Tuesday, June 04, 2019

Nickelodeon Germany Orders 'Spotlight' Season 4; Now Casting

Nickelodeon Germany (Deutschland), Austria (Österreich) and Switzerland (Schweiz) today announced the exciting news that it has renewed its hugely popular locally produced cross-media daily TV series Spotlight, which follows the lives of a group of young talented students at theatrical school and their dreams to take the stage, for a fourth season!


Spotlight follows teenagers Toni (Luana Knöll), Jannik (Dennis Oertel), Rubi (Lisa Küppers), Azra (Lea Mirzanli), Mo (Moritz Bäckerling), Luke (Mike Singer) Lotte (Jesina Amweg), and their studies at the "Berlin School of Arts", a fictional school that combines artistic education with regular education.

UFA Serial Drama will return to produce Spotlight season four, which is slated to begin filming on Monday 15th July 2019. Season four of Spotlight will once again be comprised of 93 episodes, which will be broadcast on Nickelodeon Deutschland, Nickelodeon Österreich and Nickelodeon Schweiz and on nick.de during Autumn/Winter 2019.

Steffen Kottkamp, Director Brand Kids & Family GSA at Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN), said: "The fact that we are already entering the fourth season with Spotlight is proof that we have hit a nerve with this generation. The kids still want to follow the stories of our protagonists - across all platforms. This is exactly the secret recipe for success. Together with UFA we have managed to transfer fictional life into the real world of the young viewers, which go far beyond linear television. Every day new followers are added to the social media platforms - and just like them we are looking forward to season 4".


Helga Löbel, producer, UFA SERIAL DRAMA said: "In a TV market that is particularly difficult for this target group, the success story of SPOTLIGHT is a real sensation. It is also the result of an extremely trusting cooperation with the commissioning broadcaster, which is exemplary. Only then is it possible to have a production model that makes children's programming affordable and successful."

In addition to commissioning a fourth season, Nickelodeon has announced the further exciting news that Spotlight has been nominated for the "Serie/Reihe Live-Action" award in the 2019 Preis Goldener Spatz awards. The winners of the Preis Goldener Spatz 2019 awards will be announced at a prestigious ceremony held in Erfurt on Friday 7th June 2019. The cast of Spotlight was also nominated for the "Lieblings-Cast" orange blimp award in Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards 2019: Deutschland Österreich Schweiz.

Like previous seasons, Spotlight season four will extend to digital, allowing fans to access further Spotlight material from their favourite characters on social media platforms, including YouTube, Instagram (@SpotlightDeutsch) and TikTok.

On Spotlight season four, Ulrike Lehmann (Nickelodeon) serves as Editor, Helga Löbel (UFA SERIAL DRAMA) serves as Producer, along with Claudia Danne, and Jasmin Schelling serves as Junior Producer.

Spotlight is Nickelodeon GSA's locally produced adaptation of Nickelodeon Benelux's successful daily scripted TV series of the same name.

Fans can visit nick.de/spotlight, nick.ch/spotlight and nickelodeon.at/spotlight to find out more about the series and the characters in the show, as well as watch exclusive video clips and download wallpapers.

Below is Nickelodeon Deutschland, Österreich and Schweiz's official press release announcing the exciting news!:

Spotlight geht in die vierte Runde: Nickelodeon beauftragt weitere Staffel der crossmedialen Erfolgsserie


Berlin, 10. April 2019 – In der Berlin School of Arts geht es ins vierte Jahr: Nickelodeon gibt grünes Licht für die Produktion der vierten Staffel der crossmedial produzierten Serie Spotlight.

Produziert wird die Serie erneut von UFA SERIAL DRAMA. Am 15. Juli 2019 beginnen die Dreharbeiten zur beliebten Kinderserie, deren Staffel erneut 93 Folgen umfassen wird. Ausgestrahlt werden die neuen Folgen ab Herbst 2019 bei Nick und auf Nick.de.

Steffen Kottkamp, Director Brand Kids & Family GSA bei Viacom International Media Networks: „Dass wir mit Spotlight bereits in die vierte Staffel starten ist für uns der Beweis dafür, genau den Nerv dieser Generation getroffen zu haben. Die Kids haben nach wie vor große Lust, den Geschichten unserer Protagonisten zu folgen – über alle Plattformen hinweg. Genau das ist das Geheimnis des Erfolgsrezepts. Zusammen mit der UFA haben wir es geschafft fiktive Lebenswelten in die reale Welt der jungen Zuschauer zu übertragen, die weit über das lineare Fernsehen hinausgehen. Jeden Tag kommen neue Follower auf den Social Media Plattformen dazu – und genau wie sie freuen wir uns auf Staffel 4.“

Helga Löbel, Produzentin UFA SERIAL DRAMA: „In einem TV Markt, der besonders in dieser Zielgruppe schwierig ist, ist die Erfolgsgeschichte von SPOTLIGHT eine echte Sensation. Sie ist auch das Ergebnis einer extrem vertrauensvollen Zusammenarbeit mit dem auftraggebenden Sender, die beispielhaft ist. Nur so ist ein Produktionsmodell möglich, das Kinderprogramm finanzierbar und erfolgreich macht.“

Neben der Beauftragung der vierten Staffel kann sich Spotlight auch über die Nominierung für den renommierten Preis Goldener Spatz in der Kategorie "Serie/Reihe Live-Action" freuen, der bei der Preisverleihung am 7. Juni 2019 in Erfurt vergeben wird. Bei den diesjährigen Nickelodeon Kids‘ Choice Awards Deutschland Österreich Schweiz erhielt die Serie bereits eine Nominierung in der Kategorie „Lieblings-Cast“.

Auch in der neuen Spotlight Staffel wird ein Fokus auf Crossmedialität gelegt, indem wieder umfangreich die Social Media Plattformen YouTube, Instagram und TikTok bespielt werden.

Spotlight begleitet eine Gruppe Teenager bei ihren Abenteuern an der „Berlin School of Arts“, einer fiktiven Schule, die künstlerische Ausbildung mit normaler Schulausbildung koppelt.

Die Redaktion liegt bei Ulrike Lehmann (Nickelodeon). Produzentin ist Helga Löbel (UFA SERIAL DRAMA). Producerin ist Claudia Danne, Junior Producerin Jasmin Schelling.

Spotlight ist eines der UFA-Formate im Kinder- und Jugendsegment. Weitere Produktionen, die unter dem Dach der UFA in diesem Bereich realisiert wurden, sind u.a. der SUPER TOY CLUB, produziert von UFA SHOW & FACTUAL, die UFA FICTION Produktionen BINNY UND DER GEIST (2013 – 2016), die bislang größte serielle Eigenproduktion des Disney Channels Deutschland, der Kino-Franchise HANNI UND NANNI (2010, 2012, 2013, 2017) und TEUFELSKICKER (2010).

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From Rapid TV News:

Nickelodeon switches on Spotlight for fourth series

In what will be a delight to its loyal army of teenagers, Viacom’s Nickelodeon has commissioned a new series of popular multimedia children's series Spotlight from UFA Serial Drama.

Spotlight follows the life of a group of teenagers at the fictitious Berlin School of Arts, where artistic training is provided alongside a normal school education. Spotlight is a contract production for Nickelodeon, edited by Ulrike Lehmann (Nickelodeon). Like previous series, the new season will comprise 93 episodes, which will air on Nick and, from autumn 2019 onwards, also on Nick.de. Shooting of the series will start on 15 July 2019.

The new season, like its predecessors, will be produced by Helga Löbel. The line producer is Claudia Danne and the junior producer is Jasmin Schelling. For the new series of Spotlight, once again the focus will be on pursuing a cross-media approach, making use of social media platforms YouTube, Instagram and TikTok.

“For us, the fact that this is already the fourth season of Spotlight is proof enough that the programme has really struck a chord with this generation,” commented Steffen Kottkamp, director brand kids and family GSA at Viacom International Media Networks. “Kids are still keen to follow the stories of our protagonists – and to do so on all platforms, and that's precisely what makes the show a recipe for success. Together with UFA, we've succeeded in transferring fictitious worlds into the real-life experiences of young viewers that extend far beyond linear television. Every day, new followers are joining the social media platforms – and just like them we're really looking forward to season 4.”

UFA Serial Drama producer Helga Löbel added: “In the TV market for this target group, which is particularly tough, the success story of Spotlight is truly sensational. It's also the result of exemplary and extremely trusting cooperation with the contracting channel. This is the only way of arriving at a production model that makes the children's programme both financially affordable and successful.”

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Update (4/6) - Nickelodeon and UFA Serial Drama are now casting stars to feature in Spotlight season four!:

HAUPTDARSTELLER FÜR SPOTLIGHT GESUCHT!

STANDORT: Berlin
BEWERBUNGSSCHLUSS: offen
BEZAHLUNG: Ja

TÄNZERIN (SPOTLIGHT)
TEILNAHME MIT: Video
TALENT: uneingeschränkt
GESCHLECHT: weiblich
ALTER: 15-20
GRÖSSE: uneingeschränkt
PLZ-REGION: uneingeschränkt

Mitmachen

RAPPER (SPOTLIGHT)
TEILNAHME MIT: Video
TALENT: uneingeschränkt
GESCHLECHT: männlich
ALTER: 15-20
GRÖSSE: uneingeschränkt
PLZ-REGION: uneingeschränkt

Mitmachen

YOUTUBER/COMEDY (SPOTLIGHT)
TEILNAHME MIT: Video
TALENT: uneingeschränkt
GESCHLECHT: männlich
ALTER: 15-20
GRÖSSE: uneingeschränkt
PLZ-REGION: uneingeschränkt

Mitmachen

Jetzt ist es offiziell, die Nickelodeon-Serie Spotlight geht in die 4. Staffel! Wir suchen ab sofort neue Freunde für Emily, Milan & Co.! Du hast die Chance, eine der neuen Hauptrollen zu werden!

Du bist Tänzerin, Rapper oder Vlogger? Du hast im Drehzeitraum (vorläufig) vom 6. Juli bis zum 23. August 2019 noch nichts vor? Du bist im Juli 2019 zwischen 15 und 20 Jahre alt und hast mindestens die 10. Klasse abgeschlossen? Perfekt!

Um die große Hauptrolle zu bekommen, solltest Du natürlich auch schauspielerisches Talent mitbringen und keine Scheu vor der Kamera haben.

Bewirb Dich JETZT auf eines der folgenden Rollenprofile:

+++

TÄNZERIN:

- Talent: Tanz

- natürlicher Typ (gerne curvy), kaum Make-up

- trägt gern bequeme Klamotten, verhüllt aber nicht ihre Figur oder stylt sich auf graue Maus.

+++

RAPPER:
- Texten aus dem Stehgreif

- lässig, bequem und cool gleichzeitig

+++

YOUTUBER/COMEDIAN:
- Crazy, witzig, steht auf Klamotten mit ausgefallenen Details

+++

Du passt in eines der drei Profile? Ergreife jetzt Deine Chance und zeige uns in einem kleinen (Handy-)Video, wer Du bist. Überzeuge uns von Deinem Talent!

Klicke ganz einfach auf "MITMACHEN" für die jeweilige Rolle und fülle Deine Bewerbung Schritt für Schritt aus.

Du findest Dich in den Profilen nicht zu 100% wieder? Wenn Du aus dem Umkreis Berlin-Brandenburg kommst, kannst Du Dich als Komparse bewerben.

Hier geht's zum Casting.

Wir freuen uns auf Dich!

Du hast Fragen? Melde Dich einfach unter info@talentbase.de oder telefonisch unter +49 331 7060 360 (Mo.-Fr. 9-17 Uhr).

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Mehr Nick: Nickelodeon GSA Announces Star Studded 'Nickelodeon Kids‘ Choice Awards: Deutschland, Österreich, Schweiz 2019' Guest List!

Originally published: Wednesday, April 10, 2019.
Follow NickALive! on Twitter, Tumblr, Reddit, via RSS, on Instagram, and/or Facebook for the latest Nickelodeon GSA and Spotlight News and Highlights!

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles to Invade Pavilion KL in Malaysia This Raya

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles To Invade Pavilion KL This Raya

In celebration of the festive occasion of Hari Raya Aidilfitri, fans are invited to the first-ever Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Hari Raya Open House!


Malaysia - This Hari Raya, Nickelodeon welcomes you to the Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Hari Raya Open House at the Pavilion Kuala Lumpur shopping mall, set to be held from Friday 14th to Sunday 16th June 2019!

Fans of Nickelodeon's Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles can drop by the mall to catch the four turtle bros – Raphael, Leonardo, Donatello and Michelangelo – who will make their appearance in Malaysia for the first time ever!

Look out for Turtles-themed activities and game booths for the family, be entertained by screenings of the Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles episodes, or create photo memories with the family at the Turtle display area with life-sized standees.


What’s more? Fans will also have a chance to meet-and-greet the Turtles on 15th and 16th July. Furthermore, visitors can also get first dibs on the latest Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles toys at the merchandise booth during the Nickelodeon event!

"Come on down to Pavilion KL and experience Turtle Power like never before! Look out for Turtles-themed activities and game booths for the family, be entertained by screenings of the Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles episodes, or create one-of-a-kind photo memories at the Turtles photo area! Don’t miss out on the chance to meet-and-greet Raph, Mikey, Leo and be one of the first to get your hands on the new Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles toys at the Pop-up shop!"

Details on the Hari Raya Open House are as below!

Date: 14th to 16th June 2019 (Thursday to Sunday)

Time: 10am – 8pm

Admission: Free

Meet & Greet Timings:
3pm and 5pm on 15th June
1pm, 3pm and 5pm on 16th June

Venue: Pavilion KL, Kuala Lumpur, Centre Court Atrium, Level

Win Tickets: https://www.facebook.com/notes/nickelodeon/rise-of-the-teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-hari-raya-open-house-contest/2057279664382793/

More Nick: Nickelodeon Asia Celebrates SpongeBob SquarePants' 20th Anniversary with 'Seronoknya Raya' Retail Activations in Malaysia | Best Year Ever!

Original source: Hype Malaysia; Additional source: Google.co.uk.
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Nickelodeon to Host 'Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' School Holiday Activation at Takashimaya Shopping Centre in Singapore

Singapore - Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles at Takashimaya


What: Public Event Hosted by Nickelodeon Asia
Where: Takashimaya Shopping Centre, 391 Orchard Road, Singapore 238872

Details:

Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
In-Store Promotion @ Level 4
(5 Jun – 16 Jun)

Have a Turtle-tastic time this June Holidays at Level 4, Takashimaya Department Store! Be one of the first to buy the new Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Toys and meet Leonardo and Donatello!

Meet & Greet Schedule:
5 Jun: 2pm & 5pm
8 Jun: 2pm & 5pm
9 Jun: 2pm & 5pm

Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
@ B2, Takashimaya Square
(19 Jun - 30 June)

Turtle Power is back! Meet & Greet Raphael, Leonardo, Donatello and Michelangelo at B2, Takashimaya Square! Strike your Best Ninja Pose and Win Amazing Prizes!

Meet & Greet Schedule:
22 Jun: 1pm, 4pm & 7pm
23 Jun: 1pm, 4pm & 7pm
26 Jun: 1pm & 7pm
29 Jun: 1pm, 4pm & 7pm
30 Jun: 1pm, 4pm & 7pm

Strike Your Best Ninja Pose Contest
25 Jun: 1pm, 4pm & 7pm
27 Jun: 1pm, 4pm & 7pm
28 Jun: 1pm, 4pm & 7pm

More info: https://www.facebook.com/events/2515682661785041/

More Nick: The City Square Mall in Singapore to Host the PAW Patrol Ultimate School Holiday in June 2019!
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Nickelodeon Greenlights 'The Crystal Maze', An All-New Version of the Hit UK Game Show

Update (6/19) - Nickelodeon is now casting families to take part on The Crystal Maze! Click here for more info and here to apply! Good luck!

Original Nickelodeon USA Press Release | Share the news: http://po.st/CrystalMaze

NICKELODEON GREENLIGHTS THE CRYSTAL MAZE,
ALL-NEW VERSION OF UK HIT GAME SHOW


BURBANK, Calif.—June 3, 2019—Nickelodeon is bringing the legendary UK hit game show The Crystal Maze to the U.S. in an all-new version, co-produced by Bunim/Murray Productions (The Real World, The Challenge, Born This Way) and RDF Television (Secret Life of 4 Year Olds, Wife Swap, Shipwrecked), all under the Banijay Group. A longtime staple of British pop culture and family entertainment, The Crystal Maze--considered the forerunner to the current escape room craze--is a competitive challenge featuring a family team who must utilize physical and mental skills to successfully navigate an elaborate labyrinth of four giant and immersive themed zones.

Casting is underway on the new series (10 one-hour episodes) which begins production on the original set in Bristol, England, this summer. The show’s host, who guides the family through each challenge and adventure, and the series premiere, will be announced at a later date.

“As Nickelodeon embraces co-viewing opportunities for every member of the family, The Crystal Maze brings a new type of action game and storytelling to audiences with its escape room-style gameplay and emphasis on collaboration and teamwork to win,” said Rob Bagshaw, Executive Vice President, Nickelodeon Unscripted Content.


The Crystal Maze has long served as a staple of the UK entertainment landscape and we could not be happier to be reinventing the show for a younger demo alongside our sister companies, RDF and Stephen David Entertainment. Acting as the first series for BMP’s Kids and Family Division, the show will build on our reputation in the competitive game space and we’ve no doubt by partnering with Nickelodeon, we can build a new audience for this brand in the U.S.,” said Gil Goldschein, Chief Executive Officer, Bunim/Murray Productions.

Nickelodeon’s version of The Crystal Maze will feature a team of family members tackling a range of challenges in zones collectively known as The Crystal Maze. Each successful game is rewarded with a ‘time crystal’ that equals five seconds in the centerpiece Crystal Dome. The adventure culminates in a spectacular finale, as the team enters the Dome to grab a cash prize as it flies around them during a dramatic clock countdown.


A current ratings smash in the UK, The Crystal Maze has been a beloved family and cult favorite since the mid ‘90s, with the current global popularity of the escape room phenomena reigniting interest further. The show was recently rebooted to great success with celebrity, charity and family seasons in UK, Australia and beyond.

The Crystal Maze is executive produced by Gil Goldschein and Maria Pepin from Bunim/Murray Productions, Neale Simpson from Fizz, part of RDF Television, and Stephen David from Stephen David Entertainment. Production of The Crystal Maze for Nickelodeon is overseen by Rob Bagshaw, Executive Vice President, Unscripted Content.


About Bunim/Murray Productions

Bunim/Murray Productions (BMP) is the leading producer of innovative entertainment content. The Emmy Award-winning company is widely credited with creating the reality television genre with its hit series The Real World, which is moving to Facebook after 32 seasons on MTV. BMP continued to innovate with the first reality game show, Road Rules (MTV), in 1995; the first reality sitcom, The Simple Life (E!), in 2003; and the first reality soap opera, Starting Over, in 2003. BMP’s current programming includes Keeping up with the Kardashians, Total Divas and Total Bellas (E!), The Challenge and Lindsay Lohan’s Beach Club (MTV), Born This Way (A&E), Earth Live (National Geographic), The Real World and Ball in the Family (Facebook Watch), Endless Summer and Growing Up is a Drag (Snapchat), Miz and Mrs. (USA Network), and Family or Fiance (OWN). BMP has also produced They Call Us Monsters (PBS), Valentine Road (HBO), Pedro (MTV) and the Emmy Award-winning Autism: The Musical (HBO) for BMP Films. Based in Glendale, CA, the company was founded in 1987 by Jonathan Murray and the late Mary-Ellis Bunim, who were inducted into the Television Academy’s Hall of Fame in 2012. The company joined Banijay Group in 2010.

About Nickelodeon:

Nickelodeon, now in its 40th 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 brand includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, digital, location based experiences, publishing and feature films. 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, VIAB).

# # #

Devised by Jacques Antoine, the UK version of The Crystal Maze was originally hosted by Richard O'Brien (Rocky Horror), followed by Ed Tudor-Pole. The reboot was originally presented by Stephen Merchant (for Stand Up To Cancer), and currently by Richard Ayoade (The IT Crowd, Travel Man) with his "hand." The show's theme song is the legendary "Force Field". The show is currently filmed at The Bottle Yard Studios in Bristol.

More Nick: Nickelodeon Embarks on New Direction with its Biggest, Most Wide-Ranging Content Slate Ever!

Originally published: Monday, June 3, 2019 at 7:04pm BST.

Additional sources: Deadline, Exclaim!.
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Nickelodeon Announces First Licensing Partners for 'Blue’s Clues & You!'

Viacom Nickelodeon Consumer Products Announces First Licensing Partners for Blue’s Clues & You!

Reboot of the Iconic Preschool Series to Debut on Nickelodeon in November with Product Hitting Retail in Fall 2020


June 03, 2019 11:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

NEW YORK--Viacom Nickelodeon Consumer Products (VNCP) today announced the first licensees for Nickelodeon’s Blue’s Clues & You!, a reboot of the groundbreaking curriculum-driven interactive series Blue’s Clues. Just Play will be the global preschool toy partner for plush, figures, playsets and role play, Vtech will be the global partner for early learning toys, and Cardinal will manage games and puzzles. Blue’s Clues & You! will be featured at VNCP’s Licensing Expo booth (#O180), June 4–6, in Las Vegas, NV.

Blue’s Clues & You! is quickly building buzz and excitement, and we are so proud to reintroduce this iconic show to a new generation of kids, and also to terrific licensing partners who can bring these beloved characters to life through product,” said Jennifer Caveza, Senior Vice President, Toys, Viacom Nickelodeon Consumer Products. “Blue’s Clues was Nickelodeon’s first ever billion-dollar consumer products brand, and there’s already a ton of excitement with retailers for this dynamic new take on the franchise.”

Blue’s Clues & You! will have a new generation of preschoolers searching for clues with beloved puppy Blue and feature a new host, Joshua Dela Cruz, and a refreshed signature look. In each episode, Blue invites viewers to join them on a clue-led adventure to solve a daily puzzle. With each signature paw print, Blue identifies clues in her animated world that propel the story and inspires viewers to interact with the action. Three episodes of the series will debut on Walmart’s video service, Vudu, prior to its launch on Nickelodeon in November.


The original Blue’s Clues series launched in September 1996 to critical praise from educators, parents and preschoolers and ran for six groundbreaking seasons. Created by Traci Paige Johnson, Todd Kessler and Angela C. Santomero, Blue’s Clues drew acclaim for its unique interactivity that helped change the way kids watch television and has remained one of the most popular preschool shows of all time. The landmark series also raised the bar in preschool television by exploring advanced subject matter such as sign language, geography, physics, emotions and anatomy.

Similar to the original series, Nickelodeon is planning to localize the series in at least five territories, bringing Blue’s Clues & You to air in native languages. The original series was localised in two markets: in the UK, where it was hosted by Kevin Duala, and in Portugal, where it was hosted by Duarte Gomes.

About Viacom Nickelodeon Consumer Products

Viacom Nickelodeon Consumer Products (VNCP) oversees all merchandising and retail operations for Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIAB, VIA), one of the world’s leading multimedia entertainment companies and home to such powerhouse brands as Nickelodeon, MTV, Paramount Network, Paramount Pictures and Comedy Central. With a diverse portfolio spanning animation, preschool, youth and adult licenses, VNCP is committed to providing key partner development and innovative marketing solutions, ensuring the highest quality product offering across some of the world's most powerful TV and entertainment properties, including SpongeBob SquarePants, PAW Patrol and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

More from Kidscreen:

Nickelodeon unveils Blue’s Clues & You! licensing strategy

SVP of toys Jennifer Caveza on how the kidsnet is modernizing its first billion-dollar franchise with tech.

You’re not going to need your handy dandy notebook to figure out what Nickelodeon has lined up for the new Blue’s Clues licensing program.

With plans to modernize the popular franchise for today’s kids, Viacom Nickelodeon consumer products has partnered with its first licensees for the rebooted preschool series Blue’s Clues & You!

Floridian toyco Just Play has signed on as the global preschool toy partner for plush (including Blue and Magenta offerings), figures, playsets and roleplay. While, Hong Kong’s VTech will be the brand’s global partner for early learning toys with modern tech features. Rounding out the initial partners is New York-based Cardinal, which is going to manage games and puzzles. The new products will arrive on retail shelves in fall 2020.

Blues Clues was Nickelodeon’s first billion-dollar franchise, says SVP of toys for Viacom Nickelodeon consumer products, Jennifer Caveza, but it needs to come up with new and exciting products for today’s kids to be able to harness that previous success. Releasing the new series and its CP years after the original show aired gave Nickelodeon the opportunity to take what worked with the original series, update the products with the show’s new CGI look and leverage the nostalgia the show’s original fans still hold on to.

“The benefit to developing a line of product for a reboot like Blue’s Clues is the show has history with fans and retailers, and we were able to pull sales data, speak with the original retail buyers and also do consumer testing to understand what is resonating with kids today,” says Caveza. “We understand how kids watch, learn and play with this iconic series, and the new Blue’s Clues & You! consumer product line is being crafted based on these insights.”

The kidsnet did research into the success of the original CP program and knew that the brand’s familiar categories like plush and playsets should be a big part of the new lineup. Nickelodeon also knew that to make the series fresh for the newest generation, the new CP had to incorporate tech toys that could connect with them.

Moving forward, the kidsnet wants to partner with other techcos to incorporate updated technologies into the brand’s CP.

“We have a history of doing successful reboots and we manage to create these evergreen brands,” says Caveza. “This is one that, with its built-in audience, the new tech features and the nostalgia, has the potential to become that for us.”

Popular items from the first go-around including the handy dandy notebook and the mailbox are two toys that could be getting a tech-makeover from VTech and other tech companies. The kidsnet has plans to connect the toys to Nickelodeon’s apps and have them receive emails, though this is just a concept at this point and there are no details yet on how the company will actually role out products like this. “With technology in mind, we are exploring partners who can develop toys tied to content, whether it be interacting with the show on-air or through our apps,” says Caveza.

Similar to the original series, which debuted in 1996, the reboot revolves around the titular dog Blue and the show’s new host Joshua Dela Cruz who will lead viewers on an adventure to solve puzzles. Although specific dates haven’t been announced yet, three eps will debut on Walmart’s new video service Vudu before the official premiere on Nickelodeon in November.

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More Nick: Nickelodeon Embarks on New Direction with its Biggest, Most Wide-Ranging Content Slate Ever!

Originally published: Monday, June 3, 2019 at 6:09pm BST.

Original source: Business Wire.
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