Wednesday, February 18, 2015

Nickelodeon USA To Premiere More New Episodes From "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" Season Three From Sunday 8th March 2015

Nickelodeon has announced the Turtley Awesome news in a Tweet on the networks official "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" Twitter profile page, @TMNTMaster, that, following a short break, Nickelodeon USA will start to premiere and show more brand new episodes from "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" season three from Sunday 8th March 2015, continuing the shell-raising crime-fighting adventures of the four mutant Heroes in a Half-Shell turtles — Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello and Michelangelo!

In their Tweet, Nickelodeon also unveiled a teaser image featuring two classic TMNT favorites, Bebop and Rocksteady, who are set to return in a upcoming all-new episode of "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles"!:
.#TMNT returns!


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Sakar Expands License with Saban Brands to Launch "Power Rangers Dino Charge" Product Line in the U.K. & Across Europe

Original Sakar International, Inc. Press Release via sakar.com:

Sakar Expands License with Saban Brands to Launch Power Rangers Dino Charge Product Line in the U.K. & Across Europe

TOY FAIR, NUREMBERG (January 28, 2015)— Global consumer electronics leader Sakar International today announced it has expanded its licensing agreement with Saban Brands to launch a line of Power Rangers Dino Charge toys and youth electronics accessories in the U.K. and across Europe, just in time for the European season premiere of Saban's Power Rangers Dino Charge this fall.


Sakar announced the deal with a preview of its product line at the 2015 British Toy Fair last week at the Kensington Olympia Grand in London. The European launch comes less than one year since Sakar's highly successful Power Rangers line debuted in the U.S.

A pop-culture phenomenon with generations of fans, Power Rangers is one of the top-rated and longest running kids live-action series on television and a leading action brand at retail. The Power Rangers franchise includes over 800 episodes, airs in over 150 markets worldwide and is available via multiple on-demand platforms, making it a truly global franchise with evergreen appeal.

The initial product lineup, including headphones, digital cameras, five-piece adventure kits, character flashlights and molded walkie-talkies, is expected to appear on store shelves starting spring 2015. Demand for Power Rangers products is expected to climb even further on the heels of a new season premiere as anticipation builds for a Power Rangers feature film expected to hit theaters in July 2016. Sakar plans to add new products to the Power Rangers line throughout the year.

"Power Rangers is a global brand with a 22-year legacy of engaging fans with action and adventure and by promoting the importance of teamwork, friendship and responsibility," said Liza Abrams, VP of licensing for Sakar. "With the new season set to launch internationally later this year, we're very excited to debut these new products for Power Rangers fans in the U.K. and throughout Europe."

"We are excited to be expanding our existing partnership with Sakar throughout Europe with their impressive new Power Rangers Dino Charge products," said Gustavo Antonioni, Managing Director of Consumer Products EMEA, Saban Brands. "Fans will no doubt be inspired to go on their own dino-themed adventures using these inventive new products!"

For more information about Sakar's Power Rangers Dino Charge toys and electronics accessories, visit Sakar at Stand G29 during the 2015 Nuremberg Toy Fair going on now through February 2, or visit www.sakar.com.

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Mega Bloks Joins Forces With Saban Brands' "Power Rangers"

Original MEGA Brands Inc. Press Release via PRNewswire:

Mattel® expands construction portfolio with leading properties

MEGA BLOKS® JOINS FORCES WITH TOP LICENCES INCLUDING POWER RANGERS™, TERMINATOR® AND STAR TREK™


Saban's Power Rangers Dino Charge

MONTREAL and NEW YORK, Feb. 12, 2015 /PRNewswire/ - MEGA Brands, a member of the Mattel family (NASDAQ: MAT), announces new partnerships with some of the world's top entertainment brands to expand its Mega Bloks construction portfolio. Mega Bloks will broaden its current product offering of global favorites, which includes brands such as Nickelodeon's SpongeBob SquarePants for kids and Microsoft's Halo for collectors, to add new highly-detailed sets and movie-inspired lines for fans of all ages.

Fans of Saban's Power Rangers, the long-running and widely popular children's television series, can expect an all-new Mega Bloks Power Rangers line in 2016. The sets will be inspired by the newest season of the franchise, Power Rangers Dino Charge, which premiered on February 7 on Nickelodeon in the U.S. and will roll out globally throughout 2015.

The Mega Bloks Nickelodeon licensing partnership will also introduce new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles construction sets in 2016. The sets will draw inspiration from the leading boys action franchise to offer creative building experiences for fans of all ages, including builders from the juniors, kids and collectors categories.

The Collectors portfolio will also broaden in 2015, as Mega Bloks partners with Skydance Productions to produce Terminator Genisys collector construction sets, themed to the reset of the Terminator movies. The film will be distributed by Paramount Pictures in summer 2015. Mega Bloks has also expanded its licensing partnership with CBS Consumer Products to introduce a range of Mega Bloks Star Trek limited edition Collectors construction sets, to launch in 2016.

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About MEGA Brands
A member of the Mattel family of companies, MEGA Brands Inc. is a trusted collection of leading global brands in construction toys, games & puzzles and arts & crafts. They offer engaging creative experiences for children and families through innovative, well-designed, affordable and high-quality products. MEGA® Brands includes MEGA BLOKS®, RoseArt®, MEGA Puzzles®, MEGA Games® and Board Dudes®.

Visit http://www.megabrands.com for more information.

The MEGA logo, Mega Bloks, Rose Art, MEGA Puzzles, MEGA Games and Board Dudes are trademarks of MEGA Brands Inc. or its affiliates.

For more information, please visit www.megabrands.com and www.megabloks.com

About Mattel
The Mattel family of companies (Nasdaq: MAT) is the worldwide leader in the design, manufacture and marketing of toys and family products. Mattel's portfolio of best-selling brands includes Barbie®, the most popular fashion doll ever produced, Hot Wheels®, Monster High®, American Girl®, Thomas & Friends® and Fisher-Price® brands, including Little People® and Power Wheels®, MEGA® Brands, including MEGA BLOKS® and RoseArt®, as well as a wide array of entertainment-inspired toy lines. In 2013, Mattel was named one of the "World's Most Ethical Companies" by Ethisphere Magazine and in 2014 ranked No. 5 on Corporate Responsibility Magazine's "100 Best Corporate Citizens" list. With worldwide headquarters in El Segundo, Calif., Mattel's companies employ nearly 30,000 people in 40 countries and territories and sell products in more than 150 nations. At Mattel, we are Creating the Future of Play. Visit us at www.mattel.com, www.facebook.com/mattel or www.twitter.com/mattel.

About Saban's Power Rangers Dino Charge
Power Rangers Dino Charge is the current season of Saban's iconic Power Rangers series, one of the top-rated and longest-running kids' live-action series on television. The new season, which airs Saturdays at 12 p.m. (ET/PT) on Nickelodeon in the U.S., delivers action, humor, excitement and entertainment, in addition to the core themes of friendship, teamwork, fitness and helping others. Power Rangers Dino Charge introduces all-new villains, monsters, Zords and Megazords. The Power Rangers franchise is helmed by Haim Saban, who created and produced the original Mighty Morphin Power Rangers series in 1993. SCG Power Rangers LLC, which licenses and merchandises the Power Rangers brand, is an affiliate of Saban Brands. For more information, visit www.powerrangers.com.

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 more than 100 million households and has been the number-one-rated basic cable network for 20 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).

About Skydance Productions
Skydance Productions tells big stories and creates immersive worlds, producing narratives that span film, television, games and more. Skydance is currently in post-production on a reset of the TERMINATOR franchise, TERMINATOR GENISYS, to be released on July 1, 2015. The company is also in post-production on MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE 5, the latest installment in the highly successful franchise starring Tom Cruise with Chris McQuarrie directing. Additionally, Skydance is currently in production on a disaster film on a global scale titled GEOSTORM written by Dean Devlin and Paul Guyot with Devlin also directing. Skydance will next begin production on STAR TREK 3, the third installment in the JJ Abrams franchise. Simon Pegg and Doug Jung are attached to co-write with Justin Lin to direct. Currently in development is AFRICA, a sweeping epic about paleo-anthropologist Richard Leakey's battle with ivory poachers that threaten the existence of the African elephant population and the very soul of Africa. Angelina Jolie is attached to direct the film based on Eric Roth's screenplay. Skydance's recent releases include JACK RYAN: SHADOW RECRUIT, from director Kenneth Branagh and starring Chris Pine; WORLD WAR Z, starring Brad Pitt and directed by Marc Forster; STAR TREK: INTO DARKNESS, directed by J.J. Abrams and starring Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto; and G.I. JOE: RETALIATION, directed by Jon M. Chu and starring Bruce Willis, Channing Tatum and Dwayne Johnson. Skydance's previous projects include Christopher McQuarrie's JACK REACHER, starring Tom Cruise; MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – GHOST PROTOCOL, starring Tom Cruise and Jeremy Renner; and the award-winning Coen Brothers film TRUE GRIT, starring Jeff Bridges and Matt Damon.

About CBS Consumer Products
CBS Consumer Products manages worldwide licensing and merchandising for a diverse slate of television brands and series from CBS, CBS Television Studios and CBS Television Distribution, as well as from the company's extensive library of titles, Showtime and CBS Films. Additionally, the group oversees online sales of programming merchandise. For more information, visit www.cbsconsumerproducts.com.

SOURCE MEGA Brands Inc.

RELATED LINKS
www.megabloks.com

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Interview With Marianne James, VP of Nickelodeon & Viacom Consumer Products (NVCP) UK & Irl & European Retail Sales

ToyNews, a monthly trade magazine for the toy business, has unveiled a fantastic interview with Marianne James, the Vice President (VP) of Nickelodeon & Viacom Consumer Products (NVCP) UK & Irl & European Retail Sales, in which Marianne looks back at some of NVCP's highlights in 2014 and unveils some of Nickelodeon & Viacom Consumer Products (NVCP) plans for 2015, including the launch of brand-new "Dora and Friends: Into The City", "Paw Patrol", "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" and "SpongeBob SquarePants" merchandise, and a exciting new 3D digital printing innovation which NVCP will launch in 2015!:
Channel takeover: Nickelodeon's Marianne James talks Turtles, SpongeBob and Paw Patrol


Walk down any toy aisle and you're likely to see a strong turnout from Nickelodeon brands such as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and SpongeBob, and there's more to come as Paw Patrol hits shelves. ToyNews chats to Marianne James, VP Consumer Products UK & Ireland/European Retail Sales & Marketing

How was 2014 for Nickelodeon Consumer Products in general?

2014 was a very strong year for Nickelodeon & Viacom Consumer Products. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles was fully rolled out into all categories while the theatrical movie was tremendously successful.

2014 saw SpongeBob SquarePants grace the catwalks, reaffirming his high-fashion status while, for our pre-school offering, 2014 brought us the on air premieres of Paw Patrol and Dora and Friends, the latter launching as Nick Jr. UK's most successful-ever launch.

We've been preparing trade for the launch of Paw Patrol and Dora and Friends and the popularity of both programmes on air means that we are set for a brilliant product rollout.

In terms of the toy space, what Nickelodeon Consumer Products activity has there been over the past 12 months?

We have had strong presence in the boys' aisle with the Turtles, including new waves of product, new segments and of course the movie line which featured the impressive Turtles movie action figures.

We expanded our Turtles games and outdoor offer, as well as new innovation in back packs and activity sets.

How many licensees do you have in the sector??

We have over 50 licensees now in the toy sector in the UK which is up on last year. This is driven through our expansion of our secondary toy Turtles toys as well as SpongeBob SquarePants.

Have you moved into any categories which you haven't previously been in?

We have expanded our presence in outdoor and inflatables and we are also very excited about a 3D digital printing innovation that we are launching in early 2015.

What are some of the main challenges that you've faced in the toy space?

Maintaining levels of space against a very competitive climate, particularly in the boys' aisle, where 2014 has seen some key releases.

The excitement surrounding Paw Patrol has been phenomenal. When can we expect to see product on shelves?

We're very excited that the Paw Patrol toys launch this month at retail. Product has been flying off shelves in all of the territories where it has launched so far and with the demand we're already seeing, we expect the same reaction here in the UK.

How will you look to build on the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles property further in 2015?

We are expanding into three new toy segments: Half Shell Heroes which takes us into the pre- school space, Die Cast and Mutations (the most successful segment ever in the history of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles).

2015 also sees strong and exciting new content as, in series three of the show, the Turtles find themselves in new environments, taking part in new adventures and battling new mutants. All of the on air action makes for a robust toy programme, ensuring that the content our viewers see on air,they can find on product in store.

In 2015 we will also be preparing for the second movie release (summer 2016) building on the successful movie line of 2014. 2015 is also a year that we'll be amplifying our focus on promotional opportunities and wider category expansion.

What new Nickelodeon brands are you confident can make an impact on toy shelves in 2015?

Paw Patrol will fill the void that retailers and customers are feeling right now for newness in pre-school for boys; the Spin Master toy line is incredible and really brings the characters in the show to life.

Always innovative and true to the brand, we will have a new line of toys from Simba supporting our focus on SpongeBob as we move through the year.

We are also excited for the new Dora and Friends dolls from Mattel; they are beautifully crafted with special value added elements focusing on the magic of the show.

What are your main aims for 2015?

One focus is for Paw Patrol to launch strongly and gain share across the toy market and to make a real splash in pre-school with the launch of Dora and Friends product.

The upcoming theatrical SpongeBob movie is a massive opportunity to drive positive halo effect across the brand in all categories, while the continued success of Turtles will be a priority as we gear up to our second instalment from the film franchise in 2016.

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Nickelodeon's Pam Kaufman To Ring The NASDAQ Stock Market Closing Bell On 2/19 To Celebrate "The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water"

Original The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc. Press Release via GlobeNewswire:

The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water to Ring The Nasdaq Stock Market Closing Bell

February 18, 2015 10:00 ET | Source: The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc.

ADVISORY, Feb. 18, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --

What:

The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water will visit the Nasdaq MarketSite in Times Square. From Paramount Animation and Nickelodeon Movies comes "The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water," an all-new 3D adventure that's as wild and funny as its name. For the first time, SpongeBob SquarePants, the world's favorite sea dwelling invertebrate, comes ashore to our world for his most super-heroic adventure yet.

In honor of the occasion, Pam Kaufman, Chief Marketing Officer and President of Consumer Products, Nickelodeon Group, will ring the Closing Bell.

Where:

Nasdaq MarketSite – 4 Times Square – 43rd & Broadway – Broadcast Studio

When:

Thursday, February 19, 2015 – 3:45 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET

SpongeBob SquarePants Media Contact:
Thamar Romero
(212) 846-7491
[...]

Nasdaq MarketSite:
Will Briganti
(646) 441-5012
[...]

Feed Information:
Fiber Line (Encompass Waterfront): 4463

Gal 3C/06C 95.05 degrees West
18 mhz Lower
DL 3811 Vertical
FEC 3/4
SR 13.235
DR 18.295411
MOD 4:2:0
DVBS QPSK

Social Media:

For multimedia features such as exclusive content, photo postings, status updates and video of bell ceremonies please visit our Facebook page at: http://www.facebook.com/NASDAQ.

For photos from ceremonies and events visit our Instagram Page: http://instagram.com/nasdaq

For news tweets, please visit our Twitter page at: http://twitter.com/nasdaq

For exciting viral content and ceremony photos visit Tumblr Page: http://nasdaq.tumblr.com/

Webcast:

A webcast of the Nasdaq Closing Bell will be available at: https://new.livestream.com/nasdaq/live or http://www.nasdaq.com/about/marketsitetowervideo.asx

Photos:

To obtain a hi-resolution photograph of the Market Close, please go to http://www.nasdaq.com/reference/marketsite_events.stm and click on the market close of your choice.

About Paramount Pictures Corporation:

Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment, is a unit of Viacom (Nasdaq:VIAB) (Nasdaq:VIA), a leading content company with prominent and respected film, television and digital entertainment brands. Paramount controls a collection of some of the most powerful brands in filmed entertainment, including Paramount Pictures, Paramount Animation, Paramount Television, Paramount Vantage, Paramount Classics, Insurge Pictures, MTV Films, and Nickelodeon Movies. PPC operations also include Paramount Home Media Distribution, Paramount Pictures International, Paramount Licensing Inc., and Paramount Studio Group.

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 20 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) (Nasdaq:VIAB).

About Nasdaq:

Nasdaq (Nasdaq:NDAQ) is a leading provider of trading, clearing, exchange technology, listing, information and public company services across six continents. Through its diverse portfolio of solutions, Nasdaq enables customers to plan, optimize and execute their business vision with confidence, using proven technologies that provide transparency and insight for navigating today's global capital markets. As the creator of the world's first electronic stock market, its technology powers more than 70 marketplaces in 50 countries, and 1 in 10 of the world's securities transactions. Nasdaq is home to more than 3,500 listed companies with a market value of over $9.1 trillion and more than 10,000 corporate clients. To learn more, visit www.nasdaq.com/ambition or www.business.nasdaq.com.

-NDAQA-
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NickToons UK Unveils Official "Get Blake!" Website

To celebrate Nicktoons UK and Ireland, Nickelodeon UK's animation and action channel, starting to premiere and show "Get Blake!", a brand-new exciting cartoon style comedy series filled with visual gags and delirious characters, weekdays at 7:45am from Monday 2nd March 2015, NickToons.co.uk has launched the channels official "Get Blake!" show website!

UPDATE: Added NickToons UK's first "Get Blake!" teaser trailer, below!


Nicktoons UK's all-new "Get Blake!" series webpage features information about the show, a fantastic 'Meet The Characters' section featuring bios for Blake and Mitch, a exclusive video area filled with previews of "Get Blake!", including videos introducing Squaliens Jerome, Maxus and Leonard, plus a picture gallery featuring stills from NickToons' brand-new show!


"Get Blake!" (56x11'), formally titled "Blake and the Aliens", is Marathon Media's latest action comedy for kids everywhere. Each 11-minute episode follows Blake Myers, a fearless, adventure-seeking kid as he races headlong into all of life's experiences along with his best friend Mitch.

What's impressive about Blake is that he lives for today, despite knowing the awesomeness that awaits him in the future: Blake is destined to become a courageous Space Ranger and protector of humankind against a marauding race of... ALIEN squirrels!

These alien squirrels – or "Squaliens" – have been sent from the future by their Squalien General. Their mission: is to make sure Blake Myers never grows up to be Blake Myers, Space Ranger. Hero. Defeater of Squaliens.


From their super high-tech command center – now cunningly disguised as a regular earth tree in Blake's very own backyard – the Squaliens must use everything they have at their disposal to put an end to Blake Myers.

Only Blake and Mitch are aware of the alien squirrels' existence and together, must fight this battle on their own. But the Squaliens soon discover that stopping Blake Myers isn't as easy as it sounds...


The series boasts world-renowned creative teams with long-standing credentials in animation including director Daniel Klein, executive producer Eryk Casemiro; and Derek Dressler ("Kick Buttowski", "Johnny Test", "Breadwinners" and "Annoying Orange"), who supervised the writing, and features a American comic sensibility whilst preserving the distinctive French artistic style.

Nickelodeon USA is expected to debut "Get Blake!" later in 2015.

UPDATE: Below is NickToons UK's "You are now ready to Get Blake" "Get Blake!" teaser promo!:

Get Blake, only on Nicktoons from Tee on Vimeo.


Zodiak Kids recently launched "Get Blake!" at the MIPJunior 2014 market in Cannes, France, where Zodiak Kids offered complimentary "Get Blake!" branded Tuk-tuk Express rides to and from the Palm Beach with stops at Palais and the main hotels on the Croisette.

"Get Blake" is produced by Marathon Images in association with Nickelodeon, Game One and Gulli. With the participation of le Centre National de la Cinématographie et de l'Image Animée and the support of the MEDIA programme of the European Union.
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