Search form

Cartoon Network Animates PSAs for Kids to ‘Give a Little Bit’ to Tsuna

Cartoon Network is creating an integrated PSA program to inspire young people to learn how they can join in supporting global efforts to provide relief to the millions of tsunami victims in southeast Asia. Favorite characters from its vast animation studios will be featured in a musical salute set against Give a Little Bit, by Roger Hodgson, formerly of Supertramp.

Five for Fightings John Ondrasik and UNICEF Ambassadors Clay Aiken and India.Arie each will sing a new recording of the song produced and arranged by John Fields, who produces such artists as Mandy Moore, Semisonic, Andrew W.K. and Dovetail Joint. Viewers will be directed to visit an independent Website designed specifically for this campaign, www.kidshelpout.org, highlighting the positive impact of the tsunami relief efforts and also directs them to UNICEF for further information, to make contributions and to learn how even kids can make a difference regardless of their ability to donate.

The campaign, created by CNs on-air department, supervised by Pete Johnson, vp/creative director for CN, begins airing domestically on Jan. 14, 2005, and internationally shortly thereafter. The on-air PSA spots will be distributed to each of Cartoon Networks and Boomerangs domestic and international channels, which now reach more than 170 million households around the world in 160 countries and 17 languages. The on-air and online campaign is scheduled to run for at least four to six weeks, and will be amended as the relief efforts progress.

Children around the world have certainly seen or heard reports of the tsunamis devastation, but may not yet have a clear understanding of what is being done across the globe to assist in the recovery efforts, said Charles J. Lyons, president, U.S. Fund for UNICEF. Were extremely pleased to see one of the worlds top childrens networks respond quickly by showing kids the positive impact of the relief efforts and to empower them with ways to join in this global mission.

What has struck me most about this monumental disaster is that the children of Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India and other Asian countries within the region were both initially and still remain the single group most affected by the impact and aftermath of the Dec. 26 tsunami, said Jim Samples, evp/gm, Cartoon Network Worldwide. We wanted to communicate appropriately to our young audience the positive aspects of the global relief effort now underway. Kids, too, can play an active role in meeting this challenge.

Give a Little Bit was among the first songs we thought of that ideally fit the message we wanted to convey to kids around the world, said Sam Register, svp, original animation for Cartoon Network. Its lyric theres so much that we need to share, so send a smile and show you care was a natural fit for what kids need to hear. When we called to see if we could secure the rights to use the song, Roger Hodgson of Supertramp, the songs composer, immediately gave not only his permission for the song, but offered to perform and record a message to kids that we can use on the Website. It was truly overwhelming to receive such a quick and personal response, and it allowed us to move straight away into production.

Different versions of the PSA will feature additional well-known recording artists singing the Give a Little Bit anthem, set to a different arrangement of the song pop, hip hop, etc. to keep the message fresh, interesting and relevant. John Ondrasik of Five for Fighting (100 YEARS, SUPERMAN), already an active supporter of tsunami relief efforts, is among the first to record his version of the PSA. Both Clay Aiken and India.Arie (11-time Grammy nominee Acoustic Soul and Voyage To India) also have laid down their own versions. Commentary from live-action talent also will be added to the PSA over the next several weeks. Hodgson is doing a new recording of Give a Little Bit with an 80-piece orchestra and choir.

Founded in 1946, UNICEF (www.unicefusa.org) helps save, protect and improve the lives of children around the world through immunization, education, health care, nutrition, clean water, and sanitation. UNICEF is non-partisan and its cooperation is free of discrimination.

Rick DeMott's picture

Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks

Tags