Mumbai: US cable network AMC has announced that Emmy Award-winning make-up effects artist Greg Nicotero has been a named co-executive producer of ?The Walking Dead?.

Nicotero has also inked a first-look deal with the network, which gives him the opportunity to bring his own passion projects to AMC.

At the recently held Creative Arts Emmy Awards, Nicotero won Best Prosthetic Make-up for ?The Walking Dead?. Nicotero directs a series of webisodes this season and is also set to direct an episode. 

AMC senior VP of original programming, production and digital content Joel Stillerman said, "Greg?s talent extends well beyond the word of special fx makeup. He is also a truly talented director, and has an incredibly comprehensive understanding and appreciation for great storytelling. His knowledge and respect for the genre is unparalleled, and we are looking forward to expanding our relationship with him with an eye towards developing more great original series."

Nicotero, who co-owns KNB EFX GROUP, one of Hollywood?s most successful Make-up Effects Studios, premiered his film The United Monster Talent Agency on AMC?S Fearfest last Halloween.

His work on ?The Walking Dead? continues this season on amctv.com. Beginning on 3 October, fans are able to watch the six-episode web series.

Produced by Generate, and conceived and directed by Nicotero and written by John Esposito, the webisodes tell an ?origin? story of a woman?s struggle to survive and to protect her family as the world begins to fall apart. Fans have the opportunity to explore the back story of one of the most celebrated ?walkers? last season. It focuses on "Bicycle Girl," the infamous zombie from season one, who was shot by Rick Grimes in the pilot episode. Fans learn about this woman?s life before the apocalypse, and watch her story unfold into
what becomes her ultimate demise into zombie-hood.

Nicotero said, "Working on ?The Walking Dead? with such a fantastic cast and crew has been an amazing opportunity, and to have our contribution to the show celebrated is a tremendous compliment. I have always felt like the show had a cinematic feel and everyone involved is dedicated to making this show something special. To be able to branch out and to develop not only the web series but also genre material is something I have always wanted to do; given the people I have had the pleasure of working with over the last 23 years."

MUMBAI: WB has kicked off an initiative this month that beams viewers into the intergalactic world of ?Star Trek?.

The channel will air ?Star Trek? movies every Friday and Saturday at 11 pm from 2- 17 September.

There is also a contest for WB viewers as they stand to win Star Trek merchandise. Viewers need to watch the Star Trek movies on WB and answer three simple questions every week which will appear during every break of the Star Trek films. To participate, viewers have to SMS WB followed by the answer to 58888 to win prizes. Bumper Prize is a Nintendo WII with Star Trek Legacy game. Weekly prizes are Star Trek character figurines (Captain Kirk, Spock & Dr McCoy) and Star Trek badge replicas.

Star Trek is being promoted across on-air, off-air and online platforms. The marketing campaign includes print partnerships with Mail Today, Mid Day and Time-Out to create buzz about the line-up. WB ?Star Trek? interactive banners will run on Bookmyshow.com and movie buffs can also log-on to the dedicated Star Trek page on WB facebook fan page to get regular updates.
 
Turner International India GM Entertainment Networks, South Asia Monica Tata said,? Thirty two years ago, one of the greatest television series of all time took its first steps onto the big screen. Now, 11 films thick, the franchise has become a cult phenomenon. Star Trek is no doubt Hollywood?s greatest running film franchise. As THE Hollywood television destination in India, we are delighted to bring to our viewers the entire STAR TREK all this September exclusively on WB. Continuing with our focus on direct consumer interaction our campaign is designed to engage and offer a special treat of exclusive Star Trek figurines to the ardent Hollywood followers in India."