand, Power Rangers, Winnie the Pooh and an assortment of Disney Pixar characters from The Incredibles and Finding Nemo. The first products are currently scheduled to be in stores in Spring 2007 with an expanded line in time for next year’s back-to-school season, states an official release.

    “Payless is ideal for our first direct-to-retail footwear collaboration because the company is well-aligned with Disney’s goal to create quality, on-trend products for kids and families,” said Disney Consumer Products chairman Andy Mooney. “Being closely involved with the shoe design process is a significant step for us, and we plan to have a truly integrated relationship with Payless, the nation’s leading footwear retailer, from creative to point of sale.”

    “Payless’ mission is to democratize fashion and design in footwear and accessories for the family and this new Disney collection will platform us to achieve our mission,” said Payless ShoeSource CEO Matt Rubel. “Payless is the number one footwear retailer for kids’ shoes; Disney is a premier kids’ brand company. Together, we’ll create a fun, exciting and creative line that will inspire kids, while allowing parents to pay less.”

  • Power Rangers Tour ‘Get Powerised’ kicks off on 27 Oct in US

    Power Rangers Tour ‘Get Powerised’ kicks off on 27 Oct in US

    MUMBAI: The Power Rangers ‘Get Powerised’ Tour will kick off on 27 October in Houston, US and will feature characters from the Power Rangers Mystic Force TV show.

    At select locations, Power Rangers fans will have the chance to meet their favourite heroes in person, get autographs and take photos with them. The “Power Rangers Zone” at every tour stop will feature fun and interactive themed activities, including cool toy demos, a green screen photo area where kids can reenact their favourite scene from the show and take home a souvenir photo of the action, as well as a drawing for a chance to win a limited edition golden Megazord that is not available in stores.

    After stopping in Houston, the tour will continue on to the following markets: Los Angeles (Nov. 3-5), and San Diego (Nov. 10-12), informs an official release.

    “Year after year, Power Rangers continues to be popular with young boys – whether they are watching the show, playing with our action figures, or role playing on the playground,” said Bandai America Inc. vice president marketing Michael Riley. “We created the ‘Get Powerised’ Tour to let fans across the country have the chance to meet the Power Rangers and experience the brand in an interactive and fun new way.”