Hasta La Motion!

Kids’ content ecosystem has been on an all-time high with a multiplicity of brands and developers rushing to tap into the market. There has been an unprecedented rise in the consumption of kids’ content over the last couple of years. 

The upward spurt in viewership in the kid’s category has been due to the animated IP rush which enabled the numbers to rise from average 499 GRP to 550 GRP in the last year. According to the recently launched FICCI EY report, animation segment is estimated to reach at Rs. 24.4 billion by 2021 from Rs. 18.8 billion in 2018.

As the kids’ content ecosystem aims for the skies, they are continually faced with the vagaries and challenges of the market. The demand to encapsulate, summarise and study the market to get a firmer grasp over the ebbs and flows of the market has never been more aggressive.

In a bid to evangelise and recognise the best in the sphere of kids’ content, Animation Xpress is bringing together all the important players and media experts of the kids’ content industry in a one of a kind event titled ‘Kids, Animation & More (KAM Summit)’ followed by ANN Awards – India’s largest premium full scale awards in animation and all its aspects on 30 August 2019 at The LaLiT, Mumbai.

Spanning over myriad themes that will range from brand stories, brand integration, creativity, licensing & merchandising to brand integration; KAM intends to explore multiple major sub-sectors in the industry and how they are aiding in giving shape to the kids’ content scenario in the country.

With the Indian animation industry creating world class content, this is the perfect hour to honour the names behind the amazing animated content being produced. ANN Awards, thus, intends on bringing recognition and set a bar for the Indian animation industry and all its aspects.

Having been in the business for so many years now, Animation Xpress realised the importance of orchestrating an event that would encompass all the notable themes in the kids’ animation ecosystem.

With an aim to play host to numerous top subject matter experts, studios, production houses, animators and the best content & projects from all over the country to provide exposure and know -how to the professionals, artists and students, KAM Summit is set to be a premium event that Animation Xpress is endeavouring to make as grand as it gets in its gala offerings.

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 Silvergate Media has inked a deal with China-based Wanda Kidsland for its new educational animated television series, Monkey with a Tool Belt.  The new deal will see Wanda Kidsland manage TV distribution, tie-in publishing, consumer products and live-attractions for Monkey with a Tool Belt in China to firmly establish the brand in the market and build a fanbase for the series.

 The agreement further strengthens Silvergate’s presence in China and will build upon its existing partnership with Wanda which has delivered great success in the region for Octonauts -an IP that currently boasts more than 30 billion views on web TV in China.

 Monkey with a Tool Belt is a 40 x 11’ episode series for kids aged three to six years. The pre-school action comedy follows the fantastic adventures of monkey star Chico Bon Bon and his Fix-It Force. With the help of a fantastical tool belt, they solve engineering problems for the city of Blunderberg — and boy do they need the help! It’s bananas — engineering has never been so much fun!

Wanda Kidsland Group, CEO Gao Yimin said, “We are excited to expand our successful collaboration with Silvergate on this new entertaining and educational series. The opportunities that this IP will open up are boundless — we are delighted to be a partner on this fresh new brand.”

 The series represents another major opportunity for Silvergate in the Chinese market as its strong educational features and carefully curated Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) content is perfectly suited for Asian audiences. Wanda Kidsland is a leading producer of educational content in China and Monkey with a Toolbelt will fit seamlessly into the digital curriculum of Wanda Kidsland’s 100+ educational centres throughout China.

 “It is exciting to be able to build upon and extend our successful partnership with Wanda Kidsland with Monkey with a Tool Belt. We look forward to bringing this STEM-focused series to screens, Education Centres, and retail shelves with the help of the market leader in China and strong advocate for the very best in children’s entertainment,” said Silvergate Media EVP Commercial Ron Allen.

 Based on the best-selling book series by Chris Monroe, Monkey with a Tool Belt, is being brought to life by Silvergate Media and its EVP of Creative Kurt Mueller with an all-star team of creatives including Bob Boyle (Wow Wow Wubzy), Gabe Pulliman and Stephanie Simpson (Octonauts) and Michael Goldberg (Sesame Street).

Beyond the screen, numerous opportunities for publishing, toy and consumer products will be explored as the series perfectly lends itself to many fast-growing categories including role-play, vehicles, playsets and construction toys. The STEM aspects of the series will open up several exciting opportunities in a growing Chinese market with an appetite for age-appropriate and challenging educational content.

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Activision and Infinity Ward will reveal a new generation of the multiplayer universe of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare on  1 August. Recently named Best Online Multiplayer by Game Critics Awards Best of E3 2019, Modern Warfare multiplayer delivers a game-changing online experience.

As players enlist in the heart-racing Modern Warfare story, multiplayer continues the experience as players head online into the ultimate playground for the global balance of power. Featuring unified progression across modes, Modern Warfare seeks to unite the community with plans to support cross-play across platforms and the removal of the traditional season pass in order to deliver a greater mix of more free maps, content and community events post-launch.

Moments ago, fans got the first glimpse of the game’s new 2 vs. 2 Gunfight mode, which is only a fraction of the full, online multiplayer experience in Modern Warfare. Shown live on Twitch, Gunfight delivers a new level of quick-action, close-quarters duo-based combat that is a blast to play and to watch.

Tune-in to official CallofDuty Twitch account for the full reveal of the Modern Warfare Multiplayer Universe and deep look at gameplay coming to fans at launch.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare is scheduled for release globally  25 October on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC.

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The Colonie has brought in motion designer and 3D artist Ashley Lee to its full-service editorial and post-production company’s staff.  Lee joins the motion design department’s growing talent roster, further expanding its formidable motion graphics design and animation offerings while taking its 3D capabilities to the next level.

Lee’s new position at The Colonie follows a two-year stint at We Are Unlimited. Her experience in animating and crafting motion design content tailored to a variety of online platforms for the company has enabled Lee to transition into her new position seamlessly.

She mentioned, “I really enjoy working as part of a team of multi-disciplined talent under one roof. The Colonie is an inspiring collaborative environment that gives me the opportunity to get a deep understanding of an editor’s creative vision during the conceptual stage of a project and follow a job right through delivery. As a designer, getting insights and feedback from a mix of perspectives is invaluable. Working here has been a great experience from day one.”

The Colonie’s motion-graphic department is home to a growing roster of innovative, experienced, and technically savvy designers, 3D artists and conceptual thinkers, skilled at creating content that optimizes the impact of social media, enhances broadcast spots, and efficiently adapts to multiple platforms.

Lee comes onboard on the heels of the appointment of creative director Jennifer Moody as head of the company’s motion graphic design division and the signing of Motion Graphics Designer Jeff Borowiak.

Commenting on this appointment, Moody said, “Lee’s fresh aesthetic sensibilities, strong 2D and 3D animation skills, and collaborative spirit make her a great fit with our team. Her experience and skill sets align with the expanding needs of the industry.  It’s exciting to see our clients’ demand for innovative design across multiple platforms grow along with our well-rounded roster of artists.”

Guided by Moody, Lee’s recently created a social media-package for Facebook, a multi-platform campaign for AT&T out of We Are Unlimited, as well as social media spots for Toyota Corolla and McDonald’s, both out of Burrell.  She has also worked on projects for Nissan, Chilly Cow, Colgate, Estee Lauder and led the 3D work on a video for Havas. The 2019 AICP Post Awards Show recently selected the submission of an ambitious concept and design developed by Borowiak for this year’s event. The company’s team of artists created over 100 graphic elements introducing segments for the show’s 33 post-production categories.

Executive Producer and partner Mary Caddy added, “The addition of Lee further enhances our capabilities and the skills we bring to creating concepts and executing designs that continue to attract brands and agencies that rely on The Colonie to maximize the effectiveness of social media as a marketing tool. While The Colonie’s roots are in creative editing, we’ve evolved into a full-service editorial, design, visual effects and finishing house that aligns with industry’s ever-changing needs. Clients appreciate the benefits of working with a company that provides editors and creatives with unfettered access to designers. Our goal is to keep raising the bar in terms of talent and creativity. The addition of Ashley does just that.”

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The media and entertainment (M&E) sector in India is growing by leaps and bounds, which also reflects the growth of the Indian economy. The M&E sector grows with the economy albeit at a higher pace, and its medium term outlook is bright. Favourable demographics, a rise in consumer income and a huge demand for knowledge, escapism, news and sports aided the growth of the sector in the country.

In the recent announced budget, to attract more global investment, the Government will consider further opening up of foreign direct investment (FDI) in aviation, media, animation and the insurance sector in consultation with stakeholders, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman said while presenting her maiden Union Budget.

She said the government will likely permit 100 per cent FDI for insurance intermediaries. Despite global headwinds, India’s FDI inflows rose six per cent in 2018-19 to $64.37 billion, she added.

“I propose to further consolidate, the gains in order to make India more attractive FDI destination. The Government will examine suggestions of further opening up of FDI in aviation, media, AVGC (Animation, Visual effects, Gaming and Comics) and insurance sector in consultation with stakeholders,” Sitharaman said.

BARC India CEO Partho Dasgupta

According to the latest FICCI EY report, from April 2000 to June 2017, FDI inflows in information and broadcasting (including print media) reached US$6.6 billion. In fact, 100 per cent FDI allowed in film, advertising, TV Broadcasting (except news) and cable networks; investment in DTH by broadcasters continues to be capped at 20 per cent. India’s Media Regulatory restrictiveness index 2016 score is 0.280.  

Currently, the government allows 26 per cent FDI in publishing of newspapers and periodicals involved with news and current affairs through the approval route, while in aviation, foreign carriers are allowed to own 49 per cent in Indian carriers.

Sitharaman also said the government will look at local sourcing norms for FDI for single-brand retailing sector. The budget invited a lot of positive feedback from personalities from the AVGC industry, expecting flourishing growth in the AVGC space.

Here are what few industry veterans has to say about it:

BARC India CEO Partho Dasgupta said, “The budget directionally augurs well for boosting long-term economic growth by focus shown on infrastructure improvements, strengthening benefits to MSME sector and investments on improved skill sets of human resources. Steps taken to attract investments by relaxing FDI, FPI and NRI norms, coupled with boosting public sector banks and NBFC, will trigger the much-desired credit boost. Coming to the M&E industry, one will have to carefully look at the impact of allowing FDI in the media sector. We are happy as BARC India, for the impetus given to start-ups which will further propel efforts of the overall industry on innovation and digitisation.”

ABAI president and Technicolor India head Biren Ghose too welcomed the FDI inflow. Commented he on social media, “FDI has already been a turbo charger for Indian media in broadcasting and production through CG and animation services. International structures create value & growth helping scale content from and for India. The new impetus will help scale skills in Animation, Visual Effects, Games and Comics.” 

From left to right : Biren Ghose, Prithvi Singh and Rajan Navani

JetSynthesys managing director and vice chairman Rajan Navani also expects positive outcome of the proposal to allow FDI in the sector. “With the Indian digital gaming and entertainment industry at an inflection point, the opening up of FDI will give impetus to the industry as it rides the wave of digitization with superior technology providers leading the way. For the gaming industry in particular, an increasing number of millennials are exploring exciting gaming formats like eSports today and this development will aid the growth of gaming companies to further innovate and realize their full potential,” he noted. Navani is also the current chairman of the Confederation of Indian Industry’s (CII) Indian Digital Gaming Society (IDGS).

Gameskraft founder and CTO Prithvi Singh added, “We at Gameskraft appreciate the Union Budget announcement by the honourable finance minister. The announcement in connection to address issues faced by entrepreneur and startup community is a relief. With the implementation of the policy discussed startups, especially dependent on angel investors, will be able to operate business without much of a hassle. The no-scrutiny by IT dept encourages small angel investors to boost the ecosystem. The initiative of kick-starting TV channel program will help to reach out to more people and also investor community thereby becoming an encouraging platform to boost startup culture in India.”

Inviting and allowing FDI inflow in the AVGC sector looks quite promising for now. However, it’s still a matter of time to see to what extent it’s implied in real, after the recommendations are done. Watch this space for more updates!

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