Cartoon Network and the FDA Encourage Kids to SPOT THE BLOCK
A First of Its Kind Co-Branded Nutrition Awareness Campaign to Kick off Feb. 14
Cartoon Network and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are unrolling a public education campaign this February that encourages kids and tweens to use the Nutrition Facts information on the food label to make healthier food choices. Known as SPOT THE BLOCK, the campaign uses online and customized public education on-air spots featuring characters from popular programs like Foster�s Home for Imaginary Friends to promote portion control and a healthy eating lifestyle. This first of its kind partnership between Cartoon Network and the FDA kicks off on Feb. 14.
SPOT THE BLOCK will feature two public education on-air spots produced by Cartoon Network and showcase favorite characters from the network�s original programming lineup. The first on-air spot, �SPOT THE BLOCK, YO!� includes a funky, soulful song, ala School House Rock!, performed by characters from the award-winning original series, Foster�s Home for Imaginary Friends, The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy, Camp Lazlo, and My Gym Partner�s a Monkey. The fun song and dance number demonstrates where to look for (�spot�) the Nutrition Facts label (the �block�) and the useful information it contains to help kids and tweens make healthy food choices. Creative components for the second public education on-air spot unveiled later in the year will be available at a later date.
SPOT THE BLOCK will also feature a custom micro site. The online destination will offer kids the opportunity to engage with the FDA�s key messaging and offer tools to enable them to better understand the Nutrition Facts label on their favorite foods.
�We�re extremely honored that the FDA has selected Cartoon Network as their media partner for communicating these important nutrition messages directly to kids and tweens,� said Mark Lazarus, president of Turner Entertainment Group. �The SPOT THE BLOCK campaign fits in with our overall commitment to kids and Cartoon Network�s GET ANIMATED program, which helps to teach and inspire kids to get healthy, active and involved; and our beloved characters are the perfect ones to deliver such a message.�
"Spot the Block is strategically created for tweens (ages 9 -13) who are asserting their independence in ways such as buying and preparing their own food,� explained Janice Hamilton, President of JMH Education, the agency that created the program on behalf of the FDA. "It's the ideal age for engaging kids via the media they most interact with - the Internet and TV."
Launched in February 2005, Cartoon Network�s GET ANIMATED provides on-air, online, print and off-channel programs to teach children the value of a healthy lifestyle that includes regular exercise, good eating and helping others. Featuring the network�s roster of popular cartoon characters, GET ANIMATED currently includes multiple animated PSAs, a mobile tour, community programs and its 2006 Rescuing Recess initiative. For more information, please visit www.GetAnimated.com.
Cartoon Network (CartoonNetwork.com), currently seen in more than 91 million U.S. homes and 160 countries around the world, is Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.�s ad-supported cable service offering the best in original, acquired and classic animated entertainment for kids and families. Overnight from 11 p.m.-6 a.m. (ET, PT), Cartoon Network shares its channel space with Adult Swim, a late-night destination showcasing original and acquired animation for young adults 18-34.
Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company, is a major producer of news and entertainment product around the world and the leading provider of programming for the television industry.
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