The Biz: Wendy's Bitin' For Teen Titans; Honda's In, Like, Swim

Beast Boy, meet Wendy. Warner Bros. Consumer Products will team with Wendy's, beginning next month, on a six-week Teen Titans Kids' Meal program set to run Oct. 3 through Nov 13.

About 5,700 Wendy's locations in the U.S. and 350 in Canada will offer premiums such as Teen Titans Wrist Bracelets, Magnetic Spinners and Flying Discs. The promo and tune-in messages will be communicated via POP.

The Kids' WB!/Cartoon Network show's adolescent superheroes Beast Boy, Robin, Raven, Cyborg and Starfire appeal to both boys and girls ages 6-12.

"Wendy's is about positive role models and that fits with the aspirational nature of Teen Titans," said Dave Hedrick, WBCP svp-worldwide promotional marketing and branded foods. The gist of the action/comedy cartoon: "If you are a superhero with powers and no parental guidance, what would your life be like?" Previously, Teen Titans teamed with Subway and Post Cereals for promos.



AS: We've Got Short Shorts

To support its 2006 model and new tagline, "Civic: It will reverse your thinking," American Honda Motor is partnering with Cartoon Network's popular programming block Adult Swim for a Web-based animation contest.

"Put on Your Shorts," from Oct. 3 to Nov. 27, dares fans to enter original animations up to five minutes on Adult Swim's site. Creators of cult fave Aqua Teen Hunger Force and other shows will judge entries. The winner's toon will air on the site and Adult Swim's VOD channel. Honda's agency, RPA, Santa Monica, Calif., assisted.

"The Civic is targeted to our sweet spot viewer; they're basically repositioning it as a cool, hip, fuel-efficient car for young adults," said Phyllis Ehrlich, svp-promotions marketing. "And 'Reverse your thinking' fits with the quirky personality of Adult Swim."

Adult Swim is planning to air 30-second ads on its customary black bumpers. Copy reads: "Great contest. You can win. Submit a short. We're gonna sit around and judge the hell out of it."



mtvU: Not Too Cool for School

Ford, Gillette, MonsterTrak, Citi and Slim Jim join returning sponsors U.S. Air Force and Nintendo for the sophomore year of mtvU's Tailgate Tour at college campuses. Brands will support with games, samples, and product showcases and demos.

The 2005 tour, created and managed by Alloy Media + Marketing, New York, runs six weeks beginning Sept. 29; its bus will hit about 15 campuses. The initiative aims to increase the cable channel's awareness among students and give sponsors the chance to connect with the collegiate crowd at college football games and social environments, such as fraternities and bars. mtvU will air tour-related segments starting Oct. 10. Alloy's AMP agency will support with campus media and buzz squads.

Spanish Eyes GoTV

GoTV Networks inked a multiyear content deal with Univision, the largest Spanish-language network in the U.S. The mobile TV network creates and customizes on-demand programming for phones. Through the deal, GoTV will license many of Univision's shows, such as its news, sports and entertainment coverage, said Elizabeth Brooks, svp-marketing. The network will promote the mobile service across its media.

GoTV also has deals with ABC Entertainment and Fox Sports.

E-mail: bebenkamp@brandweek.com