The Disney Interactive team survived
a round of layoffs and is hoping to ramp up its production. At New York's Digital NewFronts, the division announced 10 new online original series and a new app geared toward parents that will allow them to share stories online.
Disney is looking to tie in its online games to its online content. At the presentation, the division previewed season two of “Swampy’s Underground Adventures,” which features an animated alligator from the company's Where’s My Water? game. The company also debuted “It’s a Small World,” an animated show based on the famous theme-park ride; “Digitales,” finger-puppet re-tellings of Disney classic films by kids; and “Blank: A Love Story,” featuring stop-motion versions of the collectible toys based on Disney characters.
The division isn't just focusing on children's content, however. The company is putting out shows aimed at tweens and teens, including “D’Fied,” a weekly show highlighting Disney-inspired fashions and “Stunt’d,” a mockumentary following an indie film crew. The division even has content for the Mommy crowd including “Celebrity Pet Psychic,” featuring animal whisperer Sonya Fitzpatrick; “Making It Up,” how-to talkshow format hosted by Kerri Kenney-Silver; “That’s Fresh with Helen Cavallo” cooking show; and “Citizen Kid,” profiling kids active in their communities.
With DreamWorks
recently investing $33 million into YouTube channel AwesomenessTV, studioare starting to show that they’re willing to pay big bucks in the online arena.
Jimmy Pitaro, co-president of Disney Interactive, featured the company's relationship with YouTube and touted the potential to launch some of the new series into brands.Our YouTube partnership has generated some of our biggest hits,” Pitaro said. Two Disney series that have hit big on the site include: “Talking Friends,” based on apps of the same name, viewed more than 130 million times; and “Swampy’s Underground Adventures,” which has 27 million views.
Disney Interactive's new Story app will launch on Apple’s iTunes App Store next week. With the app families will be able to share video and photos in “stories.”
“It’s designed to turn everyday moments trapped on our smartphones into beautiful stories,” Pitaro said. “We think it’s a perfect sponsorship vehicle for families to tell their stories.
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