Vithita Animation's PangPond to air in Asia (6 cities) on YR channel







 

 

     





By AMRITA VALECHA

| 
17 August, 2009 - 00:00








 

	

	

        
	

        

    
    
    



    
    

    	    
    


		












BANGKOK: After a successful five season run, the PangPond series developed by Bangkok based Vithita Animation is back again in its sixth edition, PangPong – The Hero begins. And the news is that all the seasons of this Thai created animation content will now be aired in 6 countries across the Asia Pacific region namely HK, Macao, Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines, and Taiwan on the YR channel from September 2009 onwards.

Made at a budget of US $35, 000 per episode (approx), The Hero Begins has already been aired in Thailand on Channel 3 between April – July 2009. Targeted at the age group of 4-9 years, the 3D animation series (26 X 11 minutes) shows how a clever 5-year-old boy (PangPond) solve problems by confronting a gigantic monster in each episode that comes to earth when the secret door of heaven and hell is opened. PangPond uses simple yet effective ways to tone down the violence and bring back world peace.

Speaking to Animation Xpress Asia Pacific about the success of PangPond, Santi Laohaburanakit, General Manger Vithita Animation said, “PangPond is selected by Ministry of Education and Culture to be Thai Young Ambassador of Virtue in 2004-2006 and in 2007 as a Young Ambassador of Global Warming by Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. The series is also aired in Hong Kong through iCable (Hong Kong Cable TV 2003-2004) and we plan to launch it in key cities of China in November this year. In addition to that, all the previous seasons of PangPond will be aired in 6 countries across Asia Pacific namely HK, Macao, Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines, and Taiwan on YR channel in September 2009”.

PangPond has been amongst the 1st Thai Cartoon Licensing Character in 2002 with the merchandising items covering more than 50 categories. The character has been associated with big brands like Fanta, Ovaltine, Microsoft, Kellogg’s, AIS (biggest mobile operator in Thailand), and many other consumer snacks as well. Recently in 2009, PangPond merchandise has been in partnership with the 5,000 branches of
7 Eleven to promote and distribute the merchandise under the theme ‘Hero Begins’ to support the latest season. 














Laohaburanakit further added, “Due to the brand equity of our characters, Licensing has become an essential part of the business. This can be proven with the brand PangPond which has gained a growing popularity both domestically and internationally.”

Established in 2001, Vithita Animation is a full service Animation House specializing in Character development and design, development and production of 2D/3D animated. It is also an affiliate of Banluesarn’s ‘Kai Hua Roh’ which is the country’s largest cartoon comic company With a total team size of 60 artists, Vithita has worked on many series in the past namely - PangPond 6 Seasons, Willy, The 3 Kingdoms, Ramakian mini-animation, SnowGang I and II and SuperMalt and Mahosatha Jataka.

In 2009, PangPond has been appointed by Bangkok Metropolitant Authority and Thai Health Organization to be Young Ambassador of Anti-flu 2009 campaign. PangPond is a representative from all parties showing the effort to get rid of flu2009 and any other disease from Thai nations.

“Currently we’re working on a new theme for PangPond. It will air on Channel 3 in Thailand in 2010.” Santi concluded.