MxMIndia

Tag: Cartoon Network

  • Strengthening initiatives for a sustainable future

    Cartoon Network and Pogo roll out 17th Edition of School Contact Programme

    Cartoon Network and Pogo are set to engage with one million children across nearly 1400 schools across 17 cities as part of the 17th edition of the School Contact Programme (SCP).

    Said Uttam Pal Singh, Head of Kids Cluster, South Asia, Warner Bros. Discovery: “We are excited to launch the 17th edition of the School Contact Programme 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 Programme, Tanaz Mehta, Head of Advertising Sales, South Asia, Warner Bros. Discovery, added: “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.”

  • Local cartoon channel expands regional presence in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana

    Pogo now also in Telugu

    By Our Staff

     

    Pogo, the WarnerMedia kiddie entertainment TV channel, has announced a Telugu language service.

     

    Commenting on the launch, Abhishek Dutta, South Asia Network Head for Cartoon Network and Pogo, said: “The creation of Pogo’s Telugu language feed is a step in our commitment to bringing local animation content in the first languages of our young viewers. This will be our opportunity to present world-class animation and stories to even more fans in India.”

     

  • The tagline is #ThankYouForBeingDabangg!

    Cartoon Network salutes police force

    By Our Staff

     

    Cartoon Network has launched a social media campaign to honour the relentless work of India’s supercops during the ongoing challenge of Covid-19. The campaign was launched alongside the channel’s latest Bollywood-inspired action-comedy ‘Dabangg – The Animated Series’.

     

    Said Abhishek Dutta, South Asia Network Head for Cartoon Network and POGO: “#ThankYouForBeingDabangg was launched to collectively pause and appreciate the constant endeavour of the police force during the COVID-19 pandemic. It was heartening to see responses pouring in from every corner of the country, in various ways and in multiple languages, like Hindi, English, Tamil, Telugu, Marathi and more. It brings us immense joy to have created this movement and saluting our fearless heroes.”

    very touching. We promise to continue being Dabangg for all of you!”

     

  • To oversee content acquisitions and co-productions for POGO, Cartoon Network and Boomerang

    WarnerMedia appoints new head for kids network

    By Our Staff

     

    WarnerMedia has appointed Melissa Lim as the new head of content acquisitions and co-productions for its Kids Networks in Asia Pacific, which include Pogo, Cartoon Network and Boomerang. She also advises on licensing content to fuel the growing slate of kids and family programming on the regional streaming service HBO Go in Southeast Asia.

     

    Leslie Lee
    Leslie Lee

    She is based in Singapore and reports to Leslie Lee, Head of WarnerMedia Kids APAC.  Said Lee: “Pinpointing and securing the world’s best third-party animation that sit perfectly alongside our originals is no easy task. I know that Melissa’s experience and passion will ensure we provide our fans a complete on-brand entertainment experience. Her role is particularly important at a time when our networks are evolving and expanding viewer demos.”

     

  • It will be aired every day at 12.30 pm

    ‘Chhota Bheem Kung Fu Dhamaka’ premieres on Pogo

    By A Correspondent

     

    A new 10-episode series of Chhota Bheem Kung Fu Dhamaka premiered on television on April 25 and will be aired every day at 12.30 pm.

     

    Said Rajiv Chilaka, Founder & CEO, Green Gold Animation: “Chhota Bheem Kung Fu Dhamaka movie has been well accepted theatrically by kids all over India, Middle East as well as South Korea. The series carries on the adventures of Bheem and team in China. With a completely new setting and all new adventures, we hope the kids will love watching the series and be entertained.”

     

    Added Abhishek Dutta, South Asia Network Head for Cartoon Network and POGO: “We are excited to launch this new Chhota Bheem series on POGO this summer along with fun-filled, relatable content starring kids’ superhero Bheem that will keep our young viewers engaged and entertained.”

     

     

  • Based in Mumbai, his responsibilities include programming, channel operations, acquisitions and promotions

    Abhishek Dutta appointed Network Head for Cartoon Network & Pogo in South Asia

    By A Correspondent

     

    Abhishek Dutta has been named Senior Director and Network Head -Kids, overseeing Cartoon Network and POGO in South Asia. Based in Mumbai, his responsibilities include programming, channel operations, acquisitions and promotions, as well as the content direction for the two brands.

     

    Said Siddharth Jain, Managing Director of WarnerMedia Entertainment Networks in South Asia: “Abhishek brings with him a strong kids industry experience and I am confident that he will raise the bar of the kids’ portfolio and capitalise on the opportunities that lie ahead of us. I welcome Abhishek to the WarnerMedia family.”

     

    Dutt will also be working closely with and under the direction of Leslie Lee, VP of Kids Content, WarnerMedia Entertainment Networks APAC.

     

    Said Dutta: “The kids TV category has become more exciting than ever before. With my new role at the helm of Cartoon Network and POGO in South Asia, I am looking forward to driving the current business through its next phase of growth. This set of brands are not only first movers, but also the most established kids brands in the country.”

     

    His career includes stints at ALT Balaji, Discovery Networks India and, most recently, was Senior Kids Programming Director at Viacom18, a company he joined in 2016.

     

     

  • With celebrations planned all month long, the 10-year-old hero is back on Cartoon Network in an all new avataar

    Ben10 back in a new avatar on Cartoon Network

    By A Correspondent

     

    Cartoon Network is set to give its young viewers a festive gift with the premiere of Ben10 on October 9. Everyone’s favourite 10-year old will be seen is an all new enegertic avataar on Cartoon Network. Since its initial debut, the series and beloved characters have attained worldwide success. Ben 10 has become one of Cartoon Network’s most enduring original series.

     

    With celebrations planned all month long, the 10-year-old hero is back on Cartoon Network in an all new avataar. Packed with powerful aliens, comedic ups-and-downs and epic bad-guy takedowns, the series follows a reimagined Ben Tennyson, his cousin Gwen and wise Grandpa Max as they embark on their seemingly endless summer vacation. The all-new series goes back to the time when Ben first discovers the Omnitrix, the alien watch-like device that allows him to transform into 10 super cool alien heroes.

     

    Proving that anyone could be a hero, Ben confronts monsters and problems like Dr. Animo’s plans to take over the world, as well as new villains like Nanny Nightmare. Embracing the coolest elements that made the original show a worldwide sensation during the past decade, this reboot is packed with heart, humor and heroism that everyone loves – and more!

  • Available on iOS and Android devices, Cartoon Network Anything randomly serves up 10-15-second snack-sized entertainment for kids

    Cartoon Network Anything mobile app launched

    By A Correspondent

     

    With the launch of Cartoon Network Anything, kids now have a new platform to engage and entertain to complement their favourite cartoon channel. Cartoon Network Anything serves up an array of micro 10-15 second snack-sized content specifically created for mobile wherever and whenever they have a free moment, no matter how long their attention span.

     

    Cartoon Network Anything is available on all iOS and Android devices for free. The young audience will have a huge variety of original content from hit shows like Roll No. 21, Adventure Time, We Bare Bears, The Powerpuff Girls, Uncle Grandpa, Regular Show, The Amazing World of Gumball, Teen Titans Go! and more.

     

    Commenting on the launch of Cartoon Network Anything, Siddharth Jain, Managing Director, South Asia, Turner India says, “As leaders in the Kids entertainment space, it has always been our focus to bring the best and most exciting form of entertainment to our consumers wherever, wherever and however they want it. We are focussed on the total consumption of our brands and content be it on TV, online, on-mobile, on-the-ground through our consumer events and local based entertainment, or through our branded merchandise and games. CN Anything is our initiative that brings world class entertainment for our kids on their mobile phones and tablets.”

     

    Turner India’s recent research – New Generations 2016 – revealed that the use of technology has increased massively as more and more kids live in connected homes, and are utilizing more than one device for media consumption. Also, gaming has come across as the number one online activity. In 2016, Turner Asia Pacific will produce a total of 137 new games, 60 of which are just for the Cartoon Network Anything app which is in addition to 160 games already available on the app. Turner already has a library of 618 games, ranging from free, freemium and paid, available across web, mobile and on apps.

     

  • Chhota Bheem & POGO to encourage fitness habits among children

    Cartoon Network & POGO School Contact Programs to engage kids pan-India

    By A Correspondent

     

    Turner India is set to launch its annual Cartoon Network and POGO School Contact Programs (SCPs) across the country. With innovative and engaging themes, both SCPs will not only entertain students with games, trivia and prizes but also impart valuable lessons.

     

    The Cartoon Network SCP called ‘Adventure Camp’ is themed around the channel’s latest international hit series ‘Adventure Time’ with lead characters Finn and Jake. The SCP aims on bringing adventure and an outdoorsy spirit of camping into schools through physical activities, mental games, sports, team building exercises and other activities.

     

    On the other hand, POGO, through its ‘Bheem ka Fitness Formula’ SCP, is on a nationwide spree to make children fit and healthy like their favorite superhero Chhota Bheem. Along with other popular POGO characters like Mighty Raju, Tom and Jerry and Mr. Bean, kids will learn about the importance of physical and mental exercises during their daily lives and how this will help them stay sharp and fit.

     

    Having started on 03 August 2015, both Cartoon Network and POGO SCPs will run till mid-September targeting over 1 million students (between standards 1 to 8) in approximately 1000 schools. Combined, the SCPs will be conducted across 12 cities including Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Pune, Lucknow, Kolkata, Ludhiana, Hyderabad, Kanpur, Ahmedabad and Amritsar.

     

  • Toonami has a significant presence is Asia Pacific across 14 countries

    It’s ‘Toonami’ from Turner India!

    By A Correspondent

     

    Turner International India announced the expansion of its industry leading kids’ entertainment portfolio with the launch of Toonami, a channel dedicated to bringing high-octane animated action to kids, superhero fans and their families across the country.

     

    Toonami has a significant presence is Asia Pacific across 14 countries including Singapore, Philippines, Thailand, Hong Kong, Indonesia and Sri Lanka. In India, Toonami complements Turner’s kids’ entertainment portfolio of genre leading channels – Cartoon Network and POGO. The channel is being distributed by Taj Television and is available on the country’s leading digital cable platforms across Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Bangalore.

     

    Commenting on the launch Siddharth Jain, Managing Director, South Asia, Turner International India Pvt. Ltd. said, “It is a real proud moment for Turner to bring in a channel like Toonami to our young Indian audiences – we now offer a robust entertainment experience for all ages and interests. A highly successful international brand, it will meet the growing demand for premium quality action-adventure and superhero content.”

     

    Siddharth Jain

    Toonami, which is based on the hit programming block of the same name on Cartoon Network in the US, is a 24-hour English action and anime destination designed for viewers seeking a full tilt, rollercoaster ride of adventure, quips, drama and a whole lot more. The channel is set to be the ultimate destination for the action-and-adventure enthusiasts in every family. Toonami is a dream come true for superhero fans featuring franchises such as Batman, Superman, Transformers: Robots in Disguise, Justice League, Inazuma Eleven Go, Dragon Ball Z and many more!

     

  • Continuing with our extracts from the second edition of the MxMIndia Annual, we present contributions by Raghu Bhatt and Krishna Desai

    What Ticks for Indian Consumers/ Children – Raghu Bhatt and Krishna Desai

    Continuing with our extracts from the second edition of the MxMIndia Annual, we present contributions by Raghu Bhatt and Krishna Desai

     

     

    Be aware of responsibilities while marketing to kids

    By Raghu Bhatt

     

    Imagine a scenario where someone introduces a cigarette brand that exclusively targets kids. How comfortable would you be working on the brand? But if the same cigarette were targeting adults, it’s likely that you wouldn’t have a strong moral objection. This brings us to the first dimension of kid marketing. There is a very strong ethical question to consider, with kid products. Kids are the future and while marketing to them, we suddenly become aware of our immense responsibilities. Kids can do that to you.

     

    Kid marketing uses certain tools and techniques, many of them chiselled to perfection through years of practice. As a baby grows up, he or she continually refines her ability to make parents buy things for them. In some ways, they are like purchase managers who are sitting on a lot of cash – something every marketer of cereals, confectionary, clothes, retailers, movies and toys is constantly eyeing.

     

     

     

    		  

    Kids – fluent influencers of change

    By Krishna Desai

     

    Children are bestowed with many aspirations… world leaders, sports icons, entrepreneurs, etc. They display talent, knowledge and influence over most parameters of society and businesses. As consumers, they cannot be ignored.

     

    Gone are the days when children were only consulted when it came to purchasing candies and toys. A child today influences every decision from household electronics, to insurance, to cars and even wall paint! Some interesting facts and growth trends are below:

     

    :: Kids influence on parents has more than doubled since 2009 – with more than 60 per cent parents in 2012 saying that they may or definitely will consider their child’s opinion on purchase decisions.

    :: With the percentage of kids receiving pocket /gift money increasing from 36 per cent in 2008 to 56 per cent in 2012, the purchasing power of kids has definitely increased.

    (Source: Cartoon Network New Generations Study 2008 – 2012)

     

     
     

    Kids exhibit certain commonalities of behaviour that marketers leverage. For example, kids form a special bond with cartoon characters. For kids, these characters are not imaginary but real people. And when these characters start peddling stuff, they become hugely influential. These cartoon characters are also scientifically designed to elicit an emotional response from kids. For instance, the smooth round forms of the Cbeebies have been created after a lot of R&D to evoke a sense of reassurance amongst babies, in much the same way nature creates babies whose very appearance evokes the protective instincts of a mother.

     

     

    		  

    There is phenomenal growth seen in the kids’ adoption of new media. These ‘screenagers’ access technology at every touch point be it mobiles, computers, tablets, television, etc. For instance,:: In the last five years, the number of kids using the internet has more than doubled! (27 per cent use the internet in 2012 v/s 10 per cent in 2008).

    :: Although gaming has always dominated the top activity online, social networking has grown from 14 per cent in 2009 to 53 per cent in 2012. Ironically only half the parents of kids visiting social networking sites are aware of their children’s activities.

    :: Today, 95 per cent kids grow up in homes with mobile phones compared to 59 per cent kids in 2006. 10 per cent of these kids actually own their own mobile phone.

    (Source: Cartoon Network New Generations Study 2008-2012.)

     

    Kids have also transformed the broadcast industry influencing the way business is done for all stakeholders. With almost 100 per cent urban kids watching TV every day, brands, marketers, broadcasters and distributers seek this platform to reach this expanding and intelligible TG. As television consumers, kids are unique. They cannot be compared and virtually have no similarity to other geodemographics. Some core trends, challenges and opportunities are:

     

    1. Children outgrow things a lot faster than any other demographic. A kids’ network, including that of Turner’s – CN and Pogo, experiences a churn every 4-5 years with new kids coming in and older kids moving to other genres.

     

    2. Kids, on an average, spend two hours watching television. This hasn’t changed much over the years. But the number of channels available today has more than doubled compared to a few years ago. This represents a huge challenge for broadcasters, especially kids channels, to attract and sustain viewership. Comparatively, housewives spend up to four hours a day watching television.

     

    3. Another fact is that out of the total viewing, children spend only 20 per cent time watching kids’ channels mainly because of the dominance of housewives in single television households. Although this may seem as a hindrance, it is actually an opportunity in disguise. This 20 per cent has grown from 15 per cent in 2009.Also, with the growth of multiple TV households and new media to compliment TV, there is hope of growth and expansion of the genre.

     

     

     

    Tomorrow (Tuesday, Aug 26): Family – Punit Goenka and Pradeep Gupta

     

     

     

  • Advertisers like Maruti Suzuki, Honda bikes and Samsung turning to kids' channels

    Adult brands patronize kiddie channels

    By Shambhavi Anand

     

    When Lata Diwan went shopping for the household, her 5-year-old daughter Tanya suggested her to choose a certain brand on mosquito repellent. “It will drive the mosquitoes out as well as leave a fragrance around,” the young scholar told her mother.

     

    Tanya’s knowledge about mosquito repellents comes from an advertisement she watches in between her favourite programmes on cartoon channels, where it’s no longer just toymakers and children’s product brands that advertise. An increasing number of nontraditional advertisers including Maruti Suzuki, Honda bikes and Samsung is advertising on kids’ channels as more children participate in their parents’ purchase decisions and more parents watch television with their children.

     

    “While traditional advertisers such as GlaxoSmithKline, Hindustan Unilever, Cadbury, Mattel, Kellogg, Perfetti and ITC are amongst our top spenders, close to 50% of our revenues now come from non-traditional advertisers,” says Juhi Ravindranath, ad sales vice-president for South Asia at Turner International India, which owns Pogo and Cartoon Network channels. Most houses in India have one television set and it’s common that children and adults watch it together, and often the younger ones hold the sceptre – the remote control – and decide what to watch.

     

    Rahul Johri

    So advertisers targeting parents too are turning to kids’ channels. “Advertisers do not want to miss any opportunity of reaching out to their target audience, whether it is mothers, fathers or grandparents,” says Rahul Johri, senior vice president and general manager, South Asia, at Discovery Networks Asia Pacific, which owns Discovery Kids. The maximum growth in terms of adspend on these channels has been observed in fast-moving consumer goods.

     

    A spokesperson of Pogo channel says unconventional advertisers on the channel include Maruti Suzuki, Honda bikes, Hero Moto-Corp, Micromax, LG, Samsung and Hitachi. “We expect the number of new categories and advertisers to only grow,” the person adds. That’s because it’s seen as a win-win. While the kids’ channel gains from the increased advertiser base, the non-traditional advertiser benefits from the huge secondary target audience of parents and grandparents.

     

    Santosh Desai, advertising veteran and MD and CEO of Futurebrands India, says, “For marketers there are a couple of advantages of being on kids’ channels. First there will be some spillover adult viewer and children’s role in decision-making for the household has also increased. Secondly, these channels are relatively cheaper in the overall media mix.”

     

    A study by Cartoon Network, ‘Cartoon Network New Generations 2012′, shows a majority of parents watch television with their kids. After serials, cartoons are the most preferred genre for parents, ranking above news channels.

     

    About 75% parents spend time watching TV at least 5-6 times a week with their kids. This number is even higher, close to 80%, for parents of younger children. Channels say that in spite of the decent growth, the kids’ genre is extremely under-monetised, with 7% viewership and just 3% of revenue share.

     

    Source:The Economic Times

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