Kids
Walt Disney Internet Group appoints A D Bud Albers as new CTO
MUMBAI: A D Bud Albers has been appointed chief technology officer (CTO) of the Walt Disney Internet Group (WDIG). WDIG develops and delivers interactive Disney-branded media for the Internet and mobile devices for audiences around the world, along with providing centralised development support and technology for all of the Internet properties of the Walt Disney.
Albers will report to WDIG president Steve Wadsworth and will be responsible for leading technological breakthroughs on existing platforms as well as developing new technology solutions in support of the company‘s new media technology needs. He will begin on 2 January 2008.
Albers joins WDIG from MediaNet Digital, formerly MusicNet, where he served as senior VP and CTO, leading numerous high-profile digital music service launches including Microsoft Zune, MTV Urge, Yahoo! Music Unlimited, Virgin Red Pass and the Samsung media service in Europe. He was responsible for all aspects of product strategy, development and implementation.
“Bud‘s depth and breadth of experience in complex technology solutions and global business challenges will be invaluable to us as we pursue our mission to offer a compelling mix of interactive entertainment and information content and services for the Internet and mobile devices for audiences around the world,” said Wadsworth.
Albers‘ experience also includes serving the role of senior VP and CTO at Getty Images.
A McKendree college graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in computing and information sciences in 1986, Albers was named in computer world‘s ‘premier 100 IT leaders‘ in December 2007, an honour for leaders who have had a positive impact on their organisations through technology.
Albers will be based in WDIG‘s Seattle office.
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.
