Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Nickelodeon's First Preschool Literacy Mobile App, "Wallykazam!: Letter and Word Magic", Tops Educational, Kids and Paid App Lists

Nickelodeon, the number-one entertainment brand for kids and families, has announced in the following press release, from Business Wire, the exciting Nickelodeon Preschool news that, in its first week live, Nickelodeon's brand-new literacy app, "Wallykazam!: Letter and Word Magic", skyrocketed to the number-one spot on the educational and kids app lists and the number-two spot on the paid app list on the iTunes App store in the U.S!



Nickelodeon's Wallykazam!: Letter and Word Magic is the Number One Education App (Photo: Business Wire)

Inspired by "Wallykazam!", the network's latest preschool literacy TV series, the application aims to help kids develop phonemic awareness, letter knowledge and letter-sound associations, and promote excitement about words and learning to read.

Original Nickelodeon Press Release:

Nickelodeon's First Preschool Literacy Mobile App Tops Educational, Kids and Paid App Lists

April 15, 2014 03:47 PM Eastern Daylight Time

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--In its first week live, Nickelodeon's brand-new literacy app, Wallykazam!: Letter and Word Magic, skyrocketed to the number-one spot on the educational and kids app lists and the number-two spot on the paid app list on the iTunes App store in the U.S. Inspired by Wallykazam!, the network's latest preschool literacy TV series, the app aims to help kids develop phonemic awareness, letter knowledge and letter-sound associations, and promote excitement about words and learning to read. As one of the first kid-focused media companies to launch content on the iPad, Nickelodeon continues to provide compelling content to the platform. The network's apps are designed so kids can interact with their favorite characters in new and different ways, on all the platforms they have available to them.



Nickelodeon's Wallykazam!: Letter and Word Magic is the Number One Education App (Photo: Business Wire)

The Wallykazam!: Letter and Word Magic app, which was developed by curriculum consultants and tested by kid focus groups, follows Wally, Norville, Bobgoblin, Gina Giant and Libby Light Sprite, in magical and hilarious adventures. Users can play games and learn about the power of letters and words by touching, tapping, flicking and tilting their devices to interact with Wally and his friends. The app features four games, 400 words that teach upper and lowercase letters, and kids are rewarded with words after completing each activity.

Wallykazam!: Letter and Word Magic App Curriculum Includes:

* Letter Recognition and Letter-Sound Correspondence: Users search for missing letters in Wally's forest, but must watch out for troublemaking Bobgoblin;

* Letter Writing: Kids can learn to write letters with Libby Light Sprite by tracing and dragging letters in the night sky. Each time a letter is traced it grows brighter to show progress;

* Rhyming Words and Word Families: Users must build a stone word tower out of rhyming words to help Wally reach the top of Gina Giant's head. As the tower grows higher, Gina giggles causing the tower to tilt, prompting kids to turn their devices to keep up;

* Alliteration: Kids can use the words rewarded from each activity to make Ogre Doug's creatures do a variety of entertaining and silly things, like making Borgelorp big, blue or burp.

About Wallykazam!

Wallykazam! is Nickelodeon's first preschool series that embeds a literacy curriculum into a full-length story, introducing skills such as letter and sound identification, rhyming, vocabulary development and comprehension strategies. Each episode features a new set of magic words that Wally uses to playfully transform the world around him. Celebrity guests featured in season one include Vanessa Bayer (SNL), Weird Al Yankovic, John O'Hurley (Seinfeld), Kate Micucci (The Big Bang Theory) and Alanna Ubach (Nick at Nite's See Dad Run). Created by producer/writer Adam Peltzman (Emmy Award-winning The Backyardigans and Bubble Guppies), the series airs regularly weekdays at 1:00 p.m. (ET/PT) on Nickelodeon.

About Nickelodeon

Nickelodeon, now in its 35th 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 19 consecutive years. For more information or artwork, visit http://www.nickpress.com. Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom Inc. (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B).

Contacts
Nickelodeon
Tori Fernandes
[...]
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Saban's "Power Rangers Megaforce" Touring Ireland During Easter 2014

The children's entertainment, toys and licensing news websites Kidscreen, Toy World Magazine and License! Global are reporting the very exciting "Power Rangers" news that Ireland-based Smyths Toys Superstores has announced that Saban's "Power Rangers Megaforce" is making its Irish debut at Smyths Toys Superstores around Ireland this Easter in the third stop on the brand's European retail tour!


After visiting the UK and France in 2013, the Power Rangers kicked off their Irish visit on Saturday 12th April 2014 with a stop by Our Lady's Children's Hospital in Crumlin, Dublin. The tour will continue on throughout the country from now through Thursday 17th April 2014, and will feature a 10m² pop-up marquee outside several of the leading toy retailer's stores. Beginning at Smyths Toys Superstore in Blanchardstown Centre on April 12th, the free tour will mark the first ever appearance in Ireland for the "Power Ranger Megaforce", which will include six different stops with exciting activities perfect for the whole family. The tour will feature a special Power Rangers performance, followed by exclusive meet and greets, as well as photo opportunities with the Rangers.

All children who visit the tour will receive a free face-mask and professional photograph, and will be able to visit face painting and temporary tattooing stations. The first 100 children who come dressed up as a Power Ranger will receive a special prize, while other guests will have the chance to win prizes. The retailer will also be offering 25% off the Power Rangers toy range on the days of the event.


The "Power Rangers" event is supported by headline sponsors Nicktoons, Bandai, Rubies, Mega Bloks, Channel 5 and Kix TV.

Commenting on the Power Rangers appearances, Dryden Geary, marketing manager for Smyths Toys Superstores, said: "Everyone at Smyths Toys Superstores is thrilled to be welcoming the Power Rangers Megaforce to Ireland for the first time. This event is one of the most exciting we've ever run and we'd like to invite everyone to attend the appearances as we bring the Power Rangers to life exclusively for our Irish customers."

"We had tremendous success with our "Power Rangers Megaforce" live tours last year in the U.K. and France, and this year we wanted to bring the same excitement to the fans in Ireland," added Gustavo Antonioni, managing director of consumer products, Europe, Saban Brands. "We can't wait for our Irish viewers to get the chance to experience the "Power Rangers" in a whole new way during the Easter holidays."

The full schedule of the Smyths Toys Superstores tour is as below:

* 12th April 2014: Blanchardstown Centre, 10am – 3pm
* 13th April 2014: The Park, Carrickmines, 11am – 4pm
* 14th April 2014: Ivory’s Retail Park, Waterford, 10am – 3pm
* 15th April 2014: Kinsale Road, Cork, 10am – 3pm
* 16th April 2014: Ennis Rd. Retail Park, Limerick, 10am – 3pm
* 17th April 2014: Headford Road Retail Park, Galway, 10am – 3pm.
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Nickelodeon USA Notches Weekly Ratings Win With Kids And Total Viewers

Nickelodeon, the number-one entertainment brand for kids and families, has announced in the following press release, from TVByTheNumbers.com, the exciting Nickelodeon News that Nick USA closed the week (Monday 7th to Sunday 13th April 2014) as basic cable's number-one network in total day with Kids 2-11 (2.5/811K) and total viewers (1.5M)! This weekly win extends Nickelodeon USA's winning streak to 14 consecutive weeks, powered by the nets reinvigorated animation and preschool roster.


Nick USA also secured four of the top five animated series for the week with Kids 2-11. "SpongeBob SquarePants" was the number-one animated kids' show across all of television and led the Nickelodeon slate of programming in this category, averaging a 4.7/1.5M (+31% over a year ago). It was followed by "Sanjay and Craig" (3.9/1.2M), "Fairly Odd Parents" (3.8/1.2M, +13%), and "Breadwinners" (3.6/1.1M). "SpongeBob SquarePants" was also the top animated series with Kids 6-11 (4.2/818K, +35%) and total viewers (2.8M).

Additionally, Nickelodeon's portfolio of hit preschool shows ranked as the top five series with Kids 2-5. "PAW Patrol" led the way, averaging a 8.2/1.0M (+55%) with preschoolers; "Wallykazam!" ranked second with a 7.0/862K (+43%) average; "Team Umizoomi" placed third with a 6.2/763K (+24%); "Bubble Guppies" ranked fourth with a 6.2/762K (+13%) rating; and "Peter Rabbit" took the fifth spot averaging a 5.7/698K (+36K%).

Original Nickelodeon Press Release:

Nickelodeon NOTCHES WEEKLY WIN with Kids and Total Viewers

Net Extends Winning Streak to 14 Weeks; Lands Four of Top Five Animated Shows with Kids And Sweeps Preschool with Top Five Series

NEW YORK – April 15, 2014 – Nickelodeon closed the week (4/7/14-4/13/14) as basic cable's number-one net in total day with Kids 2-11 (2.5/811K) and total viewers (1.5M). This weekly win extends Nick's winning streak to 14 consecutive weeks, powered by the nets reinvigorated animation and preschool roster.

Nick also secured four of the top five animated series for the week with Kids 2-11. SpongeBob SquarePants was the number-one animated kids' show across all of television and led the Nick slate of programming in this category, averaging a 4.7/1.5M (+31% over a year ago). It was followed by Sanjay and Craig (3.9/1.2M), Fairly Odd Parents (3.8/1.2M, +13%), and Breadwinners (3.6/1.1M). SpongeBob SquarePants was also the top animated series with Kids 6-11 (4.2/818K, +35%) and total viewers (2.8M).

Additionally, Nickelodeon's portfolio of hit preschool shows ranked as the top five series with Kids 2-5. PAW Patrol led the way, averaging a 8.2/1.0M (+55%) with preschoolers; Wallykazam! ranked second with a 7.0/862K (+43%) average; Team Umizoomi placed third with a 6.2/763K (+24%); Bubble Guppies ranked fourth with a 6.2/762K (+13%) rating; and Peter Rabbit took the fifth spot averaging a 5.7/698K (+36K%).

Nickelodeon, now in its 35th 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 19 consecutive years. For more information or artwork, visit http://www.nickpress.com. Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIA.B).
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JAKKS Pacific Secures Multi-Category License for Nickelodeon's "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles"

The leading U.S. toymaker JAKKS Pacific, Inc. has announced in the following press release, from Business Wire, a licensing agreement with Nickelodeon, the number-one entertainment brand for kids and families, to manufacture, distribute and market a brand-new line of specialty figures and toys in the United States based on the network's hit CG-animated series "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles"!


The agreement includes JAKKS' Hero Portal™ TV video game platform, the next generation of JAKKS' Plug It In & Play TV Games™ products, large-scale figures and more. JAKKS expects to launch its "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" product line in Fall/Autumn 2014 to coincide with the Friday 8th August 2014 release of the feature film from Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies.

Original JAKKS Pacific, Inc. Press Release:

JAKKS Pacific Secures Multi-Category License for Nickelodeon's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

April 15, 2014 06:30 AM Eastern Daylight Time

MALIBU, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Leading U.S. toymaker JAKKS Pacific, Inc., (Nasdaq: JAKK) announced a licensing agreement with Nickelodeon to manufacture, distribute and market a line of specialty figures and toys in the United States based on the network's hit animated series Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

The agreement includes JAKKS' Hero Portal™ TV video game platform, the next generation of JAKKS' Plug It In & Play TV Games™ products, large-scale figures and more. JAKKS expects to launch its Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles product line in fall 2014 to coincide with the August 8, 2014, release of the feature film from Paramount Pictures.

"We are pleased to be a part of the hugely successful Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise and to bring to life the famous, crime-fighting quartet," said John Blaney, Executive Vice President of Marketing, JAKKS Pacific. "Our 48.5 inch rendering of Michelangelo is the biggest articulated figure available at retail and evokes all the action, adventure and fun of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles experience. Our new Hero Portal platform capitalizes on the way kids are playing today with collectible game pieces designed to activate features with an all-in-one TV video game console."

"JAKKS Pacific is a leader in the toy making industry and we are excited to tap into their expertise in creating products that epitomize the essence of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles," said Manuel Torres, Senior Vice President, Global Toys and Publishing, Nickelodeon Consumer Products. "This new line of products will spark the imaginations of our worldwide fans and give them even more of their favorite Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello and Michelangelo adventures at home."

About Nickelodeon

Nickelodeon, now in its 35th 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 19 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).

About JAKKS Pacific, Inc.

JAKKS Pacific, Inc. (NASDAQ: JAKK) is a leading designer and marketer of toys and consumer products with a wide range of products that feature popular brands and children's toy licenses. JAKKS' diverse portfolio includes Action Figures, Electronics, Dolls, Dress-Up, Role Play, Halloween Costumes, Kids Furniture, Vehicles, Plush, Art Activity Kits, Seasonal Products, Infant/Pre-School, Construction Toys, Ride-On Vehicles, Wagons, Inflatable Environments and Tents, Impulse Toys and Pet Products sold under various proprietary brands including JAKKS Pacific®, Road Champs®, Funnoodle®, JAKKS Pets™, Plug It In & Play TV Games™, Kids Only!®, Tollytots®, Disguise®, Moose Mountain® and Maui®. JAKKS is also the creator of the underlying Monsuno® property and toy line. JAKKS is an award-winning licensee of several hundred nationally and internationally known trademarks including Nickelodeon®, Warner Bros.®, DC Comics, Saban's Power Rangers® and Cabbage Patch Kids®. DreamPlay Toys, LLC is a joint venture between JAKKS Pacific, Inc. and NantWorks LLC to develop, market and sell toys and related consumer products incorporating NantWorks' proprietary iD™ recognition technology. www.jakks.com

This press release may contain forward-looking statements (within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) that are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about JAKKS Pacific's business based partly on assumptions made by its management. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in such statements due to numerous factors, including, but not limited to, those described above, changes in demand for JAKKS' products, product mix, the timing of customer orders and deliveries, the impact of competitive products and pricing, and difficulties with integrating acquired businesses. The forward-looking statements contained herein speak only as of the date on which they are made, and JAKKS undertakes no obligation to update any of them to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release.

© 2014 JAKKS Pacific, Inc. All rights reserved.

Contacts
JAKKS Pacific, Inc.
Victoria Venturi, (310) 455-6235
[...]
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