Dick Clark forms kids’ division
Jackson Bell
Hoping to capture a younger demographic, Burbank-based dick clark
productions has launched a new division called dick clark kids.
The company, run by longtime TV celebrity Dick Clark, will focus
on the development, production and distribution of children’s
entertainment, according to Vice Chairman Jules Haimovitz.
“Dick is basically known for generating family entertainment for
the last 50 years,” Haimovitz said. “A lot of us grew up with Dick,
and we think this is a good extension for the company.”
An independent TV production company, dick clark productions has
created such programs as “American Dreams,” “Dick Clark’s New Year’s
Rockin’ Eve,” and “Golden Globe Awards.” It also owns the restaurant
chain Dick Clark’s American Bandstand.
Vice President of Production Cindy Clark and Media Marketing
Executive Kelly Sole Holscher -- both entertainment industry veterans
-- will spearhead the new division. The first project is an animated
live-action series, “The CanBees -- You CanBee Anything You Imagine.”
“‘The CanBees’ is an inspirational program for children ages 3 to
8 that melds entertainment with education,” Haimovitz said.
The project features computer-generated images of bees conducting
interviews with professionals from various fields about what they do
and how to enter that career.
The company is currently budgeting the program for development.
When completed, it will be sold in DVD format along with a
supplemental workbook, Haimovitz said, adding that the company
anticipates a release date some time in the first quarter of 2004.
“We’re trying to avoid the cluttered kids market with all the
violence and action stuff out now,” he said. “This is not pure
entertainment, but entertainment that enriches and informs.”