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Tag: Turner Broadcasting

  • On road to the Cartoon ‘Always On’ Network

    On road to the Cartoon ‘Always On’ Network

    MUMBAI: Cartoon Network is taking its promise to reach children whenever they want and wherever they want rather seriously.

    The network has grandiose plans to be ‘Always On’ with customised new original and/or acquired programming for a range of platforms accessed by kids nowadays, including television, smart phones, computers, tablets, gaming devices and what have you.

    Turner International Asia Pacific chief content officer, Mark Eyers rightly puts it as, “To Cartoon Network, ‘Network’ means a portfolio of different experiences across a network of devices for a network of fans.”

    New programming

    As part of its strategy, Turner Broadcasting announced in February that Cartoon Network would air between 6.00 am and 8.00 pm, starting 31 March. Complementing the change in timing is a slew of new shows, both original and acquired. Here’s looking at them:

    Over The Garden Wall: Cartoon Network’s first animated mini-series, Over the Garden Wall is headlined by an all-star voice-cast including Elijah Wood (Lord of the Rings Trilogy), Collin Dean (The War at Home) and Melanie Lynskey (Two and a Half Men).

    The ten-part fantasy about two brothers, Wirt and Greg, who find themselves trapped in a mysterious world, sees the duo travel through the strange land till they find their way home. Help comes from a wise old woodsman who provides directions and a bluebird named Beatrice. The series has a soundtrack full of Americana-influenced original songs. It is created by Pat McHale and produced by Cartoon Network Studios.

    Clarence: Created by Skyler Page, this new, original animated series about an optimistic boy who wants to do everything premieres Monday, 14 April at 7:00 pm. Clarence was conceived as part of the prolific shorts development programme at Cartoon Network Studios, which resulted in six original series: Regular Show, Uncle Grandpa, Steven Universe, Clarence, Over the Garden Wall and We Bare Bears.

    We Bare Bears: A comedy about three bear siblings, Grizzly, Panda and Ice Bear, each episode of We Bare Bears follows their awkward attempts at assimilating into human society. Whether they’re looking for food, trying to make human friends or scheming to become internet famous, it’s clear that it’s tough being a bear in a civilized world. Created by Annie Award-winner Daniel Chong (Toy Story of Terror!), the series is produced by Cartoon Network Studios.

    The Tom and Jerry Show: The iconic cat and mouse are back in The Tom and Jerry Show, a fresh take on the ageless classic. While preserving the look, characters and sensibility of the original, the new series offers a fresh perspective on the madcap, slapstick and never-ending battle between two of the most beloved characters of all time. The Tom and Jerry Show is produced by Warner Bros. Animation and will premiere Wednesday, 9 April at 5.30 pm.

    Be Cool Scooby-Doo!: Scooby and company are back but with a modern twist in this 22-minute animated comedy series from Warner Bros. Animation. With high school over and one last summer to live it up, the gang hits the road in the Mystery Machine, chasing fun and adventure. But monsters and mayhem keep getting in the way.

    (Disclaimer: Some of the shows mentioned may be available only in the US and not in the APAC region)

    Wabbit – A Looney Tunes Production: The hilarious, heroic and mischievous Bugs Bunny is back in this all-new series from Warner Bros. Animation. Comic shorts find the carrot-loving rabbit matching wits with (and getting the best of) classic characters like Yosemite Sam and Wile E. Coyote. There are brand new foes too… but Bugs gets a helping hand from new friends like Bigfoot and Squeaks the squirrel.

    Lego Ninjago – Masters of Spinjitzu: Continuing its robust partnership with The Lego Group, Cartoon Network will re-introduce viewers to the world of Ninjago – Masters of Spinjitzu with six new half-an-hour animated specials this year, followed by all-new episodes of the highly popular series in 2015.

    Sonic Boom: For over two decades, Sonic the Hedgehog has held his own as one of the world’s biggest gaming icons. This year, a new branch of the Sonic universe debuts titled Sonic Boom. With a new look for Sonic and friends, the franchise’s first-ever CG-animated television series will premiere on Cartoon Network, along with an extensive video game release of the same name. The Sonic Boom television series, co-produced by Sega and OuiDO! Productions, will debut on Cartoon Network in the 2014-15 season.

    Total Drama – Pahkitew Island: New island, new cast, but the same old disregard for human safety! The Total Drama series returns as Chris and Chef put the newest generation of contestants through the craziest challenges yet – all for a chance to win one million dollars! Total Drama Island is produced by Fresh TV.

    Numb Chucks: Woodchuck brothers Dilweed and Fungus didn’t always see themselves as mystical Kung Fu saviours till they stumbled upon an infomercial featuring the legend Woodchuck Morris’ mullet-fuelled motivational kung-fu video, The Way of the Chuck! With an endless supply of confidence but a limited supply of grey cells, and countless hours of watching the video, this dim-witted duo morph into The Numb Chucks!

    Beyraiderz: Sho, Jin and Leon find themselves trapped in a strange world that was once defended by the six mythic beasts that have now all but disappeared, leaving the world in ruins. It’s now up to the trio to uncover the hidden BeyRaiderz stadiums, fight the tourneys and bring the beasts back…

    According to Eyers, “The transformation is like with any other business model that works on a long-term perspective. All businesses must look at themselves every couple of years with respect to the current market environment.”

    OTT content

    Cartoon Network has always had unique content for the digital platform which compliments television content, be it shorts or games or extensions of the storytelling from the primary channel. “The viewer needs to have a compelling experience in the digital space that should leave him/her wanting to come back for more,” says Eyers.

    Here’s looking at the new originals that the OTT service of Cartoon Network will be showcasing:

    Angelo Rules (Season 2): For kids, life can be a daily battle, what with adults, siblings, teachers and rivals telling them what to do and what not to do et al. Well, it’s time for kids to take control and Angelo’s here to show the way! He observes and then comes up with elaborate strategies to wheedle, sweet-talk, con, and work around any adversary. Season two of this new series comes from TeamTo and Cake Entertainment.

    Detentionaire: Framed for a prank he did not play and punished with a full year of detention, high schooler Lee Ping sneaks out of detention to try and expose who was really behind the prank while avoiding being caught by the principal Barrage. After clearing his name, Lee again attempts to sneak out of Barrage’s upgraded detention room, discovering that a strange pyramid under the school has something to do with Lee’s key, the parents’ council and the blue tazwurms. There is more to the school than meets the eye! Created by animators Daniel Bryan Franklin and Charles Johnston, Detentionaire is distributed by Nelvana.

    Rocket Jo: Rocket Jo is an inventor-adventurer with the unique goal to get his jet-pack to send him flying in the air for good… without effect. But his valiant attempts are always a false dawn to the viewers’ great delight, as there are always failures, gags, explosions, falls, etc. Produced by Millimages and 2D3D, Rocket Jo works hard, drawing upon all his imagination, to make viewers, both children and parents, laugh.

    These apart, there will be other returning series on the network including Adventure Time, The Amazing World of Gumball, Ben 10 Omniverse, Grojband, Johnny Test, Legends of Chima, Mixels, Pokémon the Series: XY, Regular Show, Steven Universe, Teen Titans GO!, Tenkai Knights and Uncle Grandpa.

    The Future

    Later this year, Cartoon Network will introduce a unique user experience to the mobile marketplace when it launches a new digital initiative called ‘Cartoon Network Anything’. A fast-paced micro-network, Cartoon Network Anything will serve as an ever-growing stream of fun and funny content for mobile phones and other small-screen mobile devices. Users will be able to enjoy games, activities, trivia and clips, each lasting an average of 10 to 15 seconds. These diverse pieces of content will be randomised, and fans will be able to move to the next piece by simply swiping their screens, resulting in entertainment that feels both immediate and infinite.

    In addition to bringing a first-of-its-kind mobile offering to fans, Cartoon Network Anything will also provide unique sponsorship opportunities for Cartoon Network’s business partners. A perfect platform for native advertising, the platform will invite innovative advertising and sponsored content that suits the medium and feel organic to the overall micro-network.

    “In today’s time and age, people will pay for the experience. One of the most powerful experiences that anyone could have is the gift of laughter or humour. And so for us, it’s more about being true to comedy and bring in that surprise that will continue to remain our secret and doubling up on unique, character-driven comedy on whichever platform we are,” ends Eyers.

  • Cartoon Network gets ready for exam season

    Cartoon Network gets ready for exam season

    MUMBAI: Cartoon Network is all set to help kids face the exam fever. The channel has lined up all its superheroes and cartoons to help kids relieve stress and exhaustion. Throughout March kids will be treated to fun contests, new movies and entertaining stunts.

     

    Student and superhero Kris, from Roll No. 21, will bring loads of prizes to keep kids entertained during weekdays. Kris will be dishing out easy exam tips, presented by Kokuyo Camlin, to help his fellow classmates keep a level and calm head during stressful situations. Kids can get a refreshing dose of adventure, fantasy and laughter with Roll No. 21 movies from 24-27 March at 1:00 pm. The segment coined as the ‘Thanda Dimaag’ contest will run every Monday to Thursday at 1:00 pm throughout the month and will allow kids to win cool prizes like iPads, School Bags, Stationary Kits, etc.

     

    Henry is no stranger to exam tension and so his tantrums are not only loud but also ridiculously hilarious. So with the exam fever kids will be served an entertaining special called Horrid Henry: I Hate Exams on Saturday, 15 March at 12:00 pm.

     

    With Holi set to come bang in the middle of the exam season, the new movie My Name Is Raj 4 – Vizukama Ki Takkar is scheduled to premiere on 17 March at 12:00 pm, to add colour and give respite to children. Other movies premiering during the month include Bhootraja and Ronnie 2 on 8 March at 12:00 pm and Arnab aur Jadui Locket on 22 March at 12:00 pm.    

     

    Cartoon Network looks all set to ease the tension around exam season with a great offering of new shows and movies.

  • Rajit Desai joins Mindshare as partner – consulting

    Mumbai: Mindshare has strengthened its consulting and analytics discipline in the west with the appointment of Rajit Desai as partner – mindshare consulting.

    In his new role, Desai will actively contribute towards developing and restructuring Mindshare‘s business consulting offering for clients in west region.

    He will be reporting to the Mindshare consulting and analytics head of practice Sandeep Pandey.

    In his last stint, Desai served as the VP and head of Lab center (research and strategy hub) at Lodestar UM.

    Pandey said, “Our nature of work requires people from strong consulting and business strategy profile and Rajit has a combination of both. It is part of our larger talent restructuring within consulting discipline and you will hear soon about many senior profiles joining from different industries.”

    Desai said, “This exciting role is a logical next step for me. I see this as a big opportunity and I look forward to help address client‘s marketing and business problems and grow the practice along with the high quality team at Mindshare.”

    Having worked in the marketing vertical and as media consultant for various companies like HTA, Sony, Times Now, Loadstar, Media e2e and Turner Broadcasting, Desai comes with 16 years of work experience in the media function.

  • Twitter acquires social TV analytics co Bluefin

    Twitter acquires social TV analytics co Bluefin

    MUMBAI: Micro-blogging platform Twitter has acquired leading social TV analytics company Bluefin Labs that provides data products to brand advertisers, agencies, and TV networks.

    Bluefin Labs started out as an academic pursuit in cross-modal machine learning that Mike and Deb brought out of the MIT Media Lab. It has worked with companies like P&G and PepsiCo, and TV networks such as CBS, Turner Broadcasting, Fox Broadcasting, and Discovery Communications.

    “We believe that Bluefin‘s data science capabilities and social TV expertise will help us create innovative new ad products and consumer experiences in the exciting intersection of Twitter and TV,” Twitter COO Ali Rowghani.

    Rowghani said the acquisition reflects Twitter‘s commitment to the social TV market, and builds on the exclusive partnership with Nielsen to create Nielsen Twitter TV Rating.

    “We intend to honor existing Bluefin customer contracts, but we will not continue to sell Bluefin‘s product suite beyond the existing contracts. We plan to collaborate closely with Nielsen and SocialGuide on product development and research to help brands, agencies, and networks fully understand the combined value of Twitter and TV,” Rowghani assured.

    Founded in 2008, Bluefin also measures whether people online are making favorable or unfavorable comments.

  • Cartoon Network head Jim Samples resigns after Boston terror scare

    Cartoon Network head Jim Samples resigns after Boston terror scare

     MUMBAI: Following a marketing stunt that went all wrong, resulting in the bomb scare in the city of Boston, Cartoon Network head Jim Samples has announced his resignation via an internal memo sent to the network’s staff.

    “It’s my hope that my decision allows us to put this chapter behind us and get back to our mission of delivering unrivaled original animated entertainment for consumers of all ages,” Samples said.

    “Compelled to step down, effective immediately, in recognition of the gravity of the situation that occurred under my watch,” he added.

    Samples has been with the network for 13 years.

    On 5 February, Turner Broadcasting, of which Cartoon Network is a division, and the advertising agency involved agreed to pay $2 million in compensation for the emergency response the devices had spurred in Boston.

    The agreement between Turner, Interference Inc. and several state and local agencies resolves any potential civil or criminal claims against the two companies, states an official release.

    The guerilla marketing campaign by Cartoon Network was intended to promote the upcoming movie release of its late-night cult Aqua Teen Hunger Force which triggered a police alert for a possible terrorist threat on 31 January.

     

  • Cartoon Network outdoor ads set off terror alert in Boston

    Cartoon Network outdoor ads set off terror alert in Boston

    MUMBAI: An outdoor campaign by Cartoon Network to promote the upcoming movie release of its late-night cult hit Aqua Teen Hunger Force triggered a police alert for a possible terrorist threat in the US city of Boston on Wednesday.

    The scare spurred the Boston police to close highways, two bridges and a stretch of the Charles River before bomb squads determined the supposed bombs to be nothing more than electronic light boards (38 in all) depicting a Mooninite (one of the show’s alien characters) giving drivers the middle finger.

    Two men who placed the objects have been charged, state officials said. Boston authorities are reportedly seeking damages to the tune of $ 500,000 as costs incurred in responding to the scare.

    Following the ruckus, Cartoon Network’s parent company Turner Broadcasting released a statement: “We apologize to the citizens of Boston that part of a marketing campaign was mistaken for a public danger.

    “We also directed the third-party marketing firm who posted the advertisements to take them down immediately.”

    The apology didn’t satisfy incensed Congressman Ed Markey, who released a statement slamming the campaign: “Scaring an entire region, tying up the T and major roadways, and forcing first responders to spend 12 hours chasing down trinkets instead of terrorists is marketing run amok. It would be hard to dream up a more appalling publicity stunt. Whoever thought this up needs to find another job.”

    That the “suspicious devices” had been in place for two to three weeks in Boston and in nine other cities — New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, Seattle, Portland (Oregon), Austin (Texas), San Francisco and Philadelphia — is the most curious aspect of this terror-filled tale.

  • Time Warner’s Q3 revenues up 7%

    Time Warner’s Q3 revenues up 7%

    MUMBAI: US media conglomerate Time Warner has reported financial results for its third quarter ended 30 September, 2006.

    In the quarter, revenues rose by seven per cent over the same period in 2005 to $10.9 billion, led by growth at the cable and networks segments. Adjusted operating income before depreciation and amortisation climbed 16 per cent to $2.9 billion, reflecting double-digit increases at the cable and AOL segments as well as gains at the networks and publishing segments. This growth was offset partly by a decline at the Film segment. Operating income was up one per cent to $1.7 billion.

    Time Warner chairman and CEO Dick Parsons said, “Time Warner continues to build momentum and deliver value for our shareholders. This quarter’s results position the Company to meet all of our full-year financial objectives. We’re particularly encouraged by AOL’s early progress in making the transition to an advertising-supported business.

    ” Just as importantly, Time Warner Cable is generating outstanding results, even while successfully integrating its newly acquired cable systems. In addition, our capital allocation efforts continue to drive incremental value – including our $20 billion share repurchase programme as well as this year’s more than $20 billion of acquisitions and almost $4 billion of announced or completed non-core asset divestitures.”

    Revenues at AOL fell by three per cent ($58 million) to $2.0 billion, due to a 13 per cent decrease ($210 million) in subscription revenues, offset in part by a 46 per cent increase ($151 million) in ad revenues. The decline in subscription revenues was due primarily to a decrease in domestic AOL brand subscribers, which reflects in part AOL’s previously announced plan to offer its e-mail, certain software and other products free of charge to broadband users in the

    US ad revenues reflected strong growth in sales of advertising run on third-party websites generated by Advertising.com, as well as display and paid-search advertising. At the network segment (Turner Broadcasting, HBO and The WB Network) revenues rose by four per cent ($100 million) to $2.5 billion, reflecting higher subscription and ad revenues, including the consolidation of Court TV ($60 million), offset partially by lower Content revenues.

    Subscription revenues climbed nine per cent ($125 million), due to higher rates and, to a lesser extent, increased subscribers at Turner and HBO as well as the consolidation of Court TV ($17 million). Ad revenues were up by six per cent ($42 million), led by 16 per cent growth at Turner, including Court TV ($42 million), offset partly by a 36 per cent decrease ($48 million) at The WB Network, which ceased operations on September 17, 2006.

    The 23 per cent decline in content revenues ($72 million) is related to a decrease at HBO, due mainly to a difficult comparison to the prior year quarter, which included higher syndication sales of Sex and the City. For the quarter, Cartoon Network posted gains among kids 6-11 in both prime-time and total-day delivery compared to the prior year period.

    Revenues from films fell by 10 per cent ($260 million) to $2.4 billion, due to difficult comparisons to the prior year period. The current quarter included revenues from Superman Returns while overall theatrical revenue declined from the prior year quarter, which included results from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Batman Begins and Wedding Crashers.

    The company also reaffirmed its 2006 full year business outlook. It continues to expect that its 2006 full-year growth rate will be in the low-double digits.