Nickelodeon Announces New Movie, Renewals, Green Initiative

NEW YORK, March 13: At its Upfront presentation today, Nickelodeon announced the premiere of its first original family prime-time movie, a raft of renewals for its animated series, and the rollout of a new multiplatform environmental pro-social initiative for kids.


Nickelodeon plans to debut its first original family prime-time movie, Gym Teacher: The Movie, this August, starring Law & Order: SVU star Christopher Meloni. Joining Meloni in the film will be co-star Amy Sedaris (Strangers with Candy) and Nickelodeon's Nathan Kress (iCarly). Meloni plays underdog Dave Stewie, a humiliated former gymnastics gold-medal contender turned gym teacher who gets a shot at redemption as he vies for the coveted Gym Teacher of the Year Award. The date and time for the premiere are still to be determined.


Gym Teacher is a Nickelodeon production in association with Dolphin Entertainment. The executive producers are Lauren Levine (Bridge to Terabithia, Shredderman Rules!), Stanley M. Brooks (Broken Trail), Jim Head and Bill O'Dowd. Paul Dinello (Strangers with Candy, The Colbert Report) directs a teleplay by brothers Daniel and Steven Altiere.


In addition, Nickelodeon has greenlit 86 all-new episodes of Nicktoon series, including the network's top-three ranked animated series SpongeBob SquarePants, The Fairly OddParents and Back at the Barnyard, as well as the preschool-targeted The Backyardigans.


Nickelodeon has renewed both SpongeBob SquarePants and The Fairly OddParents for a seventh season, picking up 26 and 20 additional episodes, respectively. SpongeBob SquarePants has ranked as the number-one animated program with kids 2 to 11 for more than six consecutive years, and its Saturday morning airing ranks as the top-rated program on television among kids 2 to 11. Since its launch in March 2001, The Fairly OddParents has become the number-three-ranked animated property on broadcast and cable television among kids 2 to 11, only following SpongeBob SquarePants and Back at the Barnyard.


Nickelodeon has also greenlit 20 additional episodes of Back at the Barnyard, which currently ranks as the number-two animated series on television among kids 2 to 11. And The Backyardigans, Nick Jr.'s hit animated preschool series, was picked up for fourth season of an additional 20 episodes.


"Our key animated properties continue to be innovative and fresh and feature characters that our viewers have grown to love and really connect with," said Brown Johnson, the president of animation at Nickelodeon & MTVN Kids and Family Group. "We are thrilled to be making another season of SpongeBob SquarePants—a series we hope to make for a long time—as well The Fairly OddParents, and adding additional episodes of our newest hit series Back at the Barnyard and preschool gem The Backyardigans."


Finally, Nickelodeon will launch The Big Green Help, a new multiplatform environmental pro-social initiative for kids, next month. Designed to empower kids to take action on the environment through gaming and grassroots activity, the multiplatform The Big Green Help will provide information and tools to help explain climate change to kids and connect them to energy saving and earth-friendly activities in their everyday lives. The centerpiece of The Big Green Help will be the first-ever global multiplayer online “green” game for kids, which will provide steps and information to directly link them to ways that they can positively contribute to helping the environment, on an individual and a community level.


When the campaign launches in the U.S. in April, Nickelodeon will encourage kids to convert their virtual online missions into steps that they can take within the real world and their local communities and schools. Nickelodeon will team up with national environmental and youth-focused organizations on all aspects of The Big Green Help to engage kids on environmental issues, including partnering on local grassroots activities where kids will carry out their virtually volunteered hours.


Nick.com will launch a new website in April to help educate kids on all things green, located at www.thebiggreenhelp.com. This site will include features such as a personalized questionnaire to track kids' individual and family progress during the campaign; a glossary of environmentally focused terms; daily green tips for kids; a video upload tool that kids can use to share what they are doing to protect the planet; and green games to teach kids earth-friendly activities. Kids can also create green environments in Nicktropolis, Nickelodeon's virtual community for kids.


Internationally, Nick channels in the U.K., Germany, Korea, Latin America and Nick Southeast Asia are actively addressing environmental issues. The Big Green Help will roll out across Nickelodeon's international network to become the brand's global pro-social campaign with all key markets participating in the multiplayer online green game later this year.


"We know that kids can truly be agents of change on important issues, and the environment is an issue that affects 100 percent of our audience," said Marva Smalls, the executive VP of public affairs for Nickelodeon & MTVN Kids and Family Group. "Whether it's addressing kids' health and wellness through our Let's Just Play campaign, or promoting volunteerism with The Big Help, Nickelodeon has a history of talking to kids and engaging them on issues that affect their lives, and encouraging them to take action. With The Big Green Help, we want to provide them with the necessary tools and information so they can become part of the environmental solution."


Nickelodeon collaborated with the Pew Center on Global Climate Change to conduct the Keeping It Cool: Kids, Parents and the Global Environment research study to gauge kids' and parents' attitudes and behaviors towards the environment. The network then applied its findings from the research directly to the development of The Big Green Help campaign. Among the highlights of the study were that half of kids 8 to 14 are not sure how to directly impact environmental issues, but approximately 80 percent believe they can stop global warming; and approximately one third of parents and kids say they know nothing about ways they can help protect the environment, yet three quarters of parents and half of kids are concerned about the environment.


—By Irene Lew

Interview for Spongebob Square Pants by: Stephen Totilo

On with the interview and remaining screens…


Multiplayer: Last year’s “Drawn To Life” DS game was a surprise critical hit. How and when did the idea for a sequel come about, and how did the SpongeBob license get involved?

Evan Icenbice, Associate Project Manager, THQ: We’re always thinking about opportunities for new Nickelodeon games here at THQ, so when “Drawn to Life” was coming together, we noticed the similarities to the classic SpongeBob episode, “Frankendoodle”. From there, it just wrote itself.

Multiplayer: Who’s making this game? Same team as the original?

Icenbice: The Fifth Cell guys are working on other top secret projects, so we brought in one of our favorite DS partners, Altron. They have years and years of experience making great platformers, so they’re a great fit for this title.

Multiplayer: How does this game build on the drawing-based gameplay of the first game? I know it’s set in the SpongeBob universe, but is this one simply different? Or can you point to improvements, next-gen drawing gameplay, as it were?

Icenbice: This game gives players all of the classic drawing gameplay of the original: draw your character, draw objects in the game world to help you out, and lots more. But in addition to this, we add a few new twists. In the upcoming game, players will be able to draw a wide variety of cool new power-ups, re-draw enemies to turn them into friends, as well as draw their own Bikini Bottom home and fill it up with all sorts of fun creative gadgets.

Multiplayer: What did the development team and THQ learn from the reaction to the first “Drawn To Life”? Were there things that people liked or didn’t like that you’re therefore doing more or less with in the new game?


Icenbice: Everyone loved the drawing aspect in the first game, so we wanted to make sure there is as much or more drawing for the player to do in the new game. We also added new twists to the gameplay with roller coaster levels, chase levels where players will need to outrun a giant eraser, and slingshots that use the DS stylus to shoot the character around the level. We want every level to give players something different to do.

Multiplayer: Are there things players won’t be allowed to draw due to the rules of the SpongeBob License?

Icenbice: The game is designed so that players can draw whatever they want and get creative. We’ve also added a few guides to help players draw in the SpongeBob style, including template characters based on the SpongeBob world.

Multiplayer: Will players be able to draw SpongeBob himself?


Icenbice: You’ll create and play as an all-new character, with SpongeBob and friends tagging along and helping you on the way. We also have a drawing mode that teaches the player how to draw SpongeBob and friends, separate from the main game.

Multiplayer: Does the two-player mode involve drawing? How so?

Icenbice: Yes, but we’re not revealing details of that mode yet.

Multiplayer: Can players of the new SpongeBob game import their drawings from the first”Drawn To Life”?

Icenbice: No, we wanted to keep the two games a completely separate and different experience. And it’s more fun to draw new things to fit the SpongeBob world.

Multiplayer: What should gamers make of the idea that the first “DTL” was all-original, but that the second one is a license? What does that mean in terms of THQ’s support of original intellectual properties and non-licensed games?

Icenbice: Using the “Drawn to Life” concept in conjunction with Nickelodeon is a win-win for players. The great characters of Nick mix well with the great gameplay of “Drawn to Life.” However, THQ still very strongly supports original IP. We recently released “Frontlines: Fuel of War,” which features a unique frontline-based combat system and dedicated multiplayer servers for a phenomenal next-generation warfare experience. In addition, we have some amazing original IP for the Wii coming down the pipeline with the upcoming releases of “Deadly Creatures” and “de Blob.”

Multiplayer: Will there be “DTL” sequels that don’t involve licenses? And, for that matter, is THQ interested in bring the “DTL” series to other licenses?

Icenbice: We certainly think the “Drawn to Life” concept can continue to grow as an original IP, as well as a licensed product, but we have not announced any future “Drawn to Life” releases.

Multiplayer: Any plans for a Wii DTL?

Icenbice: THQ has not announced any future “Drawn to Life” releases, but we certainly think that the brand could lend itself well to the unique gameplay features that the Wii offers.

Multiplayer: Recently I wrote a piece wondering why there haven’t been as many drawing-based DS games as I had expected at launch. Is this something you noticed too? Why do you think that is, and what do you make of the fact that the “DTL” series doesn’t’ seem to have many, if any, competitors on that front these days?

Icenbice: Well, it’s certainly a great position for THQ to be in. We’re really excited by the deep drawing potential of the DS. I wouldn’t be surprised if others start to catch on now that “Drawn to Life” has experienced such great initial success.

Multiplayer: Lastly, does this new game have an option for lefties? I can’t find it in the first one!

Icenbice: Generally, it shouldn’t be a big issue with “Drawn to Life,” as you can ignore the buttons while drawing and draw with any hand you want. Most of the stylus inputs are separate from the buttons during gameplay as well.

Nickelodeon Slimes New York Toy Fair 2008!

NICKELODEON TOY FAIR 2008 HIGHLIGHTS:

* SLIME!: It's green, and oozie and expected to hit retail shelves for
fall 2008. Created by JAKKS Pacific, the new line of products is based
on Nick's coveted green stuff, and allows kids to bestow the honor of
sliming upon their friends, family and loved ones. Slime was
introduced on Nickelodeon in 1982 and getting slimed has since become a
badge of honor for both kids and celebrities worldwide. The JAKKS line
includes: SLIME! Super Slimer Blaster that shoots slime as far as 25
feet (SRP: $19.99); SLIME! Time Splatter a not-so-ordinary ball for
games of catch with an explosive ending (SRP: $14.99); SLIME! Ball a
gooey sphere that oozes its way down walls in metallic and glitterized
shades of green (SRP: $4.99); SLIME! Can containers and SLIME! Bucket
containers that hold up to 20 ounces of the legendary goo
(SRP: $7.99/$12.99).

* DORA THE EXPLORER: Dora continues to dominate toy aisles worldwide.
According to the NPD Group, Dora is the number-one toy license for
girls of all ages in the U.S. (January-December 2007.) Dora has also
been the number-one license across all categories for the last two
years in France. New Dora products will roll out in electronic
learning, role-play, dress-up, dolls, doll houses, mini play-sets,
environmental, basics and for the first time ever, real musical
instruments from First Act.

In the U.S. and Canada from Fisher Price comes a great line based on
the upcoming "Dora Saves the Snow Princess" television movie on Nick Jr.:
Dora's Prance & Fly Pegasus (SRP: $39.99) -- magically opens its beautiful
wings and really walks for a range of adventures. Pegasus contains three
modes of play, including storytelling and a variety of motions. The Dora
Saves the Snow Princess Doll Line (SRP: $12.99) includes four unique 11"
preschool fashion dolls that have luxurious outfits and a special charm
that unlocks special adventures on Pegasus. The doll line follows the
success of last year's "Dora Saves the Mermaids" collection, which paved
Dora the Explorer's entry into fashion dolls. The Dora Deluxe Designer
Dollhouse (SRP: $79.99) follows up on the success of the original Dora's
Talking Dollhouse, launched in 2004, which is the top-selling Fisher Price
dollhouse of all-time. The brand-new dollhouse combines technology and
pop-open design to allow girls to decorate and personalize eight spacious
rooms, and activate a series of hotspots that magically light lamps, start
appliances and more.

Game leader Hasbro unveils Scrabble Junior, Dora the Explorer Edition
(SRP: $10.99) which leverages Dora's multicultural appeal into the
first-ever bilingual Scrabble game. Featuring English and Spanish game play
on a two- sided board, the new edition is perfect for kids ages five years
and up.

For the first-time, Dora's musical heritage takes the stage with real
musical instruments from First Act, including a Dora Six-Piece Percussion
Pack (SRP: $19.99) that includes a kazoo, klick klock, tambourine, jingle
tap, egg shaker and ocarina. The set comes packaged in a transparent back
pack.

Dora the Explorer is the new star of the Ravensburger line in the UK,
France and Benelux. What's in my Backpack? scheduled for fall 2008 release,
hones children's sense of touch and introduces the concept of taking turns
as they search for one of the 12 different items. In France, Goliath Games
will roll out Dora The Explorer Triominos in Fall 2008. One of the best
selling licensed toy products in France in 2007 (January-December, 2007),
Triominos is the classic triangular dominos game that perfectly compliments
Dora's play-to- learn elements.


* GO, DIEGO, GO!: Diego is the toy world's only preschool-targeted
action-hero! Focused on non-violent, eco-friendly fun, recent Diego
products have been recognized with Parents' Choice and Toy Wishes' All-
Star List awards. New Diego products will be launched at Toy Fair,
including basic play items as well as environmentally themed toys. A
new line of musical instruments debuts from First Act.

Fisher Price launches in the U.S. and Canada include: Diego's Animal
Rescue Railway (SRP: $49.99) -- which features a completely new and
innovative flexible track system that puts kids fully in control of track
configurations and variations. The railway comes with seven feet of track
and a motorized Diego engine plus figures, rescue cars and animals. Based
on the Nick Jr. episode "Diego's Great Dinosaur Rescue," Dinosaur Rescue
Mountain (SRP: $44.99) is shaped like a T-Rex fossil but opens up to reveal
a full dinosaur rescue outpost. The toy is packed with play features, sound
effects, bilingual phrases and 110 rescue missions. Also included are an
all-terrain vehicle and two dinosaur figures. Specially engineered for
little hands are brand new six-inch Diego Extreme Rescue Figures (SRP:
$7.99) and Extreme Rescue Deluxe Figures (SRP: $12.99), which also come to
retail this fall. Fisher Price will introduce the first Go, Diego, Go! line
in Australia in Summer 2008.

Hasbro's Chutes & Ladders, Go, Diego, Go! Edition (SRP: $10.99),
combines the classic up and down game with the bilingual focus and
action-packed adventures of Go, Diego, Go!. Choose your Animal Rescuer --
Diego, Alicia, Baby Jaguar or Rescue Pack to move along the game board.
Players will meet many interesting animals along the way, but they need to
watch out for those chutes!

Mega Brands introduces new Go, Diego, Go! preschool construction sets
that are perfect for supporting imaginary and basic play in kids three
years of age and up.


* THE WONDER PETS!: Making its Toy Fair debut is the hit animated
preschool music series, The Wonder Pets! Launched on Nick Jr. in 2006,
the show was the second highest-rated preschool show on commercial
television for the most recent quarter. Featuring three courageous
classroom pets, Ming-Ming Duckling, Turtle Tuck and Linny the Guinea
Pig, who each transform into superhero animal rescuers, new products
are poised to generate holiday 2008 excitement.

"This is Serious!" Ming Ming (SRP: $34.99) from Fisher Price, brings to
life signature phrases, songs and dance moves from The Wonder Pets!' heroic
and adorable duck. Featuring two modes of play, Ming Ming answers the shows
iconic 'can phone', strikes a save-the-day pose and then dances. She also
asks kids to join her in teamwork and teaches her one-of-a-kind dance.


* SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS: SpongeBob, a true global phenomenon and one of
the most successful names in licensing history, continues to break new
ground. With a brand-new line from Play Along, SpongeBob is slated to
have a big presence at retail in fall 2008.

Play Along has developed the Silly Talk SpongeBob (SRP: $24.99) toy
that is full of super silly phrases, tricky tongue-twisters and jolly
jokes. Grab SpongeBob's tongue or nose and you'll hear some silly sayings
that sound simply screwy!; Brand-new SpongeBob Plush, all themed to the
most popular SpongeBob SquarePants episodes ever, comes in beanbag-size
(SRP: $6.99) and in a larger-size (SRP: $14.99) which is packaged with a
special collectors card and a companion episode on DVD!

In Mexico, Famosa combines kid's favorite Nicktoon with one of their
favorite toys, rolling out a new line of SpongeBob SquarePants battery
powered ride-ons in Fall 2008.


* THE NAKED BROTHERS BAND: TEENick's musical heartthrobs meet the world
of toys with new products that take full advantage of the series' rock
'n' roll roots.

First Act has developed a full line of real musical instruments that
let kids six and over jam with The Naked Brothers Band. The product
assortment includes an electronic keyboard (SRP: $49.99), electronic drum
pad (SRP: $39.99); electric guitar (SRP: $99.99); acoustic guitar (SRP:
$59.99) and a karaoke microphone (SRP: $14.99.) All items feature band
graphics and designs.

Hasbro has created The Naked Brothers Band: North American Tour Game
(SRP: $14.99), for a brand-new way to play along with the band. Kids are on
the move trying to catch up to the band as they go on their North American
Tour and prove they are the ultimate fan. Players criss-cross North America
on a tour bus collecting tickets to all the concerts, and scoring points in
an effort to win the best seats possible. Watch out for the pitfalls along
the way, as well as other fans who want your tickets!


TOY AISLE TRENDS:

* Music: Always a key part of Nickelodeon's programming, music is making
its way to the toy department. Nickelodeon's new partnership with
First Act, a leader in quality musical instruments, will bring a mix of
strings, percussion, woodwinds and keyboards to toy shelves -- tied to
Nick hits, SpongeBob SquarePants, The Naked Brothers Band, Go, Diego,
Go! and Dora the Explorer. In addition to picking up an instrument,
kids can also play Hasbro's new music-inspired board game created for
The Naked Brothers Band. While sold primarily in the consumer
electronics aisle, Nickelodeon's Npower line of digital imaging and
multimedia products will continue to expand at retail in fall 2008.

* Technology: Continuing to become an essential ingredient in toys, a
number of new Nickelodeon products use new technology to provide kids
with new play experiences. Standouts include: Silly Talk SpongeBob
from Play Along, which includes smart-processor technology that
allows the toy to recognize when kids are holding its nose or pulling
its tongue and responding with an appropriate reaction. Dora's
Deluxe Designer Dollhouse features both pop-open and built in hotspot
technology that allows the house to both turn inside-out and also
enables functions like turning on a desk lamp, radio or computer in
rooms throughout the house. Diego's Animal Rescue Railway features a
new technology in non-powered flexible track that allows trains to
run in any direction with any kid-designed track configuration. Also
from Fisher Price, Dora's Style Your Own Digital Adventures Laptop is
a new interactive learning toy that can be used as an on-the-go
laptop or as a hand-held game play unit. The unit connects to seven
fun websites with bilingual learning. New from The Backyardigans,
one of Nickelodeon's fastest growing properties in Latin America with
more than 50 new licensees, is an FM/AM radio with MP3 capabilities
launching in Brazil in Fall 2008.

* Environmental: Nickelodeon has a number of new environmentally
focused products from partners Elmer's, DuneCraft and Summit that
leverage the popularity of Dora the Explorer, Go! Diego, Go!, The
Backyardigans and SpongeBob SquarePants. Elmer's science activity
kits, for each of the shows, allow kids to learn about weather,
crystals, rock collecting and prehistoric excavation. A brand new
line of Dora and Diego terrariums from DuneCraft allows kids to learn
about and cultivate plants, flowers and vegetables. Summit's outdoor
explorer toys tied to Dora the Explorer and Go! Diego, Go!, let kids
explore nature in their own backyards with butterflies, bugs and
frogs.

* Basic Play: Nickelodeon continues to emphasize the value of basic
play with partners including Mega Brands and Lego. Mega Brands is
adding to its successful Nick Jr. construction and basic building
toys with new products for Dora the Explorer and Go, Diego, Go!. For
older kids, Lego is adding to its imaginative and popular SpongeBob
SquarePants product with new sets that include the Bikini Bottom
Express and The Rocket Ride.

New Nickelodeon partnerships at Toy Fair 2008 include: First Act (Dora
the Explorer, Go, Diego, Go!, SpongeBob SquarePants and The Naked Brothers
Band musical instruments), Play Along (SpongeBob SquarePants plush and
toys), and JAKKS Pacific (SLIME!)

Established Nickelodeon licensees showing at Toy Fair 2008 include:
Basic Fun; Big Time Toys; Cardinal; CDI; Dunecraft; Elmer's; Fisher Price;
Franklin Sports; Hasbro; Kiddieland; Leap Frog; Learning Curve; Lego;
Little Kids; Mega Brands; Ohio Art; Playhut; PTI Sports; Rand
International; Rubies Costume Co.; Spinmaster; Ty, Inc.; United States
Playing Cards; VTech.

About Nickelodeon & Viacom Consumer Products

Nickelodeon & Viacom Consumer Products manages the world's third
largest licensing business, representing leading properties such as
SpongeBob SquarePants and Dora the Explorer, and managing merchandising for
Nick Jr., Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, MTVN International, and Spike TV.

Nickelodeon, in its 28th 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, magazines and feature films.
Nickelodeon's U.S. television network is seen in almost 96 million
households and has been the number-one- rated basic cable network for 13
consecutive years. Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos
are trademarks of Viacom Inc. (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B).