Wednesday, May 13, 2015

Nickelodeon Honors North Hampton, NH Student

Seacoast Online is reporting the exciting news that Nickelodeon USA recently honored North Hampton, NH eighth-grader Abigail Saltmarsh by selecting her as the networks national spokesperson to kick off Nickelodeon's "Get Dirty" pro-social program and as the networks HALO Effect honoree for April 2015!

In the span of one month, eighth-grade student Abigail Saltmarsh went from giving a classroom presentation to being selected a national spokesperson to kick off Nickelodeon's "Get Dirty" campaign and winning a HALO Effect Award.


"To take something starting very small to a national televised forum and to be able to share a message, we had no idea it was going to turn into this," said Abigail's mother Tina Saltmarsh.

It all started with a classroom project.

For the last 50 years seventh- and eighth-graders at the North Hampton School had competed in an oratorical contest where students had a chance to speak on a subject they were passionate about.

"This year we decided to mix it up" said eighth-grade teacher Lauren de Constant.

The presentations went from an oratory contest to something named WE Talks (think "TED Talks"), which included a digital component and were videotaped for online viewing.

Over 100 students presented on subjects ranging from psychology to sports to social issues.

Abigail gave her talk called the "Elephant Connection,", about the hunting and killing of elephants in the illegal ivory trade.

"I've always liked elephants," Abigail said. "I always thought they were really intelligent and smart and felt really connected to them. When I found out their population was decreasing I felt sad and wanted to do something to help them"



Abigail Saltmarsh recently won a HALO Effect Award and was selected to be a national spokesperson to kick off Nickelodeon's “Get Dirty” campaign. Photo by Jesse Migneault

After Abigail's presentation her mother shared the recording via YouTube with family members unable to attend. She also sent a link to the WCS (Wildlife Conservation Society), a charity she had worked with in the past and was a great source of inspiration for Abigail.

"I thought they may want to post it on their social media sites," said Saltmarsh. "A week later WCS asked if they could share the tape with Nickelodeon."

Nickelodeon at the time was searching for a spokesperson to launch its "Get Dirty" campaign, which honors kids and teens that make a difference in the environment and with conservation.

Nickelodeon officials watched the tape and decided to fly Abigail and her mother to Zoo Atlanta for three days to shoot the segment for their campaign. At Zoo Atlanta, Abigail met with two elephants, fed them and even had a chance to paint with them!

"I was a little bit nervous at first but I was mostly just really excited about sharing my message about the elephants," Abigail said.

The piece first aired on Nickelodeon on Saturday 28th March 2015 following the Nickelodeon 2015 Kids' Choice Awards, and has since been running about 14 times a day.

"I was not used to being filmed, but I enjoyed it and it was a lot of fun," explained Abigail. "I really liked to see how it was made. How much time and effort goes into a short video – we see them on TV but we never realize how much work goes into them."

One week later, news arrived that Abigail had been chosen to receive Nickelodeon's HALO Effect Award. The award honors young people who strive to make a difference in their community and in the world. It also includes a $5,000 donation to a charity of their choice, (Abigail chose the WCS).

Looking to the future, Abigail would like to continue to work with the WCS as well as helping other animal species.

"If you're passionate about something you just need to get out there and do it," Abigail said. "If you just try it, it will probably go somewhere and it will make a difference."

Abigail also spreads her passion for the environment and animals through a myriad of eco-themed programs including the North Hampton School's recycling, composting, gardening and beautification committees.

Saltmarsh was seven years old when she first began tackling environmental issues. A beach clean-up project with her Girl Scout troop, in which they removed several pounds of trash left behind on a local beach, made her aware of the role humans play in polluting the environment and inspired her to make a change.

Through her work, Saltmarsh aims to show other kids and teens that even small actions can have a big impact on the environment, like reducing waste and the use of chemicals by composting food scraps to produce natural fertilizer for vegetable and flower gardens, among other ways. Saltmarsh also bakes dog treats and collects funds for her local Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA).

You can watch Nickelodeon's exclusive interview with Abigail Saltmarsh here on TeenNick.com!
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Nickelodeon India Mobilizes Gen-Next To Join Nations Call For Swachh Bharat With Big Green Help 2015

Nickelodeon India Press Release via Viacom18's ViaBuzz:

NICKELODEON MOBILIZES GEN-NEXT TO JOIN THE NATIONS CALL FOR SWACH BHARAT WITH BIG GREEN HELP 2015

A unique initiative that makes kids care for the planet


National, 18th March, 2015: Kids inspire, influence and hold the baton to the future of society. It is this kid power that Nickelodeon, India's leading children's entertainment franchise, has sought to unleash with the Big Green Help 2015. Answering the nation’s clarion call for [Swachh Bharat Abhiyan] and taking it a step further, the pioneering pro-socio environment initiative will empower and encourage kids to save the planet and its resources.

The Big Green Help will provide information and tools to kids to understand the various environmental issues like conserving energy, preserving nature and fighting pollution hazards, amongst many others. Nick will make this serious topic very relevant and kid friendly with the adorable Nicktoons spreading the key message of saving the planet.


Commenting on the initiative, Nina Elavia Jaipuria, EVP & Business Head, Kids Cluster said, "Nickelodeon continuously engages with kids on issues that affect their lives and encourages them to take action. With The Big Green Help, we aim to provide them with the necessary knowledge so they can become part of the environmental solution and ensure a brighter future for themselves."

Post the roaring success in the last couple of years, the Big Green Help initiative by Nickelodeon has now made its way into the digital space through an exclusive microsite (nickindia.com/BGH). The microsite will allow kids can to learn more about the environmental issues and proudly be the "Agents of Change" to make the world a healthier place The on air campaign further resonates this message and showcases kids taking the higher ground and encouraging adults to walk the right path.

Nickelodeon has also launched a new chapter in their environmentally friendly challenge by opening up an online game – The Big Green Game with a goal of kindling real-world action for environmental change. The very popular Motu Patlu Nicktoons will be featured wherein they will be on a mission to clean Furfuri Nagar and make it garbage free. The new online kid's game seeks to use social media as a tool to help educate today's children about global environmental concerns.

Launched with the goal of spurring a kid-led movement, Nickelodeon also encourages kids to pledge to be green Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and take actionable stops in the real world through projects in their communities and schools.

-Ends-

About Nickelodeon

Nickelodeon, one of India's leading kids' entertainment brand and part of the Viacom18 Media Pvt. Ltd, is available in over 100 million households in the country. The Nickelodeon cluster in India boasts of a bouquet of differentiated channels that cater to kids from tots to teens – Nick, Sonic and Nickelodeon (with 2 programming blocks i.e. Nick Jr./ Teen Nick). Nick Jr. (www.nickjrindia.com), which is 'the smart place to play' believes that 'education' and 'entertainment' go hand-in-hand and is aimed at young parents and pre-schoolers. Internationally acclaimed shows like Dora the Explorer, Bubble Guppies, Wonder Pets, Team Umizoomi and Go Diego Go foster motor, memory, maths and language development in a child. The Nickelodeon channel also caters to teenagers in the latter half of the day with the Teen Nick block which showcases international sitcoms such as ICarly, Victorious and Drake and Josh. The Nickelodeon cluster has an ecosystem that extends beyond television into Consumer Products, on-ground and digital platforms.

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Nick Jr. India Celebrates World Creativity and Innovation Week with Dora the Explorer

Original Nickelodeon India Press Release via Viacom18's ViaBuzz:

NICK JR'S DORA THE EXPLORER CELEBRATED WORLD CREATIVITY & INNOVATION WEEK WITH "GO CREATIVE"

Dora inspired children to Sketch it, Paint it, Color it & Create it


Chennai, 20th April, 2015: Sketch it, paint it, color it or create it! Nick Jr India celebrated – World Creativity and Innovation Week with Dora the Explorer. The campaign that aimed to inspire the little geniuses to unleash their creativity and provide them with an unique opportunity to showcase their talent. The creativity drive was driven by Dora – The Explorer, who flagged off the "Go Creative" campaign by inviting young minds to participate in this fun filled, innovative week from 15th April to 21st April, 2015.


The week long initiative, kick started online wherein children had to sketch, color, paint or create Dora. The campaign then came alive on ground through interesting multi-city engagement initiatives. The World Creativity and Innovation Week has been celebrated across the world in 46 countries since 2001. Through this unique concept, Nick Jr's aim was to urge the children to unleash their creative side and bring out the best of their talent through the expressive medium of Art.

Commenting on the initiative, Nina Elavia Jaipuria, EVP & Business Head, Kids Cluster said, "Art is the most apt form of expression and children with their curious and creative minds have always enjoyed being a part of such interesting activities. The initiative is intended at spurring creativity and inspiring innovation amongst children. Our objective is to provide them a platform to bring out the innovative sketches and artistic strokes."

Dora the Explorer is as a 7-year-old girl who actively engages preschoolers in a play-along, adventure. Adored by children, every episode has Dora the educator invite young viewers to join her on an exploration with a clearly defined goal. Dora also introduces kids to Hindi and English words and gives viewers the skills and the confidence needed to overcome challenges

This World Creativity and Innovation week with Nick Jr's Dora the Explorer kids all around Chennai got their paintbrushes and pencils ready and showcased exquisite talent and brought out the best masterpiece they've ever made!

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Memorial Day Weekend Celebration at Moody Gardens for the Debut of the "SpongeBob SubPants Adventure"

Original Moody Gardens Press Release via Business Wire:

Memorial Day Weekend Celebration at Moody Gardens for the Debut of the SpongeBob SubPants Adventure


May 12, 2015 05:54 PM Eastern Daylight Time

GALVESTON, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Moody Gardens will host a Memorial Day weekend full of festive entertainment for the entire family with the debut of the SpongeBob SubPants Adventure on Saturday, May 23.

- from NickALive! on Vimeo.

Opening Ceremonies will begin at 9:30 a.m. on May 23, with an instrumental version of the SpongeBob SquarePants theme song. The event will conclude at 10 a.m. with a special ribbon cutting ceremony featuring Moody Gardens President and CEO John Zendt; Marc Epstein, Nickelodeon's Senior Vice President of Sports, Recreation and New Business Marketing and City of Galveston representatives to officially kick-off the opening of Moody Gardens' newest permanent attraction.



Moody Gardens' New SpongeBob SubPants Adventure (Photo: Business Wire)

Throughout the holiday weekend, guests will have the chance to join in on the fun with free activities and arts-and-crafts for all ages. Nickelodeon Illustrators will also be present Saturday and Sunday to create original SpongeBob SquarePants artwork. Winners will be randomly chosen at each SpongeBob SubPants Adventure show May 23 and 24 to take these illustrations home with them from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on these dates.


Children and parents view a brass dive helmet and crab trap near the Bikini Bottom mural before entering the new Nickelodeon SpongeBob SubPants Adventure. It opens Memorial Day Weekend at the Discovery Pyramid at Moody Gardens in Galveston, Texas.

As a special treat for fans of the hit animated series, Nickelodeon characters SpongeBob SquarePants and Patrick Star will be available for a special Meet and Greet opportunity. As a part of Saturday's opening day celebration, Houston's Sweft Dance Troupe will feature hourly performances as they show guests and Nickelodeon's character Sandy Cheeks how to line dance with songs themed around her home state of Texas.


Children and parents wearing 3D glasses enjoy a wild and silly submarine voyage as they're immersed in special effects during the SpongeBob SubPants Adventure opening Memorial Day Weekend at Moody Gardens in Galveston, Texas.

The SpongeBob SubPants Adventure is a one-of-a-kind interactive experience that allows guests to go on a submarine voyage to explore the world of Bikini Bottom with the help of their captain, Patrick Star. Visitors are able to choose their path through the wild and silly deep-sea adventure and have real-time conversations with Patrick. The attraction takes visitors from digital to real time through exciting 4D sensory elements bringing the adventure to life through scents, like the smell of sunscreen, bubbles they pop above their heads and bouncing beach balls.

This attraction takes excitement to new depths in a non-stop whirlwind of surprises with fun for the whole family to enjoy only at Moody Gardens. Admission is $18.95 for adults and $16.95 for seniors and children. It is also included in a Moody Gardens Value Pass.

For more information, call (800) 582-4673 or visit www.moodygardens.org. You can also follow Moody Gardens on Twitter and Facebook.

Moody Gardens® is a public, non-profit, educational destination utilizing nature in the advancement of rehabilitation, conservation, recreation, and research.

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