GRIP Promotions, Inc. launches skateboard league with Cartoon Network

Cartoon Network is launching Toonami Klik, a street skateboarding competition for skaters ages 9-14. During a nationwide summer tour across 11 cities, kids can compete against other riders in their age group on a national level. On Saturday, June 9, the tour kicks off at the Boys and Girls Club of Miami in Miami, Fla. and culminates with a national championship on Wednesday, August 1 at the Etnies Skate Park in Los Angeles, Calif.

Each Toonami Klik regional competition will be divided into two age groups, 9-11 and 12-14, and will result in three top scorers from each group. All finalists will be invited to compete for the championship in Los Angeles. Each regional competition will be captured in a webisode that will be available on Toonami Jetstream (www.toonamijetstream.com), Cartoon Network's free online extension of Toonami. Toonami is the network's successful television destination for action and adventure programming and has long been committed to showcasing talented, ambitious kids.

"Toonami Klik is another way for Toonami to support kids who are truly skilled at what they do," said Dennis Adamovich, senior vice president of marketing for Cartoon Network. "Young riders finally have a serious platform made just for them where they can meet and challenge other talented kids. And by having the competition available on Toonami Jetstream, viewers have access to the event and are offered another look inside the world of street skating."

The Toonami Klik tour has already garnered excitement within the skateboarding community from the likes of Etnies skating apparel, Birdhouse skateboards and World Industries. "Etnies was founded by skateboarders, many of whom first met at contests like Toonami Klik over 20 years ago," said Mark Waters, Consumer Events Manager of Etnies. "We are stoked about Toonami Klik, because events like this bring skateboarders together and not only are they fun and a good time, they are breeding grounds for lifelong friendships. We are very proud to support Cartoon Network with Toonami Klik."

Toonami Klik is open to any un-sponsored skater ages 9-14 and is a free event for participants and spectators. In addition to the competition, kiosks featuring video games and Toonami programming and a half-pipe will provide spectators a chance to participate in the event. Toonami Klik and other tour information is available at www.toonamiklik.com. The results of the regional competitions will also be posted immediately following each event. The regional competitions and the championship will be managed by Grip Promotions, a promotional marketing agency, printing and fabrication house based out of Atlanta, Ga. Grip Promotions is known for developing and executing unique consumer facing promotional platforms at the local and national level.

Following is the Toonami Klik street skating competition schedule. Exact locations TBD.

Regional Events:

June, 9 - Boys and Girls Club of Miami, Miami, Fla.

June 20 - Brookhaven Boys and Girls Club, Atlanta, Ga.

June 23 - Kipps Bay Boys and Girls Club, New York City, N.Y.

June 26 - Philadelphia, Pa.

July 1 - Cleveland, Ohio

July 3 - Chicago, Ill.

July 8 - Dallas, Texas

July 12 - Denver, Colo.

July 17 - Santa Monica, Calif.

July 20 - San Francisco, Calif.

July 25 - Portland, Ore.

Championship:

August 1 - Etnies Skate Park, Los Angeles, Calif.

Cartoon Network (CartoonNetwork.com), currently seen in more than 91 million U.S. homes and 160 countries around the world, is Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.'s ad-supported cable service offering the best in original, acquired and classic animated entertainment for kids and families. Overnight from 11 p.m.-6 a.m. (ET, PT) Sunday-Thursday, Cartoon Network shares its channel space with Adult Swim, a late-night destination showcasing original and acquired animation for young adults 18-34.

Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company, is a major producer of news and entertainment product around the world and the leading provider of programming for the basic cable industry.