The Children's Entertainment Hall of Fame

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What Makes A Hall-Of-Famer?

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The world has been blessed with many talented men and women who have dedicated their lives to the education and entertainment of children. The Children's Entertainment Hall of Fame has been established as a place for the entertainment community to honor, remember, and learn from them.

As CEHOF organizes, its members will decide on the number, criteria, and election methodology for honorees. We can safely say, however, that the people shown on this site all share the following characteristics.

Multi-Faceted Talent. CEHOF honorees are not just hired hands, but an integral part of every project they work on. Along with the ability to communicate with skill and flair, the person may be involved with multiple disciplines (performing, writing, composing music, producing, etc.).

Longevity. Honorees have shown professional growth and sustained success for at least 25 years.

Commitment. Honorees are not just crossover successes, but contributing members of the children's entertainment industry for those years.

Influence and Significance. Honorees have been important contributors to the industry.

A Message from the Executive Director

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Thanks for the beautiful days in the neighborhood. Children's entertainment greats who are no longer with us (clockwise from top left): Fred Rogers, William Hanna, Joseph Barbera, Shari Lewis, Bob Keeshan, Irvin Feld, Jim Henson, Walt Disney, Arthur Shimkin.

Dear fans and creators of children's entertainment,

Up until the modern era of children's television, children got to know real live personalities like Shari Lewis, Fred Rogers, and Bob Keeshan. They knew that Irvin Feld owned the circus, that Dr. Seuss wrote the books, that Mr. Hanna and Mr. Barbera put cool music in their cartoons, and that Bunny Rabbit lived in the real world of Captain Kangaroo. Kids were inspired to go into their rooms and create their own puppet shows, comic books, and music.

We have some wonderful children's characters today -- Thomas the Tank Engine, Barney, and Dora the Explorer, for example -- but we don't pay as much attention to the people behind the scenes.

I'm here to welcome you to an entertainment industry initiative that will honor these lost legends and inspire the creation of quality children's art, music, film, and interactive media in the future: The Children's Entertainment Hall of Fame (CEHOF).

A FAN SITE... AND MORE!

CEHOF will be more than just a vibrant fan site. It is to be an informational and inspirational center for the advancement of the children's media industry. I envision CEHOF as a performing arts center, museum and educational facility where, on the shoulders of talented predecessors, we can research and develop new ways of entertaining and educating children. The annual television special will show an international audience where our hearts are.

I invite you to sign up for our newsletter to be kept informed of our progress and to join our process.

Sincerely,

Bill Weber
Executive Director

The Mission

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To honor the best children's entertainment from the past and present so as to inspire the creation of quality children's art, music, film, and interactive media in the future.

The Facility

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The Children's Entertainment Hall of Fame (CEHOF) will be a world-class facility consisting of a child-friendly theatre, film and broadcast studios, outdoor park, classrooms and exhibit halls.

It will be a place where members of the children's entertainment industry (major film studios, music labels, and independent talent) can work together with the participation of real families and experts in the fields of education, child development, and health.

At CEHOF, the pioneers of the industry -- such men and women as Walt Disney, Shari Lewis, Fred Rogers, Irvin Feld, and Jim Henson -- will be honored. Current industry members can, in the shadow of these talented leaders, use CEHOF's resources to research and develop new ways of entertaining and educating children, while delighting the families that visit the facility.

The Facility

CEHOF requires at least a 20-acre site. This will allow a building big enough for a 600-seat theatre, two small film/broadcast studios, exhibit halls, classrooms, a restaurant, offices, and an outdoor park, sculpture garden and amphitheater.

The facility will be modeled after the successful Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio. A non-profit corporation, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame was developed through industry contributions of time and money, and sustains itself through ticket sales, licensing fees, and other contributions.

Theatres. CEHOF's 600-seat performance theatre and two fully equipped film/broadcast studios will host a full slate of live performances and produce new television programs for children. Existing shows such as Nick News can use the studios to produce segments about CEHOF and how quality children's entertainment is made.

Exhibit halls. The Hall of Fame Exhibit Hall will house rotating exhibitions on puppetry, video, and other entertainment magic. These exhibitions will be designed to tour children's museums around the world.

The General Exhibit Hall will host special programs such as national conventions for puppeteers, cartoonists, children's writers, and entertainers, as well as sponsored touring shows such as Nintendo's Video Game tour.

Classrooms. A number of small classrooms will be used for focus groups, workshops, meetings, etc.

Restaurant. CEHOF's food service facility will feature nutritious food, cafeteria-style, at reasonable prices. A "weigh what you want" salad bar will allow small people with small appetites to only be charged for what they eat. The restaurant will play an important role in industry meetings, press conferences, and premieres.

Offices. Sufficient space will be included in the building for scenic and exhibit-building shops, and executive offices.

Outdoor park. The site will be landscaped into a multi-use festival area. An amphitheater and brick-paved plazas will host strolling performers and puppeteers in warm weather. An ice-skating rink could provide a winter attraction.

Oversized metal sculptures of classic children's characters (like the popular Alice in Wonderland statue in New York's Central Park) will be scattered throughout the site. These climb-on sculptures will be a great source of publicity and funds for CEHOF, and a great source of fun for visitors.

Siting

CEHOF will be built in a United States city with major transportation access (airport, mass transit and highway) and a sizable family population. It will be a major coup for a city to host, and will be a visible feature of that city's commitment to its children and families. (The National Children’s Island, a site in Washington, DC, has already been considered.)

The host city may contribute to the funding of the facility through the use of donated land, tax incentives, and the like.

Programming

Programming (the scheduling of live performances and mobile shows) is the key to the viability of the complex. CEHOF will host live shows to enlighten and entertain thousands of children every day of the year. Children's Theatre companies (like TheatreWorks USA) and "stand-up" acts (like the cast of BLUE”S CLUES, Joanie Bartels, etc.) will make CEHOF a stop on their tours.

The Big Apple Circus, in its self-contained, heated tent, can set up shop here. We can truck in Lockheed's aerospace show. We can host a carnival. The possibilities are limitless with the stature, and draw, of the Hall of Fame.

CEHOF will have one-week engagements of stars of a certain magnitude. Entertainers, educators, public figures and athletes will do workshops, performances, and "meet and greets" to spread the word about CEHOF's mission.

International children's film festivals and touring artists will make the world a little smaller for its smallest citizens.

National conventions for puppeteers, children's writers, clowns, artists and others will be booked onto the site with the general public invited to view their talents.

In a true partnership with the community, local dance school and performance groups can use the theatres for their recitals and projects.

Most importantly, exhibits and performances honoring the members of the Hall of Fame will be a continuous draw.

In keeping with its mission, CEHOF will sponsor seminars with the goal of educating the creators of children's entertainment about children's mental, health, and social development. These conferences will offer a mix of the
mainstream and the avant-garde, the commercial and the non-commercial, in order to create a non-threatening space where Hollywood and Main Street can learn from each other.

Revenue Streams

The non-profit CEHOF will return its investment in a myriad of ways. Obviously, we expect substantial ticket revenue from performances (both outdoor and indoor), television tapings, and festivals. There will be television studio and theatre rental fees. And, most importantly, there will be licensing payments for television programs (like the annual Hall of Fame Induction Special) that will be produced at CEHOF. In addition, CEHOF will negotiate for "points," a percentage of the profits of programming developed there.

CEHOF can also make money from licensing. Besides CEHOF logo merchandise, CEHOF could be the force behind the reintroduction of many classic characters and toys to the market.

CEHOF will also serve as a prototype for similar attractions built around the world. This flagship facility will develop travelling shows and exhibitions for performing arts centers, children's museums, science museums, and theme parks worldwide.

It could become the linchpin of an international children's entertainment performance circuit. Puppeteers, musicians, storytellers and performers from other lands would travel the world celebrating educational pursuit and cultural understanding.

Fund-Raising Potential

CEHOF will have many opportunities for raising funds. The sculpture garden will be a way for major entertainment entities to receive recognition for a donation. (When, for example, Universal Studios donates a sizable amount, they will be honored with a sculpture of "E.T. and friends" on bicycles.)

Since CEHOF will be the national center for caring about children, major consumer companies will be approached for sponsorships and marketing tie-ins. The Hall of Fame television specials will offer unique sponsorships
opportunities.

Educational Components

Besides exposing visitors to other cultures, theatre programs would provide lessons about history, social behavior, and science. Touring shows already exist that tackle these subjects.

Behind-the-scenes workshops will introduce children to the world of modern media communications. Children themselves will produce programming for television, radio, and the internet.

Links to the Community

Our major attractions, created by talented professionals, will thrill our audiences. But small community-based dance and theatre companies will be welcome to strut their stuff, too. CEHOF will encourage local families to participate in the creation of entertainment.

Annual Television Special and Theme Park Event

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The Children’s Entertainment Hall of Fame (CEHOF) is being established to honor an individual’s lifetime contribution to children's music, film, television, video and the performing arts. There will be between 5 and 10 inductees (we expect names of the caliber of Walt Disney, Jim Henson, Shari Lewis, William Hanna, Joseph Barbera, and Irvin Feld) each year.

A 90-minute television special and week-long theme park event, "A Celebration of Children's Entertainment," will honor these men and women.

The CEHOF facility does not have to be built in order for this television special to be produced. In fact, the television special will serve as a fundraiser for the facility.

The television program will be modeled after those typical "Christmas at Walt Disney World" specials, with theme park performances intercut with interviews, film clips, and award presentations. The special would be broadcast on Father’s Day of each year. Father’s Day, in mid-June, has been chosen to best impact theme park summer attendance.

This is a powerful opportunity for a broadcaster to:

• create an “evergreen” television special that attracts both adults and children

• attract the superstars of children's entertainment to the event

• create a long-running television franchise

• promote their programming and licenses through on-air performances

A similar event was held at the Opryland USA theme park in Nashville, Tennessee on June 18, 1995. The event was built around the Children’s Entertainment Awards, then given out by the American Academy of Children’s Entertainment, a non-profit trade association in the children’s music and video business.

Theme park attendance increased 33% that day due to the event. While no stand-alone television special was produced, The Nashville Network devoted its top-rated prime-time variety show, Music City Tonight, to AACE's award winners the evening of June 19.

The CEHOF Inductions

Plaques commemorating the honor of being inducted into CEHOF will be given to inductees and/or family members throughout the theme park. There will not be any banquet ceremony, although celebration parties are planned (see details later in this proposal).

Stars from the world of family entertainment -- Raven-Simone, Amanda Bynes, Big Bird, the cast of Blue’s Clues, Barney the dinosaur, and others – will present the plaques and honor the inductees with performances.

The program will be hosted by a popular, bona-fide, family entertainment star. For presenters, "old-timers" (Chuck McCann, Soupy Sales, etc.) will be paired with "new-timers" (Hillary Duff, Steve of Blue’s Clues, etc.).

The inductions offer ample opportunities for film clips and musical performances.

Park Performances

Performances will be scheduled in various theme park theatres and locales to both promote the theme park and honor the CEHOF inductees. The casual theme park atmosphere will give us live audiences of relaxed, non-cranky children.

The goal is to expose as many quality children's entertainers as possible to the international audience.

By spreading out, and taping, performances throughout one week’s time, the theme park will get the most return on its investment.

Ancillary Promotional Opportunities

Consumer Promotions

1) Television/Radio Marketing

CEHOF would work to get a television or radio morning program to broadcast live from the theme park.

2. Music Marketing

CEHOF would to work with a major retailer (K-Mart, Target, etc.) to develop POP materials that spotlight inductee’s product. Promotional and advertising support will be created under the umbrella theme "A Salute To Children's Entertainment and the Children's Entertainment Hall of Fame."

2. Contest Marketing

CEHOF will create a songwriting contest (and will pursue media and corporate sponsors for it) with the winning child and his or her family receiving an all-expenses paid trip to the theme park for the event.

3. On-Line Marketing

CEHOF will work with major international entertainment websites to create a parallel awards program, with kids nominating and voting for the award winners. At the theme park, our internet partner will be on-line so that children from all over the world can interview our inductees.

4. Consumer Magazine Promotion

CEHOF will pursue a major consumer magazine tie-in. "A Salute to the Children's Entertainment Hall of Fame" would be a special section filled with information about the inductees, and advertising from all major and minor children's entertainment producers aimed at the consumer.

This promotion would carry a bonus circulation, which will be given out to attendees at the theme park event.

Trade Promotions

1. Program

We envision The Hollywood Reporter, or other entertainment industry trade magazine, producing the official CEHOF program. Hollywood Reporter would sell ads to companies interested in congratulating them. The program would appear as a special insert in the Hollywood Reporter's entire worldwide circulation.

2. After-Taping Parties

Corporate sponsors will be attracted to underwrite special parties ("The Songwriter's Ball," "The President's Reception," etc.) at the theme park. These adults-only events would be another way for CEHOF’s sponsors and members to pay tribute to the CEHOF inductees.

Board of Advisors & Staff

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We are grateful for the following industry professionals who have volunteered their time and talents towards the establishment of the Children's Entertainment Hall of Fame

BOARD OF ADVISORS

Joanie Bartels
Singer, Songwriter [Founder, Purple Frog Records]

Joanie Bartels has been making music for children and their families since 1985. She has recorded twelve CDs and two full-length videos/DVDs and has received numerous awards for her contribution to children's education and entertainment. Joanie was the first female children's artist to receive an RIAA Gold Record and her audio and video recordings have sold over four million copies. She was voted favorite female vocalist in a survey by Child magazine and The American Association of Children's Entertainment and has been featured on several major network television programs. Her interactive concerts have received rave reviews internationally. Joanie now resides in New Zealand and continues to perform around the world.

Paul Couch
[Director of Entertainment, Dollywood]

Gregory Donato
Creative Professional [President, Facilitate Consulting]

Greg Donato is an experienced Facilities and Real Estate Consultant and, in 2005, a winner of the prestigious Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) Pinnacle Award for Outstanding Corporate Headquarters. As an accomplished professional with a broad background in facilities management, office services and strategic real estate planning, Greg specializes in enhancing clients' productivity by cost effectively providing safe, secure, functional work environments. His achievements include project management of multiple capital relocation projects, development of Computer Aided Facilities Management (CAFM) and self service applications, implementation of best practices and Emergency Response and Business Continuity planning. When Greg is involved, consider it done!

Mallory Lewis
Writer, Producer, Puppeteer [Partner, Jump Run Productions]

Multiple Emmy Nominee, winner of the Emmy for Outstanding Writing in a Children's Series, and author of twenty children's novels, Mallory Lewis began her career working with her mother, Shari Lewis, at age 12. Mallory wrote for and produced most of her mother's work in the 90's including Lamb Chop's Play-Along. Following her mother's death, Mallory began appearing with Lamb Chop at live and televised events at performing arts centers and venues like the Queen Elizabeth 2. She is currently touring with the USO, entertaining our troops and their families around the world. Mallory is thrilled to be honoring her mother's work for children with her newest video series, Phonics 4 Babies, as well as with her skydiving charity, Jump For the Cause.

Jonathan Meath
Producer, Pizzazz-er [Senior Producer, MeathMedia]

Jonathan brings pizzazz to productions. His hallmark is the application of new technology and creative content to classic formats. At WGBH, his production of Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego? combined a variety show, a game show and a geography curriculum. The show netted 36 Emmy nominations and receiving the George Foster Peabody Award for Excellence. In 2000, he took the classic interactive TV show of the '70's, Zoom and reinvented it for television and the web. 2005 brought him a Daytime Emmy nomination as Executive Producer for Discovery's Paz the Penguin, which recently won the Humanities Award for writing in a children's series. Jonathan runs MeathMedia in Boston, developing new projects for the children of the world.

Esther Ready
Children's Media Marketing Specialist
As Director of Affiliate & Strategic Partnerships at Word World, Esther Ready works closely with PBS and other Key Partners to help build local market impact. Esther comes to Word World with a strong background in children’s media and has served in marketing, outreach, education and station relations capacities for Cyberchase, Reading Rainbow, the BBC, WNET and KCPT. Most recently, she served as Marketing Director at PBS Kids Sprout. Esther holds a Masters in Special Education---Learning Disabilities, and a Specialist in Reading. She taught six years before embarking on a career in media.

Bill Weber
Designer, Marketer, Entrepreneur, Advocate [CEO, Bill Weber Studios]

Bill has over 20 years experience in entertainment promotion and publishing. As the former president of the American Academy of Children's Entertainment, he participated in the FCC hearings on the Children's Television Act, and worked with independent producers of children's tv, music, and video to advocate for quality children's programming. His other accomplishments include being the publisher of New York's pioneering local parenting magazine, the author of two published children's books, and an advocate for peace through his character of Ambassador Bird. His client list includes VNU Publications, Archive Magazine, ParentAge, The Children's Health Fund, The Dinosaur Times, and Heritage Muse Publishing.

STAFF

Carlylia Muller
Artist, Writer [Communications Coordinator, CEHOF]

It all started in a small town in upstate New York... While attending high school, Carlylia began dropping all the conventional expectations as she dabbled in activities such as guerrilla theatre, puppetry, and horror films. Hartwick College came crashing in the fall of 2002 and although Carlylia's major was art, she spent a lot of her time in the theatre department adding to the drama. During her junior year, she found a love for all things fuzzy, furry, and monster. Taking on the role of Mad Scientist for her thesis project, Carlylia constructed a cave-like environment accessorized with crabs, bats, worms and aquatic creatures. And then, she graduated. Nowadays you can find Carlylia working as a freelance graphic designer and graphic novelist.

Want to know more about our board members? Just click on the names at the top of each bio.

Video Tributes

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Bil and Cora Baird

Joseph Barbera 1911-2006
William Hanna 1910-2001

Walt Disney 1901-1966

Jim Henson 1936-1990

Don Herbert 1910-2007

Bob Keeshan 1927-2004

Shari Lewis 1934-1998

Fred Rogers 1928-2003

Soupy Sales

Charles M. Schulz 1922-2000

Tribute Websites

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As the Children's Entertainment Hall of Fame is organizing, we are happy to present links to tributes, biographies, and news articles about many children's entertainment pioneers. While none of the following links are affiliated with CEHOF, they all provide a fascinating look into the roots of our business.

Fran Allison
Ross Bagdasarian
Helene Baillargeon
Bil and Cora Baird
Joseph Barbera
Jules Bass
Sandy Becker
John Burstein
Ernie Coombs
Joan Ganz Cooney
Walt Disney
Irvin Feld
Sonny Fox
Michael K. Frith
Theodor Seuss Geisel
Ruth Handler
William Hanna
Larry Harmon
Jim Henson
Don Herbert
Bob Homme
Ella Jenkins
Bob Keeshan
Sid and Marty Krofft
Shari Lewis
Chuck McCann
Bob McGrath
Jane Norman
Frank Oz
Arthur Rankin, Jr.
Xavier Roberts
Fred Rogers
Soupy Sales
Charles M. Schulz
Sharon, Lois & Bram (Sharon Hampson, Lois Lilienstein, Bram Morrison)
Arthur Shimkin
Buffalo Bob Smith
Caroll Spinney
Burr Tillstrom
Paul Tripp