News Broadcasting
Cartoon Network to create new toon – gets viewers into the act
MUMBAI: So far, it has sourced content from Indian animation companies and has begun to speak Hindi at almost all hours of the day. Now, Cartoon Network takes the localisation fetish to new heights.
In an innovative initiative timed to coincide with the rollout of conditional access in the country, Cartoon Network has announced the first interactive contest that will enable viewers to create a cartoon character to be developed into an animation short for the channel. The show in turn will be produced by a local Indian company.
For eight weeks beginning this month, Cartoon Network will visit over 600,000 kids in 600 schools in six cities, selling the Next Big Toon concept, enticing children to pick up pen and paper and apply their minds to creating a unique cartoon character, which could be man, animal, robot or just about anything. Help for the accompanying drawings and storyboard will be available at the channel’s website www.cartoonnetworkindia.com.
Among the panel of art experts and teachers culled from around the country, is former UTV Toons president Ram Mohan. Turner Entertainment Network’s senior vice president and general manager Ian Diamond says a local Indian animation company will also be given the charge of producing the one off animation short that will be aired on the channel in December 2003.
“The idea,” says Diamond, “is to balance entertainment with a positive way of thinking.” Consequently, an integrated marketing plan spanning on-air, online and on-ground events will support the promotion, with associate sponsor Hewlett Packard providing its outlets for participants to download forms, practise their drawings and learn the rudiments of creating an animation character. The Network will also air special interstitials giving tips to help kids create their toon star.
While the targeted age group for the competition is the one between eight and 14, Diamond says with the varied viewership of the channel, even elders watching Cartoon Network are eligible to participate. Five runners up will also have their moment of glory with vignettes on the channel and consolation prizes of a HP Compaq personal computer. The Network has already tied in Joyco as the presenting sponsor for Next Big Toon, while Laughing Cow Cheese, HP Compaq, Kellogg’s Chocos and Atlas Cycles are the associate sponsors.
News Broadcasting
CNBC India unveils new logo, rolls out refreshed identity across network
Debuted at IBLA, the redesign signals a sharper, digital-first future
MUMBAI: CNBC has unveiled a refreshed brand identity across its India network, introducing a new logo and visual system that reflects a more modern, digital-first direction.
The rebrand was officially revealed at the India Business Leader Awards held in Mumbai on March 14, marking the first public showcase of the updated design at one of the network’s most prominent platforms.
The overhaul is among the most visible brand updates for CNBC in recent years, aimed at aligning its look and feel with evolving audience habits and a growing multi-platform presence.
At the centre of the refresh is a redesigned logo that moves away from the network’s long-standing multi-coloured peacock motif, opting instead for a cleaner and more minimalist aesthetic. A key visual cue is a blue upward-pointing arrow embedded within the letter ‘N’, symbolising forward momentum, growth and a focus on the future.
The new identity is being rolled out across the entire CNBC cluster in India, including CNBC-TV18, CNBC-TV18 Prime, CNBCTV18.com, CNBC Awaaz and CNBC Bajar. The move brings a more cohesive and contemporary design language across television and digital platforms alike.
The rollout began on March 30, with the network aiming to create a unified viewer experience regardless of how audiences access its content, be it on broadcast, online or connected devices.
With this refresh, CNBC is signalling its next phase of growth in India, blending legacy credibility with a sharper, forward-looking identity designed for an increasingly digital news ecosystem.
