Mumbai: Turner International India has prmoted Dhawal Katkar as senior director and network head for the English vertical.

In his new capacity, Katkar will take on newer responsibilities for managing integrated communications and the content portfolio of Turner?s English vertical which includes HBO and WB.

Over the last two years, Katkar has been instrumental in leading marketing communications for the kids segment and his new role comes into effect immediately.

Katkar will report to Turner International India managing director south Asia Siddharth Jain.

Jain said, ?It gives me great pleasure to announce the appointment of Dhawal Katkar as Senior Director and Network Head for English vertical. He brings attributes including a sharp marketing brain, a sound understanding of our brands and past experience of FMCG and consumer products and has the credentials to take this key vertical to the next level of success. I congratulate Dhawal and look forward to working with him to achieve more in an increasingly competitive market.?
 
Dhawal has over 14 years of experience in the FMCG industry with various consumer brands. After he joined Turner in April 2011, Dhawal led multiple on-air and on-ground communications programme for kids. Dhawal has also been responsible for various digital campaigns for WB that has helped build reach by driving online traffic to the channel via real time innovative contests.

MUMBAI: Turner International has appointed Edward Barnieh as programming and acquisitions manager for Asia Pacific, to further expand its quality offering of kids? content.

Based in Hong Kong, Barnieh will be responsible for Turner?s acquisition strategies for its kids? networks in Asia Pacific, including Cartoon Network, Cartoonito, Pogo, Toonami and Boomerang.

His mandate will be to secure rights to the most engaging content in the region, in particular "funny" and "clever" animation from international studios and distributors.

Prior to joining Turner, Barnieh was with Nickelodeon UK for almost nine years, where he played an important role in the expansion of the network and developing content for global markets.

Turner International regional chief content officer Mark Eyers said, "Edward joins us from an acquisitions background that spans TV, online, mobile, and content licensing, which we expect will help secure our leading position in the Kids genre in Asia Pacific. His diverse expertise and proven achievements will make him a real asset to the team, and we welcome him to Hong Kong."

Having spent over a decade working in kids broadcasting in the UK, Barnieh brings knowledge and expertise to the role. He also has years of multi-platform experience to the regional team and will be a key part of Turner?s international Asia Pacific acquisitions strategy.

MUMBAI: Hrithik Roshan?s sci-fi superhero action film is to be spun-off into a series of four animated films following a licensing deal between Turner International India, Toonz Animation India and Film Kraft Productions.

As per the deal, Turner International India will have television rights for the animated film, the first installment of which will be aired on 14 July on Cartoon Network, Turner?s flagship kid?s channel.

Film Kraft retains the IP rights for the animated films with television rights being given to Turner for Asia Pacific region.

The films are to be produced by Trivandrum-based Toonz Animation India. The first two films will hit the floors this year with the remaining two slated to be produced in 2014.

The hour-long films would follow the childhood adventures of Krishna (from the movie Krrish) who discovers that he can help people and save the world with the special powers bestowed upon him by Jadoo (from the movie Koi Mil Gaya).

Turner International India MD Siddharth Jain says that creating locally relevant content which resonated with consumers is part of the company?s philosophy.

"Local programming is something that works very well and we have demonstrated that with Chhota Bheem on Pogo. So here we see an opportunity wherein you have a successful theatrical release and the character which was loved by the kids and their parents. We thought we could adapt it to animation and expand it into television that was the basic concept behind it," says Jain.

Film Kraft Productions India director Rakesh Roshan adds, "Since Krrish 3 will be ready for release this Diwali, I wanted to revive the memory of Krrish with children and the newer generation who may have not seen Koi Mil Gaya or Krrish."

Toonz Animation India CEO P Jayakumar believes Krrish being a super hero film makes for compelling content for kids that can be adapted to animation and television.

"We were looking at various properties so we thought that this property has a lot of synergies. It is a fantasy film and the genre is action adventure which will resonate with boys so we took the idea to Turner and Film Kraft who readily accepted it. Krrish already has a huge fan following," says Jayakumar.

MUMBAI: The global economic slowdown seems to be having an impact on Turner Broadcasting System (TBS). The company said it would be trimming 30 per cent of its staff in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

The harsh decision comes after TBS international president Gerhard Zeiler took charge in September 2012. He began the review exercise soon after to identify redundancies and make operational changes across the region.

Zeiler told media today that a "30 per cent reduction in positions across EMEA is necessary in order to give more operating power and accountability within the regions, as opposed to large central functions.?

?This review required us taking some tough decisions, but they are absolutely necessary to put Turner International in the best possible position for future growth,? said Zeiler. ?Greater empowerment and broader accountability for local management will lead to simplified processes throughout the organization, improved efficiency and reduced costs,? Zeiler added.

Once the review is complete, some functions will be outsourced while others will be restructured for which proposal are being consulted upon presently.

?This review required us taking some tough decisions, but they are absolutely necessary to put Turner International in the best possible position for future growth. Greater empowerment and broader accountability for local management will lead to simplified processes throughout the organisation, improved efficiency and reduced costs,? said Zeiler.

No details about annual savings through these were given.

Turner Broadcasting System International operates more than 100 channels that are versions of core Turner brands, such as CNN, TNT, Cartoon Network and Turner Classic Movies, in more than 30 languages in 200 countries around the world. Turner?s EMEA business has 17 branded channels in 27 languages in more than 100 territories.

MUMBAI: The Ben 10: Omniverse series will air on Cartoon Network India starting 26 November, every Monday to Friday at 5 pm.

Cartoon Network territories covering over 178 countries and 27 languages will for the first time premiere a series closely together with a coordinated global campaign that began in the United States in September.

Turner International India and South Asia Director Content Krishna Desai said, "Ben 10 is Cartoon Network?s most successful original global franchise that has transcended geographical borders and has grown beyond television to become one of kids? most celebrated brands.

"Ben 10: Omniverse has received a phenomenal response globally and we are very optimistic about its success in India as well. The 360 degree promotional strategy is sure to boost the excitement and buzz around the launch of this latest series."

The launch of Ben 10: Omniverse in India coincides with the launch of an on-air contest, online games and retail products to give kids a truly immersive and enthralling experience. Kids can also engage themselves on CartoonNetworkIndia.com, which has a dedicated microsite on Ben 10: Omniverse featuring exciting games, videos, fun facts, and wallpapers.

Cartoon Network Enterprises, the licensing and merchandising arm of Cartoon Network, is launching six Ben 10 Comics in partnership with Penguin Books to coincide with the launch of the Ben 10: Omniverse series, Ben 10 Comics and Ben 10 Magazine are now available in retail stores such as Landmark, Crossword, Time Out, Big Bazaar and at individual book stores across India for Rs 75 and Rs 60 respectively.