Kids
Nick hits the campaign trail with election-themed content
MUMBAI: Kids broadcaster Nickelodeon is throwing its hat into the political ring with a presidential and election-themed content in the fall season.
Till 12 October 2008 the network will air new interstitial content about the US presidential campaign, along with two brand-new Nick News specials. Additionally, Lily Collins, Lil‘ JJ and Pick Boy — Nickelodeon‘s Kids Pick the President Election Connection Team — will follow the campaign trail by providing kids with an insider point-of-view at the Democratic and Republican National Conventions. All this leads up to the Kids Pick the President kids‘ vote which begins on 12 October. Historically, kids have correctly chosen the next US president in four out of five presidential elections. This election year‘s vote follows Nickelodeon‘s first-ever kids‘ primary, held earlier this year, where kids correctly forecasted this year‘s candidates: Senators John McCain and Barack Obama. Nickelodeon/MTVN Kids and Family Group executive VP public affairs Marva Smalls says, “This presidential election has ignited so many young people to become more involved,” said . “We want to connect our audiences to the process — the candidates and issues. Kids — although not legal voters — don‘t want to be on the sidelines.” A series of educational and humorous spots featuring the Kids Pick the President Election Connection Team will be introduced on-air and online in conjunction with the Democratic National Convention, on 25 August. The Election Connection Team will report from the conventions, profile the candidates, and get out the word about the Kids Pick the President kids‘ vote. Lil‘ JJ will also serve as blogger-extraordinaire on nick.com with up-to-the minute details of his experiences at the conventions. Leading up to the Kids Pick the President online vote, where kids can choose their presidential candidate of choice, the Emmy Award-winning Linda Ellerbee will host two new half-hour Nick News specials. In “Tales from the Trail,” premiering 24 August, at 9 pm (ET/PT), Nick News will follow kids who are rooting for, and actively campaigning for, Senator Barack Obama and Senator John McCain. The special will provide a glimpse into what will take place at the Democratic and Republican Conventions. In the final Kids Pick the President special, which premieres in October, Nick News will take kids‘ questions to the presidential candidates and then encourage kids to go online to www.nick.com/kpp and vote for the next US president. Teachers can also find Nickelodeon‘s Cable in the Classroom programne‘s election-themed lesson plans online at www.teachers.nick.com.
Kids
Mukta Arts and Green Gold ink MOU to animate iconic film IPs
Kalicharan, Karz, Hero, Karma, Ram Lakhan to spawn animated shows plus features.
MUMBAI: When classic hindi movie meets animation, the result is a fresh reel of nostalgia with a cartoon twist. Mukta Arts Ltd. and Green Gold Animation have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to collaborate on animated shows and feature films drawn from Mukta Arts’ four-decade treasure trove of iconic IPs. The partnership taps Mukta’s SGM Animation Studio launched in 2025 as its dedicated animation and games arm and Green Gold’s proven track record in building scalable, homegrown franchises. Creative teams from both sides have already kicked off discussions, with the first project currently in development.
The slate will draw inspiration from landmark Mukta films including Kalicharan, Karz, Hero, Karma, Ram Lakhan, Khalnayak, Saudagar and Iqbal, plus character-led spin-offs from those universes. The aim is to reimagine these stories for today’s young, global audiences while preserving their emotional core.
Green Gold Animation (home of Chhota Bheem) founder and CEO Rajiv Chilaka said, “This partnership with SGM Studios allows us to apply our experience in building long-lasting animation IPs to a truly iconic film catalogue. Together, we aim to create animated worlds that are rooted in these legendary stories, yet designed to connect with today’s young, global audiences.”
Mukta Arts Ltd. filmmaker and founder Subhash Ghai added, “Mukta Arts has always believed in creating stories with lasting emotional value. Through animation, we are extending our IP into a new medium for the next generation.”
In an industry where timeless tales never go out of fashion, this collaboration promises to bring beloved characters back to life with a modern, animated glow proving that some stories are too good to stay in live-action. Stay tuned for the first animated frame to drop.
