NEWS FROM DISNEY XD

TINCHY STRYDER JOINS DISNEY XD’s AIM HIGH

From 21st July 2010
Exclusively on Disney XD and www.disneyxd.co.uk/aimhigh

Rap star vocalist Tinchy Stryder joins an all star line-up for Disney XD’s Aim High, a brand new initiative designed to inspire a generation of kids to get the most out of life, try new things and be the best they can be. Disney XD’s Aim High will offer fans the chance to win a ‘once in a lifetime’ experience with a talented and dedicated professional including; top England striker Darren Bent, T20 World Cup winner and Ashes hero Stuart Broad, chart-topping rap vocalist Tinchy Stryder, and award winning Disney animator Jeff ‘Swampy’ Marsh.

Each month, Disney XD’s Aim High will give kids across the country the chance to win a series of mentorships to learn how to realise their true potential. Seeking inspiration from world class footballers, experts in sports photography, top musicians, music journalists, world class cricketers and leading coaches, Disney XD’s Aim High gives kids everywhere the chance to do what they love and love what they do. Whatever the route, the important thing is to aim high.

Chart topping Tinchy Stryder will be among those making time to inspire the music stars of the future. This comes hot on the heels of Tinchy’s recent business collaboration with his own childhood hero, Jay Z, which aims to find new talent in the UK. Tinchy said: “I'm really looking forward to working with Disney on their Aim High mentorship programme. I hope that sharing my experiences in the music industry with those kids involved, will help them in some way get ahead in this business."

Kicking off Disney XD’s Aim High last month was Darren Bent and with 30 goals scored this season, Darren’s star is firmly in the ascendant. Ensuring the line up of talent for Disney XD’s Aim High showcases the very best of sporting talent the UK has to offer England hero Stuart Broad will be among those making time to inspire the cricket stars of the future.

Music and sport isn’t the only area of interest for Disney XD kids. With a string of award-winning global hit comedies under his belt, including The Simpsons, Jeff ‘Swampy’ Marsh is one of the best animators in the business and is the co-creator and co-exec producer of Disney XD’s number one hit series, Phineas and Ferb.

From a kick-about with Darren at Sunderland AFC, perfecting football skills and gaining top tips for success, to learning how to score a six and bowl a spinner with Stuart to recording vocals and learning about the music industry with Tinchy or flying out with the whole family to The Walt Disney Animation Studios in California to spend the day producing a Phineas and Ferb Show alongside Swampy – the adventure of a lifetime awaits.

Make sure you are part of Disney XD’s Aim High this summer by visiting www.disneyxd.co.uk/aimhigh from the 1st June 2010 and apply for your dream mentorship. Look out for more on Aim High on Disney XD as exclusive footage, featuring England footballer Darren Bent will air on the Disney XD channel from 1st June 2010.
-ENDS-
For further information, please contact:

Frank PR on 0207 693 6955 or email aimhigh@frankpr.it

Notes to Editors

Mentors:
Darren Bent
Top English striker Darren Bent currently plays for Sunderland AFC and has and scored over 20 goals this season. He began his career at Ipswich Town in 2001 where he made 141 appearances and scored 55 goals. He then joined Charlton Athletic where he has their top goal scorer for two consecutive seasons before moving onto this current club Sunderland. Darren made his international debut for England against Uruguay in 2006 and has made five appearances since.

Stuart Broad
English cricketer Stuart Broad is one of England’s young rising stars representing his country in Test and One Day International cricket. A vital member of the victorious 2009 England Ashes squad Broad was the leading wicket taker with 18 wickets and subsequently won Man of the Match in the fifth Test at the Oval. Broad also plays for Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club.

Jeff Marsh
With a string of award winning global hit comedies under his belt, including The Simpsons, Jeff Marsh, is one of the best in the business. As well as creating and co-exec producing Disney XD’s number one hit series, Phineas and Ferb, he also writes songs heard in the series and voices the character of Major Monogram. Over the past 20 years, Marsh has worked for many of the top names in animation, including Hanna Barbera, Klasky Csupo and Nickelodeon. He worked as a storyboard artist and designer for the Emmy Award-winning series, "King of the Hill," and for four seasons as a writer and director on "Rocko's Modern Life," gaining the show an Environmental Media Award.

About Disney XD
Launched in the UK in August 2009, Disney XD is the country’s first boy-focused, girl-inclusive channel for kids aged 6-14 years. Disney XD includes a compelling mix of live-action and animated programming, hyper-targeting boys and their quest for discovery, accomplishment, sports, adventure, music and humour. Next X is a brand new local production for Disney XD. Disney XD branded content spans television, online and VOD platforms. The programming line-up includes series, movies and short-form content.

About The Walt Disney Company in Europe Middle East and Africa:
About The Walt Disney Company EMEA:
The Walt Disney Company (TWDC) is a leading diversified international family entertainment and media enterprise with five business segments: media networks, parks and resorts, studio entertainment, consumer products and its interactive media group.

TWDC has had a presence in Europe Middle East and Africa (EMEA) for more than 70 years, with operations in twenty three countries with more than 5,500 employees. As a major film distributor in the region, TWDC has seen recent success with films such as Disney/Pixar’s ‘Up’ and the blockbuster 3D hit ‘Alice In Wonderland’. As one of Europe’s foremost suppliers of TV content, TWDC distributes Disney-branded and non-branded television programming and channels including ESPN channels and hit series such as ‘Lost’ and ‘Desperate Housewives’ which ranks in the top 10 US series on air in France, Germany, Italy and the UK with young adults. Disney Channel first launched in the region in 1995 and its growth has continued through 2009 when Disney Channel launched in an additional fifteen territories across EMEA, making it available in over 58 million homes. Together with Disney XD, the new boy-focused girl-inclusive channel which launched in thirteen territories across EMEA in 2009, there are 53 branded Disney channels in EMEA in 20 languages covering 109 countries and more than 70 million homes. Disneyland Paris has grown since its opening in 1992 and its two parks are now Europe’s number one tourist destination.