Mumbai: Disney Channel, the #1 channel for kids and families is celebrating the birthday of Donald Duck, one of the most loved animated characters by kids and adults alike on June 9. Fans can join the celebrations on Disney Channel all day long starting with special episodes of ‘Mickey Mouse Clubhouse‘ starring Donald. Special short-form program, ‘Have A Laugh‘ will showcase classic, fun-filled Donald Duck moments for his fans all through the day. In addition, the channel will premiere Donald‘s solo performance on a special song, created exclusively for his birthday.

Donald Duck, a part of Disney?s ?Fab 5? team including Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Daisy Duck and Pluto, made his debut in the Silly Symphony cartoon ?The Wise Little Hen? and has endeared millions of hearts around the world since then.

Donald Duck started his career with regular appearances in most Mickey Mouse animations. In a very short time, owing to his growing popularity he began starring in solo animation pieces, the first of which was ?Don Donald?. This short also introduced a love interest of Donald‘s, Donna Duck, who later evolved into Daisy Duck. Donald‘s nephews, Huey, Dewey and Louie, made their first animated appearance shortly after in the film, ?Donald‘s Nephews?. After his early appearances, Donald went on to become part of the famed trio Mickey, Donald, and Goofy.

Donald‘s voice, one of the most identifiable voices in all of animation, was performed by voice actor the late Clarence "Ducky" Nash. Since 1985, Donald has been voiced by Tony Anselmo, who was trained by Nash for the role. His characteristic voice turns entirely incoherent during his frequent feather-flying tantrums, and continues to be the most adored ‘Donald moments‘ by his fans. His favorite sayings in calmer times include "What‘s the Big Idea?‘ and "Aw Phooey!?.

Here?s wishing the most endearing duck of all times, ?A Very Happy Birthday?. Time to cut the cake Donald Duck! Join the celebrations only on Disney Channel on June 9 starting 7 AM.

Mumbai: The International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) today announced that this year the IIFA Rocks presented by Grey Goose will feature performances by the stunning Dia Mirza and siren Mallika Sherawat.

This year, IIFA Rocks presented by Grey Goose will also announce the 12th Floriana IIFA Technical Award winners and see several musical performances. The magical trio, Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy will perform live as top supermodels from around the world sashay down the ramp in couture from India and Canada. It will also feature spectacular performances by top stars and international music artists.

Dia Mirza will perform on the IIFA stage again, having last performed at IIFA in Bangkok in 2008. This year will be Mallika Sherawat?s maiden performance at the Videocon D2H IIFA Weekend. Her upcoming film Double Dhamaal is being premiered at IIFA Toronto and she will perform to the hit song ?Jalebi? from the movie.

Come June, Toronto is going to feel the magic as the most prestigious stars from the Indian Film Fraternity descend upon the city. Come join in the revelry and be a part of the Videocon IIFA Weekend from June 23rd to 25th which will culminate with the very extravagant Floriana IIFA Awards 2011. The Gitanjali Group is the Associate Sponsor of the Videocon d2h IIFA Weekend and will be showcasing their jewellery at IIFA Rocks.

Mumbai: STAR Pravah, the Marathi General Entertainment Channel from STAR Entertainment Media PVT Ltd has been declared the undisputed leader in the Marathi entertainment genre with 141 serial GRPs in Wk 23?11. The channel raced past its competitors to become Maharashtra?s number one choice with the highest ever serial GRPs in the past 125 weeks in the Marathi genre.

STAR Pravah has also been successful in engaging more Maharashtrian viewers than its competitors this week. According to TAM*, audiences spend at least 45 minutes per day on an average on STAR Pravah, a notch higher in comparison to any other channel. The channel credits its success to some of its most popular shows like Mann Udhan Varyache, Bhanda Saukhya Bhare, Pudcha Paul and Tujh Vin Sakhya Re.

Commenting on this achievement, STAR Pravah?s Programming Head, Shrabani Deodhar says, ?The ratings are a reflection of the faith our viewers have in us. In the coming months, we will showcase exciting nonfiction shows and innovative storytelling that will keep our viewers asking for even more.?

Yogesh Manwani, Vice President- Marketing says, ?The response has been overwhelming. Our marketing initiatives coupled with the thrust of innovative on- ground consumer engagement activities have helped us strengthen the brands relationship with our viewers?

SOURCE: TAM Wk 20 - 23?11, TG: CS4+, Mkts: Maharashtra

MUMBAI:For years, posters and hoardings have been an important tool for local politicians to connect with their voters and make their presence felt. In tune with globalization and changing times, a majority of National Parties restructuring into a corporate management. Therefore, for creating awareness about their social initiatives, political campaigns, displaying hoardings of their leaders on birthdays, festivals or to announce public meetings, they have appointed specialized media agencies.

Recently, Global Advertisers gave US President Mr. Barack Obama huge political mileage by welcoming him in India with a giant-sized billboard. at Marine Drive. The hoarding was extensively covered by the international print and online media as well as news channels. It was a one-of-its-kind iconic outdoor display that has made history in the world of outdoor media.

In Mumbai and around at least 500 political hoardings fill the skyline on a regular day. Global Advertisers, Managing Director, Sanjeev Gupta believes that ?Reaching to masses has never been so easy for any political leader. We are regularly approached by many political parties in the peak season of Ganesh festival, Dr B.R. Ambedkar‘s birthday or on a frequent basis to communicate their social agenda through our hoardings across Mumbai and India.?

Changing marketing trends in social arena has also pushed the demands of political parties. Rallies, posters, banners are now pass?. Fresh social networking ideas, innovative and interactive hoardings, mobile marketing are in vogue and at times PR agencies are handling the accounts of many a National Party. . .

Out-of-Home has always been popular among political parties. For hoardings are strategically located and communicate any message 24 x 7 without any breaks ? forcing attention as well as desired action.

Global Advertisers has successfully designed, planned, and executed massive campaigns for national parties during several Lok Sabha & Rajya sabah elections. Political hoardings are the primary tools of communication and no wonder parties such as: Congress, BJP, NCP, MNS, Shiv Sena allot enough budget to outdoor advertising .

Recently, Global has executed public awareness campaign for National Congress Party, engaging highly visible hoarding at Sion ? creating more than expected impact. Similarly, welcome hoardings for Sonia Gandhi, congratulatory hoardings for leaders, and best wishes message from political head honchos are a common sight in Mumbai?s skyline.

MUMBAI: In a bid to capture a share of the growing sports market, Zzebra Public Relations has launched an integrated sports communication firm Zzebra Sports.

Zzebra Sports will be headquartered in New Delhi with offices in Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bangalore and the top tier cities.

The company said that Zzebra Sports will concentrate on delivering ?high quality strategic, content management, online reputation management, media advocacy, event management, branding and design frameworks and IP platform creation?.

Sangeeta Kuriakos has come on board as the managing partner of the new firm and she will be responsible for driving the growth of Zzebra Sports. Kuriakos is MD of The Specialists and has formerly worked with Clea Public Relations as CEO.

Zzebra Public Relations MD CP Thomas said, ?We are pleased to announce Zzebra Sports, India?s first integrated sports communication firm, which will leverage Zzebra?s existing strengths in the sports industry and combine it with Kuriakos? immense understanding of the sector to create a winning entity. The sports marketing and communication space in India is still at a nascent stage and Zzebra Sports aims to take a leadership position and pioneer new benchmarks in sports communication."

Zzebra claims of a robust sports portfolio of work across multiple sports disciplines, managing communication activities for sports management and marketing companies, sports celebrities, international and national associations and federations, and global tournaments. The sports disciplines Zzebra has been involved in include tennis, rugby, badminton, football, hockey, distance running, motorsports, mountain biking, golf, polo, yachting, apart from cricket, and has won industry accolades for their stellar work, it said.

Kuriakos added, ?The entry of global sporting brands and organisations into India is indicative of sports being a sunrise industry. With supremacy in cricket, and soccer, tennis and motorsports already occupying a large share of the mind space it is only a matter of time before we are a multi-sport nation catering to the entertainment needs of a large target audience, especially in the urban centres. I am pleased to join hands with Zzebra to lead and grow sports communication in the country and take advantage of the impending growth.?

Zzebra Public Relations is a communication consultancy headquartered in Mumbai, and is part of the Concept Group.

MUMBAI: Beat the Summer heat with POGO, as it premieres thrilling new episodes of the New Adventures of Hanuman. The show offers parents a fabulous oppurtunity to spend quality time with their kids as well as introduce them to the tales of Lord Hanuman, as he fights with evil to protect humanity.

New Adventures of Hanuman is a story of an ordinary boy Maruti, who finds a divine mace locket that falls from the sky and gives him extraordinary powers. As Maruti picks up the locket, Lord Hanuman appears before him to inform him that he is the chosen one and it is his destiny to protect humanity from all evil ? human or alien.

So, be a part of the brand-new adventures June 12 onwards, every Sunday at 9.30 a.m. only on India?s favourite kids? destination ? POGO!