Cynopsis: Kids!
01/03/08
Good morning. It’s Thursday, January 3, 2008, and this is your first early morning briefing.
In an effort to combat childhood obesity, UK communications regulator Ofcom has officially instituted a band on TV ads for junk food, that is foods high in fat, salt, sugar and the like, on kid-targeted TV channels and between all kid’s programs, in this case kid-targeted is defined as TV for kids under 16-years-old. Under the new rules, TV shows are designated as for kids if the audience is comprised of a high percentage of viewers under 16-years. Broadcasters believe that this move will have the negative impact of preventing them from creating and producing quality programming because of the loss of ad revenues, which have been estimated to be upwards of US$80 million. Meanwhile, health conscious groups, who mark this new rule as a victory, continue to lobby for no junk-food ads at all on TV before 9p, and that these new rules don’t cover family-targeted shows, while others point out that junk food ads will continue to reach kids via other avenues such as the internet. This move follows the April 2007 ban on junk food ads in TV shows aimed at K7-9. A review of these new TV ad restrictions will be reviewed towards the end of 2008.
NEW PRODUCTION & DEVELOPMENT
The BBC is on the search again, this time for cast members for a new West End production of the musical Oliver, the musical adaptation of Charles Dickens’ Oliver Twist, in I’d Do Anything. Following the success of the BBC’s reality series How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria and Any Dream Will Do, during which would-be stars vied for roles in remounted stage adaptations of The Sound of Music and Joseph and his Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, host Graham Norton returns for I’d Do Anything, and back on his throne again is Andrew Lloyd Webber (they actually have him on a throne in the series). Along with a panel of judges I’d Do Anything will also feature another musical theater powerhouse, Cameron Mackintosh. The series, which like the others will air Saturday nights on BBC One this year, will be looking to cast the role of Oliver and Nancy, actually three kids will be chosen to rotate as Oliver. I’d Do Anything is a BBC Vision production. Just one question, is the amazing kid from Tim Burton’s movie version of Sweeney Todd not available?
Zipping across the internet are reports that toddler Suri Cruise, daughter of Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise, could be featured in an animated movie about Knut, the Berlin Zoo’s famous 13-month-old polar bear. Movie producer Ash R. Shah through his Animation Picture Company (Garfield, Spyro the Dragon) has made an offer (rumored to be $5 million) to the zoo for the rights to Knut’s story. The zoo’s curator, Heiner Klos, confirmed to People Magazine that an offer had been made but did not disclose the amount. In case you don’t know the story, Knut was born at the zoo in December 2006, and is being raised by zoo keepers, since the baby polar bear was rejected following birth by his mother. An English-language version of the German kid’s book about Knut was published by Scholastic in the US this fall titled, Knut: How One Little Polar Bear Captivated the World. Additionally, the young bear has been the subject of several pop songs, the cover of Vanity Fair magazine’s May 2007 Green Issue, and is the poster polar bear for an upcoming German environmental conference about endangered species. Oh, and as for Suri, she would potentially provide Knut’s voice in English.
MORE KIDS STUFF
Ricky Sprocket Showbiz Boy (26×30), a new animated comedy, makes its US premiere on Nicktoons Network on Monday, January 21 at 7p. Created by Alison Snowden and David Fine, Rickey Sprocket will air in its regular time slot on the network Saturdays at 2p. Rickey Sprocket Showbiz Boy will also stream on VOD throughout January, with select video content from the series available via nicktoonsnetwork.com and on rickysprocket.com. From Studio B Productions, and Snowden Fine Animation Inc in association with Bejuba! Entertainment, the series follows the adventures of a superstar kid, Ricky Sprocket, as he attempts to deal with all of the trappings of an average kid including an annoying sister, parents (read: embarrassing), friends and too much homework.
Johnny Test, the animated action/comedy series from Cookie Jar Entertainment, will join Cartoon Network’s programming line-up from Monday, January 7, at 4p. The series originally premiered on Kids WB (now the CW) in fall 2005, with the first season produced by Warner Bros. Animation and then taken over by Cookie Jar.
STONE SOUP
This summer, yeah I know it is only January, the International Licensing Industry Merchandisers’ Association (LIMA) will induct two members into the Murray Altchuler Licensing Hall of Fame. Joining the ranks during a ceremony on June 11, 2008 in NYC will be inductees Nancy Bailey, founder/Nancy Bailey and Assoc., and William Battle, Founder/Collegiate Licensing Company.
EXECUTIVE MOVES
Christopher J. Cookson is named President, Sony Pictures Technologies. In this newly created position, He will oversee development and implementation of technology policy and process as well as serving as Sony Picture’s liaison with other Sony businesses in the tech area. Cookson will report to Sony Pictures Entertainment’s Michael Lynton, CEO and Chairman, and Amy Pascal, Co-Chairman. Sony Pictures’ CTO, Mitch Singer, and his division, will report to Cookson. Having toiled for 15 years at Warner Bros., Cookson was most recently CTO/Warner Bros. Entertainment and President/Warner Bros. Technical Operations Division. Previously he was VP and GM/Operations and Engineering, CBS TV, and before that he spent 10-years at ABC TV. Additionally, Cookson holds 30+ US Patents (several involving DVDs).
Answer to Yesterday’s Trivia Question: In the 60’s there was a TV ad who’s jingle began: “Once upon a time there was an engineer Choo Choo Charlie was his name, we hear …”. What product was this for? GOOD & PLENTY Kudos to: Rick Monihan4Kids Entertainment/NY; Sue Edelman-Walden Media/Boston; Pamela Ross-Discovery Kids/NY; Joe Swaney-Cartoon Network/GA; Rosemary Cunningham-MMT/Chicago; Ken DuBow-Porchlight/LA; Steven Weisbaum-Saint Johns Health Center/Santa Monica, CA; Richard Quan-Imaginary Time/San Francisco; Claire Wilmut-Boomstone Animation, Inc./Ottawa
Today’s Trivia Question: What city serves as the setting for the teen drama series Degrassi: The Next Generation? (Click here with your answer and be sure to include your name, company, city and time zone. Unofficial rules: Only the second four correct answers from each time zone will be mentioned; and once you’ve been mentioned in any of the Cynopsis editions, you can’t be mentioned again that calendar week.)
Later — Gwen
Gwen Billings for Cynopsis: Kids!
01.03.08
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