Saban Brands Announces Newly Formed Lifestyle And Entertainment Groups

Original Saban Brands Press Release via Saban Brands' corporate website, sabanbrands.com:

SABAN BRANDS ANNOUNCES NEWLY FORMED SABAN BRANDS LIFESTYLE GROUP (SBLG) & SABAN BRANDS ENTERTAINMENT GROUP (SBEG)

News Comes as a Result of Rapid Growth Within the Company’s Lifestyle and Entertainment Portfolios with Additional Acquisitions as a Top Priority and New Intellectual Properties in the Pipeline

LOS ANGELES, CA (December 11, 2014) – Saban Brands (SB) today announced the formation of two new units within the company, Saban Brands Lifestyle Group and Saban Brands Entertainment Group. Saban Brands Lifestyle Group (SBLG) was established to drive major expansion within the company’s diverse portfolio of fashion and lifestyle properties. To further solidify the foundation of Saban Brands, the company has simultaneously established Saban Brands Entertainment Group (SBEG) to oversee its entertainment portfolio.

Saban Brands has seen rapid growth over the past year across its portfolio of both entertainment and lifestyle brands. SBLG currently includes Paul Frank, a globally recognized, iconic fashion brand which features artistic designs for the young and young at heart, and recently acquired Macbeth, an apparel, footwear and accessories brand inspired by musicians. SBLG is dedicated to growing its portfolio of owned properties by acquiring a diverse group of consumer, fashion and lifestyle brands. SBLG will be led by Dan Castle, Managing Director of Strategic Business Development, from Saban Brands’ New York office and showroom. Castle will continue to report to Elie Dekel, President of Saban Brands.

“Saban Brands Lifestyle Group's focus is to actively acquire and grow brands that have a passionate consumer following,” said Castle. “SBLG is unique in that our brands will benefit from Saban’s vast resources and global reach.”

Alongside SBLG is SBEG, which includes existing powerhouse brands Power Rangers, Julius Jr. and Digimon Fusion as well as Popples, Luna Petunia and Emojiville in development. SBEG will continue to dedicate itself to developing innovative content that resonates with consumers across all media platforms.

“We have proven our approach to brand management and expansion, so these new units were a natural progression for us,” said Elie Dekel, President of Saban Brands, who will oversee the Entertainment Group and lead on the company’s expansion from the Los Angeles headquarters. “With the development of Saban Brands Lifestyle Group and Saban Brands Entertainment Group, we now have the opportunity to further elevate our current and future portfolio of properties in each of these sectors.”

About Saban Brands

Formed in 2010 as an affiliate of Saban Capital Group, Saban Brands (SB) was established to acquire and develop a worldclass portfolio of properties in the entertainment and lifestyle sectors. SB applies a global 360-degree management approach to growing and monetizing its brands through content, media, marketing, distribution, licensing and retail to markets worldwide and consumers of all ages. SB operates out of its global offices in Los Angeles, New York, London, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Singapore. For more information, visit www.sabanbrands.com.

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N.E.R.D Reunite To Record New Song "Squeeze Me" For "The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water" Soundtrack

The entertainment news websites Rolling Stone and AceShowBiz.com is reporting the exciting news that the American rock, funk, and hip hop band N.E.R.D have reunited to release a brand-new song titled "Squeeze Me" for the soundtrack for Nickelodeon Movies and Paramount Animation's upcoming "SpongeBob SquarePants" movie, "The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water"!

The fun and summery up-tempo song by Pharrell Williams, Chad Hugo and Shay Haley premiered on Friday 26th December 2014 and is set for an official release on Monday 5th January 2015, The recording is N.E.R.D's first new track since 2010, when their latest album "Nothing" arrived.

"The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water" centers on SpongeBob SquarePants and his Bikini Bottom pals as they go on a epic quest. After a pesky pirate named Alameda Jack, played by Antonio Banderas, finds a magical book which gives anybody writing on its pages the power to do just about whatever they want, he discovers that the final page is missing and sets out on a mission to retrieve the missing page, which is protected deep under the surface by one legendary hero - SpongeBob SquarePants! After the pirate gets his hands on the last page of the book to put his evil plans in motion, SpongeBob, Patrick Star, Sandy Cheeks, Squidward Tentacles and Mr. Krabs discover that to save their underwater world, they must come to ours. After arriving on the surface and meeting a few humans, they learn that to fight off the menace endangering their beloved Bikini Bottom and get the last page back into the right hands so that they can rewrite the story, they must become superheroes - SpongeBob SquarePants becomes The Invincibubble, Patrick Star turns into Mr. Superawesomeness, Squidward Tentacles is Sour Note, Mr. Krabs turns into Sir Pinch-A-Lot, Sheldon J. Plankton becomes Plank-Ton, and Sandy Cheeks is The Rodent. Get ready for a movie so extreme, you'll need new pants! "The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water" features a mix of 2D & 3D CG-animation and live action.

"The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water" will be released in theatres in the USA on Friday 6th February 2015 and in Digital 3D and 2D in cinemas across the UK on Friday 20th March 2015!:

N.E.R.D Reunites for 'SpongeBob SquarePants' Movie Soundtrack 'Squeeze Me'

Pharrell, Chad Hugo and Shay Haley reunite for their first song since putting out the latest N.E.R.D. album 'Nothing' in 2010.

N.E.R.D is finally back with new music. The trio comprising of Pharrell Williams, Chad Hugo and Shay Haley has made a contribution to the soundtrack of the upcoming "The Spongebob Movie: Sponge Out of Water", recording a new song called "Squeeze Me".

The fun and summery up-tempo song was premiered on Friday, December 26. "The best part is the middle of me/ I'm your sponge baby go on and squeeze/ I'm better than pillows, won't you believe me/ Squeeze me," Pharrell sings from the perspective of SpongeBob SquarePants.

Set for an official release on January 5, 2015, "Squeeze Me" is N.E.R.D's first new track since 2010, when their latest album "Nothing" arrived. "We're trying not to think too much in a cartoon sense," Hugo said of the song in a recent interview with Variety. "But more just like a psychedelic, otherworldy type of thing. If you want to draw a parallel, maybe think of what The Beatles did with 'Yellow Submarine'."

"The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water", adapted from the popular Nickelodeon series created by Stephen Hillenburg, focuses on SpongeBob and the gang as they try to get back the krabby patty secret formula stolen by Antonio Banderas' Burger-Beard the Pirate. It arrives in U.S. theaters on February 6, 2015.

Also, from Rolling Stone:

Pharrell Reunites With N.E.R.D. for 'Squeeze Me'

The Neptunes offshoot records their first song together in four years for 'SpongeBob SquarePants' sequel soundtrack

Pharrell Williams has reunited with his fellow N.E.R.D. members Chad Hugo and Shay Haley for "Squeeze Me," the Neptunes offshoot's first new song in four years. The bouncy track will feature on the upcoming soundtrack for The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water. While the trio briefly reunited in concert in November, "Squeeze Me" marks N.E.R.D.'s first recording together since they released their fourth LP Nothing in 2010.

The "Squeeze Me" single will officially be released January 5th. Given the G-rated nature of its target audience, the tropical-flavored "Squeeze Me" is closer in sound and vibe to Pharrell's Grammy-nominated Despicable Me 2 solo hit "Happy" than N.E.R.D.'s raunchy singles like "Lapdance."

"We're trying not to think too much in a cartoon sense, but more just like a psychedelic, otherworldy type of thing," N.E.R.D.'s Hugo told Variety of their work for The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water soundtrack. "If you want to draw a parallel, maybe think of what the Beatles did with Yellow Submarine."

While Pharrell has kept busy working on everything from Beyoncé to "Get Lucky" and "Blurred Lines" to Gwen Stefani's upcoming solo LP – not to mention serving as a coach on The Voice – the producer is still making efforts to keep his In Search Of… crew alive. During Pharrell's all-star set at the Odd Future's Camp Flog Gnaw Festival in November, Williams brought out Hugo and Haley to join him for the trio's 2002 single "Rock Star."

"There will always be an N.E.R.D.," Pharrell said during a London concert in September. "I'm happy to be a nerd; the bullies lost, the nerds win."

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Nickelodeon Helps Young Cancer Patient Have A Turtley Awesome Christmas

The Manchester Evening News and the Daily Mail Online are reporting the heartwarming news how Nickelodeon helped a brave young cancer patient have a Turtley Awesome Christmas!

Surprise: The story of his bravery recently made headlines around the world and now staff at children's TV channel Nickelodeon have sent Harley a box full of Ninja Turtle presents for Christmas

"Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" megafan Harley Renshaw, five, is unfortunately fighting a rare cancer in his kidney, neck, lung and bones, and has made a special Ninja Turtle mask to help him face the gruelling radiotherapy treatment.

Hospital staff were amazed when the youngster, from Stretford, asked if he could decorate the protective medical mask that holds him still while having his treatment.

Harley faces more treatment in the New Year, but is thankfully at home from hospital for Christmas

After the story of his bravery recently made headlines around the world, staff at Nickelodeon helped make sure Harley had a ShellTastic Christmas by arranging for two actors from the networks hit CG-animated "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" series to phone him at his home direct from Los Angeles, and send Harley a box full of "Ninja Turtle" Christmas presents!

Harley's father Oliver, 25, said: "Nickelodeon have been fantastic. They've absolutely spoiled Harley. We've had to go and buy a huge toy box just for his Ninja Turtle toys."

Harley faces more treatment in the New Year, but is thankfully at home from hospital for Christmas.

Oliver added: "It's been really overwhelming. Harley is doing well and we're really pleased that we will be spending Christmas at home."

Oliver and mother Stacey, 23, were given Harley's devastating diagnosis after taking him to see a doctor with a pain in his tummy.

He was diagnosed with neuroblastoma - a rare and aggressive childhood cancer - and is now taking part in a clinical trial funded by Cancer Research UK at Royal Manchester Children's Hospital.

Harley has also had 14 days of radiotherapy at The Christie. His story came to light after he was awarded one of Cancer Research UK's Little Star Awards, which acknowledge the unique challenges faced by youngsters who encounter cancer.

Alison Barbuti, from Cancer Research UK, said: "Harley's story has helped raise a huge amount of awareness about the Little Star Awards and lots of other children who have faced a cancer diagnosis will have been nominated for the award or readers inspired to donate to our research as a result of his bravery."

"If anyone would like to nominate a child for a Little Star award, please visit www.cruk.org.uk/littlestar."

Tina McCann, Managing Director at Nickelodeon UK and Ireland said: "All of us at Nickelodeon were moved by Harley's story and we wanted to help to bring additional Turtle Power to his life."

"We are so pleased to hear that he likes the Turtle action figures that we sent over and that we were able to coordinate a call between Harley and two of the actors from the series."

"We hope that Harley and his family have a brilliant Christmas and that 2015 brings them every happiness."

You can view a selection of photographs of Harley Renshaw and a video in which Harley explains his love of the "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" here on The Manchester Evening News and the Daily Mail Online!

Nickelodeon UK To Premiere New Show "Max & Shred" January 2015

A Snowboard Pro Gets a Brand New Bro in Nickelodeon UK's Brand-New Show!

Nickelodeon UK, the number one commercial kids TV network in the UK, has announced the exciting Nick UK news in their new trailer/promo that Nickelodeon UK and Ireland and Nickelodeon HD UK will start to premiere and show Nickelodeon and Breakthrough Entertainment's brand-new live-action buddy-comedy series "Max & Shred" in January 2015!

"Max & Shred" chronicles the hilarious and unlikely friendship between Max Asher (Jonny Gray), a celebrity snowboarder, and Alvin "Shred" Ackerman (Jake Goodman, "Life with Boys"), a science whiz-kid, who become roommates and instant "bros" when Max moves to Colorado to train for the Winter Cup. The two boys must work to become friends and learn to navigate the trials of teenage life from completely opposite points of view. It's gonna be siiiiick!

This season on "Max & Shred", the boys will find themselves in hilarious situations that everyday teens' experience. From liking the same girl to navigating the crazy halls of high school to fighting over who gets a new room, Max and Shred may approach life differently but in the end, they always have each other's back.

"Max & Shred" (26 X 30) is created by writing partners Ben MacMillan and Josh Greenbaum whose credits include CW's "Swordfighting", CBS's "Homeland Insecurity" and the Paramount feature film "The Mascot". The series is executive produced by George Doty IV who is no stranger to the Nickelodeon family having written and co-executive produced some of the networks biggest hit shows including "iCarly", "Victorious" and the beloved buddy-comedy series "Drake & Josh".

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Nickelodeon UK To Premiere New Episodes Of "See Dad Run" From Monday 5th January 2015

Nickelodeon UK, the number one commercial kids TV network in the UK, has announced the exciting Nick UK news in their latest "All New All Nick" trailer/promo that Nickelodeon UK and Ireland and Nickelodeon HD UK will be premiering and showing more brand-new episodes of Nick's popular family comedy series "See Dad Run" from Monday 5th January 2015!

According to Digiguide, Nick UK & Eire/HD will premiere each all-new episode of "See Dad Run" at 6:00pm (repeated at 7:00pm on Nickelodeon+1) and will be airing an encore of each episode the same night at 9:00pm (10:00pm).

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