Tag Archive | "saddle club"

A Virtual Revolution in Kids’ Programming

Tags: , , , ,


null

With the overnight success of BarbieGirls.com , the long term programming strength of Webkinz and Club Penguin, we see the Internet establishing itself and competing as a true kids’ media distribution platform.

The Internet is distribution; the content/genre is Interactive cartoons.

What’s old is new again. Kids love animation. And while many of these high-traffic branded and brandable children’s destinations use profitable subscriber-based revenue model, like broadcast they are becoming powerful engines for merchandising and licensing activities.

As broadcast demos continue to get older, digital media, Internet and mobile are where the younger and more desirable demographics are. And while no one should predict the demise of children’s programming, (Nickelodeon, Disney Channel, etc.) sticky, interactive, digital content is certain to become the more powerful engine replacing broadcast as the dominant driver of hundreds of millions of dollars in merchandising and licensing revenues.

GS New Media believes that The Saddle Club Virtual World , delivered on SUN Microsystems’ Darkstar platform, will be the first of a new generation of cutting-edge, community-driven, 3D-designed Web and mobile-based destinations for boys and girls that will not only attract an existing global and loyal audience of fans but also become a powerful cross-marketing and promotion tool for old and new Saddle Club- related products and brand extensions.

 

GS New Media and Sun Microsystems Collaborate…

Tags: , , , , , ,


saddle club girls

GS New Media, Inc. and Sun Microsystems, Inc. Collaborate to Bring a
World of Fun, Friendship and Horses to Tweens and Teens Worldwide

The SC Virtual World Builds on The Saddle Club™ Brand with
Unique 3D Gaming and Community Experience

The Saddle Club Virtual World to Launch in 2009

Toronto, ON (August 5, 2008)  — GS New Media, Inc ., a digital entertainment company based in Toronto, announced today that it has adopted Project Darkstar , the breakthrough open source online game platform invented by Sun Microsystems, Inc. (NASDAQ:JAVA), to develop a virtual world for tweens and teens based on the popular TV series The Saddle Club ™. GS New Media and Sun Microsystems will work together to develop a high-performance, broadly functional solution architecture as a basis for The Saddle Club Virtual World .

“We are very pleased that GS New Media has decided to use Project Darkstar as the online infrastructure for The Saddle Club Virtual World , and to work with the Project Darkstar Community, including Sun, to advance the project,” said Karl Harberl, Director of the Project Darkstar initiative at Sun Microsystems. “With their collective expertise in online entertainment and Project Darkstar technology to serve them, GS New Media is well positioned to deliver an innovative virtual world experience, and to capitalize successfully on the tremendous opportunity that The Saddle Club ™ property represents.”

The Saddle Club ™ is one of the most successful children’s TV series in the world. Based on the best-selling books by Bonnie Bryant, the live action drama series follows the adventures of three young heroines who formed the Saddle Club at Pine Hollow Stables. The series, on public television stations in the U.S. and Discovery Kids , has ridden away with the hearts of tweens.

“We are thrilled to collaborate with Sun Microsystems, a company known for innovation, community development and open source leadership,” said Shemi Levi, CEO and co-founder of GS New Media. “Their strength in enabling massive multiplayer online games will allow us to push the limits to create a truly unique 3D world that will connect with millions of young fans of The Saddle Club ™ TV series and horse lovers everywhere.”

“The Saddle Club Rides Again!” 26 half-hour episodes of Series 3 of the live action drama will premiere in more than a dozen countries this fall. The series is a co-production of Crawford Productions Pty Ltd. (Australia) and Protocol Entertainment, Inc. (Canada) and was shot in HD in Australia with an all-new new cast, new characters, more music and fun!

The Saddle Club is a perfect vehicle for a positive, entertaining and enriching virtual experience for the millions of fans of the books and television series. We think the Project Darkstar platform will perfectly suit this unique opportunity,” said Steve Levitan, CEO and president, Protocol Entertainment, Inc.

A television, publishing, merchandising and licensing phenomenon in Australia beginning with the launch of the first series, The Saddle Club ™ has become a global brand celebrating friendship, action, adventure and horses.

“Given the international success of Bonnie Bryant’s original books it has been a wonderful experience to build on that original fan base by means of the TV series through broadcast, cable, satellite and internet as well as DVD, music and fantastic merchandise including toys, apparel, publishing, food and beverages,” said Nick McMahon, CEO of Crawford Productions Pty Ltd. in Australia. “Now, together with our partner Protocol we are going into the new and exciting world of virtual reality. This is a new frontier for us and we are fortunate to have great new partners in GS New Media and Sun Microsystems.”

The online tween and teen market is a hot spot for investors and advertiser alike, a result of critical user mass meeting proven subscription-based business models. More than $1 billion was invested in 2007 in virtual world companies with an additional $185 million committed in the first quarter of 2008 alone.

About GS New Media, Inc.
Founded in 2007 by Shemi Levi and Zviah Eldar, GS New Media is focused on developing high-quality branded Interactive content, in particular virtual worlds. The Saddle Club Virtual World is the company’s first Internet and mobile licensed property to be developed using the open source Project Darkstar platform.  The company’s principals bring a wealth of production, design, and distribution experience to the table and include: Shemi Levi (Orange Israel and blogTV), Zviah Eldar (The Gravity Group), Marty Keltz (Scholastic Productions Inc.), Andrea Dinnick (Walt Disney UK) and David Furst (Webkinz).

About Sun Microsystems, Inc.
A singular vision — “The Network Is The Computer” — guides Sun in the development of technologies that power the world’s most important markets. Sun’s philosophy of sharing innovation and building communities is at the forefront of the next wave of computing: the Participation Age. Sun can be found in more than 100 countries and on the Web at http://sun.com .

About Project Darkstar
Project Darkstar is software infrastructure that is designed to simplify the development and operation of massively scaleable online games, virtual worlds and social networking applications.  Originally created by Sun Microsystems, it is today advanced as an open source project through the Project Darkstar Community. Learn more at http://www.projectdarkstarcom .

About The Saddle Club
The Saddle Club ™ is an Australia-Canada co-production based on the popular book series by Bonnie Bryant. Produced by Crawford Productions Pty Ltd., Australia’s most established and respected television production company (part of the WIN television group) and Protocol Entertainment, Inc., Canada’s premier producer of live action children’s dramas based on literary properties, including, Goosebumps , Dear America and Animorphs .

78 half-hour episodes of the TV series have been produced. It is the longest-running and most rotated series on the Discovery Kids channel. Series 3 will premiere in September 2008 on US public television stations through APT Exchange and Connecticut Public Broadcasting, Inc.  In Canada, the series will be broadcast on TVOKids and the Knowledge Network. Visit http://www.saddleclubtv.com for more information.

- END -

For more information, contact:

GS New Media, Inc.
Julie Giles, GreenHAT Digital
Tel: +1 416-537-9774
E-mail: julie@greenhatdigital.com

SUN Microsystems, Inc.
Suzy Sammons
Tel: +1 415-365-0384
E-mail: SunLabsPR@bitepr.com

Protocol Entertainment, Inc.
Karin Lippert
Tel: +1 416-966-2711, ext. 235
E-mail: karin@protocolent.com

Series 3 of International Hit TV Series Premieres on Public Television Stations Across America

Tags: , , , , ,


The Saddle Club™ Girls Are Back!
The Fun Begins in September - All-New Cast, Adventures, Friends, Music, Fun and Horses

Series 3 of International Hit TV Series Premieres on
Public Television Stations September 2008 through
APT Exchange and CPTV

TORONTO, ON (August 8, 2008) – Millions of kids have been waiting for the new adventures of Carole , Stevie and Lisa , the girls who formed the Saddle Club and their favorite horses Starlight, Belle and Prancer.  Now, their wait is over! Series 3, "The Saddle Club Rides Again!" , of the international hit TV series based on the popular books by Bonnie Bryant will premiere on public television stations across America September 2008 through APT Exchange and Connecticut Public Broadcasting, Inc .

The excitement about the new series is shared by author Bonnie Bryant, who said, “It just keeps getting better and better.” And, by the “new girls” – the three young actors who play the leads: “We were thrilled to be chosen to play the roles of Carole , Stevie and Lisa in the new series. They’re best friends and they became our role models.”

The live-action series, co-produced by Crawford Productions Pty Ltd. and Protocol Entertainment, Inc. , follows the ever-changing world of three 12-year-olds - Carole , Stevie and Lisa - who formed the Saddle Club and vowed to stick together against all odds. Set against the excitement of the horse-world the three girls face plenty of challenges in every episode. Along with peer and family pressures, school and riding competitions, the girls cope with the emotional issues of growing up, boy trouble and their favorite adversary Veronica , and her new sidekick Desi .

The 26×30 all-new adventures feature a new cast, location, stories, music, fun with horses and a miniature donkey named Trouble . Shot in HD in Australia, the new series has all the fun, intrigue and action that made the first two series a hit with kids worldwide.

“The new Saddle Club series keeps all the wonderful elements of Bonnie Bryant’s books and her characters and in a new Pine Hollow setting with the same wonderful horses, great music and a few surprises,” said Nick McMahon, CEO of Crawford Productions.

Each episode of the new series contains a Saddle Club Video Journal. The SC Video Journals are an entertaining and educational part of the public television broadcasts. For Series 3, 26 new “Behind-the-Scenes Video Journals” were produced on location in Australia with members of the new cast and crew, and special guest Bonnie Bryant.

“We are proud that The Saddle Club ™ has found a home on public television stations across America,” said Steve Levitan, CEO and president of Protocol Entertainment. “The series has ridden away with the hearts of tweens and we are seeing a passionate loyalty among the public television fans that mirrors our experience around the world.”

About The Saddle Club
The Saddle Club ™ is an Australia-Canada co-production based on the popular book series by Bonnie Bryant. Produced by Crawford Productions Pty Ltd. (Australia) and Protocol Entertainment, Inc. (Canada). To date, 78 half-hour episodes of the TV series have been produced. The series premiered on public television stations in the US in September, 2006 through American Public Television (APT Exchange) in association with Connecticut Public Broadcasting, Inc . (CPTV). Series 2 premiered on public television stations, September, 2007 and the new series will premiere September 7, 2008.

For information on The Saddle Club™ visit  www.saddleclubtv.com .

About the Producers
Crawford Productions Pty Ltd. is Australia’s most established and respected television production company. Now part of the WIN television group, the Crawford’s Australia name is synonymous with high quality, locally-produced entertainment. Crawfords Australia pioneered television in Australia, with programs ranging from police dramas, sitcoms, mini-series and children’s drama. Based in Melbourne, the company has produced over 4,000 hours of television programming, including the internationally acclaimed The Flying Doctors .

Protocol Entertainment, Inc. is one of Canada’s most celebrated producers of popular and critically-acclaimed children’s entertainment television programming. The company is recognized worldwide for producing high quality, audience and award-winning series for kids and families based on best-selling book properties. The producer of the smash hits Goosebumps ™, Animorphs ™, Dear America ™ and The Saddle Club ™ television series, Protocol Entertainment, Inc. is based in Toronto.

About Connecticut Public Broadcasting, Inc. (CPTV)
Connecticut Public Broadcasting, Inc (CPTV), a service of the Connecticut Public Broadcasting Network, is a nationally recognized producer and presenter of quality public television programming. CPTV played an historic role in bringing a number of landmark programs to public television, including Barney & Friends ™, Bob the Builder ™, Thomas & Friends ™, and Alan Alda in Scientific American Frontiers . The station’s latest educational and entertainment offerings are The Saddle Club ™, Blue Man Group: Inside the Tube , Landscapes Through Time with David Dunlop and Lomax: The Hound of Music . Now in its 45th year, CPTV remains committed to bringing the best in educational programming and services to Connecticut and the nation.

About American Public Television (APT)
American Public Television (APT) has been a prime source of programming for the nation’s public television stations for 45 years. APT Exchange distributes more than 10,000 hours of programming, including Globe Trekker , Rick Steves Europe , Julia and Jacques Cooking at Home , America’s Test Kitchen , The Big Comfy Couch , The Saddle Club ™ and classic movies. APT is known for identifying innovative programs and developing creative distribution techniques for producers. In its more than four decades of operation, it has established a tradition of providing public television stations nationwide with program choices that enable them to strengthen and customize their schedules.

- END -

Contact: Karin Lippert
Protocol Entertainment, Inc.
Tel: (416) 966-2711, ext. 235
E-mail: karin@protocolent.com

 

Meet the Girls From The Saddle Club™

Tags:


Millions of kids have been waiting for the new adventures of Carole, Stevie and Lisa, the girls who formed the Saddle Club and their favourite horses Starlight, Belle and Prancer.

Now, fans can meet them in a ‘behind the scenes’ video shot on location and now screening on The Saddle Club™ Website.

The Saddle Club™ Girls Are Back!

Tags: , , , ,


The Saddle Club™ Girls Are Back!
The Fun Begins September 2nd on TVOKids!

All-New Cast, Adventures, Friends, Music, Fun & Horses

Three Young Canadian Actors Star in the International Hit TV Series

TORONTO (July 30, 2008) – Millions of kids have been waiting for the new adventures of Carole, Stevie and Lisa, the girls who formed the Saddle Club and their favorite horses Starlight, Belle and Prancer.  Now, their wait is almost over!  Series 3, The Saddle Club Rides Again!, of the international hit TV series based on the popular books by Bonnie Bryant will premiere Tuesday, September 2nd at 6 p.m. on TVOKids (also 6 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, and 10:30 a.m. on Saturday).

“We are proud that The Saddle Club™ has found a welcome home on TVOKids and that three of the young stars of the series live in Canada, “said, Steve  Levitan, CEO and president of Protocol Entertainment, Inc.

The series features two young actors who live in Ontario: Lauren Dixon who plays Stevie Lake and Connor Jessup who plays a new character, Simon Atherton. Victoria Campbell who plays Carole Hanson in the series lives in British Columbia.  The three young actors form a chorus singing the praises of their experience: “We were thrilled to be chosen to be in the Saddle Club. We all became a ‘family’ during six months of filming in Australia.”

Author Bonnie Bryant who visited the TV set on location in Australia, said: “It just keeps getting better and better. The adult in me loves it and the kid in me too. I am not alone, all kids will love it!”

The half-hour, live action series, co-produced by Crawford Productions Pty Ltd. and Protocol Entertainment, Inc., follows the ever-changing world of three 12-year-olds - Carole, Stevie and Lisa - who formed the Saddle Club and vowed to stick together against all odds. Set against the excitement of the horse-world the three girls face plenty of challenges in every episode. Series 3 continues the winning formula of hi-jinks, drama and humor that made the first two series a hit with kids worldwide. Along with peer and family pressures, school and riding competitions, the girls cope with the emotional issues of growing up, boy trouble, and their favorite adversary Veronica and her new sidekick Desi.

TVOKids is in constant search for live-action dramas that will engage and entertain a 6- to 9-year-old audience and the entire family,” says Patricia Ellingson, TVO’s creative head of Children’s Media Content and Programming. “Not only does a drama need to be entertaining, but it’s critical for TVO that the story has a ‘life lesson’ that will make our audience think and question their own lives and peer interactions. The Saddle Club is a wonderfully crafted series and we are thrilled to be able to bring it to our viewers.”

The 26×30 all-new adventures feature a new cast, location, stories, music, fun with horses and a miniature donkey named Trouble. Shot in HD in Australia, the new series has all the fun, intrigue and action that made the first two series a hit with kids worldwide.

“The new Saddle Club series keeps all the wonderful elements of Bonnie Bryant’s books and her characters and in a new Pine Hollow setting with the same wonderful horses, great music and a few surprises,” said Nick McMahon, CEO of Crawford Productions.

For additional information and interviews, please contact:
Karin Lippert, karin@protocolent.com, 416-966-2711, ext. 235

About The Saddle Club
The Saddle Club™ is an Australia-Canada co-production based on the popular book series by Bonnie Bryant. Produced by Crawford Productions Pty Ltd. (Australia) and Protocol Entertainment Inc. (Canada). To date, 78 half-hour episodes of the TV series have been produced.  The Saddle Club™ is based on the popular book series by Bonnie Bryant, and is seen in more than a dozen countries.

About the Producers
Crawford Productions Pty Ltd. is Australia’s most established and respected television production company. Now part of the WIN television group, the Crawfords Australia name is synonymous with high quality, locally-produced entertainment. Crawfords Australia pioneered television in Australia, with programs ranging from police dramas, sitcoms, mini-series and children’s drama. Based in Melbourne, the company has produced over 4,000 hours of television programming, including the internationally acclaimed The Flying Doctors.

Protocol Entertainment, Inc. is one of Canada’s most celebrated producers of popular and critically-acclaimed children’s entertainment television programming. The company is recognized worldwide for producing high quality, audience and award-winning series for kids and families based on best-selling book properties. The producer of the smash hits Goosebumps™, Animorphs™, Dear America™ and The Saddle Club™ television series, Protocol Entertainment, Inc. is based in Toronto.

About TVO
TVO is Ontario’s public educational media organization and a trusted source of interactive educational content that informs, inspires and stimulates curiosity and thought. We are committed to empowering people to be engaged citizens of Ontario through educational media.

Fun, Friendship, Horses and Ringtones

Tags: ,


saddle club mobile

The Saddle Club™ Mobile Site is the newest property from GS New Media Inc. to be based on the best-selling book series by Bonnie Bryant and viewed worldwide as The Saddle Club™ TV series.

Currently seen in 20 countries and in the US on more than 300 public stations through American Public Television (APT) and Connecticut Public Broadcasting, Inc. (CPTV), The Saddle Club™ holds the record for being the longest-running and most popular series on the Discovery Kids Channel (reaching 54 million households).

The TV is series is produced by Crawford Productions Pty Ltd. (Australia) and Protocol Entertainment, Inc. (Canada) and distributed internationally by Eaton Films Ltd (UK).

The series appeals to a broad age range of girls, boys, and their families because it provides classic storytelling in a modern realistic setting. Through the books, television series, games, CDs, DVDs, and now mobile - the positive values, active lifestyle and the wholesome activities associated with horses and riding are accessible to children everywhere.

 

We Love The Saddle Club

Tags: ,