Thursday, June 06, 2013

Nickelodeon Offers Fans Exclusive Sneak Peek At New Comedy Series "Sam & Cat", Available Only On iTunes

Nickelodeon, one of the world's leading entertainment brands for kids and families, has announced in the following press release, from TVbytheNumbers, the Nickelodeon USA News that, to celebrate Nickelodeon USA starting to premiere and show the networks brand new original live-action comedy series "Sam & Cat" on Saturday 8th June 2013 at 8 p.m. (ET/PT), Nickelodeon is giving fans a sneak-peek first look at "Sam & Cat", exclusively on iTunes before the shows on-air premiere!

Starring Jennette McCurdy (Sam Puckett on "iCarly") and Ariana Grande (Cat Valentine on "Victorious"), the spin-off comedy follows the two funny gals as they become best friends and unlikely roommates who start a babysitting service called "Sam & Cat's Super Rockin' Fun-Time Babysitting Service". The seven minute iTunes sneak peek features a special message from Jennette McCurdy and Ariana Grande, and gives fans a taste of the humor and entertainment "Sam & Cat" has to offer.

Additionally, Nickelodeon recently launched the networks official "Sam & Cat" website, SamAndCat.com, and the shows official Instagram account, instagram.com/samandcatshow, which offers fans exclusive content, including including photographs of the stars and set of "Sam & Cat":

Original Nickelodeon Press Release:

NICKELODEON OFFERS FANS EXCLUSIVE SNEAK PEEK AT SAM & CAT, AVAILABLE ONLY ON iTUNES

Nickelodeon is giving fans a first look at its brand-new live-action series, Sam & Cat, exclusively on iTunes before its on-air premiere, Saturday, June 8, at 8 p.m. (ET/PT). Starring Jennette McCurdy (iCarly's Sam Puckett) and Ariana Grande (Victorious' Cat Valentine), the spin-off comedy follows the two funny gals as they become best friends and unlikely roommates who start a babysitting service. The seven minute iTunes sneak peek features a special message from McCurdy and Grande, and gives fans a taste of the humor and entertainment Sam & Cat has to offer.

In the series premiere, total opposites Sam Puckett and Cat Valentine first meet when a wild predicament lands both girls in the back of a moving garbage truck. After quickly becoming friends and roommates, they find themselves babysitting three younger kids, which give Sam and Cat the idea to start Sam & Cat's Super Rockin' Fun-Time Babysitting Service. Sam & Cat is created by award-winning executive producer Dan Schneider (iCarly, Victorious, Drake & Josh, Zoey 101).

Additionally, all seasons of iCarly and Victorious will be discounted on iTunes beginning June 3 through June 11.

Tags: Sam & Cat Ratings

Nickelodeon Spain Launches "Dare To Be Square" "SpongeBob SquarePants" Marketing Drive

The licensing industry news website Licensing.biz is reporting the Nickelodeon Europe news that Nickelodeon Spain (Espana) is launching a new "SpongeBob SquarePants" marketing drive called "Dare to be Square".


As part of the new initiative, five brand new on-air creative idents have been produced by Nickelodeon's South Europe, Middle East & Africa creative department based in Paris, France, in partnership with Rocket Science, to encourage kids in Spain to take the lead from SpongeBob and shout-out loud that "it's cool to be square".

The campaign is running on Spain's free to air children's channel, Clan TV, as well as Nickelodeon Spain.

The Dare to be Square campaign is backed by a trade marketing package being distributed to all key retailers, introducing the concept by containing a square balloon, a 24-page SpongeBob SquarePants catalgoue plus limited edition t-shirts.

"SpongeBob SquarePants", locally titled "Bob Esponja" is ranked as the most viewed TV animated series in Spain, with a staggering 99 per cent recognition of the property by Spanish children.

Nickelodeon Spain has more than 50 partners including the likes of Crocs, El Corte Ingles, Springfield, Ferrero, Panini, Everest and DeKrora. In the digital field, a recent partnership with Orange saw SpongeBob Handsets unveil three new branded lines in the last two years.

Nickelodeon Spain's "Dare to be Square" campaign is based on Nickelodeon Australia and New Zealand's 2012 "Dare to be Square" SpongeBob initiative, which culminated at SLIMEFEST 2012.

Nickelodeon UK is also expected to ramp up the British version of SpongeBob's "Dare to be Square" marketing campaign in 2013:
Nickelodeon Spain unveils Dare to be Square

Five new on-air creative idents featuring Spongebob Squarepants to boost brand in country.

Nickelodeon Spain is launching a new Spongebob Squarepants marketing drive called Dare to be Square.

Five brand new on-air creative idents have been produced by Nickelodeon's South Europe, Middle East & Africa creative department based in Paris, in partnership with Rocket Science.

To encourage kids in Spain to take the lead from Spongebob and shout loud that 'it's cool to be square'.

The campaign is running on Spain's free to air children's channel, Clan TV, as well as Nickelodeon Spain.

The Dare to be Square campaign is backed by a trade marketing package being distributed to all key retailers, introducing the concept by containing a square balloon, a 24-page Spongebob Squarepants catalgoue plus limited edition t-shirts.

Spongebob Squarepants is ranked as the most viewed TV animated series in Spain, with a staggering 99 per cent recognition of the property by Spanish children.

Nickelodeon Spain has more than 50 partners including the likes of Crocs, El Corte Ingles, Springfield, Ferrero, Panini, Everest and DeKrora. In the digital field, a recent partnership with Orange saw Spongebob Handsets unveil three new branded lines in the last two years.

Tags: nickelodeon, rocket science, spongebob squarepants

A Review Of Nickelodeon's "Dora The Explorer LIVE! Search For The City Of Lost Toys" Musical Stage Show At The Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield

To celebrate Nick Jr. megastar "Dora the Explorer" bringing her live musical stage show, "Dora The Explorer LIVE! Search For The City Of Lost Toys", to the Lyceum Theatre in Sheffield, England, UK during the recent May half term school holidays (2013), where Nickelodeon's preschool superstar held performances of her live musical stage show as part of the entertainment complex's Spring 2013 season of entertainment, the local British newspaper The Star, Sheffield, sent along a family to review the show. You can read the family's verdict and review of "Dora The Explorer LIVE!" here on NickALive! below!:
Star family reviewers enjoy exploring with Dora


Kerry and Jez Kemp and their twins Molly and Oliver Kemp, aged five, from Killamarsh, went to see Nickelodeon’s Dora the Explorer Live! at Sheffield's Lyceum Theatre...

This week’s Star family reviewers are Kerry and Jez Kemp and their twins Molly and Oliver Kemp, aged five, who live in Killamarsh. They went to see Nickelodeon’s Dora the Explorer LIVE! at Sheffield’s Lyceum Theatre. This is what they thought.

Molly's view

Dora is my favourite character on TV so when my mummy told me that we were going to see Dora Live! I was so excited.

I joined in with Dora and Boots as they tried to get Dora’s teddy Osito back from the City of Lost Toys. I loved the whole show especially the singing and dancing and I was able to join in which was brilliant. We were given some blue stars which we had to wave in the air when Dora asked us to and at the end of the show loads of bubbles fell from the ceiling. It was FAB

Oliver's view

I thought that Dora Live! was really good. My favourite character was Boots the Monkey he was very funny and was a good dancer and singer. I liked it when Diego came on the stage he told us about some different animals in the jungle and the noises that they make. He did a song and dance and taught us the moves. Baby Jaguar came on the stage, he was sad as he had lost his squeaky toy so Dora told him that she would get it back from the City Of Lost Toys. I loved the ending when we popped lots of bubbles.

Kerry's view

Dora Live! was an excellent show, the format is very true to the TV series so all of the children and most of the adults in the audience could sing along with the songs throughout. The show consisted of two 30-minute parts with a 20-minute interval which I thought was just the right length to hold the children’s interest.

All characters from the show appear and are life size rather that a performer holding a puppet which seemed to be a big hit with the kids. It was quite interactive, all the children were given stars as they entered the theatre and were asked to wave them during the show.

Even though the theatre wasn’t full the atmosphere was lovely, the show ended with bubbles falling from the ceiling and a big song from Dora and gang.

I would say for any Dora fan the show was magical.

Nickelodeon Announces The Global Release Of Their New "SpongeBob SquarePants" iOS App, "SpongeBob Moves In"

Nickelodeon, one of the world's leading entertainment brands for kids and families, has announced the Nick News in the following press release, from PRNewswire, that Nickelodeon has today (Thursday 6th June 2013) launched their brand new city building app based on the networks hit original animated series (Nicktoon) "SpongeBob SquarePants", called "SpongeBob Moves In", worldwide for Apple iOS devices!

Beginning today, SpongeBob SquarePants fans globally can download and build their very own Bikini Bottom in "SpongeBob Moves In", which features a stylized 2D design and gives fans a whole new way to interact with the hit animated show.

In the game, players build Bikini Bottom to their own tastes and are tasked with keeping the city's residents happy by making all their wishes come true. As players advance in the game, they can unlock exclusive-to-the-app, untold stories about how their characters, including SpongeBob, Patrick, Mr. Krabs, Plankton, Squidward and Sandy, first arrived in the town. Written by the SpongeBob SquarePants series writing staff, these stories are told through brand-new animated short videos unlocked throughout the game:

Build Your Very Own Bikini Bottom Through Nickelodeon's Worldwide Release Of Brand-New Mobile Game, SpongeBob Moves In

Available on iOS, SpongeBob SquarePants Game Features Exclusive Inside Looks at Show's Characters During Their Early Days in Bikini Bottom

NEW YORK, June 6, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- SpongeBob SquarePants fans beginning today can build their very own Bikini Bottom with Nickelodeon's brand-new city building app, SpongeBob Moves In. Available worldwide, SpongeBob Moves In features a stylized 2D design and gives fans a whole new way to interact with the hit animated series.



(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130606/NY27520 )

In the game, players build Bikini Bottom to their own tastes and are tasked with keeping the city's residents happy by making all their wishes come true. As players advance in the game, they can unlock exclusive-to-the-app, untold stories about how their characters, including SpongeBob, Patrick, Mr. Krabs, Plankton, Squidward and Sandy, first arrived in the town. Written by the SpongeBob SquarePants series writing staff, these stories are told through brand-new animated short videos unlocked throughout the game.

"Millions of fans around the world experience the fun and magic of SpongeBob on television every day, and now they can live out their very own Bikini Bottom adventures with SpongeBob Moves In whenever and wherever they want," said Steve Youngwood , EVP and General Manager, Digital, Nickelodeon Group.

Since its launch in July 1999, SpongeBob SquarePants has become one of the most beloved animated characters in TV history and a global pop culture phenomenon. In its 13th year the series continues to rank as the number-one animated series with kids 2-11 on all of television, as well as one of the most 'liked' animated series on Facebook, with more than 81 million fans. Over the past several years, SpongeBob has averaged more than 100 million total viewers every quarter across all Nickelodeon networks.

In SpongeBob Moves In players can customize the look of their undersea city with a variety of characters, buildings, and accessories. In the ongoing quest to keep Bikini Bottom inhabitants happy by fulfilling their wishes, players must collect happiness to fill the town's happiness meter. Residents wish for food and gifts from the various Bikini Bottom restaurants and shops, like Krabby Patties from the Krusty Krab or a bouquet of flowers from the Flower Shop. Once their wish is granted a treasure chest will appear for the player to open and collect gold coins, happiness or a new recipe to add to their collection. When the happiness meter is filled, players advance to the next level in the game, earning coins, game experience and unlocking more quests, buildings and accessories to buy in the store.

Throughout the game, players earn gold coins and Jellyfish Jelly as rewards for performing a variety of activities like granting wishes, building buildings, making recipes, collecting rent and expanding their Bikini Bottom. Players can purchase additional land, ingredients, buildings and decorations using game coins and jellyfish jelly, or an iTunes account.

SpongeBob Moves In is available worldwide in eight languages: English, Spanish (Latam), Spanish (Spain), German, French, Dutch, Portuguese and Italian.

For additional information on SpongeBob Moves In, visit SpongeBobMovesIn.com.

SpongeBob SquarePants is executive produced by creator Stephen Hillenburg , who previously worked as a writer, director and creative director on Nickelodeon's animated series Rocko's Modern Life. Paul Tibbitt served as a director and writer on SpongeBob SquarePants for its first three seasons and is currently executive producer.

Nickelodeon, now in its 34th 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 almost 100 million households and has been the number-one-rated basic cable network for 18 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, VIAB).

SOURCE Nickelodeon

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

Also, from MCV UK:
New iOS SpongeBob Squarepants game includes £69.99 IAP


Another big children’s IP has chosen to pursue the premium in-app-purchase route.

Apps Playground reports that Nickelodeon’s new SpongeBob SquarePants game for iPhone and iPad, which was released yesterday, includes an eye-watering £69.99 IAP.

The game relies on two forms of in-game currency – gold coins and Jellyfish Jelly. These can of course be earned in-game but can also be purchased directly in increments costing between 69p and £34.99.

The site points out hat the game does at least offer the following disclaimer upon loading: “Additional cool stuff can be purchased in SpongeBob Moves In! It’ll be charged to your iTunes account. You can adjust your device setting to lock the ability to make In-App purchases!”

The app’s iTunes listing also clearly states that IAPs are included in the game.

But it’s still a risky move at a time when premium IAPs are under immense scrutiny.

A combination of high-profile media coverage for families stung by unwanted IAP charges and strategic inconsistencies across the App Store have forced the Office of Fair Trading to launch its own investigation.

Tags: nickelodeon , spongebob squarepants , iap , in app purchases