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Tag: Tanaz Mehta

  • Warner Bros. Discovery rolls out summer content storm with 200 new episodes across kids’ channels

    Warner Bros. Discovery rolls out summer content storm with 200 new episodes across kids’ channels

    MUMBAI: This summer, Indian kids won’t need sunscreen—they’ll need a remote and a comfy seat. Warner Bros. Discovery has unleashed an all-out content tsunami across Cartoon Network, Pogo, and Discovery Kids, dropping around 200 half-hours of brand-new programming guaranteed to keep screens lit and parents semi-defeated.

    The summer slate is anything but mild. From high-octane superhero mashups to punchy anime comedies and oddly endearing animated beans, the programming blitz is aimed at charming both gen alpha and the parents pretending they’re just watching “with the kids”.

    “We’re excited to deliver another unforgettable summer for kids and families across India. With fresh stories, beloved characters, and exciting crossovers, our new programming lineup is designed to entertain and inspire. At Warner Bros. Discovery, we’re committed to creating high-quality, engaging, and culturally resonant content — packed with action and humor,” said Warner Bros. Discovery head of kids cluster, south Asia, Uttam Pal Singh.

    Pogo goes full throttle with its flagship trio—Little Singham, Chhota Bheem, and Jay Jagannath—leading the charge in superhero crossovers, new episodes, and weekend movie double-bills. Chhota Bheem even turns 17 this summer, and the celebration includes fresh movies and Big Pictures.

    It’s ‘Jhatpat Action, Khatpat Comedy’ all the way on Cartoon Network. The lineup features new episodes of Teen Titans GO!, Bandbudh Aur Budbak, and Grizzy and the Lemmings, along with a brand-new season of the fan-favourite My Hero Academia. It’s a power-packed punch of slapstick and superpowers—your kids’ sugar rush, minus the calories.

    Discovery Kids dials up the friendship factor with its ‘Katti Batti, Dosti Pakki’ theme. Expect new episodes of Titoo, the ever-awkward antics of Mr. Bean: The Animated Series, as well as Larva and Fukrey Boyzzz. It’s where chaos meets charm, with a whole lot of weird in-between.

    And it’s not just the kids cashing in.

    Brands are muscling in on the action too.

    “Summer is a high-impact season for brands looking to connect with families,” said Warner Bros. Discovery head of advertising revenues, south Asia, Tanaz Mehta. “Our new lineup across Pogo, Cartoon Network and Discovery Kids offers compelling opportunities for co-viewing and brand integrations.”

    And the brand wagon is rolling deep:

    ●    Pogo is co-powered by Candyman Sourzz, Kellogg’s Multigrain Chocos, and Dettol. Associate Sponsors include Pediasure, Frooti and Nycil.

    ●    Cartoon Network is co-presented by Classmate, co-powered by Kellogg’s and Dettol, with Havmor Ice Cream and Complan as associates.

    ●    Discovery Kids teams up with Sunfeast Bounce and Dettol, plus associate tie-ins with Glucon-D, Kellogg’s, and Pediasure.

    With TV, digital, and ground activations in full swing, Warner Bros. Discovery is giving advertisers a triple-scoop sundae of eyeballs, engagement and brand-safe fun.

    Whether you’re eight or thirty-eight, this summer is less about mangoes and more about mayhem—animated, action-packed, and absolutely binge-worthy.

  • Cartoon Network and POGO launches 17th edition of School Contact Program

    Cartoon Network and POGO launches 17th edition of School Contact Program

    Mumbai: Continuing the success of one of India’s largest-ever school outreach programmes, Cartoon Network and POGO, are set to engage with one million children across nearly 1400 schools as part of the 17th edition of the School Contact Program (SCP). With rollout beginning this week, the longstanding tentpole initiative will have kids across 17 cities engaging with their favourite characters as the channels continue to foster imagination and inspiration among young minds.

    The School Contact Program (SCP) will spotlight two celebrated themes this year. Cartoon Network’s multi-award-winning theme ‘Titans of Tomorrow,’ emphasizes crucial virtues such as recycling and energy conservation, encouraging children to take an active role in creating a sustainable future just like the DC’s Teen Titans! POGO with its much-applauded theme ‘Heroes of Kindness’, will continue its focus on fostering a positive, empathetic community by inspiring acts of kindness among young fans. The SCP will be rolled out across Mumbai, Pune, Nasik, Delhi, Gurgaon, Noida, Ghaziabad, Bangalore, Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Nagpur, Kanpur, Lucknow, Chennai, Hyderabad, Surat, and Indore.

    Warner Bros. Discovery head of kids cluster, South Asia Uttam Pal Singh said, “We are excited to launch the 17th edition of the School Contact Program and continue with our commitment to foster a sustainable and compassionate society. With the 2023 themes ‘Titans of Tomorrow’ and ‘Heroes of Kindness’, SCP became one of our most successful programs and we aim to continue building on the success by inspiring students to embody values that will contribute to a kind and future-forward world. This program has been a cornerstone of our outreach efforts, and we look forward to its continued success in nurturing the next generation of leaders and changemakers.”

    Talking about the 17th Edition of the School Contact Program, Warner Bros. Discovery head of advertising sales, South Asia Tanaz Mehta said, “We are thrilled to reintroduce the 17th Edition of the School Contact Program. For 16 years, this initiative has been a powerful tool for our partner brands, enabling them to connect with children through beloved cartoon characters and make a significant impact with their new launches and initiatives. Thank you to our partners for their ongoing support and collaboration; we look forward to the opportunities ahead and another year of impactful engagement and inspiration.”

    As a key component of this year’s engagement program, each participating school will host a vibrant forty-minute thematic session. These sessions will feature a range of interactive activities designed to engage students, including fun icebreakers, compelling discussions on sustainability, and prompts to encourage acts of kindness in their daily lives. The program will also involve hands-on projects focused on environmental care. The sessions will conclude with a special ceremony where students will pledge to adopt responsible practices for a better planet. To celebrate their active involvement, students will receive delightful goodie bags and certificates from POGO and Cartoon Network, further motivating them to lead and inspire positive change.

    Warner Bros. Discovery head of marketing, South Asia Janhavi Vyas commented, “The School Contact Program has always been about more than just education; it’s about creating memorable experiences that inspire and empower young minds. By building on the success of last year’s themes and expanding our reach, we hope to make a lasting impact on children across India.”

    Cartoon Network’s ‘Titans of Tomorrow’ is co-powered by ITC Classmates and Dettol Handwash, with Kellogg’s Multigrain Chocos and Winkies as associate sponsors. POGO’s ‘Heroes of Kindness’ have Kellogg’s Multigrain Chocos, Exo Antibacterial Dishwash Bar, Tata Soulfull Ragi Bites Choco Stick, and Britannia The Laughing Cow as associate sponsors. This diverse sponsorship lineup highlights Warner Bros. Discovery’s strong appeal and reach among leading brands. 

  • discovery+’s new series “Mega Banks of India” to premiere on 1 March

    discovery+’s new series “Mega Banks of India” to premiere on 1 March

    Mumbai: Warner Bros Discovery is set to launch its new series, Mega Banks of India, streaming on discovery+ from 1 March 2024. The inaugural episode will shine a spotlight on State Bank of India (SBI), exploring its illustrious history, pivotal role in shaping India’s economy, and innovative strides in the banking sector.

    In its exploration of the banking, financial services, and insurance (BFSI) sector, Mega Banks of India offers a captivating dive into legacy banks that have shaped India’s economic landscape. Each episode, spanning from pre-independence origins to modern innovations, unveils the remarkable journey of these institutions. Featuring insightful interviews with key figures such as SBI chairman Dinesh Khara, historian Abhik Ray, and SBI’s managing directors, viewers gain a comprehensive understanding of the bank’s historical significance and contemporary relevance.

    SBI chairman Dinesh Khara said “The “Mega Banks of India” series launched by Warner Bros. Discovery is a great initiative to showcase the legacy of a strong banking background of the Indian economy. It boosts the flux of various initiatives from time to time for the nation, be it in Agriculture, MSME, Forex, Digitization, Amritkal or even startups. This is a remarkable showcasing of the ‘Millennial India’ at a Global platform. “

    Warner Bros Discovery head advertising sales South Asia Tanaz Mehta said, “The Mega Banks of India series marks a significant milestone in our endeavor to explore the fascinating narratives within India’s financial landscape. With the premiere episode featuring the State Bank of India (SBI), audiences will delve into the rich history of Indian banking. Our series reflects our dedication to delivering engaging content and offering valuable insights into the BFSI sector.” 

  • Warner Bros. Discovery announces South Asia leadership team

    Warner Bros. Discovery announces South Asia leadership team

    Mumbai: Warner Bros. Discovery has unveiled its new leadership team for South Asia. The business is led locally by a general manager – South Asia Arjun Nohwar and includes brands such as Discovery, HGTV, Eurosport, Cartoon Network, POGO, Discovery Kids, DC, and the discovery+ streaming service.

    Ruchir Jain has been named head of distribution & Eurosport and heads up the integrated network distribution function. Jain led the finance team at Discovery Network from 2018 to 2021, and then distribution. He continues to lead the Eurosport channel.

    Tanaz Mehta has been appointed as head of ad sales, tasked with growing revenues across all networks in South Asia. Mehta is a seasoned sales leader with deep expertise and a nuanced understanding of the market.

    Uttam Pal Singh will head the kids’ cluster and is tasked with developing a compelling content strategy for growth. In his previous capacity at Discovery Kids, Singh led the team behind successful original IPs, including Little Singham and Fukrey Boyzzz. The combined kids portfolio now includes Cartoon Network and POGO, in addition to Discovery Kids.

    Sai Abhishek was named head of the factual and lifestyle cluster and will be responsible for delivering growth and profitability across the genre. Sai comes with a strong background of leading original productions, programming, and acquisitions.

    “With this exceptional new-look team, Warner Bros. Discovery is well-positioned to achieve our ambition of being the leading and most dynamic media company in the region,” said Nohwar. “All our leaders are looking forward to working closely together across divisions as one united team.”

    Nohwar also paid tribute to two outgoing executives who will be exiting the organisation. Rohit Khetarpal will be leaving the company after 14 years, having been a key member of the legacy WarnerMedia and Turner network distribution team. Abhishek Dutta also departs, having led the legacy WarnerMedia Kids team in South Asia, including programming strategy, acquisitions and original production.

    Other lines of business, shared services and corporate functions that support the wider region will be announced at a later date.

    The new company combines WarnerMedia’s premium entertainment, sports and news assets with Discovery’s leading non-fiction and international entertainment & sports businesses.