Cover story
CARTOON NETWORK. 25 YEARS OF SUCCESS From its debut to the hits that have been launched since, the animation channel is a beacon for kids all over the world On October 1, 1992, the way we enjoyed cartoons changed forever when Cartoon Network launched as the very first 24hour network dedicated to animation from a vast library of classic toons in two million U.S. homes. Today, that spirit of re-inventing television continues in 192 countries and over 400 million households worldwide where Cartoon Network is making kids laugh by drawing on its history of innovation as the leading global kids culture brand for the mobile-first generation. From the inventiveness of Hanna Barbera and Looney Tunes, to a redefining genre of original animated series that include Dexter’s Laboratory and Johnny Bravo; Cartoon Network has continued to deliver groundbreaking innovative shows such as Adventure Time, Steven Universe, The Amazing World of Gumball and OK K.O.! Let’s Be Heroes. There are numerous initiatives that Turner Italy implemented for this important anniversary.
Amongst these, a Cartoon Network Origins pop up aired in the first week of January 2018 CartoonFairy Network +1 a(Channel Regalon Academy Tale Party Gradara 608 Italian Sky), celebrating the history of the channel with programming that was entirely dedicated to its cult shows. Turner Italy also paid homage to the 25th Anniversary in an artistic manner, with an extraordinary mural on the face of its Roman headquarters by street artists omino71 and Mr.Klevra. The opera of art was created in collaboration with the Assessorato alla Crescita Culturale of Rome Municipality, who aim to give value to and promote the Ostiense area of the city, already rich with creative ideas, both artistic and cultural, that characterize the zone. The two artists interpreted the theme that was chosen for the piece: Friendship, meeting up and diversity, developing a project that showed elements of the past, from grand works of renaissance to Mexican murales, trying at the same time to add a modern feel to the wall, the freshness and fun that is typical of Cartoon Network.
Omino71 and Mr.Klevra created a “half wall” where the creators that are represented in the piece are the most famous characters to come out of Cartoon Network Studios, from Dexter to Ben10, from The Powerpuff Girls to Samurai Jack, Steven Universe, Finn and Jake of Adventure Time, Johnny Bravo, We Bare Bears, Courage the Cowardly Dog, Uncle Grandpa, Clarence, Gumball and many more. The Cartoon Network brand, with its rich content and properties, offers numerous opportunities to create promotional activity and multi-property loyalty programmes. Ilaria Rossi, Licensing Director of Turner Italy said, “After 25 years, Cartoon Network’s characters and franchises are in constant growth in Italy. Today, even young parents are interested in being a part of loyalty programmes dedicated to the family”.
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