Blue Ribbon

Another of our fine entertainment conglomerates rolls out a new division involved with animation.

Warner Bros. announced Blue Ribbon Content as the name of its newly created short-form digital division, which will develop and produce live-action and animated series for digital platforms, and revealed a slate of content under the banner including spinoffs from the DC Comics franchise.

Blue Ribbon Content is headed by Sam Register, who assumed oversight of digital development and production of the studio’s efforts after being named president of Warner Bros. Animation and Warner Digital Series in April. His team at Blue Ribbon Content includes Andrew Mellett, SVP, distribution and strategy, who manages the new division’s financial operations, oversees business affairs, and handles all distribution and sponsorship deals.

Blue Ribbon Content’s first development slate comprises several original program concepts as well as new shows from Warner Bros. Entertainment’s collection of intellectual property. ...

Warners has found more success with animated product the last several years, so expanding onto other platforms attached to the worldwide web (like Disney, DreamWorks Animation and others are doing) makes total sense.

Companies are learning that they need to compete in every area of distribution -- mobile devices, home computers, cable, theatrical and broadcast -- if they're going to stay even with (or surpass?) their rivals.