Zapak to distribute, market Cartoon Network's online games
19 Nov 2010
Broadcasting major Turner International India on Thursday announced an exclusive partnership with Zapak Digital Entertainment, the online gaming company promoted by the Reliance Anil Ambani group, to market and distribute Cartoon Network's popular multi-player online games.
As part of the partnership, Turner will leverage Zapak's promotional channels to expand the reach of Cartoon Network's online gaming experience nationwide.
Zapak will also support the launch of 'CN Coins' game cards, the toon currency designed for the youth gaming space in India, which will be made available at more than 100 Zapak gaming café networks and 500 other private cafes across 35 cities in the country.
Turner's foray into social gaming coincides with the industry experiencing 89 per cent year-on-year growth in 2010. A Cartoon Network survey on kids' lifestyle, New Generations, showed that 34 per cent of kids aged 7-14 who surf the net list playing multi-player online games as their favourite activity while 19 per cent listed individual online gaming as their favourite online activity.
"The alliance expands the distribution of Cartoon Network games and associated payment options as it leverages Zapak's enviable network of promotional channels," said Benjamin Grubbs, executive director for Turner Entertainment Interactive Media and general manager, TurnOut Ventures Limited.
As the exclusive marketing and distribution partner, Zapak will provide support to Cartoon Network's popular games, Ben 10 Omniverse: Rise of the Heroes and Toon Football via promotional activities, gaming tournaments and customised retail promotions across Zapak gameplexes and the private cafes across 35 cities. It will also promote the two games on Zapak.com.
The gaming company will also act as a premium payment partner integrating the games into payment channels, including credit and debit cards and electronic coupon purchase, in Zapak gameplexes.
Cartoon Network, available in English, Hindi, Tamil and Telugu, reaches more than 28 million kid viewers in the country.
Zapak, India's largest gaming company, claims to have 8 million registered gamers.