Friday, August 31, 2012

Nickelodeon UK Announces "Christmas On Nickelodeon 2012" Sponsorship Opportunity; Announces That Nickelodeon UK's "Big Christmas Stunt" This Year Will Be The 'The Advent Calendar Watch And Win' Competition!

Nickelodeon UK has announced in their "Christmas on Nickelodeon" Sponsorship Opportunity on the official Sky Media website that, as part of "Christmas on Nickelodeon UK" and "December on Nickelodeon UK", Nickelodeon UK will be holding a special 'The Advent Calendar Watch and Win' competition, similar to Nick UK's "SpongeBob's Advent Calendar" which Nickelodeon UK held last year over Christmas 2011, which will be this years "Big Christmas Stunt" for Nickelodeon UK! The Nickelodeon UK News below also features a few concept images from what Nickelodeon UK's online Christmas Advent Calendar may look like on Nick.co.uk!
Christmas on Nickelodeon - Available to sponsor now!

Christmas on Nickelodeon:

This year Sky Media and Nickelodeon will be offering an exciting promotional Christmas stunt which is available for sponsorship! This will offer brands a unique avenue to reach the all-important kids' market.

'The Advent Calendar Watch and Win' competition, hosted online, will be Nickelodeon's Big Christmas Stunt for 2012. With full editorial support, the proposal will offer a brand a cross platform partnership that is connected and pushed via on air-promotions, sponsorship and online. This will deliver a fully integrated, channel endorsed package to promote and drive awareness for a brand.

Sponsorship Opportunity:

* 1st – 30th December
* Nickelodeon
* Saturday & Sunday, 09:00 – 12:00
* Approx. 4 x 10" & 4 x 5" credits per hour
* Approx. 240 spots over December Sponsorship
* Approx. 98 actual Kids TVRs
* Online brand integration

On-Air Promotions:

* We'll be making lots of noise about the Nick Advent Calendar on-air with 15 second and 30 second promos pushing to the sponsored advent calendar area on Nick.co.uk

* All of the promos would carry the brand as lower thirds and/or 5 second bumpers so they would be getting lots of exposure and a strong association with the competition

* All on air activity will be aired during editorial time – the channels own promotional time slots. This inventory is not available to standard commercial partnerships

* The stunt promo activity will deliver approx. 80 Kids TVRs on Nickelodeon with the replay TVRs being provided as value

Celebrate Christmas with Nickelodeon

Unique Opportunity for Christmas 2012

* This year Nickelodeon will be offering a Christmas promotion stunt that will be available for commercial sponsorship!

* The Advent Calendar Watch and Win competition will be Nickelodeon's BIG Christmas Stunt for 2012

* With full editorial support, the proposed will offer a brand a cross platform partnership that is connected via on air-promotions, sponsorship and digital. This will deliver a fully integrated, channel endorsed package to promote and drive awareness for a brand.

Sponsorship Strand

1st – 30th December
* Nickelodeon Only
* S+S, 09:00 – 12:00
* Approx. 4 x 10" & 4 x 5" credits per hour
* Approx. 240 spots over December Sponsorship
* Approx. 98 actual Kids TVRs

The sponsorship bumpers would combine the brand with a graphic treatment that reflected the overall advent theme. For instance an advent calendar window opens to reveal a clip or image of the brand.

On Air Promotions

Premium Inventory

* We'll be making lots of noise about the Nick Advent Calendar onair with 15 second and 30 second promos pushing to the sponsored advent calendar area on Nick.co.uk.

* All of the promos would carry the brand as lower thirds and/or 5 second bumpers so they would be getting lots of exposure and a strong association with the competition.

* All on air activity will be aired during editorial time – the channels own promotional time slots. This inventory is not available to standard commercial partnerships

* The stunt promo activity will deliver approx. 80 Kids TVRs on Nickelodeon with the replay TVRs being provided as value.

How to Enter…?

Watch And Win on Nick with (brand)

The competition would work like this ... each day viewers would go to the advent calendar web page where they open a new window and answer a programme related question for their chance to win amazing Nickelodeon and the brands prizes.

The prizes could range from digital gifts such as a free itunes download to bigger prizes such as a Nintendo DS or iPad 3.

The competition builds to the final window where the prize is a big ticket item such as the ultimate home entertainments system or a family holiday

Integration of the brand

Win With Nickelodeon and (brand)

Branding will increase when more windows are open, we've shown a couple of open windows here and could look at doing something with the surround of the page too.

Digital Support / Campaign Formats:

* Home Page Button – Home page presence and editorial feel, lead users to Advent Calendar

* Competition Buttons – Presence on WIN pages, lead users to Advent Calendar

* Overlays – high impact & interactive; motivate users to explore the Advent Calendar and promote the DVD release

* Home Page Push Downs – high impact and extended home page presence.



Guide Delivery Summary

TV

Campaign Element - Sponsorship
Audience: Kids
Approx. TVR: 98
Cover (000's): 673
+1 Cover %: 7.9
Frequency: 12.4

Campaign Element - Promotion
Audience: Kids
Approx. TVR: 80
Cover (000's): 1,454
+1 Cover %: 17
Frequency: 4.7

Online
* Competition Buttons x 3 weeks - 3 days free

* Home Page Buttons x 2 weeks

* Overlays x 3 weeks - 277,777 impressions - £1,944 value + additional 10% overlay impressions

* HP Push Downs x 2 weeks - 222,222 impressions

Guide Investment Summary

Media:
TV Sponsorship: £45,800 gross - £38,930 net
TV Promotion: £30,533 gross - £25,953 net
Online Media: £15,000 gross - £12,750 net

Non Media:
TV (Guide): £12,000 net
Online: £10,000 net
Prize: £10,000 net
Total NET: £109,633 net

* This investment summary is a guide and shows the minimum media investment needed in order to execute this campaign effectively

Contact Details

Drachan Forster
Sponsorship Controller – Viacom
0207 032 6637
drachan.forster@bskyb.com

Oya Mustafa
Sponsorship Manager – Viacom
0207 032 4942
oya.mustafa@bskyb.com

Nickelodeon UK's Official "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" Website Unveils Brand New TMNT-Themed Online Game Called "Throw Back!"

To celebrate and promote Nickelodeon UK and Ireland and Nickelodeon HD UK premiering and showing Nickelodeon's brand new CGI-animated "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" television series from Monday 1st October 2012 at 5.00pm (BST (GMT+1)), Nickelodeon UK's official "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" website, turtles.nick.co.uk, has unveiled a brand new "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" themed online game called "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Throw Back!", which you can play free here on Nick UK's official TMNT website!

Also, Tweeted (posted) by Nickelodeon UK & Eire on their official Twitter profile page (@NickelodeonUK):
Wanna see something thats BRAND NEW & cool????
And:
Check this out RT #nickturtles if you think this is Turtle-tastic awesomeness! http://ow.ly/dhPo2.
Also:
Play all the latest Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles games!!! #nickturtlesuk launching October 1st 5pm http://ow.ly/dsdkV.
Also, from Nick UK's official "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" website, turtles.nick.co.uk:
TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES: THROW BACK!
The turtles are kickin' it old school. Use your turtle power to defeat the foot!

Nickelodeon UK To Premiere Two Brand New "Power Rangers Super Samurai" Episodes Over Saturday 1st And Sunday 2nd September 2012

Nickelodeon UK has announced on their official Twitter profile page (@NickelodeonUK) that Nickelodeon UK will be premiering and showing two brand new episodes from the second season of "Power Rangers Samurai", called "Power Rangers Super Samurai", on Nickelodeon UK and Ireland and Nickelodeon HD UK this weekend - one brand new episode on Saturday 1st September 2012 and a second brand new episode on Sunday 2nd September 2012 at 8.30am (repeated from 9.30am on Nick UK's plus one (+1) timeshift channel, Nick Replay UK) - as part of "September on Nickelodeon UK":
New Power Rangers Super Samurai is on this Saturday and Sunday at 8.30am :)
Also:
In the meantime, play some cool Power Rangers games right here :) http://ow.ly/dhP6L [direct link to play Nickelodeon's brand new "Saban's Power Rangers Super Samurai" online game on Nickelodeon UK's official "Power Rangers Super Samurai" website, Nick.co.uk/shows/powerrangerssamurai]

Former Strategy And Development Manager For MTV Networks Australia, Pip Jamieson, Who Helped Launch Nickelodeon New Zealand, Named A 'Successful Kiwi In Australia'

From interest.co.nz:
Successful Kiwis in Australia: Denise McNabb finds a wildly successful recruiting website grown by a Kiwi TV marketing manager

Setting up an online recruitment website in competition with job search sites run by publishing giants might sound like economic suicide.

Not for Pip Jamieson and business partner Matt Fayle who, based on their own work experience, had spotted a gap in the market for a specialised employment website for creative industry professionals.

In December 2009 they launched www.theloop.com.au, achieving critical mass such a short a short time that this year one of Australia’s big media players came knocking to see if they would sell.

Jamieson happily declined. She knows theloop.com.au is actively taking business off this company.

The site has 120,000 unique visitors a month with traffic growing by 45 per cent a week; 35,000 professionals have signed up as members, and more than 5,000 client in television, publishing, digital media, animation, film, music, marketing, public relations, sales, entertainment and other creative fields are using it to headhunt talent.

Jamieson says some of those clients use the site exclusively because it avoids having to sift through a flood of job applicants who don’t have the right skills.

Fayle was director of digital networks for Australasia at MTV when he proposed the idea of the website to Jamieson late in 2008 when she was marketing manager for MTV in New Zealand. She had already clocked up milestones, spearheading the introduction of the MTV and Nickelodeon channels and receiving an industry award for organising the MTV Mile High music gig on a trans-Tasman Air New Zealand flight.

Jamieson says it was always hard finding the right talent at MTV.

"You put a position up on a job board and it’s like ‘spamville’ with 1,000 people applying just because they want to be in television." And though 94 per cent of her hires were through word of mouth she says this didn’t necessarily mean the best people were getting the job.

Jamieson was so enamoured with Fayle’s web idea she quit her job in the middle of the global financial crisis in February 2009, moved to Sydney with her husband and joined Fayle to create the website.

They were shrewd enough to know their timing was good as companies facing tough times were looking for new recruitment strategies and cost-effective ways to employ quality staff.

Nine months after sinking their savings into the venture and working in a cavernous top floor of a building in the back-blocks of Surry Hills, theloop.com.au went live, originally as “looped” but Jamieson says it was too hard to say on the phone so they changed the name.

Trying to convince well-known brands to link with an unknown web recruiter was not easy. It involved lot of cold-calling, viral marketing through social media and word of mouth to get the critical mass.

In 2010 the company hired its first employee and since then, has raised $2.39 million in two capital-raising rounds in Australia. A new potential investor must remain secret because he is the head of a media company in competition with the loop.com.au but wants to invest in a private capacity.

"We broke even before our last round of investment but as we scale up again we are burning through the cash," says Jamieson.

They have eight staff in Sydney, seven developers in Sri Lanka and a further four will join the team there.

Jamieson says they hired an Australian-educated Sri Lankan through a digital agency to develop theloop.com.au. Their professional relationship was so strong that when he went back to Sri Lanka with his family they hired him in-house to oversee a Sri Lankan team.

Last year theloop.com.au won the best enterprise category in the AIMIA (Australian Interactive Media Association) awards.

Jamieson says the UN estimates 8 per cent of the world's population work in the creative arena.

She says the key objective of theloop.com.au is to help creative people commercialise their skills promote themselves, collaborate, network and be connected with employers.

"An algorithm at the back end of the system detects if someone is being followed by a lot of people on the site,” says Jamieson.

"You go higher up on the search results depending on the quality of people following you. That is reflected in the calibre of your CV and recommendations from previous employers."

"If you are a junior followed by 100 of your mates you will not feature as strongly in the results as a senior being followed by Google, BBC or Saatchi and Saatchi, for instance."

"The crowd curates the platform so when companies search for people the best will always come to the top."

Jamieson describes the site as a fuller, more tailored version of LinkedIn where you don’t need to have a prior connection to find other people, and where you can showcase work and create a community.

The site earns money through clients paying to use it to headhunt and advertise for full-time staff, through universities paying to list courses and educational opportunities through the advertisement of creative workspaces.

Jamieson says 56 per cent of the site’s members are in full-time work but 95 per cent of those are freelancers. Next step for freelancers is a calendar to let employers know when they have down time.

An only child, she was born and raised in Wellington while her London-born father was running the New Zealand arm of music giant EMI. Today she calls herself a Bondi-based "Kiwi-Pom".

After achieving a first class masters degree in Economics at Edinburgh University in 2002 Jamieson became an economist, advising on drug and prostitution legislation in the British public service.

But she soon tired of "tweaking" spreadsheets so left to work with the organisers of the Brit Awards, the equivalent of the NZ Music Awards.

After a year in London she moved to Australia to become strategy and development manager at MTV before moving with the broadcaster to New Zealand.

"It has just been magic watching all this explode."

She will head off soon to the UK for six months to launch a British version of the site.

Would she and Fayle bring the business to New Zealand?

"My life is about to become short bursts with London for six months - maybe New Zealand after that for a while, but I am going to be a rolling stone for a few years".

Nickelodeon To Hold Animation Session At This Years Comic Con Express At The Koramangala Stadium In Bangalore In India

From The Indian Express:
In a Comic Role

In 2011, when the country’s first ever Annual Indian Comic Con was held in the capital, it was a curious affair for both, comic lovers as well as distributors. Though the two-day event did not have the grandeur of the original Comic Con of San Diego, where movies like 'Ironman' or 'The Avengers' were announced, the novelty around the do prompted the organisers to have another two-day-long Comic Con Express (CCE), a travelling version of the Indian Comic Con in Mumbai last year and now this year in Bangalore on September 8 and 9 at Koramangala Stadium.

Held regularly in UK, USA and Canada, Comic Cons, which are also known as Comic Conferences or Comic Book Conventions are large scale gatherings of comic lovers and industry personnel that gives people a chance to purchase comics and interact with the publishers and sellers. “The response we received for the Indian Comic Con 2011 was phenomenal. Much like its international counterpart, it aims at highlighting new market trends in the industry and gives a wide platform for fans to interact with the publishers and distributors, who can sell the products directly to the fans. Besides, upcoming artistes and writers get a chance to meet up and show their works to publishers and distributors,” says Jatin Varma, organiser, Comic Con India.

This year's CCE will see the launch of the second issue of the Indian Comics Journal, comics like Aghori, The Templar, P5: Pandavas, Payback and other titles. Companies like Nickelodeon and Ubisoft will hold sessions on animation and gaming, while Campire Graphic Novels will hold their Young Writers Award ceremony during the two days. Explaining more about the wide variety of events, Varma says, “The reason of incorporating events outside comics is because the industry is closely related to the gaming and the animation industry. It broadens the perspective of the event and also gives the audiences a lot of events to choose from.”

However, this year’s highlight is the release of 20 new graphic novel titles. Also on the cards is the revival of Timpa, a comic character that was based heavily on Tintin. Originally published by Indrajaal Comics in the late 80s and a Kolkata based publisher it fell through in the early 90s. This year, Pop Culture Publishing is reviving the series with the launch of the title Timpa-The Runners of the Golden Horn.

Some of the publications that will be a part of the event include the likes of Marvel, DC, Amar Chitra Katha. Others like Chariot Comics, Holy Cow Entertainment and Campfire Graphic Novels will also be a part of the same. Even Pune will have its own representation at the CCE in the form of Krayon Pictures. The team from Krayon, which was instrumental in making the upcoming animated film ‘Delhi Safari’, will be speaking about the movie that releases on October 19. Nishith Takia, co-founder of Krayon Pictures will talk about the manner in which the project was executed, the kind of 3D modelling that went into designing the characters and also developing the content, which is on par with Hollywood. “The animation industry is changing and we will be highlighting as to what it will mean for Indian animated film makers in the future,” says Arpan Gaglani, Creative Director for Krayon Pictures.

The CCE held in Mumbai was a breakaway hit with people so much so that the management has established a Mumbai Film and Comic Con that will be held in October this year. “We are looking to expand to other tier two cities and beyond the metros. That was the reason why we chose Bangalore, as it is a hub for artists and writers who are associated with the industry.”

Viacom 18, The Owner Of Nickelodeon India, To Launch Brand New Entertainment Television Channel 'Rishtey' In The UK

From Indiantelevision.com:
Viacom18 to launch new channel Rishtey in UK

MUMBAI: Viacom18 will soon launch Rishtey in UK, a new mass entertainment Hindi entertainment channel that will complement its existing flagship channel Colors.

Rishtey will be launched in UK first by IndiaCast, showcasing content from a spectrum of genres including format shows, fiction, music and news.

The free-to-air (FTA) channel will be available on Sky Digital, it is learnt. Test signals are on and the launch is expected next month.

Rishtey will air re-run shows of Colors and also have original content.

Viacom18 operates a bouquet of channels including MTV, Nickelodeon, Vh1, Colors, Sonic and Comedy Central. It is also engaged in the film business through Viacom18 Motion Pictures.

Says Viacom18 group CEO Sudhanshu Vats, “While we have a horizontal presence across television entertainment, with the launch of Rishtey, we now begin the phase of strengthening our presence in each vertical as well.”

Colors CEO Raj Nayak adds, “With ‘Rishtey’, we intend to create a new category within the general entertainment space, and given the rich mine of content within the Viacom18 Group, we’re confident of ‘Rishtey’ resonating well with both – viewers as well as advertisers.”

IndiaCast COO Gaurav Gandhi states, “Rishtey offers a wide range of variety entertainment programming that will engage, entertain and delight the South Asian audiences in the UK. As a free-to-air service, Rishtey perfectly complements our flagship brand Colors, by reaching out to a much wider audience base and giving them a taste of our much loved programming."
Also, from Best Media Info:
Viacom18 to launch a new channel ‘Rishtey’

To be launched first in the UK by IndiaCast, it will be part of the Colors family and the second Hindi GEC from the group

Viacom18 today announced that it will soon launch its new channel, Rishtey. To be launched in the UK first by IndiaCast, Rishtey promises to offer ‘variety entertainment’ showcasing content from a spectrum of genres including format shows, fiction, music, news and more. Rishtey will be the latest addition to the Viacom18 bouquet of channels that currently includes six entertainment channels – MTV, Nickelodeon, Vh1, Colors, Sonic, Comedy Central – and the film business, Viacom18 Motion Pictures.

Rishtey will be Viacom18's second channel in the mass Hindi entertainment space after its flagship channel Colors which launched in July 2008. It will be a free-to-air (FTA) channel and a part of the Colors family.

When asked about Rishtey being launched in India, the Colors spokesperson declined to make any comment.

Sudhanshu Vats, Group CEO, Viacom18, said, “While we have a horizontal presence across television entertainment, with the launch of Rishtey, we now begin the phase of strengthening our presence in each vertical as well.”

Raj Nayak, CEO, Colors, said, “With Rishtey we intend to create a new category within the general entertainment space, and given the rich mine of content within the Viacom18 Group, we’re confident of Rishtey resonating well with both viewers as well as advertisers.”

Launching Rishtey in the UK, Gaurav Gandhi, COO, IndiaCast, said, “Rishtey offers a wide range of variety entertainment programming that will engage, entertain and delight the South Asian audiences in the UK. As a free-to-air service, Rishtey perfectly complements our flagship brand Colors, by reaching out to a much wider audience base and giving them a taste of our much loved programming.”
Also, from afaqs:
Colors' upcoming sibling GEC Rishtey to share content in the UK

The second GEC from the Viacom18 banner will be launched in the UK on September 3. It is learnt that the network has bought over the Sky digital channel 831, after Imagine Dil Se went off air in the UK a few weeks ago.

Viacom18, the parent network of Colors, one of the top Hindi GECs, has announced that it will launch another Hindi GEC in the UK. The free to air channel, Rishtey, will be the first launch under the newly formed distribution network, IndiaCast, while it will be the seventh entertainment channel of the network as a whole, along with MTV, Nickelodeon, Vh1, Colors, Sonic and Comedy Central.

In an official communiqué, Sudhanshu Vats, group CEO, Viacom18, says, "While we have a horizontal presence across television entertainment, with the launch of Rishtey, we now begin the phase of strengthening our presence in each vertical."

Raj Nayak, CEO, Colors, says that the network is confident about the new channel, on the back of the content of the Viacom18 Group.

Gaurav Gandhi, COO, IndiaCast says that the channel will cater to a wider audience base, being an FTA.

It is learnt that Rishtey may share content with its sibling channel Colors for the latter's simulcast-worthy shows, new offerings and Hindi movies. It was also learnt that it will primarily be used as a free window to promote premium properties from Colors. Though the channel has refused to comment on any aspect of programming, market sources reveal that it may broadcast content from its news channels such as CNN-IBN, CNBC-TV18 and regional shows from its recently acquired Eenadu network.

Shows such as Jai Shree Krishna (telecast on Colors when the channel was launched) and Kurukshetra will be telecast on Rishtey, along with a new singing reality show which will be simulcast on Sahara One and Colors, along with some channels in Pakistan.

Interestingly, though, the content of the channel will be quite similar to Colors, which is already available in the UK market as a pay channel. The network chooses to call the channel a 'variety entertainment channel' with 'hybrid programming'.

Initially, the channel will show repeat content. Apparently, it was mandatory for the network to launch the channel within a stipulated time period, or risk losing the EPG slot as per Sky's terms and conditions.

Some media experts suggest that this may be an attempt to follow a strategy similar to that of STAR Utsav, which is a free to air channel that airs repeat telecasts of Star Plus' shows. However, launching the channel in the UK seems to be a strange move. It is possible that this is an attempt by the network to sample the content on a wider audience base and using a free to air channel is a better option than converting the flagship pay channel to an FTA channel.

A media planner says that the content strategy definitely decreases the spends on the content by 75 per cent, as this kind of content would not cost more than a quarter of what original programming would.

The branding of Rishtey is similar to Colors, with the corporate multi-coloured petal and a similar font.

Tags: Colors, Rishtey, Viacom18, Sudhanshu Vats, Raj Nayak, Kurukshetra, Gaurav Gandhi, IndiaCast, MTV, Sonic, Imagine

Nick Jr. Channel UK To Show Brand New Episode Of "A Bedtime Story" On 31st August 2012, Featuring Arlene Phillips OBE Telling The Classic Kids' Story Of "Jack And The Beanstalk"

Nick Jr. UK and Ireland has announced on their official Twitter profile page (@NickJrUK) that Nickelodeon UK and Ireland's preschool channel, Nick Jr. Channel UK and Ireland, will premiere a brand new episode of Nick Junior popular Bedtime stories series "A Bedtime Story" that will guest star English choreographer, theatre director, talent scout, TV presenter, TV judge and former dancer Arlene Phillips OBE on Friday 31st August 2012 at 7.15pm (tonight!), as part of Nick Jr. Channel UK's nightly 'Bedtime' programming strand (block), Nick Jr.'s brand new "A Bedtime Story" episode will feature Arlene Phillips reading the classic children's tale "Jack And the Beanstalk" for Nick Jr. viewers and fans. Nick Junior UK's Twitter post also features an exclusive photograph of Arlene Phillips OBE with Nick Junior UK's puppet presenters Arnie and Barnie (The Wiggly Worms; "The Wiggle Song") on the studio set filming an episode of Nick Jr UK's "A Bedtime Story" bedtime story series:
The new series of A Bedtime Story continues tomorrow [Friday 31st August 2012] @ 7.15pm with @arlenephillips reading 'Jack & the Beanstalk' pic.twitter.com/9feD67tn

And:
Reminder: Watch @arlenephillips read 'Jack and the Beanstalk' in A Bedtime Story, starting in 15mins on #NickJrUK.
Also, from Nick Jr. UK and Ireland's "What's On" schedule section on the official Nick Jr. UK and Ireland website, NickJr.co.uk:
7:15pm - A Bedtime Story: Arlene Phillips reads tonight's bedtime story, 'Jack and the Beanstalk'.

Thursday, August 30, 2012

Nickelodeon UK's Official "Camp Orange: The Lost Kingdom" Blog Unveils A Fourth Brand New And Exclusive "Behind The Scenes Of Camp Orange" Video

To celebrate Nickelodeon UK premiering brand new episodes of the second series of "Camp Orange UK" called "Camp Orange: The Lost Kingdom" ("You'll never make it alone!"), Nickelodeon's adventure reality show for best friends, on Nickelodeon UK and Ireland and Nickelodeon HD UK Sunday's at 9.30am (repeated at 10.30am on Nick Replay UK]), the official "Camp Orange: The Lost Kingdom" blog on Nick UK's official "Camp Orange" website on the official Nickelodeon UK and Ireland website, Nick.co.uk/CampOrange/, has posted a brand new blog entry which features a fourth very special online streaming video which takes "Camp Orange UK" fans and Nick.co.uk visitors behind the scenes of the filming and production of the brand new "Camp Orange" challenge called "Sacred Sisters" to see how the show is made which you can watch here on the official "Camp Orange" blog on Nickelodeon UK's official "Camp Orange" website, Nick.co.uk/CampOrange! Nick.co.uk's fourth brand new "Behind The Scenes Of Camp Orange" video also features various members of Nickelodeon UK's "Camp Orange 2012" production crew, including a photographer, and a short interview with Tom from the "Camp Orange: The Lost Kingdom" team "Surf Turtles".

Sifteo Secures Game Partnership With Nickelodeon; To Release "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Ninja Slide" Game In November 2012

From Kidscreen:
Sifteo secures game partnership with Nickelodeon

San Francisco, California-based interactive game developer Sifteo has secured a four-game contract with Nickelodeon to create titles exclusively for its next-generation Sifteo Cubes portable game system.

The first title, set for release this November, is Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Ninja Slide. Sifteo has also partnered with game designer Richard Garfield, who created the popular card game Magic: The Gathering, to develop a Sifteo game for an early 2013 release.

Sifteo Cubes, which originally launched in September 2001, are motion-aware 1.7-inch blocks with full-color touch-sensitive LCD screens. Tapping into the notion of intelligent play, the cubes communicate wirelessly and react to each others proximity and players' hand gestures. The portable Sifteo Base acts as an external hard drive storing players’ games, playing game audio and wirelessly communicating with the Sifteo Cubes. Adding cubes, up to 12 can be in play at once, allows users to unlock new levels, puzzles, and special characters.

The new Sifteo Cubes (sets include three cubes with four game titles pre-installed to the base) are now available for pre-order at Sifteo's website www.sifteo.com, Amazon.com and ToysRUs.com and will begin shipping in November to retailers including Barnes & Noble and Toys ‘R’ Us.

Additional games can be purchased through Sifteo desktop software which can sync to the Sifteo Base when connected to a computer.

Tags: digital media, Nickelodeon, Richard Garfield, Sifteo Cubes, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Ninja Slide, toys

Nickelodeon USA Appoints Russell Hicks As President Of Content Development And Production; Brown Johnson Leaves Nickelodeon To Pursue Her Own Creative Projects

From C21Media:
Hicks upped, Johnson out at Nick

US-based Nickelodeon has ousted its president of animation Brown Johnson in a reshuffle that places Viacom veteran Russell Hicks at the top of a new production structure.

Hicks, Nick's chief creative officer and 14-year company employee, has taken the new role of president of content development and production for the Nickelodeon Group, reporting into president Cyma Zarghami.

Concurrently, Johnson, another long-term Nick exec who has been animation chief since 2008, is leaving.

Some will point to falling ratings – categorised as “inexplicable” by Viacom CEO Philippe Dauman – at the flagship Nick US cable channel as a factor in her departure but Nick said it was so she could “pursue her own creative endeavours.”

The channel has been under severe pressure from the Disney Channel in the cable ratings war, while dealing with constant claims Nick content available on video on-demand Netflix has led to declines.

Nick recently ordered a record number of new series and specials for the 2012/13 season, a move that can be considered one of the biggest overhauls in the channel's history.

The new look Nick will see Hicks in charge of a team that sees Marjorie Cohn taking a new role as president of content development, covering live-action, animation and digital.

Elsewhere, Paula Kaplan will serve as executive VP of current series; Terri Weiss as executive VP of Nickelodeon preschool development and production; Alison Dexter as executive VP of Nickelodeon productions; Rich Mallaganes as senior VP for animation, current series; and Keith Dawkins as senior VP and general manager for Nick Jr, Nicktoons and TeenNick.

Hicks has been CCO since 2008, overseeing the creative, on-air promotions, consumer products, brand and advertising divisions; and led the product development and creative positioning of across Nick properties. He was previously at Cartoon Network.

“Russell has been one of the driving forces behind the Nickelodeon brand,” said Zarghami. “As we continue our ambitious evolution of Nickelodeon, Russell will ensure that our rich and diversified development slate, as well as our new and established producing partners, will all serve our creative vision for the network and deliver for our audiences.”

Johnson, meanwhile, leaves the company having recently spearheaded the re-working of classic action toon Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. She was also responsible for preschool series such as Dora the Explorer and Blue's Clues, for more than two decades.

“Brown’s contributions to Nickelodeon are many, including being the key architect behind our preschool leadership. She leaves an indelible impact on generations of kids for which we will always be incredibly grateful,” said Zarghami.

Jesse Whittock
30-08-2012
©C21Media

TAGS: Appointments
GENRES: Animation, Children's
SHOWS: Blue's Clues, Dora the Explorer, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
PEOPLE: Alison Dexter, Brown Johnson, Cyma Zarghami, Keith Dawkins, Marjorie Cohn, Paula Kaplan, Philippe Dauman, Rich Mallaganes, Russell Hicks
COMPANIES: Nickelodeon, Viacom
SECTIONS: C21Kids
COUNTRIES: US
Also, from Kidscreen:
Nickelodeon appoints Russell Hicks as president of content development/production

Fourteen-year Nickelodeon veteran Russell Hicks has been named to the brand new position of president of content development and production for the Nickelodeon Group, while Brown Johnson, long-time president of Nick Animation [Nickelodeon Animation] exits the company.

In his new position, Hicks, who served as Nickelodeon’s CCO since 2008, will continue to report to Nickelodeon Group president Cyma Zarghami.

Based at Nickelodeon’s Burbank and Santa Monica, California, offices, he will be tasked with leading the company’s live-action, animation development and production teams for all of the company’s content platforms.

Executives now reporting to Hicks include Margie Cohn, who has been promoted to the new Nickelodeon role of president of content development for live-action, animation and digital; Paula Kaplan, now EVP of current series; Teri Weiss, EVP of Nickelodeon preschool development and production; Alison Dexter, EVP of Nickelodeon Productions; Rich Magallanes, SVP of animation, current series; and Keith Dawkins, SVP and GM for Nickelodeon’s Nick Jr., Nicktoons and TeenNick channels.

The appointment comes as Nickelodeon recently ramped up its TV offerings for this fall and into 2013 by greenlighting 14 new projects covering live-action, animation and TV movies.

As Nickelodeon’s CCO, Hicks oversaw all of Nickelodeon creative, on-air promotions, consumer products, brand and advertising divisions. Prior to working at Nickelodeon, he served as VP of marketing for Cartoon Network/Turner brands for Warner Brothers.

Meanwhile, Nick's president of animation since 2008, Brown Johnson, will be exiting her role to pursue personal creative endeavors. During her time in the position, Johnson led the kidsnet’s partnerships with DreamWorks Animation SKG as well as the new, CG-animated Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series. She also led Nickelodeon’s preschool programming, including Blue’s Clues and Dora the Explorer, for more than two decades.

Tags: Brown Johnson, Cyma Zarghami, Margie Cohn, Nickelodeon Group, Russell Hicks, Teri Weiss
Also, below is the Nickelodeon Press Release announcing the Nickelodeon News from PRNewswire:
Russell Hicks Named President, Content Development and Production, Nickelodeon Group

Former Chief Creative Officer Will Lead New Development and Production Team for All Nickelodeon Content Platforms

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 29, 2012 /Nickelodeon Press Release via PRNewswire/ -- Russell Hicks, a 14-year Nickelodeon veteran and its Chief Creative Officer since 2008, has been named to the new position of President, Content Development and Production for the Nickelodeon Group. The announcement was made today by Cyma Zarghami, President, Nickelodeon Group, to whom Hicks will continue to report.

The newly created position establishes centralized, West Coast leadership of all Nickelodeon's content teams, and provides direct, on the ground oversight of the largest and most diverse development slate in the network's history. In this new role, Hicks will be based at Nickelodeon's Burbank and Santa Monica, California, offices, where he will lead the company's live-action, animation development and production teams for all of Nickelodeon's content platforms.

Reporting to Hicks will be: Margie Cohn, who will serve in the new role of President, Content Development, Nickelodeon, working across live-action, animation and digital; Paula Kaplan, who will now serve as Executive Vice President of Current Series; Teri Weiss, Executive Vice President of Nickelodeon Preschool Development and Production; Alison Dexter, Executive Vice President, Nickelodeon Productions; Rich Magallanes, Senior Vice President, Animation, Current Series; and Keith Dawkins, Senior Vice President and General Manager for Nickelodeon's Nick Jr., Nicktoons and TeenNick channels.

"Russell has been one of the driving forces behind the Nickelodeon brand," said Zarghami. "As we continue our ambitious evolution of Nickelodeon, Russell will ensure that our rich and diversified development slate, as well as our new and established producing partners, will all serve our creative vision for the network and deliver for our audiences. As the new development season begins, this is the perfect moment for Russell to take the helm."

Nickelodeon's recently announced development slate includes more than a dozen new live-action, animation and TV movie projects as part of the network's deep commitment to new content. The slate features top creative talent in front of and behind the camera and iconic characters from the network's most popular series that will begin rolling out this fall and into 2013.

These projects include: two Nick spin-off comedy pilots, Sam & Cat and Gibby, featuring beloved characters from hit series iCarly and Victorious; new series Wendell and Vinnie starring Jerry Trainor and the pilot Instant Mom, both for Nick at Nite; You Gotta' See This, highlighting must-see video clips; and two original TV movies, Swindle and Nicky Deuce. Also included are the CG-animated series Monsters vs. Aliens and the 2D Sanjay & Craig; the highly anticipated return of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in September; and the 4Q launch of Nick at Nite's Scott Baio family comedy, See Dad Run. For preschool, the network is adding the curriculum-based animated series, Monty and Norville, and a pilot for Blaze and the Monster Machines.

Brown Johnson, who has served as the President of Animation since 2008, will be leaving her role to pursue her own creative endeavors. Johnson oversaw the network's successful partnerships with DreamWorks Animation SKG, as well as the brand-new, CG-animated Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. She also was responsible for leading Nickelodeon's groundbreaking preschool programming, including Blue's Clues and Dora the Explorer, for more than two decades.

"Brown's contributions to Nickelodeon are many, including being the key architect behind our preschool leadership," added Zarghami. "She leaves an indelible impact on generations of kids for which we will always be incredibly grateful."

Hicks, as Nickelodeon's Chief Creative Officer, oversaw all of Nickelodeon Creative, On-air Promotions, Consumer Products, Brand and Advertising divisions, and led the product development and creative positioning of Nickelodeon's brands and properties and ensured it represented Nickelodeon's "Kids' First" philosophy and supported the company mission to provide surprising and playful experiences for its audiences. In 2009, he led an unprecedented creative review of the Nickelodeon brand and re-imagined its logo to represent the growth the company had attained after 30 years, while also maintaining and reflecting the company's core attributes.

Prior to working at Nickelodeon, Hicks was Vice President of Marketing, Cartoon Network/Turner brands for Warner Brothers, where he was responsible for the marketing and creative that turned Scooby Doo and the Power Puff Girls into cultural icons. Hicks started his career as an animator that led him to work on Teddy Ruxpin, the first talking teddy bear for Worlds of Wonder toys. It is this combination of both animation and consumer products that has given Hicks his extensive knowledge of the children's entertainment world.

Hicks attended California State University Fullerton where he studied illustration and design.

Nickelodeon, now in its 33rd year, is the number-one entertainment brand for kids. It has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does. The company includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, online, recreation, books, and feature films. Nickelodeon's U.S. television network is seen in more than 100 million households and has been the number-one-rated basic cable network for 17 consecutive years. For more information or artwork, visit www.nickpress.com. Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIA.B).

SOURCE Nickelodeon

RELATED LINKS
http://www.nickpress.com.

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Nickelodeon Latin America Announces Plans To Premiere "The Legend of Korra" On Saturday 8th September 2012

Nickelodeon Latin America has announced on their official website, MundoNick.com, that Nickelodeon Latin America will start to premiere and show Nickelodeon's brand new original animated Nickelodeon series "The Legend of Korra" (locally called "La Leyenda de Korra") on Saturday 8th September 2012 at 12.30pm (local time):
Nueva Serie

Estreno Sabado 8, 12.30pm
You can visit Nickelodeon Latin America's official "La Leyenda de Korra" website here on MundoNick.com.

Nickelodeon Latin America Announces Plans To Premiere "Bucket And Skinner's Epic Adventures" On Monday 3rd September 2012

Nickelodeon Latin America has announced on their official website, MundoNick.com, that Nickelodeon Latin America will start to premiere and show Nickelodeon's brand new live-action comedy series "Bucket & Skinner's Epic Adventures" (locally titled "Las Aventuras de Bucket y Skinner"; translated as "The Adventures of Bucket and Skinner") on Monday 3rd September 2012 at 8.00pm. According to Nickelodeon Latin America's official "Las Aventuras de Bucket y Skinner" website, Nickelodeon Latin America will show episodes of "Las Aventuras de Bucket y Skinner" Monday to Friday at 6.30pm in Mexico and Columbia, 7.00pm in Venezuela, 7.00pm (19hs) in Argentina, and at 9.00pm (21hs) in Chile.
Nueva Serie

Estreno Lunes 3, 6.30pm

Nickelodeon Germany To Embark On "The Great Shopping Malls Tour" Around Germany To Celebrate Nickelodeon Germany's Brand New Nickelodeon Shows

Nickelodeon Germany has announced on their official website, Nick.de, that, to celebrate and help promote three of Nick Germany's brand new Nickelodeon shows - Nickelodeon's brand new animated original Nickelodeon series (Nicktoon) "The Legend Of Korra" (locally titled "Die Legende von Korra"), Nickelodeon's brand new CGI-animated "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" television series, and Nickelodeon Europe's brand new live-action daily soap opera series "Hotel 13" - Nickelodeon Germany (also known as Nickelodeon Deutschland) will be holding a shopping mall tour, where Nick Germany will be visiting major German shopping centres, where they'll be setting up Nickelodeon Information Booths which will offer lucky mall visitors and Nickelodeon fans and viewers information and first look sneak peeks of Nick Deutschland's brand new shows, plus the chance to win some great prizes!

Below is Nickelodeon Germany's current shopping mall tour schedule:

31.08.2012/01.09.2012
BERLIN: Eastgate Centre (10.00am bis 9.00pm)
LEIPZIG: Nova Eventis (Friday: 10.00am bis 10.00pm, Saturday 10.00am to 8.00pm)

07./08.09.2012
BREMEN: Waterfront (10.00am bis 8.00pm)
MUNICH: Riem Arkaden (10:00am bis 8.00pm)

Below is Nickelodeon Germany's "The Great Shopping Malls Tour" news article from the official Nickelodeon Deutschland website, Nick.de (translated by Google Translate):
THE GREAT SHOPPING MALLS-TOUR TO NICKELODEON AUTUMN HIGHLIGHTS

This fall, expect you three incredibly exciting and cool new series on Nickelodeon!

In September starts the "Avatar"-THE LEGEND OF KORRA successor and the new daily soap HOTEL 13 and in November finally beat back the TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES!

Want to learn more about the three voltage and action-packed series?

No problem!

Nickelodeon is for you to major shopping centers and tour provides you before all characters and stories!

At the information booths in shopping centers you get insights EXCLUSIVE: Look at before anyone else and before starting the first scenes of the TV series!

In addition, you can take the information booths win cool prizes!

All information and a memo to the three-game series can be found [on NickALive!]

Here are the latest tour dates at a glance:

31.08./01.09.2012
BERLIN: Eastgate Centre (10:00 bis 21:00 clock clock)
LEIPZIG: Nova Eventis (Friday: 10:00 bis 22:00 clock clock, Saturday 10:00 to clock 20 clock)

07./08.09.2012
BREMEN: Waterfront (10:00 bis 20:00 clock clock)
MUNICH: Riem Arkaden (10:00 bis 20:00 clock clock)
Also, below is the untranslated Nickelodeon Germany news article:
DIE GROSSE EINKAUFSZENTREN-TOUR ZU DEN NICKELODEON HERBST-HIGHLIGHTS

Diesen Herbst erwarten dich drei unglaublich spannende und coole neue Serien bei Nickelodeon!

Im September startet der "Avatar"-Nachfolger DIE LEGENDE VON KORRA und die neue Daily-Soap HOTEL 13 und im November schlagen dann endlich die TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES zurück!

Du willst mehr über die drei Spannungs- und Action-geladenen Serien erfahren?

Kein Problem!

Nickelodeon geht für dich auf große Einkaufszentren-Tour und stellt dir alle Figuren und Geschichten vor!

An den Info-Ständen in den Shopping-Centern bekommst du EXKLUSIVE Einblicke: Sieh dir vor allen anderen und vor TV-Start erste Szenen der Serien an!

Außerdem kannst du an den Info-Ständen coole Preise gewinnen!

Alle Infos und ein Memo-Game zu den drei Serien findest du weiter unten auf dieser Seite!

Hier gibt es die aktuellen Tourdaten im Ãœberblick:

31.08./01.09.2012
BERLIN: Eastgate-Center (10:00 Uhr bis 21:00 Uhr)
LEIPZIG: Nova Eventis (Freitag: 10:00 Uhr bis 22:00 Uhr ; Samstag 10:00 Uhr bis 20 Uhr)

07./08.09.2012
BREMEN: Waterfront (10:00 Uhr bis 20:00 Uhr)
MÃœNCHEN: Riem Arkaden (10:00 Uhr bis 20:00 Uhr)

Nickelodeon Germany Announces Plans To Start To Show Nickelodeon's Brand New CGI-Animated "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" TV Series From Sunday 4th November 2012!

Nickelodeon Germany has announced and revealed the Nickelodeon Germany/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles News on their official website, Nick.de, that Nickelodeon Germany (also known as Nickelodeon Deutschland) will start to premiere and show Nickelodeon's brand new CGI-animated "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" television series on Sunday 4th November 2012!
THE TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES ARE BACK
AB 4 November 2012
More about the Turtles are here [on Nick.de's official TMNT website]:
http://www.nick.de/shows/1399-teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles

Strong! Brave! Smart! ... And hungry - the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are back. The four heroes and mutant turtles Leonardo, Donatello, Raphael and Michelangelo have taken up their quarters in the sewers of New York City. From here they plan their missions against evil and evil on the streets.

The Official Nickelodeon UK Website Unveils Their Brand New Official "Bucket & Skinner's Epic Adventures" Website

To celebrate Nickelodeon UK premiering and showing the UK premiere of Nickelodeon's brand new original comedy series "Bucket & Skinner's Epic Adventures" in September 2012, starting with a special preview on Monday 3rd September 2012 at 6.00pm (repeated at 7.00pm on Nick UK's plus one (+1) timeshift channel, Nick Replay UK), and then fully from Monday 10th September 2012, the official Nickelodeon UK and Ireland website, Nick.co.uk, has unveiled their brand new official "Bucket & Skinner's Epic Adventures" website to accompany the brand new sitcom on Nickelodeon, which you can view here at Nick.co.uk/shows/bucketandskinner/.

Nickelodeon UK's brand new "Bucket & Skinner's Epic Adventures" website features online "Bucket & Skinner's Epic Adventures" streaming video clips featuring short video clips from the show, a "Meet The Characters" character bios section featuring information about each character in "Bucket & Skinner's Epic Adventures" - Bucket (Taylor Gray), Skinner (Dillon Lane), Kelly Peckinpaugh (Ashley Argota), Piper Peckinpaugh (Tiffany Espensen) and Aloe (Glenn McCuen), and a photograph gallery featuring stills from Nickelodeon UK's latest brand new show!

The "Bucket & Skinner's Epic Adventures" video clips you can watch on Nick.co.uk's brand new "Bucket & Skinner's Epic Adventures" website are:

Bucket and Skinner's Epic Adventures - Skinner has a great plan to get out of class.

Bucket and Skinner's Epic Adventures - Bucket and Skinner look quite fetching as ladies.

Bucket and Skinner's Epic Adventures - Skinner has an ingenious scheme.

Bucket and Skinner's Epic Adventures - There's a huge storm coming.

The Official Nickelodeon UK Website, Nick.co.uk, Unveils Exclusive Sneak Peek Video Clip From The Brand New "iCarly" Episode "iToe Fat Cakes"

To celebrate Nickelodeon UK and Ireland and Nickelodeon HD UK premiering the brand new "iCarly" episode called "iToe Fat Cakes" on Monday 3rd September 2012 at 5.30pm (repeated at 6.30pm on Nick UK's plus one (+1) timeshift channel, Nick Replay UK), followed by a special preview of the brand new Nickelodeon comedy series "Bucket & Skinner's Epic Adventures", the official Nickelodeon UK and Ireland website, Nick.co.uk, has unveiled a special brand new video clip which features a exclusive sneak peek at the brand new "iCarly" episode titled "iToe Fat Cakes", which you can watch here on Nickelodeon UK's official "iCarly" website on the official Nickelodeon UK and Eire website, Nick.co.uk!

In Nick.co.uk's exclusive "iCarly Sneak Peek" video clip, while an excited Carly Shay (played by Nickelodeon Star Miranda Cosgrove), is in her bathtub getting ready for a date, Carly starts to channel surf on her bathroom television. After watching a clip from the "Peruvian Puff Pepper" episode of the Nickelodeon TV sitcom "Drake & Josh", also created by Dan Schneider, and a promo for "Twinjas" on "The Dingo Channel", she stumbles upon an classic sitcom on "The Vintage Channel", which gives her an idea. Unfortunately, she becomes trapped when her big toe gets stuck in the faucet.

You can also view a second Nickelodeon Sneak Peek video clip at the brand new "iCarly" episode "iToe Fat Cakes" here on NickALive!.

Also, Tweeted (posted) by Nickelodeon UK and Ireland on their official Twitter profile page (@NickelodeonUK):
Anybody fancy a new ep of @icarly ?? I think u might be in luck... RT
Also, Tweeted by a Nickelodeon UK viewer and "iCarly" fan and ReTweeted by Nickelodeon UK on their official Twitter feed (@NickelodeonUK):
RT [...] iToe Fat Cakes on @NickelodeonUK nowwww!!

British Children's Television Channel 'Kix' To Continue "Power Battle Weekends" "Power Rangers" Themed Programming Block In September 2012

According to the official Sky Media UK websites 'Sky TV's Children's Television Highlights In September 2012' webpage, Kix, a free-to-air children's and teen's television channel in the UK, will be continuing their "Power Battle Weekends" programming strand in September 2012, where Kix will be airing the best episodes from the "Power Rangers" series "Power Rangers Wild Force", "Power Rangers Dino Thunder" and "Power Rangers S.P.D. (Space Patrol Delta)" every weekend as part of Kix's September 2012 programming line-up:
Power Battle Weekends
Kix
Throughout September

Kix continues the successful Power Battle Weekends block, showing the best episodes from Power Rangers Wild Force, Dino Thunder and S.P.D. - all weekend!

MarVista To Debut Saban Brands' Brand New "Power Rangers" Series, "Power Rangers Megaforce", At MIPCOM 2012 In Cannes, France

From C21Media:
MarVista powers up for Mip

Los Angeles-based MarVista Entertainment will celebrate the 20th anniversary of children’s action series Power Rangers by bringing its latest incarnation to Mipcom.

Power Rangers Megaforce (40x30′) will debut to the international market in Cannes through MarVista, which has global sales rights to the Saban Brands-owned property. The series is due to launch on Nickelodeon in the US next year [2013].

Last week, MarVista picked up three new teen TV movies for distribution: Pop Star, I Kissed a Vampire and Circle of Lies.

Jesse Whittock
29-08-2012
©C21Media

GENRES: Animation, Children's
SHOWS: Power Rangers Megaforce
COMPANIES: Marvista Entertainment, Saban Brands
SECTIONS: C21Kids
COUNTRIES: US
MIPCOM is a TV and entertainment market which is held in the French town of Cannes once every year, and will take place this year between 8th and 11th October 2012. You can find out more information about MIPCOM 2012 here on the official MIPCOM website, www.mipworld.com/en/mipcom/.

Also, from Kidscreen:
MarVista unveils new Power Rangers Megaforce series

In celebration of the 20th anniversary of the live-action boys series Power Rangers, L.A.-based MarVista Entertainment will debut the newest version of the franchise, Power Rangers Megaforce, at MIPCOM 2012.

Forty new half-hour episodes of the series, which is expected to air on Nickelodeon in the US in 2013, will be on offer to international buyers by MarVista, the exclusive international distributor for Saban Brands' Power Rangers.

Power Rangers Megaforce follows the adventures of a supernatural guardian, Gosei, who summons the help of five teenagers, the Power Rangers Megaforce, to battle the evil Warstar aliens who have launched a massive invasion.

In support of the new series, Saban Brands will launch an extensive consumer products campaign, character appearances, retail promotions and advertising.

The latest news comes on the heels of the UK’s Channel 5 picking up Power Rangers Samurai and Power Rangers Super Samurai.

Tags: MarVista Entertainment, MIPCOM, Nickelodeon, Power Rangers Megaforce, Saban Brands
Also, from The Hollywood Reporter:
MIPCOM 2012: Saban Brands to Unveil New 'Power Rangers' Episodes at Kids' Market

Forty fresh installments of the 20-year-old action franchise will debut Saturday in Cannes.

Those pesky Power Rangers will hit the Croisette Saturday morning as the characters' originator, Saban Brands, unveils 40 new episodes of the 20-year-old action franchise during the two-day Mipcom Jr. kids market in Cannes.

Hundreds of program purchasers will be on hand at the Martinez hotel for the annual buying and selling bazaar. The availability of new episodes to international children's buyers comes on the heels of several ratings successes for the current Power Rangers Samurai series -- in France, Germany, the U.K. and Australia. In France, for example, Power Rangers Samurai, airing on Gulli, ranked last month as the No. 1 kids action series in the country with Boys 4-14 and the No. 3 series in France amongst Boys 4-14 overall.

"The undeniable ratings success of Power Rangers places this evergreen brand in an enviable position as we move into 2013 celebrating 20 years on air," said Saban Brands president Elie Dekel. "It is not often that our industry celebrates this level of sustained success."

Following its introduction to U.S. audiences in spring 1993, Power Rangers quickly became one of the most-watched children's TV shows in the United States. Twenty years on, Power Rangers Megaforce will premiere in the U.S. in 2013 on Nickelodeon.

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

UK's CITV To Show New Episodes Of "Big Time Rush", "Matt Hatter Chronicles" And "Monsuno" As Part Of "Autumn 2012 On CITV"

CITV, the children's television arm of ITV, the British commercial public service TV network, have announced in a Tweet (post) on their official Twitter profile page (@ChildrensITV) that CITV will be showing new episodes of Nickelodeon's hit music comedy series "Big Time Rush", plus new episodes of NickToons UK favourites "The Matt Hatter Chronicles" and "Monsuno", as part of CITV's Autumn 2012 programming line-up:
This Autumn, look out for New Fleabag, Canimals, Phone Genie, Monsuno, Redakai, Big Time Rush, Matt Hatter & more!
It is currently unknown whether CITV (short for Children's ITV or Children's Independent Television) will broadcast the new episodes of the hit Nickelodeon sitcom "Big Time Rush" and the popular animated shows "The Matt Hatter Chronicles" and "Monsuno" on ITV's CITV channel or as part of ITV Breakfast's CITV programming block which airs Saturday and Sunday mornings on the ITV network from 06:00 to 08:25 in the timeslot occupied by Daybreak on weekdays.

Nickelodeon Star And "How To Rock" Actress Cymphonique Miller Awarded The Key To The City Of Memphis, Tennessee, USA

From Fanlala:
Cymphonique Awarded the Key to the City!

We love [Cymphonique Miller] for her acting - she never fails to get a laugh from us. Recently, the TV star was recognized for another one of her well-known activities: her philanthropy!

Active in the community of Memphis, Tennessee, Cymphonique has dedicated many hours over the course of several years to helping inner city youth achieve more than they ever expected by helping them understand the importance of an education. Her acts of kindness haven’t gone unrecognized, either. Mayor A.C. Wharton was proud to present Cymphonique with her very own Key to the City!

The 'How to Rock' star just took to her Twitter to express her gratitude saying “So honored to receive the key to the city of Memphis, blessed to be doing this at 16. #nevertooyoungtomakeadifference ❤” Cymphonique is also active with other organizations. She's been a part of Nickelodeon's Big Help campaign, as well as being recognized by DoSomething.org.

Receiving the Key to Memphis is such a high honor, and we’re very impressed with the dedication Cymphonique has towards the children she’s helped out. We also know that there are plenty of other lives she’ll be helping out in the future - keep it up girl!

Saban Brands And McDonald's Launch Brand New Happy Meal Promotion Across North America

From Kidscreen:
Saban and McDonald’s launch Happy Meal promotion

Saban Brands has extended its long-term partnership with McDonald’s by launching a new North American promotion that features limited edition Power Rangers and Paul Frank toys in Happy Meals.

The Power Rangers Happy Meals feature one of eight Power Ranger action figures or role play toys based on Saban's hit action series Power Rangers Super Samurai, which currently airs on Nickelodeon.

The Paul Frank Happy Meals feature one of eight Paul Frank-themed items (bendable figure, luggage tag, magnets, stationery kit, calendar, notebook, watch and bracelet), based on the IP's Julius character.

The promotion runs from August 24 to September 20.

Tags: McDonald's, Paul Frank, Power Rangers, Saban Brands

Hugh Baldwin, The Director Of Nickelodeon Australia, Named First-Round Judge For The 2013 Kidscreen Awards

From Kidscreen:
First-round judges announced for 2013 Kidscreen Awards

As preparations for the 2013 Kidscreen Awards ramp up, the awards team has announced the first-round judges for the programming categories.

After reviewing and scoring all entries in the categories (Best Animated Series; Best Non-Animated or Mixed Series; Best One-Off, Special or TV Move; and Best Companion Website), the first-round judges whittle down a shortlist of programs and websites that move on to a second and final round of judging, administered by three new jury panels.

The first-round judges are:

Preschool (ages zero to five)
Carla de Jong – executive in charge of production, Children’s and Youth Programming, CBC
Henrietta Hurford-Jones – director of CBeebies Investment, BBC Worldwide
Deborah Macdonald – independent children’s media consultant
Chris Rose – commissioning editor, animation, ABC Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Kids (ages six to 11)
Hugh Baldwin – director, Nickelodeon Australia
Alan Gregg – director of original content, TELETOON Canada
Layla Lewis – director of programming and acquisitions, Turner Broadcasting Asia Pacific
Tara Sorensen – head of Children’s Series Development, Amazon Studios

Tweens/Teens (ages 12 to 17)
Jan-Willem Bult – creative head, KRO Youth
David Kleeman – president, American Center for Children and Media
Tracia Ord – senior manager, Disney XD Worldwide

The entry deadline for the programming categories is Friday, September 14 and the deadline for the broadcasting categories (Channel of the Year, Best Channel Design, Best Channel Website, Best Interstitial Campaign, Best Integrated Promotion, Best On-Air Host or Hosting Team) is Friday, October 19.

The 2013 Kidscreen Awards winners in all categories will be announced at an evening presentation as part of next year’s Kidscreen Summit set to take place in New York between February 5 and 8.

Additional information on eligibility, judging and how to enter can be found at awards.kidscreen.com.

Tags: Carla de Jong, David Kleeman, Kidscreen Awards, Tara Sorensen

Former Viacom Content Distribution Vice President Todd Brown Appointed The Chief Revenue Officer And Executive VP Of Business Development For US-Based Social TV Service Yap.TV

From C21Media:
Yap.TV adds NBCU exec

US-based social TV service Yap.TV has appointed former NBC Universal vice president Todd Brown as chief revenue officer and executive VP of business development.

Brown, a 20-year TV industry veteran, recently stepped down from his NBCU job, prior to which he was a division VP at Comcast, leading sales and marketing for networks such as E! Entertainment, Golf, Style, G4 and Sprout. He has also worked as VP of content distribution at Viacom, working with MTV, BET, and Nickelodeon.

Earlier this month Yap.TV added four new language options to its service and rolled out into 19 new countries in Europe, Latin America and Canada. The start-up is backed by Javelin Venture Partners and Blumberg Capital, counts Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak among its advisors.

Andrew McDonald
28-08-2012
©C21Media

Nickelodeon's "Dora The Explorer LIVE! Search For The City Of Lost Toys" Opens In London, UK's West End On Tuesday 28th August 2012

From Broadway World:
Nickelodeon's DORA THE EXPLORER LIVE! Opens on West End Today, Aug 28

Nickelodeon, Life Like Touring and Daniel Sparrow & Mike Walsh Productions present the UK premiere of Nickelodeon's Dora the Explorer LIVE! Search for the City of Lost Toys, arriving at the Apollo Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue for a limited three week run from today, 28 August to 16 September 2012.

Now seen by more than two million people, this live musical adventure, which brings the popular children’s show to the stage, goes on a National Tour in Spring 2013.

Dora the Explorer fans will delight in this two act, song and dance spectacular that invites them to think, sing and play along. Nickelodeon's Dora the Explorer LIVE! is designed to teach kids to explore, communicate, overcome obstacles, solve puzzles and discover a diverse and exciting world…all while having a lot of fun!

Everyone’s favourite explorer is embarking on a LIVE musical adventure in London’s West End! In Nickelodeon’s Dora the Explorer LIVE! Search for the City of Lost Toys, Dora has lost her teddy bear Osito, and the search is on to retrieve him!

With the help of the audience, Map, Backpack, Boots, Diego and their courageous friends, Dora uses her map-reading, counting, musical and language skills to successfully passthrough the number pyramid and the mixed-up jungle to reach the City of Lost Toys. But watch out - you never know what that sneaky fox Swiper might be up to along the way!

One of the channel’s most beloved shows, Dora the Explorer airs daily on Nick Jr. at 8:30 a.m, weekdays at 11 a.m. and on weekends at 1 p.m. In 2011, 7.5 million viewers across the globe tuned in to the play-along, animated adventure series.

Nickelodeon’s Dora the Explorer LIVE! Search for the City of Lost Toys is on priority sale with Ticketmaster from Monday 14 May. Please go to www.ticketmaster.co.uk or call 0844 277 4321.

http://www.blackpoolpleasurebeach.com/shows/doralive/.

The Official Nickelodeon USA Website Talks About "How To Rock" Coming To An End In December 2012

Below is a Nickelodeon News article about the Nickelodeon show "How to Rock" coming to an end later this year (2012) from the 'Nickelodeon Stars' section of the (geo-locked) official Nickelodeon USA website, Nick.com:
How to Rock's Fall Finale

How to Rock may be ushering in its final season, but that doesn't mean the party ends now. We've got tons of Perf-ect plans and Gravity 5 jammin' to do! It's true that the show will be coming to a close this fall, but there's a serious bright side to this scenario. There's a whole new season of all new episodes coming your way FAST! And as for your fave rockin' HTR co-stars, well, it's not the end for them either. Noah Crawford and Chris O'Neal already have a new hit show on the tube, You Gotta See This, rolling out brand new episodes this fall! So even though we'll be waving goodbye to Brewster High, at least we know we're parting ways on a serious high note. Now who's ready to rock?!

This fall, there are nine new episodes coming up. And just so you know what's on your Brewster High schedule, allow us to explain. "How To Rock a Singing Telegram" is a NEW episode where Gravity 5 kicks off a fundraiser of singing telegrams in an array of musical styles (including a song inspired by BTR -- can we get a "Woo-Hoo?"). "How To Rock a Yearbook" is another all-new episode on the horizon, where the Gravity 5 crew attempts to score a yearbook page that's as Perf-ect as the Perfs'. As far as guest stars go, you're in for a real treat when Cymphonique Miller's big bro Romeo makes a cameo appearance in "How To Rock a High School Sensation." And, this goes without saying, but the music lined up for this new season is sure to keep your playlist packed, with an awesome acoustic version of "Only You Can Be You" in the works!

Where Are They Now: Nickelodeon And "Drake And Josh" Stars Miranda Cosgrove and Drake Bell

Below is a Nickelodeon News article about Nickelodeon's popular live-action original comedy series "Drake & Josh" and the Nickelodeon Stars Drake Bell and Miranda Cosgrove from the 'Nickelodeon Celebrities' section of the (geo-locked) official Nickelodeon USA website, Nick.com:
Where Are They Now: Miranda Cosgrove and Drake Bell

Who remembers when Miranda Cosgrove made her oh-so-adorable Nick debut? It was back in the year 2004, when she scored one of her first TV gigs as the adorably menacing Megan on Drake and Josh! And little Miranda accomplished more than just making audiences everywhere laugh out loud with her sinister pranks on the show. She also made great pals with her on-screen big bro, Drake Bell. But why are we chatting about this years after the fact? Well, in typical Throwback Thursday fashion, we've been wondering...What's up with this dynamic duo now?

First, let's back track for a second. We already know Drake and MC's friendship lasted far beyond the Drake and Josh set, 'cause both stars stayed in the Nick fam after the show wrapped. As we all know, Miranda went on to headline her own show, iCarly, and Drake moved on to a bundle of new Hollywood gigs, like his lead role in A Fairly Odd Movie and an awesome appearance in Rags. And here's another tidbit to add to your Drake and Miranda knowledge...Drake's pipes are featured alongside Miranda's on iCarly's title track, "Leave It All To Me!"

But with all this history, are these two actors still buds?

The answer is yes! Sure, the two have moved on to all new projects in the year 2012, but they try their best to keep in touch. In fact, at this year's KCAs, Drake picked Miranda as the number one person that he'd wanna see slimed. "I think Miranda [Cosgrove is in for a slime]," Drake told Just Jared Jr. on the Orange Carpet. "I think she is in for a slime. Her time is up, it's been long enough, I am ready to see my little sister slimed."

As for Drake's latest gigs, we recently caught him making a cameo appearance on Victorious in the episode "April Fools Blank." And you can look forward his all new movie coming to Nick this holiday season, A Fairly Odd Christmas!

And what about Miranda? We all know iCarly is coming to a close this year. But this is not the end of the road for our favorite web show superstar. Miranda's ready to take on a whole new challenge this fall...college! Yesterday she tweeted, "On my way to my first day at USC!"

From hitting the books to promoting a new feature flick, we wish this duo the best of luck in all their upcoming endeavors. And we're happy to see that this throwback bro and sis will continue to stay great pals through it all!