The unbelievable rise in childhood obesity around the globe is being tackled head on in the new multiplatform children’s television program created by emerging Sydney producer Aimee Atkins.
After recently winning the SPAA Fringe Pitching Competition in Brisbane, Australia, Game On has just been selected from thousands of projects for the much coveted Pitch It competition at the upcoming Kidscreen Conference in New York. It’s been four years since an Australian has been selected in the competition, so it is an amazing achievement for such a young Aussie producer. Only four projects around the world are chosen each year, giving the entrants centre stage in front of the biggest players in the children’s broadcasting industry.
From performing as Dorothy the Dinosaur in the Wiggles as well as Spot The Dog, Bananas in Pyjamas and Fifi and the Flowertots with the ABC, Atkins has developed an innovative tween targeted, sports and fitness game show featuring an exciting online world where kids can hang out, interact and create their own community.
Kids are the heart of Game On, a kid hosted, kid focused, kid starring format which provides content that is relevant, cutting edge and a lot fun!
The 30 minute format is devised to encourage children to get excited about their health and fitness. Cleverly disguised as games, the audience doesn’t even know they are watching healthy TV.
Creator of the series Aimee Atkins says, ‘Game On is about what tweens are about; content, creativity and celebrity – with a healthy twist! It is organically designed from a child’s perspective, targeted specifically at them and their interests and is presented in a way they understand. Rather than telling them, it inspires them, to lead a balanced lifestyle.’
Game On has been able to secure a winning team to head up the project. Cate McQuillen and Hewey Eustace at Mememe Productions form the creative team, Katie Salen from the New York gamelab joined the team as the game designer and Mark Pesce is the interactive consultant. Game On has also been working closely alongside highly accredited production houses, Eurocam and Beyond International Productions. It’s a team that will deliver the kids TV of the future – right now.
Mark Gerrard, Rugby Union, Brumbies and Wallabies – ‘Having two kids of my own I think it is important to encourage kids to exercise and be active, especially with the rise in obesity within children. Being a sports figure myself I know being active is very important. Game On is a great way to encourage the youth of our generation to have fun, be active and stay healthy. I can’t wait for my kids and I to be a part of the Game On experience.’
It is inevitable that children are going to keep watching television and playing on the computer, so why not use the media to encourage them to live a more healthier and active lifestyle?
With the obesity epidemic even more prevalent at present, Game On is seeking partners who get it. Broadcast partners who wish to provide content for the tween market across different delivery platforms to extend the audience experience and to bring alive the mobile phone and online elements.
For further information please contact:
Sarah Osmotherly, Osmopolitan PR
Ph: 61 2 8004 3125 Mob: 0402 287 722 E-mail: mailto:sarah@osmopolitan.com.au
[release from Osmopolitan PR]