Gong Anime

"Former Fox Kids and Jetix Europe programming exec Benoit Runel and André de Semlyen, ex-channel manager for Cartoon Network and Boomerang, have jumped into the new media mélée with Gong (www.gonganime.com). The just-launched on-demand channel aims to deliver anime to European and North American fans ages 15 to 30 via their computers, mobile phones and handheld devices. So far, the new net has carriage in 36 countries, including deals with TF1 Vision (France), BT Vision Download Store (UK), Orange TV (24/7 mobile channel in the UK and Poland), and Joost (Europe and North America)." Kidscreen May 2007

EM.TV exits kids TV

"EM.TV is looking for a buyer for its children and youth divisions EM.Entertainment and Junior.TV in order to concentrate on sports programming." Kidscreen May 2007

In-fusio's wrong business model and mobile games value

"Rumour has it that three years ago mobile games publisher In-Fusio was valued at 300 million euros by an unnamed and ultimately unsuccessful suitor. And as recently as 2004 the company raised $27 million. This week it was sold to fellow French publisher Zenops for 3 million euros (according to the industry grapevine). Some investors were no doubt reaching for their beta blockers. But whatever the reasons for its decline, In-Fusio should be remembered for its genuinely pioneering work.In 1998 the company created a cut-down proprietary version of Java called ExEn, which it embedded into handsets. In so doing In-Fusio launched downloadable and connected games before anyone else in the West.This headstart enabled it to raise millions of dollars and purchase companies such as Thumbworks, Cybiko and Mobile Scope. Ultimately, however, In-Fusio's decision to stick with its proprietary path led to its eventual sale. But does the the In-Fusio deal tell us anything about the current state of mobile games generally? Certainly, opinion among developers, publishers and operators is as changeable as the British weather.The analysts, at least, are feeling bullish. Having initialised its coverage of Glu earlier this month, Goldman Sachs forecast that global mobile games revenue will grow from $2.1 billion in 2006 to $8.4 billion in 2010 (equivalent to a 41 per cent CAGR).Nearly all the mobile games luminaries we polled agreed with Goldman Sachs' upward trend (naturally) but indicated the CAGR was a little aggressive - 15-20 per cent being a more realistic expectation.A more tangible indicator came from Orange UK this week. Its first Media Usage Index revealed that Orange World users downloaded an average of 250,000 mobile games a month in the first quarter of 2007 (700,000 for the whole period).This compared to a combined 250,000 ringtones, full-track music downloads and music video downloads per month and 65,000 wallpapers.We could definitely be onto something with this mobile games lark." Mobile Entertainment May 2007

"Mobile games worth US$3.3bn at consumer prices"

"Forecast to be $7.2bn by 2011." David Gosen, Iplay, May 2007

Games edge ahead of ringtones for Orange

"Games outstrip music and wallpaper downloads in Orange World sales figures. Orange UK's 15 million customers downloaded an average of 250,000 mobile games a month in the first quarter of 2007 (700,000 for the whole period), compared to 250,000 ringtones, full-track music downloads and music videos combined per month and 65,000 wallpapers.The fact that games is the leading individual content category by some margin will come as a surprise to many and will no doubt provide ammunition to publishers, many of who believe operators should spend more time promoting games than 'emerging' services like mobile TV and music downloads.The figures from Orange's newly-launched Media Usage Index (as revealed in The Guardian) also reveal the average mobile gamer is 30 years old. The top selling games for the quarter were Glu's Sonic the Hedgehog, THQW's Worms and Taito's Space Invaders (Anniversary Edition) the top three choices." Mobile Entertainment May 2007

Li'l Bush From Mobile To TV

"A shortform animated program created for mobile phones is making an unprecedented jump to primetime television courtesy of Comedy Central.The cable network has greenlighted the half-hour original series "Lil' Bush: Resident of the United States," which re-imagines President Bush and key execs in his administration as elementary school misfits. Six episodes from writer-producer Donick Cary ("The Simpsons") have been ordered to air on Comedy Central next year."Bush" got its start in September as six five-minute clips offered by Amp'd Mobile, a U.S.-based wireless service that packages video entertainment programming with cell phone service."Bush" represents an unlikely reversal of the one-way flow of programming from television to other digital platforms, where networks and studios are attempting to extend franchises in search of new revenue. That said, many a programmer has cited the Internet and mobile arenas as potential breeding grounds for fare that could translate back to TV." Hollywood Reporter December 2006

Star Farm Edgar & Ellen

"Star Farm Productions' flagship property, Edgar & Ellen, is gearing up for multiple deals following extensive broadcast, publishing, and online exposure.
When Trish Lindsay, Sara Berliner, and Rick Carton co-founded Star Farm Productions in May 2002, they set out to revolutionize the way content is created, and they did it with today's digital generation in mind.
This talent has been particularly visible in Star Farm's flagship property, Edgar & Ellen, which artfully combines traditional and new media. Currently supported by books, animated TV, and an online community, the property is poised for further market expansion, thanks to licensing agency Lisa Marks & Associates.
The initial inspiration for Edgar & Ellen came from Carton, illustrator of the "Edgar & Ellen" book series, and his brother, Billy, at their mom's kitchen table.
As the company's flagship property, Edgar & Ellen championed the Star Farm model of creating stories in multiple media and releasing these stories into the marketplace simultaneously. "Edgar & Ellen first appeared in a six-book series (now with Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing) and an online community (http://www.edgarandellen.com/), and then moved into animated television, via shorts and specials on Nicktoons Network and YTV in Canada," explains Lindsay. But the twins have even more up their sleeves, as the book series—which currently boasts 14 publishers covering 12 languages and 67 countries—expands, and Star Farm gears up for the release of the Edgar & Ellen TV series (co-produced with Bardel Entertainment) in August on Nicktoons Network. So far, deals are in place to roll out the series in 15 countries. Plans also are underway to add graphic novels and a live-action feature film. As a next step, a major retail program will take place later this year.
"Getting kids' feedback is essential to the story development process at Star Farm. Stories are presented to kids and kid experts such as parents, teachers, and librarians," explains Lindsay. "In the case of Edgar & Ellen, the book series is kid-influenced. Kids read manuscripts as they were being written, tweaked, and reworked long before the books hit shelves. Major Web activities and applications also were shown to kids as they were being developed." Additionally, she says, "the upcoming TV series not only was researched, it is 10 percent kid-inspired. Kids sent in their personal ideas for the 2-minute shorts, which we then animated and made part of the half-hour show. In addition, Edgar & Ellen TV shows, in varying stages of development—from script to animatic to final animation—were, and continue to be, reviewed regularly by kids and schools."
The success of the first book series also received a healthy boost from the Edgar & Ellen online community.
"Patience has been a dwindling virtue among many entertainment property owners as licensing revenues from consumer products are being sought earlier and earlier, to offset production and development costs," explains Marks. "Unfortunately," she continues, "there have been too many cases where early-to-market has translated to early-to-rest for these programs, as consumer awareness and demand have not adequately led product development and retail distribution. In the case of Edgar & Ellen, all major media elements have been put into place, and significant retail, marketing, and promotional programs have been established in advance of the comprehensive consumer products effort."
Timing, agrees Lindsay, is key to the development of Edgar & Ellen in both multiple platforms and retail programs. "In the case of multiple media, Edgar & Ellen first gained an audience through publishing and the online community, before further growing that audience through TV shorts and specials. We are continuing to grow Edgar & Ellen internationally, and also have deals throughout Europe and the rest of the world." For licensing, she adds, "we are looking to the U.S. as a model to roll out international programs by territory. As awareness and success stories are built domestically, international plans will focus on growing the brand, as well as focusing efforts on cross-partner opportunities and securing retail exclusives." License Global April 2007

US kids digital world research

"27% of kids aged 8-11 and 61% of 12-14s have cell phones; 22% of 8-11s and 45% of 12-14s own MP3 players; 18% of 8-11s and 61% of 12-14s use instant messaging; 74% of kids have their own TV sets; 20% have web access in their bedrooms; 29% of parents say their kids know more than they do about downloading music; 86% of 8-14s are gaming online; 51% are watching TV shows and videos online." Living In A Digital World from Nickelodeon

Nicktropolis

"Viacom-owned Nickelodeon previewed its latest interactive offering, a “virtual city” called Nicktropolis, its most ambitious digital venture yet, to include some social networking and gaming experiences. Nicktropolis offers a variety of interactive experiences, such as a social network, chat rooms and downloadable video. And while Nicktropolis will eventually make room for user-generated content, the site’s most prominent feature is its games section. http://www.nick.com/nicktropolis/game/index.jhtml " Imedia Connection January 2007

The Zimmer Twins

"Bejuba! Entertainment has picked up the international distribution rights to Toronto, Canada-based zinc Roe Design's award-winning interactive series The Zimmer Twins. Bejuba! will be shopping the property around to international broadcasters interested in providing their audiences with a user-generated content experience. The multi-platform project invites kids to create their own animated shorts using online editing tools and animated assets, and these amateur clips are then broadcast on-air. Zimmer Twins has already been licensed to ABC in Australia and will be part of the pubcaster's RollerCoaster block on ABC TV, ABC2 and its free-to-air digital channel. The series originally bowed on Canada's animation destination, Teletoon, in March 2005." Kidscreen May 2007

45% of Europeans Watch Internet TV

"Almost half of Europe watch television programmes via the internet, according to new research. A report from mobile company Motorola reveals 45 per cent of broadband users in Europe including UK, France and Germany, watch their favourite TV online. Viewers prefer to watch TV online because of freedom of choice giving them the possibility to watch what they want when they want, the report said. French TV addicts lead online TV viewing with 59 per cent watching their favourite shows via the web compared to 43 per cent of Brits. The study, which was conducted amongst 2,500 broadband users, also revealed that 57 per cent of viewers want the ability to go online via the TV during a live broadcast while 35 per cent would like to be able to pause, rewind or fast forward live broadcasts. Later this year, the BBC is to launch the iPlayer, which will let you watch programmes online for seven days after their first TV broadcast." Web User May 3 2007

Doctor Who viral marketing

"The BBC has produced a comic book maker for its Doctor Who website...the moderated application allows users to drag and drop characters and text into an animated storyboard, as well as upload their own images...in order to keep interest in the website high." NMA 120407

Old media types going new media pt 5: Mr Men

"Mobile platforms will play a major role in the distribution of new content from the Mr Men brand. The mobile space will be a core element of the launch when an animated TV series based around the characters starts on Five next year. The sketches from the series' 52 episodes will range from ten seconds to three minutes in length...Chorion, rights owner for the Mr Men & Little Miss properties, is set to make them available over multiple platforms." New Media Age 190407

MySpace Trailer Park

MySpace Trailer Park broadcasts trailers of films up to 6 months before their release and enables users to build a community around each film.

Old media types going new media pt 4: Purple Ronnie

Coolabi acquired Purple Ronnie from creator Giles Andreae. The report in New Media Age 120407 claimed that the company plans to take the character onto the internet and mobile for the first time.