ITV

Tag: Rob Sorcher

  • Cartoon Network readies new ‘Powerpuff Girls’ & ‘Ben 10’ series for 2016

    Cartoon Network readies new ‘Powerpuff Girls’ & ‘Ben 10’ series for 2016

    MUMBAI: New series of Cartoon Network’s The Powerpuff Girls featuring Blossom, Bubbles and Buttercup as well as Ben 10 are slated for a global launch in 2016.

     

    Cartoon Network has unveiled the first look of character artwork featuring the original arbiters of girl power. It also includes a new television series, produced by Cartoon Network Studios, and a full licensing program that will roll out across all domestic and international regions.

     

    The new series will be executive produced by Nick Jennings, who won an Emmy Award for his work on Cartoon Network’s Adventure Time. Bob Boyle, creator of Wow! Wow! Wubbzy!, will co-executive produce. Rounding out the creative team is a diverse group of talented artists and writers, many of whom grew up watching the original series and come with a special affinity for the characters and overall project.

     

    On the other hand, Ben 10, the new animated series, based on the successful franchise about an alien-powered kid hero, is being produced by Cartoon Network Studios and will premiere on Cartoon Network in the autumn of 2016. Man of Action will executive produce for Cartoon Network Studios and John Fang is on board as supervising producer. 

     

    Cartoon Network’s fresh take on Ben 10 will center upon a new animated series re-introducing the energetic, fun-loving, 10-year-old Ben Tennyson. At the core of the new Ben is a healthy serving of action, excitement, and all-around fun. Featuring many new and fan-favorite aliens, the series kicks off with the adventures of Ben, his cousin Gwen, and Grandpa Max as they travel the country during summer vacation. When Ben finds the mysterious Omnitrix, a world of alien superpowers opens up to him.

     

    Talking about The Powerpuff Girls, Cartoon Network chief content officer Rob Sorcher said, “It has been wonderful to see this new show team bring such passion and positive creative spirit to this iconic property. We know that fans of every age will appreciate this new take on saving the world before bedtime.”

     

    On Ben 10, Sorcher said, “We decided it was time to introduce Ben to a new generation of kids. Ben 10 has been an overwhelming success story across all media platforms, and we know kids around the world will be eager to see the reinvention of this beloved character.”

     

    To support the worldwide launch in 2016, Cartoon Network is assembling an all-star roster of licensing partners to create a full consumer products program for the franchise. Spin Master will anchor the program, creating a line of toys including plush, figures and playsets, dolls and more available worldwide in autumn 2016.

  • Vishnu Athreya elevated to CN, Boomerang vice president programme scheduling

    Vishnu Athreya elevated to CN, Boomerang vice president programme scheduling

    MUMBAI: Vishnu Athreya has been named the vice president, programme scheduling for Cartoon Network and Boomerang. The announcement was made by Cartoon Network chief content officer in US Rob Sorcher. In this position, Athreya will be responsible for overseeing the day-to-day scheduling and strategic positioning of programming content for Cartoon Network, Boomerang and branded non-linear programme platforms.

     

    He will serve as departmental lead for long-range calendar planning along with developing creative strategies for on-air stunts and special events surrounding the networks’ growing library of original, acquired and classic animated programming. Athreya will be based in Atlanta and report directly to Sorcher, who is based at Cartoon Network Studios in Burbank, California.

     

    “Vishnu has artfully produced high-performance schedules in territories around the world, and now assumes the US role with a deep knowledge of our product,” said Sorcher. “I’m pleased we were able to tap our own international talent pool, and as a result expect Vishnu to be a unifying link for Cartoon Network worldwide.”

     

    Athreya joins the Cartoon Network US team after a long stint as executive director of programming, acquisitions and development for Turner Broadcasting’s kids channels in Asia Pacific: Cartoon Network, Toonami, Pogo, Boomerang and Cartoonito. Based in Hong Kong, he was responsible for driving content programming strategy for Turner in Asia Pacific.

     

    In a role that included programme scheduling, operations and acquisitions, Athreya was responsible for developing and furthering Turner’s broader kids’ strategy with new channel launches – specifically Toonami, a boys action channel, and Cartoonito, for younger children – and building strategic network relationships with various content providers. Over the course of his tenure, he was instrumental in propelling Cartoon Network to a leadership position in Asia Pacific.

     

    He began his career in advertising as a media planner with MediaCom India, part of Grey Worldwide.

     

    Athreya earned a post graduate diploma in communications from the Mudra Institute of Communications in Ahmedabad, India. He also holds a bachelor’s of science degree in chemistry from St. Stephens College in Delhi, India.