Nickelodeon UK Appoints Alison Bakunowich As New Creative Director

The television industry news website Broadcast is reporting the Nickelodeon UK News in the following article that Nickelodeon UK has appointed Alison Bakunowich as their new creative director following the departure of Peter Drake in August 2013.

Bakunowich, currently the broadcaster's vice president (VP) of marketing and communications, joined Nickelodeon Australia in 2008 as the networks marketing and commercial partnerships director before heading to Nickelodeon UK in 2011.

She will continue to head up Nick UK's marketing and communications team, while her new responsibilities will include commissioning short-form original productions, overseeing Nickelodeon's on and off-air creative work and liaising between the international and UK teams.

The Drum adds that as part of Nickelodeon UK's marketing and communications team, Alison Bakunowich has led the UK launches of "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles", "Victorious" and "House of Anubis".

From Broadcast:

Nickelodeon appoints creative director

Nickelodeon has appointed Alison Bakunowich as creative director following the departure of Peter Drake.

Bakunowich, currently the broadcaster’s vice president of marketing and communications, joined Nickelodeon Australia in 2008 as marketing and commercial partnerships director before heading to Nickelodeon UK in 2011.

She will continue to head up the marketing and communications team, while her new responsibilities will include commissioning short-form original productions, overseeing Nickelodeon's on and off-air creative work and liaising between the international and UK teams.

Bakunowich replaces Drake, who stepped down from the position in August.

Nickelodeon UK managing director Tina McCann remarked “Alison is a great leader, a true brand ambassador and champion for our company.”

"Not only does she have a passion for all things Nickelodeon, but Alison understands our audience and knows how to reach kids in a relevant and very 'Nick' way. Under her direction, we will align our on and off air communications giving all of our brands a unified focus."

Also, from The Drum:

Nickelodeon UK promotes Alison Bakunowich to oversee creative team following departure of Peter Drake

Promotion: Bakunowich will oversee creative work

Nickelodeon UK has promoted Alison Bakunowich to VP, creative, marketing and communications, UK and Ireland, following the departure of creative director Peter Drake.

Bakunowich has taken on the role of overseeing the creative team in addition to her duties leading marketing and communications activities.

The new role will see Bakunowich responsible for Nickelodeon creative work both on and off air and she will liaise between the international and UK teams.

Tina McCann, Nickelodeon UK managing director, said: “Alison is a great leader, a true brand ambassador and champion for our company.

“Not only does she have a passion for all things Nickelodeon but Alison understands out audience and knows how to reach kids in a relevant and very ‘Nick’ way. Under her direction, we will align our on and off-air communications, giving all of our brands a unified focus.”

Bakunowich began her time at the company in Australia in 2008 before making a UK move in 2011. She led the launch of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Victorious and House of Anubis.

Category: Advertising Design Entertainment
Location: UK
Tags: nickelodeon Alison Bakunowich appointment

Also, from Licensing.biz:

Nickelodeon UK creates new VP, creative, marketing and communications role

Alison Bakunowich promoted into the new position.

Nickelodeon UK has promoted Alison Bakunowich to the newly created role of VP, creative, marketing and communications, UK and Ireland.

Bakunowich (pictured) was previously VP of marketing and communications. She will continue to lead this team, while also managing Nickelodeon UK's creative team.

The creation of the new role follows the departure of long-standing creative director, Peter Drake.

"Alison is a great leader, a true brand ambassador and champion for our company," said Tina McCan, Nickelodeon UK MD. "Not only does she have a passion for all things Nickelodeon, but Alison understands our audience and knows how to reach kids in a relevant and very 'Nick' way."

Bakunowich joined Nickelodeon Australia in 2008, moving over to the UK team in 2011.

TAGS teenage mutant ninja turtles, dora the explorer, spongebob squarepants, nickelodeon UK

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Nickelodeon Launches Nick Radio, The Networks Brand New Radio Station

The Associated Press is reporting the fantastic Nickelodeon News in the following article, from salon.com, the number-one entertainment brand for kids and families, has joined forces with Clear Channel Media and Entertainment to create the networks own radio station on Clear Channel's Internet radio platform, iHeartRadio!

Nick Radio which launched today (Monday 30th September 2013) with Nickelodeon Star and "The Way" singer Ariana Grande ("Victorious", "Sam & Cat") as the featured guest DJ, along with the hit Nickelodeon boyband, Big Time Rush!

With its entry into radio, Nick Radio will provide some competition for Radio Disney, Disney's terrestrial and Internet radio stations. Like Radio Disney, Nick Radio will feature kid-friendly Top 40 music, stars from its network and celebrity interviews.

Besides iHeartRadio, Nick Radio also be on Nickelodeon's official website, nick.com.

It is currently unknown whether the feed will be geo-locked or if Nickelodeon are planning to launch local versions of Nick Radio internationally, such as in the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, France, Germany, and Spain.

Have you tuned into Nick Radio? Let NickALive! know what you think of Nick's new radio station on Twitter, Tumblr, Google+, on Instagram, and/or Facebook!:

Nickelodeon gets into radio with Clear Channel

NEW YORK (AP) — Nickelodeon is getting into the radio business.

The children’s entertainment network has joined forces with Clear Channel Media and Entertainment to create its own station on Clear Channel’s online iHeartRadio.

Nick Radio launched Monday with “The Way” singer Ariana Grande — also star of Nick’s “Sam & Cat” — as featured guest DJ, along with another Nickelodeon act, Big Time Rush.

With its entry into radio, Nick Radio will provide some competition for Radio Disney, Disney’s terrestrial and Internet radio stations. Like Radio Disney, Nick Radio will feature kid-friendly Top 40 music, stars from its network and celebrity interviews.

Besides iHeartRadio, it will also be on Nickelodeon’s own website.

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Online:

http://www.iheartradio.com

http://www.nick.com.

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Nickelodeon Australia And New Zealand To Show Sneak Peek Of "Sam & Cat" On Monday 30th September 2013

Nickelodeon Australia has announced the exciting Nickelodeon International News in a post on their official Facebook profile page, facebook.com/NickelodeonAustralia, that, to celebrate Nickelodeon Australia and New Zealand starting to premiere Nick's brand new original buddy comedy series "Sam & Cat", starring Nick Stars Jennette McCurdy and Ariana Grande, from Friday 11th October 2013 at 4:30pm, Nick AU and NZ will be showing a fantastic sneak peek of Nickelodeon's brand new "iCarly"/"Victorious" spin-off sitcom, "Sam & Cat", on Monday 30th September 2013 at 5:00pm, just before SLIMEFEST 2013, the BIGGEST kid-powered, star filled family slimefest in the world, which, this year, promises to be bigger, better and SLIMIER than ever before!

Nick Oz's second annual SLIMEFEST event, Australia's first music festival just for kids, tweens and teenagers, held on Friday 27th September 2013 at the Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre, will feature headliners Big Time Rush, the Australian pop, R&B, and soul singer-songwriter Guy Sebastian, US duo Heffron Drive, which consists of Big Time Rusher Kendall Schmidt and BTR's current guitarist, Dustin Belt, the Australian singer-songwriter and former child model from Perth, Western Australia, Samantha Jade, and the Sydney based all-male hip-hop dance and pop music group and "Australia's Got Talent" winners 'Justice Crew', which consists of group members Lukas Bellesini, Paul Eric Merciadez, John Len Ruela Pearce, Len John Ruela Pearce, Emmanuel Rodriguez, Samson Cosray Smith, and Solo Tohi! Commando Steve Willis, the toughest trainer on "The Biggest Loser" Australia, will also feature as a special guest star, facing the green for the second time after braving a full body slime submersion by Nickelodeon's "Human Slime Dunk Machine" at 2012's inaugural SLIMEFEST event, plus the American actress, dancer, and singer Jadagrace and the American singer, dancer, DJ and rapper Redfoo from the electronic dance music duo LMFAO also make special appearances at SLIMEFEST 2013!

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Nickelodeon France To Start To Show "Sam & Cat" From Wednesday 30th October 2013

Nickelodeon France has announced the exciting Nickelodeon Europe News in a post on their official Facebook profile page, facebook.com/nickelodeonfrance, that Nick France, the French version of the popular kids channel, will start to premiere and show Nick's brand new original buddy comedy series "Sam & Cat", starring Nick Stars Jennette McCurdy and Ariana Grande, on Wednesday 30th October 2013 at 7:40pm!:

Votre nouvelle série #SamEtCat avec Jennette McCurdy d'#iCarly et Ariana Grande de #Victorious débarque le 30 octobre à 19h40 !
Alors, heureux ? ^^
http://ow.ly/pcb19

Your new series #SamEtCat with Jennette McCurdy of #iCarly and Ariana Grande #Victorious landed on 30 October at 19 h 40!
So, happy? ^^
http://ow.LY/pcb19 (Translated by Bing)

To celebrate the French launch of Nick's all-new buddy sitcom "Sam & Cat" ("Sam et Cat"), Nickelodeon France has unveiled the channels official "Sam & Cat" show website, which features information about "Sam & Cat" and the shows characters - Sam Puckett (Jennette McCurdy), Cat Valentine (Ariana Grande), Dice (Cameron Ocasio) and Nona (Maree Cheatham) - plus a online streaming video clip of Nick France's brand new "Sam & Cat" premiere promo/trailer, which you can visit here at nickelodeon.fr!

French NickHeads on Twitter and Facebook can also use the custom hashtag #SamEtCat to follow all of the Sam and Cat news on the run up to the show's French launch!

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Spain's Parque de Atracciones de Madrid Announces Plans To Open Nickelodeon Land In Spring 2014

Parque de Atracciones de Madrid (Madrid Amusement Park), a popular theme park in the Spanish city of Madrid, located in la Casa de Campo (Park Country House), specifically in the area of Batán, has announced the very exciting Nickelodeon Spain (Espana) news in the 'noticias'/'news' section on their official website, parquedeatracciones.es, that the Spanish amusement park has extended their partnership with Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) for a brand new local version of Nickelodeon Land!

Due to open in Spring 2014, Nickelodeon Parque de Atracciones Madrid will serve as a family playground area of the theme park, and will feature brand new attractions and rides, a Nickelodeon Shop, games, and Nickelodeon themed restaurants, and will feature characters from many of Nickelodeon's most popular shows, including Nick megastars SpongeBob SquarePants, Dora the Explorer, and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Nickelodeon Land Spain will also feature interactive shows starring Nick's biggest stars and lots and lots of Nickelodeon's trademark green slime.

Nickelodeon Land will be a family area where parents can enjoy a family day out with their children, who will be excited about the new attractions and spectacular theming of different spaces that will also feature the magic of Nickelodeon.

Parque de Atracciones de Madrid will be announcing more details on the development of Nickelodeon Land soon.

Nickelodeon Land in Madrid will join other Nickelodeon-branded attractions and parks around the world including Nickelodeon Universe in Minneapolis' Mall of America, SeaWorld on the Gold Coast of Australia, Nickelodeon Land at Blackpool Pleasure Beach in the U.K. and Nickland at Movie Park Germany.

According to europapress.es, the "Kids Zone"/"Zona Infantil" attractions at Parque de Atracciones de Madrid which have been closed to be re-imagined as Nickelodeon-branded attractions are the Tren Elevado (Elevated Train), Autos Baby (Car Baby), Barón Rojo (Red Baron), Caballos del Oeste (Western Horses), Jungle Baby (Baby Selva), Samba Ballom (Samba Balloom), Ford T and Minilanzadera.

"Parque de Atracciones is not only the No. 1 amusement park in Spain, but also a popular destination for families in Spain," says Gerald Raines, vice president, Nickelodeon Recreation, reports License Global. "We're very excited to expand our partnership and look forward to offering kids and families a unique Nickelodeon experience that features some of the most beloved characters in the world, including Dora the Explorer, SpongeBob SquarePants and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles."

Nickelodeon Recreation and Parque de Atracciones de Madrid have previously teamed up for a SpongeBob SquarePants-themed ("Bob Esponja") musical called "KangreBurguer Party" and a live dance show titled "Baila con Nickelodeon" ("Dance with Nickelodeon").

From ParqueDeAtracciones.es:

En primavera de 2014 llega Nickelodeon Land al Parque de Atracciones

Nickelodeon Land, con personajes tan queridos como Bob Esponja y las Tortugas Ninja, abrirá sus puertas en la primavera de 2014. El Parque de Atracciones de Madrid tendrá una nueva zona infantil “Nickelodeon Land” que contará con nuevas atracciones, una tienda, juegos y restaurantes temáticos de los personajes de Nickelodeon: Bob Esponja, Dora la Exploradora y las Tortugas Ninja. También Nickelodeon llevará sus personajes y espectáculos interactivos y su característico “moco verde” (slime) al Parque de Atracciones.

Nickelodeon Land será una zona familiar, donde los padres podrán disfrutar de un día en familia con sus hijos, que quedarán entusiasmados con las nuevas atracciones y la espectacular tematización de los diferentes espacios que, además, contarán con la magia e ilusión que aportan los conocidos y queridos personajes Nickelodeon.

En primavera de 2014 podréis disfrutar de Nickelodeon Land. Pronto iremos dando más detalles sobre las novedades

In spring of 2014 arrives at Nickelodeon Land Amusement Park

Nickelodeon Land, with beloved characters like SpongeBob SquarePants and Ninja Turtles, will open in spring 2014. The Madrid Amusement Park will have a new playground "Nickelodeon Land" will feature new attractions, shop, games and themed restaurants characters from Nickelodeon: SpongeBob, Dora the Explorer and Ninja Turtles. Nickelodeon also take their characters and interactive shows and his trademark "green slime" (slime) to the amusement park.
Nickelodeon Land is a family area where parents can enjoy a family day with their children, who will be excited about the new attractions and spectacular theming of different spaces that also will feature the magic and illusion known contributors and beloved Nickelodeon characters.

In spring 2014 you can enjoy Nickelodeon Land. Soon we will be giving more details on developments

[Spanish to English translation provided by Google Translate]