Tuesday, May 05, 2015

Woodblock Creates Fresh Idents For Nickelodeon

Original Woodblock Press Release via Animation World Network:

Woodblock Creates Fresh IDs for Nickelodeon

New Nickelodeon bumpers come in a range of animation techniques, including stop-motion and traditional 2D.


BERLIN -- Animation prodco Woodblock teamed up with the creative team at Nickelodeon Germany to develop a series of four new bumpers for Nickelodeon.

From the very beginning, this project was a collaborative process with the client allowing a great deal of creative freedom to the directors and their teams. Woodblock's directors were involved from the earliest stage, including development of concepts. Each director was given the opportunity to develop an idea he was truly excited about without any limitation in style or technique. This resulted in a variety of unique styles, including traditional stop-motion and 2D animation.

The production process occurred over a very relaxed timeframe, so all the projects were able to be finished until everyone was fully satisfied with the final result.

Check out the new bumpers, below:

Spaghetti - Directed by Gottfried Mentor

Nickelodeon Spaghetti by Gottfried Mentor from Woodblock on Vimeo.

Rollercoaster - Directed by Regina Welker

Nickelodeon Rollercoaster by Regina Welker from Woodblock on Vimeo.

Slime - Directed by Polynoid

Nickelodeon Slime by Polynoid from Woodblock on Vimeo.

Tuba - Directed by Biniman

Nickelodeon Tuba by Biniman from Woodblock on Vimeo.

Established by award-winning directorial team Polynoid, Woodblock is a high-profile production company for animated content. From its offices in Berlin, Stuttgart and Munich, Woodblock creates and produces commercials and independent short films, music videos and game trailers offering a broad range of unique styles and techniques.

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Cyma Zarghami Honored by Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America at Luncheon

Original Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America Press Release via GlobeNewswire:

Top Female Oscar de la Renta and Nickelodeon Executives Honored by Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America at Luncheon

April 23, 2015 12:30 ET


NEW YORK, April 23, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, three New York City businesswomen and one high school student were honored as part of the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America's 22nd annual Women of Distinction Luncheon at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel. Eliza Bolen, executive vice president of Oscar de la Renta, was honored as the Woman of Distinction in Fashion. Cyma Zarghami, president of Viacom's Kids and Family Group, was honored as the Woman of Distinction in Business. Lara Englebardt Metz of Lara Metz Nutrition was honored as the Woman of Distinction in Nutrition & Health. Chloe Hubbe, a ninth grade student at Columbia Preparatory School, was honored as this year's Rising Star.

"My mom has had Crohn's disease all my life -- it's changed who I am and inspired me to help others living with these diseases and educate my peers about Crohn's and ulcerative colitis," said Chloe Hubbe. "I've volunteered and raised money for Camp Oasis, a summer camp that supports children living with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. I also started a teen awareness campaign in New York City schools. I want to thank CCFA naming me this year's Rising Star. I hope to help inspire the next generation of supporters to find a cure for Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis once and for all."

Veteran news reporter and Crohn's disease patient Cynthia McFadden of NBC News hosted this year's luncheon. The luncheon's honorary chairs were Nancy Brown and Diane Miller, and the chairs were Ellen Crown, Elyse Newhouse, Michelle Swarzman, and Michele Sweetwood. This year's luncheon also featured a fashion show from Oscar de la Renta, showcasing its Fall 2015 collection for the first time in New York. This event marked the New York debut of Oscar de la Renta's Fall 2015 collection, Creative Director Peter Copping's debut collection for the fashion house.

The Women of Distinction Luncheon draws well-known attendees from New York society. This year, attendees included Betsy Baron, Debra Black, Emily Blavatnik, Clarissa Bronfman, Samantha Brous, Veronica Bulgari, Maureen Cogan, Betsy Cohn, Ellen and Dan Crown, Jennie DeScherer, Beth Dozoretz, Gary Fuhrman, Jane Holzer, June Jacobs, Carol Kalikow, Barbara Lane, Judy Lauder, Bonnie Englebardt Lautenberg, Dalia Leeds, Karen LeFrak, Ninah Lynne, Phyllis Mack, Sondra Mack, Linda Macklowe, Patty McEnroe, Trish McEvoy, Gillian Miniter, Marcia Mishaan, Elyse Newhouse, Pamela Pantzer, Perri Peltz, Denise Rich, Lois Robbins, Deborah Roberts, Peter Thomas and Noreen Roth, Carolyn Rowan, Dr. Gail Saltz, Mara Sandler, Josh Schulman, Dr. Howard Sobel, Dr. Robbyn Sockolow, Sara Star, Candice Stark, Bonnie Strauss, Michelle Swarzman, Vanessa Trump, Priscilla Rattazzi Whittle and Caryn Zucker.

Over the past 22 years, the Women of Distinction Luncheon has honored New York City women who are making a difference in the lives of those living with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Over the past three years, the luncheon has raised more than $5.4 million to support research and education of these debilitating inflammatory bowel diseases.

"The Women of Distinction Luncheon is an incredibly important event that provides CCFA with the opportunity to publicly acknowledge and thank some of the incredible women whose work profoundly touches the lives of patients with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis every day," said Michele Zellers, executive director of CCFA's Greater New York Chapter. "This year's honorees have gone above and beyond professionally and personally to support the 1.6 million Americans living with an inflammatory bowel disease. I applaud Eliza, Cyma, Lara, and Chloe for their ongoing support of those living with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, both in New York and around the country."

Known collectively as inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are painful, medically incurable diseases that attack the digestive system. Crohn's disease may attack anywhere along the digestive track, while ulcerative colitis inflames only the large intestine (colon). Symptoms may include abdominal pain, persistent diarrhea, rectal bleeding, fever, weight loss and fatigue, and many patients require numerous hospitalizations and surgeries.

Photos from today's luncheon are available upon request.

About CCFA

The Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA) is the largest voluntary non-profit health organization dedicated to finding cures for Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD). CCFA's mission is to cure Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, and to improve the quality of life of children and adults who suffer from these diseases. The Foundation works to fulfill its mission by funding research, providing educational resources for patients and their families, medical professionals, and the public, and furnishing supportive services for those afflicted with IBD. For more information, visit www.ccfa.org, call 888-694-8872, like us on Facebook, find us on LinkedIn or follow us on Twitter.

About Eliza Bolen

Eliza Bolen is Executive Vice President of Oscar de la Renta, LLC., an international luxury goods firm headquartered in New York City. Within the company, Eliza oversees the development of the ready to wear collections as well as accessories, home products, childrenswear and fragrance.

Eliza graduated from Brown University in 1992 with a BA in Modern European History. She and her husband, Alex, who serves as Oscar de la Renta's Chief Executive Officer, are the proud parents of three boys.

About Cyma Zarghami


Cyma Zarghami is the President of Viacom Inc's (Nasdaq:VIA) and (Nasdaq:VIAB) Kids' and Family Group, a portfolio of content brands that includes all of the linear, online, mobile and consumer products divisions of Nickelodeon, TV Land and CMT. Based in New York, she reports to Philippe Dauman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Viacom.

Ms. Zarghami began her career at Nickelodeon in 1985, and over the years rose through the company ranks. She was named President of the Nickelodeon Group in 2006, assuming oversight for all of the company's creative and business operations. Now in its 36th year, Nickelodeon is the world's most widely distributed kids' channel, with 50 channels reaching more than 350 million people in 25 languages.

In February, 2015, Viacom President and Chief Executive Officer Philippe Dauman expanded Ms. Zarghami's responsibilities to include oversight of TV Land and CMT, naming her President of the newly-formed Viacom Kids' and Family Group.

During her years leading Nickelodeon, Ms. Zarghami has nurtured the continued growth and expansion of the Nickelodeon brand in television and beyond while ensuring it has remained true to its primary mission of serving and being inclusive of all kids.

Under her leadership, the network is serving the newest generation of kids with content they can watch on every platform, including linear television, on-demand and mobile. From gold-standard preschool programming to the best in animation and live action comedies, Nickelodeon continues to lead and innovate on behalf of kids.

Ms. Zarghami has also expanded Nickelodeon's pro-social leadership role as a key component of its brand identity. Under its award-winning The Big Help banner, Nickelodeon informs and empowers kids of all ages to connect kids to issues they have said are important to them and their families. In fall, 2014, Nickelodeon celebrated its 11th annual Worldwide Day of Play in New York City.

Ms. Zarghami lives with her family in New York City.

About Lara Englebardt Metz

Lara Englebardt Metz's, MS, RD, CDN, love of food and cooking, coupled with a passion to help others led her to New York University where she earned a master's degree in clinical nutrition. Lara completed her dietetic internship at New York Methodist Hospital in affiliation with NYU and immediately knew she wanted to work in a private setting which would allow long-term relationships with my clients.

Lara offers a lifestyle-based approach to nutrition and health and excels in delivering the personal support her clients' needs. She has a keen ability to listen and understand her clients' strengths, weaknesses and ultimate nutrition and health goals. Lara develops customized plans for each client and works closely with each client and their support system including executive assistants, chefs, partners and other members of their team.

Lara is a member of the American Dietetic Association, Greater New York Dietetic Association, Nutrition Entrepreneurs, Weight Management Dietetic Practice Group, and Women's Health and Reproductive Nutrition Dietetic Practice Group. She has contributed to national websites and magazines including Thebump.com, Glamour and Life and Style. Lara lives in New York City with her husband, Corey, and daughters, Avery and Macy.

About Chloe Hubbe

Chloe Elizabeth Hubbe is grateful to everyone affiliated with the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America for being selected the Rising Star Recipient for 2015. Chloe began her involvement with the CCFA in 2012 when she pledged time and resources for Camp Oasis as part of her Bat Mitzvah project. Since that time, Chloe has stayed connected with the CCFA. In 2014 she started a teen awareness campaign across New York City schools to raise funds for research, increase awareness of the disease, and to help inspire the next generation of supporters to find a cure once and for all!

Chloe's involvement in the CCFA is very personal, as she has grown up seeing firsthand how Crohn's disease has affected the life of her mother, Dana. Limitations on diet, all too frequent episodes of stomach pain, several late night trips to a hospital ER and a weeklong stay for surgery are not the kind of memories that a child should have of their mother. However, Chloe has time and time again risen to the occasion by responding with empathy, love and support. Our family, her friends, and the CCFA are inspired by Chloe's commitment to such a personal and socially important cause.

Chloe's passion for achievement is also seen in her dedication to academics and extra curricular activities at Columbia Preparatory School where she is in the 9th grade. Chloe is active in the school theatre department, and a player on the varsity tennis team.

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Monday, May 04, 2015

Snoop Dogg Takes Rap Music to a Whole New Level in New "Sanjay and Craig" Special "Street Dogg", Premiering 5/17 On Nickelodeon USA

Original Nickelodeon USA Press Release via TV by the Numbers:

Entertainment Icon Snoop Dogg Takes Rap Music to a Whole New Level in Half-Hour Special of Nickelodeon's Sanjay and Craig, "Street Dogg" Premieres Sunday, May 17, at 7:30 p.m. (ET/PT)

Snoop Dogg Guest Stars as Street Dogg in the Brand-New Episode


Music sensation Snoop Dogg guest stars as Street Dogg, a rap icon who moves in next door to Sanjay and Craig in the special half-hour premiere of Emmy nominated series, Sanjay and Craig, "Street Dogg," Sunday, May 17, at 7:30 p.m. (ET/PT) on Nickelodeon. Street Dogg is a cool, funny, friendly guy who is always eager to rhyme with the kids. He's come to town to escape the bright lights of LA, chill out, make some new music and live a quiet suburban life.

During the special, Sanjay and Craig discover that Street Dogg was once part of a rap duo with none other than Remington Tufflips, the boys' action-movie idol. They set out to reunite the former pair, but their failed efforts only lead to a town divided—and the mother of all rap battles!

Sanjay and Craig is an original animated series that follows the misadventures of Sanjay, an excitable and irreverent 12-year-old boy (Maulik Pancholy, 30 Rock) and his best friend Craig, a smooth-talking snake and master of disguise (Chris Hardwick, The Talking Dead). Together, they embark on awesome kid-inspired quests that are at times totally ridiculous, absolutely gross and weirdly sweet. The series was created by Jim Dirschberger, Jay Howell and Andreas Trolf, and is executive produced by award-winning animation team Chris Viscardi and Will McRobb.

Viewers can visit the Sanjay and Craig page on Nick.com, the Nick App and Tumblr to learn more about the show and its characters, get a behind-the-scenes look at the series and play new Frycade games. Episodes of Sanjay and Craig are available on Nick.com and the Nick App, along with platforms including iTunes, Amazon, Xbox, Google Play, Vudu, Playstation, Hulu and VOD.

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Carte Blanche Powers Up With Saban Brands For New Range Of Products

Carte Blanche Group has announced two exciting new licensing deals with Saban Brands!


Following the phenomenal success of its 3D lenticular cards, Carte Blanche leverages its position as the UK's leading independently owned greetings card publisher to strike a deal with Saban Brands to produce a range of eye popping new products around two of its iconic properties, "Power Rangers" and "Paul Frank".

Saban Brands' UK Commercial Director, Tim Juckes comments, "We are excited to see this iconic series brought to life through 3D cards and will be launching with the new Power Rangers Dino Charge theme."

Carte Blanche will also be launching a range of fashion and lifestyle led greeting cards representing the globally recognised, pop-culture inspired "Paul Frank" brand.

Carte Blanche Founder & Chairman, Stephen Haines, comments: "The origins of Paul Frank, which was born in 1995 out of a garage in a Southern California beach town, really captured my imagination. Our design studio is looking forward to unveiling their creative concepts around this inspiring lifestyle brand at PG Live this June."

Saban's "Power Rangers" and "Paul Frank" adds a powerful new dynamic to the already strong Carte Blanche Greetings portfolio, with the launch to include a variety of innovative greeting cards and gift bag concepts which will reach retail in the UK and Eire later this year.

In additional "Power Rangers" news, Lionsgate has pushed back the US theatrical release date for their upcoming "Power Rangers" movie by six months to from Friday 22nd July 2016 to Friday 13th January 2017. No explanation from the filmmakers

Not much is known about the reboot film, other than that it will focus on a group of teenagers with special powers, who band together to fight evildoers bent on destroying the globe, and that the original Green Ranger actor Jason David Frank is expected to appear. Lionsgate, the studio behind the "Hunger Games" franchise, is distributing the film. Original "Power Rangers" creator Haim Saban is producing, alongside "Hunger Games" producer Allison Shearmur.
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Meet Mondo Gecko In The Next Brand-New Episode Of "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles", Premiering 5/10 On Nickelodeon USA!

Nickelodeon has announced the Turtley Awesome news in their latest TMNT promo that Nickelodeon USA will premiere the brand new episode of "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" season three titled "Meet Mondo Gecko", which introduces fan-favorite Mondo Gecko on Sunday 10th May 2015 at 11:00am ET/PT!



Mondo Gecko image via TMNT Wiki

Mondo Gecko is a mutant Leopard Gecko with a zeal for skateboarding who first appeared in the hit 1980's "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" animated series. In Nickelodeon's hit CG-animated series, Mondo Gecko will be voiced by Robbie Rist, who voiced Michelangelo in the live-action "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" movies in the 1990's.

Additional sources: TMNTPedia, TMNT Wiki.
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