Tuesday, September 03, 2019

David Chustz Promoted to EVP Global Creative, Viacom Nickelodeon Consumer Products

Viacom Nickelodeon Consumer Products (VNCP) has promoted David Chustz to the role of Executive Vice President (EVP), Global Creative. Chustz previously served as Senior Vice-President, Franchise Creative Strategy and Planning for Nickelodeon. Chustz will continue to report to Pam Kaufman, President, VNCP and will continue to be based in Nickelodeon’s Burbank, Calif. headquarters.


“Outstanding creative execution is one of VNCP’s key strategic pillars, and David has been an incredible leader in developing and executing our ‘Every Age, Every Aisle’ creative strategy around the world,” said Kaufman. “David has done a fantastic job uniting our creative teams globally, and through his leadership, our franchises are brought to life across multiple demos and aisles for fans worldwide.”

In this role, Chustz oversees global creative strategy and planning, design and product development for Viacom’s portfolio of licensed brands and properties. VNCP’s worldwide creative team of graphic designers, character artists, product designers, creative strategists, writers and project managers report into Chustz.

A 12-year Nickelodeon veteran, Chustz has led the consumer products creative strategy for Nickelodeon’s most iconic IP, including the launch of leading preschool property PAW Patrol, the reinvention of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in both 2012 and 2018, the development of JoJo Siwa into a top live-action licensing brand and SpongeBob SquarePants’ 20th anniversary.

Prior to his role in consumer products, Chustz served as a Senior Vice-President, Creative Strategy for Multi-Platform content. In this role, he developed strategy and original content for Nickelodeon’s non-linear platforms, including websites, VOD/SVOD channels and apps. He first joined Nickelodeon as vice-president, brand marketing and creative for TeenNick (formerly “The N”). His remit included consumer marketing, advertising creative, integrated marketing creative, project management, pro-social and music.

More Nick: Viacom to Acquire 'Garfield' for Nickelodeon Portfolio!

Original source: aNb Media; Additional source: Animation Magazine.
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Nickelodeon Adventure Madrid to Close on Sunday 8th September 2019

Parques Reunidos has announced the unfortunate news that Nickelodeon Adventure Madrid, a 6,000 square metre Nickelodeon-branded Family Entertainment Center located at the intu Xanadú shopping and leisure center in Arroyomolinos, Spain, will close its doors on Sunday 8th September 2019, after less than 12 months in operation.


The reason for the closure of Nickelodeon Adventure Madrid was not disclosed, however, it is thought that below-expected returns from the centre, which opened on Monday 17th December 2018, as well as from Nickelodeon Adventure Murcia in the Thader Shopping Center in Murcia, Spain influenced this decision, which also saw the leisure park operator cancel plans to open new entertainment centres in Príncipe Pio in Madrid, Times Square in New York, and in Lisbon, Portugal, including a new Nickelodeon Family Entertainment Center in Dolce Vita Tejo in Lisbon.

The opening of Nickelodeon Adventure Lakeside in London, UK will still go ahead as planned during autumn 2019, and Nickelodeon Adventure Murcia will continue to operate as normal. Each park falls within the agreement reached between Parques Reunidos and Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) in March 2016 to theme different areas in the Group’s theme parks after Nickelodeon’s shows and characters.

Nickelodeon Adventure Madrid includes different spaces themed after some of Nickelodeon's most beloved characters, thus offering a completely immersive experience. Among all these interactive games, visitors are able to take part in jellyfish races, play an organ made of corals and obtain their sailing license at SpongeBob's Boating School Blast! in the SpongeBob SquarePants zone, and slide down the famous Lookout Tower in the PAW Patrol area. Other fun areas in the Nickelodeon Adventure Madrid include special Dora the Explorer and The Fairly OddParents zones, as well as a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles adventure course with routes through tunnels and over climbing walls, and a Rugrats zone for toddlers. Classic Nickelodeon fans can also find a Stimpy statue inspired by the lovable cat from The Ren & Stimpy Show.

The center also includes a birthday room themed after popular Nickelodeon characters, an interactive area, a 4D cinema, and educational areas for school groups. In addition, some of the most popular Nickelodeon characters are present at Nickelodeon Adventure Madrid so that all children that visit the center can take home a picture as a souvenir to remind them of their super fun family day.

Nickelodeon Adventure visitors also have a chance to take a break and grab a snack at the bespoke Slime Café, while also wrapping up their experience at the Nickelodeon Store, where all intu Xanadú customers are able to purchase Nickelodeon official merchandise.

Visit https://www.nickelodeonadventure-madrid.es for more information about Nickelodeon Adventure Madrid, and follow Nickelodeon Adventure Madrid on Facebook and Instagram for the latest news and updates from the theme park.

More Nick: SpongeBob SquarePants to Guide Tourists Around Madrid in New Tourism Guide!

H/T: Freak Planet via ParquePlaza.net; Additional source: Google Translate.