• October 9, 2008

Turner Entertainment Networks Asia (TENA) has inked a deal with interactive agency SinoTech Group in China to develop and distribute online games on Cartoon Network Web sites in North Asia. The agreement marks the first time a Chinese-based company is targeting ads to kids online in China, the companies say.

The SinoTech Group becomes the exclusive interactive advertising sales rep for online game inventory that they create specifically for Cartoon Network's Web sites. The group plans to focus on recruiting new advertisers from the China market first.

Online games have been a key driver of Cartoon Network's online success, with seven of the top 10 most-visited Web pages on the Cartoon Network site being related to gaming," according to Benjamin Grubbs, regional director for Interactive, TENA.

SinoTech has begun developing the first selection of online games scheduled to launch on the Cartoon Network Asia and Cartoon Network Taiwan Web sites by year's end. The games will either feature Cartoon Network's original characters or those developed by the Asian company.--Laurie Sullivan