What the Dickens…?
By Colin Ward
On the 6th July SKTV launched its new campaign video at the Showcomotion Children’s Media Conference in Sheffield. It immediately stirred up a healthy debate amongst the delegates as to what were the most important messages we should be trying to get across. On the one hand we want to let people know that there is a financial crisis in the industry but on the other we don’t want to dwell too much on the ad ban as that is already a fact of life.
Which sort of makes it hard to say very much, apart from “kids’ TV is really very good, honest”.
But the cold hard fact is that the commercial business model for kids’ TV has changed beyond all recognition because of the ad ban, and we can no longer sustain the strong, diverse kids’ production sector that thrived in this country in the heyday of children’s television. So it seemed like a good idea to say that, to reminds everyone how we got into this mess. Robin Lyons and the team at Calon have done a great job delivering an animation in which Scrooge gets his clutches on Tiny Tim’s hard-won cash for Kids’ TV. The video can be viewed on the SKTV website. Please take a look and pass the link on to your friends and family.
We are now actively seeking other ideas for viral campaigning. We’ve had offers of help from writers and editors which is great. But we’re also looking for production expertise and resources. Contact prgroup@savekidstv.org.uk if you want to offer your ideas, time or services.
We’re also making a start on social networking sites with Jayne Kirkham’s fictitious children’s character - KC, who is now on Facebook and MySpace. She’s a cartoon rabbit in search of a slot but her quest for fame and fortune proves difficult as she discovers that kids’ TV is on the rocks and all the kids’ slots have been taken over by former Radio One DJ’s hosting incomprehensible game-shows. To follow her adventures on Facebook you need to join the site and then put KC into the search engine. MySpace is a more public site, so just go straight to www.myspace.com/kc_rabbit
We’re still working out our approach to viral as we go. Any ideas and advice will be gratefully received.
