Trans World International

From the Audiovisual Identity Database, the motion graphics museum


Background

Trans World International is the production banner of management company IMG that was originally formed in the 1960s, to produce series internationally throughout the world, even with the United States and the United Kingdom. Its well-known programs TWI had ever produced included The Superstars and Battle of the Network Stars. It operated two offices in the UK and the US, and both companies run until 2008, when it was dropped in favor of the IMG name, and it was reorganized and renamed as "IMG Entertainment", with the sports unit being renamed to "IMG Sports Media", until 2014, when it was renamed to "IMG Productions". In 2006, when IMG purchased Tiger Aspect Productions, Tigress Productions and Darlow Smithson Productions, TWI became IMG Media's flagship.

1st Logo (Late 1960's-Late 1980's)

Visuals: Superimposed in the credits, or on a black or blue background, there is a print version of the Trans World International logo (which consists of a stylized combination of a "T" and a "W", looking similar to the Magnetic Video logo). Below it, there is "TRANS WORLD INTERNATIONAL, INC." and some copyright info.

Technique: A still image.

Audio: The end theme of the show.

Availability: Seen on sports programs produced by TWI, including a 1977 sales reel, Advantage Borg! and UK shows like Stunt Challenge and Kellogg's BMX Challenge.

2nd Logo (1974-1979)

Visuals: On a black background, there is a blue rectangle. Trailing copies of the TWI logo from before merges together and settles into the center before becoming gold. The black rectangles wipe away, and then the text "TRANS WORLD INTERNATIONAL" wipes in below the logo.

Technique: 2D animation.

Audio: A Moog synthesizer theme.

Availability: Can be seen on TWI's programs The World Championship of Tennis 1975: Arthur Claims the Gold.

3rd Logo (1979-1995)

Visuals: Against a black background, several gold double half-circle shapes zoom out toward the center of the screen, followed by several gold circles coming from both sides of the screen. The shapes flash brightly, revealing the same stylized "TW" from the previous logo in metallic gold. A copyright notice fades in underneath the logo, also in gold.

Variants:

  • On Battle of the Network Stars XVI, the logo is in-credit, and the chyroned text "TRANS WORLD INTERNATIONAL" fades in below the logo.
  • Starting in 1988, the text "TRANS WORLD INTERNATIONAL" flips in below the logo after the animation finishes.

Technique: Scanimate effects.

Audio: None, the end theme of the show, or a CBS generic theme starting in 1994.

Availability: Seen at the end of old American Gladiators episodes as well as City of Fear, 1984-1988 episodes of Battle of the Network Stars and on American-made sports programs, but not on British-made programs.

4th Logo (1991-1995)

Visuals: Over a black-gray gradient background, there is the Trans World "TW" with the company name stacked in the top-right corner of the symbol, and a copyright disclaimer below it.

Technique: A still 3D image.

Audio: The closing theme of the show.

Availability: Seen on sports programs from the era. One sighting was on a 1991 horse racing broadcast.

5th Logo (1992-2004)

Visuals: On a moving blue background, there is a 3D silver globe that rotates toward the screen. Two pieces of the Trans World logo rotate in as the globe disappears, while the rectangle moves toward the screen, forming a thicker "TW". The company name fades in letter-by-letter and a copyright date appears below.

Variants:

  • A print version exists.
  • A later version exists where the logo is rotoscoped and it simply reads "TWI".

Technique: CGI by CAL Videographics.

Audio: The end theme of the show.

Availability: Seen on British-made sports programs from this time period, such as Trans World Sport.

6th Logo (1995-2002)

Visuals: On a black background, there is a gold version of the TWI logo drawing, with a light effect from behind it. The light then disappears as the company name fades in below.

Variants:

  • Sometimes, a copyright date is shown below the logo.
  • Later on, it reads "TWI".

Technique: CGI.

Audio: None, the end theme of the show, or a CBS generic theme.

Availability: Seen on Trans World's programs from the time, like The Best of Stars on Ice and Super Bowl's Greatest Commercials.

7th Logo (2002-2008)

Visuals: On a black background, there are multiple copies of the TWI logo flip in, before settling in the center and the other copies disappear. As it disappears, the TWI logo turns gold, and the monogram "TWI" fades in below.

Variants:

  • Sometimes, the logo is still.
  • Sometimes, the logo is on a white background and "TWI" is in black.
  • Sometimes, the logo shares the screen with the other logos.

Technique: Computer animation.

Audio: A flute synth theme. Sometimes silent, the end theme of the show, or NBC and CBS generic themes.

Availability: Seen on later Trans World programs, like Louise Solomon's Yoga & Pilates, early episodes of WWII in Color and other British-made sports programs.

Trans World International
IMG Studios
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