I'm With Cupid | Valentine's Day Marathon! | Thursday at 4pm E/P!
It's Valentine's Day! And YTV is celebrating with all your favourites! So grab your red roses, heart shaped candies and your valentine and join YTV for a hearty helping of Valentine's Day fun! It's I'm With Cupid! Thursday, February 14 starting at 4pm E/P!
Featuring: The Thundermans, SpongeBob SquarePants, The Loud House, Henry Danger, Knight Squad, Nicky, Ricky, Dicky & Dawn and more!
More YTV: YTV Asks Fans To "Keep It Weird" As Channel Fetes 30th Anniversary!
Follow NickALive! on Twitter, Tumblr, Reddit, via RSS, on Instagram, and/or Facebook for the latest Valentine's Day on Nickelodeon Canada and Nicktoons News and Highlights!
Friday, February 08, 2019
Viacom CFO Wade Davis on Cheddar - 2/5/2019 | Viacom
Viacom CFO Wade Davis on Cheddar - 2/5/2019
Viacom CFO Wade Davis appeared on Cheddar following Viacom's release of its first-quarter fiscal 2019 earnings. He discussed the growing revenue streams that Viacom has manufactured outside of its core business, the immeasurable unlocked value of the company’s content library, the importance of creating more value for distributors, and the game-changing pending acquisition of Pluto TV – the largest free streaming television service in the United States.
More Nick: Nickelodeon and Netflix Sign Original Animated Film Deal; Announces 'Rise of the TMNT' and 'The Loud House' Movies!
Follow NickALive! on Twitter, Tumblr, Reddit, via RSS, on Instagram, and/or Facebook for the latest Nickelodeon and Viacom News and Highlights!
Viacom CFO Wade Davis appeared on Cheddar following Viacom's release of its first-quarter fiscal 2019 earnings. He discussed the growing revenue streams that Viacom has manufactured outside of its core business, the immeasurable unlocked value of the company’s content library, the importance of creating more value for distributors, and the game-changing pending acquisition of Pluto TV – the largest free streaming television service in the United States.
More Nick: Nickelodeon and Netflix Sign Original Animated Film Deal; Announces 'Rise of the TMNT' and 'The Loud House' Movies!
Follow NickALive! on Twitter, Tumblr, Reddit, via RSS, on Instagram, and/or Facebook for the latest Nickelodeon and Viacom News and Highlights!
Spin Master | 20th Anniversary Documentary
Spin Master | 20th Anniversary Documentary
To celebrate the 20th anniversary of Spin Master, and to recognize our relentless drive to push the boundaries of innovation, creativity, and fun, we created this documentary looking back at our exciting journey.
Spin Master was founded in 1994 by two childhood friends, Ronnen Harary and Anton Rabie, soon after graduation from The University of Western Ontario. Ben Varadi, a classmate of Anton's from The University of Western Ontario's Richard Ivey School of business, joined the Company subsequently in 1994.
Spin Master has achieved significant growth over the past two decades, transforming itself from a small, single-product toy company into a leading global, diversified, multi-platform and highly innovative children's entertainment company. The business has progressed through key stages, from start-up growth, building the base, Bakugan growth, refocusing to diversified growth, and now operating across all toy industry super categories.
In 1998, Spin Master launched its Air Hogs brand, the first products designed to be easily flown by children and required limited assembly. The brand came to the company from two British inventors based on an innovative design involving a miniature engine powered by compressed air. Air Hogs has come to represent affordable, technologically-advanced, and innovative vehicles with hobby-grade remote control performance, designed and priced for the mass market.
From 2002 - 2007, Spin Master expanded its international footprint, establishing sales and distribution offices across western Europe. The company also opened its Los Angeles marketing and design hub, allowing the company to access deep local toy design, marketing, and engineering talent. During this time of growth, Spin Master made its first significant acquisition, acquiring X-Concepts, Inc, maker of Tech Deck. This growth allowed expansion of the company's licensing capabilities and relationships with major entertainment companies. In late 2007, Spin Master launched the most successful product in its history, Bakugan. The Bakugan brand started out as an inventor's sketch of a ball that could be opened up to reveal a character inside. The brand immediately attracted a large following among five to ten-year old boys and the richness of the Bakugan characters, story and game play provided Spin Master the opportunity to extend the brand with the co-development of a global animated television series.
But as Bakugan approached the end of its product lifecycle and the company experienced a significant decline in sales, it needed to take swift action to rightsize the business, and reorganize and reduce operating risk. The roles of its founders were refined, and the company strategically complemented its executive management team with the addition of executives, including a new Global President and Chief Operating Officer, Ben Gadbois. These swift actions put Spin Master back on course for growth.
Today, the company has resumed its history of growth, with a renewed focus on diversification and increased operational and financial discipline. It has expanded into a number of new toy categories, organically and through acquisitions. The company's acquisition of Spy Gear expanded the company's offering in boys action and outdoor toys; the acquisition of Meccano provided an entry into the building sets category; and, the acquisition of Cardinal Games has made Spin Master the #2 manufacturer in the games & puzzles category in North America.
In July 2015, Spin Master completed its public offering and began trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange.
Since 2000, Spin Master has received 103 Toy of The Year (TOTY) nominations with 28 wins across a variety of product categories, including 13 TOTY nominations for Innovative Toy of the Year, more than any of its competitors. Spin Master has been nominated for more Innovative TOTY awards than any other toy company.
The company's continued investment and support of its entertainment division has also yielded meaningful results. To date, Spin Master has produced six television series, including the 2007 success, Bakugan Battle Brawlers, and current hit PAW Patrol, which is broadcast in over 160 countries and territories globally.
When Spin Master began to chart its course in the children's entertainment industry, the founders recognized that in order to compete successfully with the established brands of larger companies, they had to design and market innovative products that would "wow" consumers and disrupt the traditional toy market. With the inspiration of its founders, who remain actively engaged in the business, Spin Master has maintained a deeply rooted culture of creativity, partnership, and passion.
Pushing the boundaries of innovation, creativity, and fun!
Happy anniversary, Spin Master! :)
Watch PAW Patrol, Rusty Rivets and Abby Hatcher on Nickelodeon!
Visit spinmaster.com for more information about Spin Master.
To celebrate the 20th anniversary of Spin Master, and to recognize our relentless drive to push the boundaries of innovation, creativity, and fun, we created this documentary looking back at our exciting journey.
Spin Master was founded in 1994 by two childhood friends, Ronnen Harary and Anton Rabie, soon after graduation from The University of Western Ontario. Ben Varadi, a classmate of Anton's from The University of Western Ontario's Richard Ivey School of business, joined the Company subsequently in 1994.
Spin Master has achieved significant growth over the past two decades, transforming itself from a small, single-product toy company into a leading global, diversified, multi-platform and highly innovative children's entertainment company. The business has progressed through key stages, from start-up growth, building the base, Bakugan growth, refocusing to diversified growth, and now operating across all toy industry super categories.
In 1998, Spin Master launched its Air Hogs brand, the first products designed to be easily flown by children and required limited assembly. The brand came to the company from two British inventors based on an innovative design involving a miniature engine powered by compressed air. Air Hogs has come to represent affordable, technologically-advanced, and innovative vehicles with hobby-grade remote control performance, designed and priced for the mass market.
From 2002 - 2007, Spin Master expanded its international footprint, establishing sales and distribution offices across western Europe. The company also opened its Los Angeles marketing and design hub, allowing the company to access deep local toy design, marketing, and engineering talent. During this time of growth, Spin Master made its first significant acquisition, acquiring X-Concepts, Inc, maker of Tech Deck. This growth allowed expansion of the company's licensing capabilities and relationships with major entertainment companies. In late 2007, Spin Master launched the most successful product in its history, Bakugan. The Bakugan brand started out as an inventor's sketch of a ball that could be opened up to reveal a character inside. The brand immediately attracted a large following among five to ten-year old boys and the richness of the Bakugan characters, story and game play provided Spin Master the opportunity to extend the brand with the co-development of a global animated television series.
But as Bakugan approached the end of its product lifecycle and the company experienced a significant decline in sales, it needed to take swift action to rightsize the business, and reorganize and reduce operating risk. The roles of its founders were refined, and the company strategically complemented its executive management team with the addition of executives, including a new Global President and Chief Operating Officer, Ben Gadbois. These swift actions put Spin Master back on course for growth.
Today, the company has resumed its history of growth, with a renewed focus on diversification and increased operational and financial discipline. It has expanded into a number of new toy categories, organically and through acquisitions. The company's acquisition of Spy Gear expanded the company's offering in boys action and outdoor toys; the acquisition of Meccano provided an entry into the building sets category; and, the acquisition of Cardinal Games has made Spin Master the #2 manufacturer in the games & puzzles category in North America.
In July 2015, Spin Master completed its public offering and began trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange.
Since 2000, Spin Master has received 103 Toy of The Year (TOTY) nominations with 28 wins across a variety of product categories, including 13 TOTY nominations for Innovative Toy of the Year, more than any of its competitors. Spin Master has been nominated for more Innovative TOTY awards than any other toy company.
The company's continued investment and support of its entertainment division has also yielded meaningful results. To date, Spin Master has produced six television series, including the 2007 success, Bakugan Battle Brawlers, and current hit PAW Patrol, which is broadcast in over 160 countries and territories globally.
When Spin Master began to chart its course in the children's entertainment industry, the founders recognized that in order to compete successfully with the established brands of larger companies, they had to design and market innovative products that would "wow" consumers and disrupt the traditional toy market. With the inspiration of its founders, who remain actively engaged in the business, Spin Master has maintained a deeply rooted culture of creativity, partnership, and passion.
Pushing the boundaries of innovation, creativity, and fun!
Happy anniversary, Spin Master! :)
Watch PAW Patrol, Rusty Rivets and Abby Hatcher on Nickelodeon!
Visit spinmaster.com for more information about Spin Master.
Spin Master Melds Story, Character, Play in TV Show 'Abby Hatcher'
Spin Master melds story, character, play in TV show 'Abby Hatcher'
Ronnen Harary, co-founder and co-CEO of the Spin Master toy and entertainment company, poses for a photograph at their office in Toronto on Tuesday, January 29, 2019. Nathan Denette / THE CANADIAN PRESS
TORONTO — “Aspirational” is a word that comes up often as Spin Master co-founder Ronnen Harary describes the spunky lead character of his company’s latest preschool TV series Abby Hatcher.
Along with original stories, it’s a quality writers strive for because “if the characters are aspirational, there’s a chance that potentially the kids will want to buy some merchandise and some toys.”
That realization helped turned Spin Master’s other preschool series Paw Patrol into a licensing and programming juggernaut, and Harary would love a repeat with Abby Hatcher.
That’s aspirational, too.
“We’re about play and storytelling,” Harary told the Financial Post during a recent interview at Spin Master’s airy, light-filled downtown offices, where boxed toys greet visitors in the lobby and giant plush Chase and Skye dolls from Paw Patrol nestle into auditorium seats overlooking the cafeteria.
“At the end of the day it’s the love of the characters, and potentially how the characters emote and how the characters interact on the show that can translate well in the physical play. That’s the marriage of the two.”
Spin Master’s origins as a toy company in 1994 positioned it well to expand into digital and TV content over the past dozen years, says Harary, crediting that early focus on making toys kids like with the ability to hone a sense of shows kids watch.
And while toys can influence program development, the TV hits boost toy lines, adds Jennifer Dodge, executive vice president of Spin Master Entertainment.
“At Spin Master we have a very special situation,” acknowledges Dodge, who joined Spin Master in 2009, but left briefly in 2015 to head preschool programming at Nickelodeon for two years.
“When you marry the knowledge of what children love from a storytelling and a character standpoint with what they want to play with, it gives you the maximum amount of knowledge you need to go out and build a world of stories that are really going to resonate with children.”
A few blocks from Spin Master’s headquarters, actor Macy Drouin erupts in coos while watching spritely animated creatures bound onscreen at Abby Hatcher's audio production studio, Vapor Music.
The 13-year-old voice lead has seen them countless times but says she genuinely adores the so-called Fuzzlies, who are the trouble-prone pals to her title character.
“Oh, he’s so cute,” Drouin squeals when one of her favourites (they’re all her favourite) appears. “I get goosebumps every time!”
Drouin says she wouldn’t mind voicing her seven-year-old heroine for a few more years.
Even though she’s well beyond the target demographic, Drouin admits she and her friends are also fans of Paw Patrol, which they watch with her friend’s little brother.
For those who’ve escaped the grip Paw Patrol holds on many households with young children, the show centres on a 10-year-old boy and his pack of rescue dogs, each of whom have special abilities and cool vehicles. They include Marshall the firefighting Dalmatian, Chase the German shepherd police dog and Skye, the cocker spaniel pilot.
In addition to reaching beyond the traditional preschool demographic, Harary says he’s been surprised by data that suggests Paw Patrol is equally appealing to boys and girls.
Still, when Rob Hoegee pitched Abby Hatcher as a humour-filled series led by a courageous and caring girl, Spin Master saw a chance to add “a girl-oriented” show to their roster, which also includes the boy-led Rusty Rivets.
Early data on Abby Hatcher, which premiered Jan. 1 on Nickelodeon in the United States and debuts in Canada on Monday, February 11th on TVO and Knowledge, suggests the series is subverting gender expectations, too, says Harary: “Actually, more boys are watching the show than girls, which is completely fascinating.”
Again, he credits that to the fact Abby “does really interesting, cool things” and is “aspirational.”
“We’re not a research-heavy company. We’re more of an art, intuitive-based company,” adds Harary.
Abby Hatcher has been in development for close to four years to nail down the writing, cast, animation, music and direction.
“It’s not just like, ‘Oh, they kind of look like a toy so then they’re going to work,”' he says, agreeing that the Fuzzlies seem like obvious toys. “It’s much deeper, it’s much more complex.”
But of course, Abby-themed toys are on the horizon. Harary says plushies will likely land at the end of the year, and more products are on deck for 2020.
Harary is also bullish on the recent re-launch of the Bakugan toy line and TV show, and continued growth for Paw Patrol, which hits TV Tokyo in April.
“It’s the first North American preschool show to come to Japan in over 10 years,” he boasts of the series, seen in Canada on Netflix and the provincial broadcasters TVO, B.C.’s Knowledge, City Saskatchewan, and Tele-Quebec, and on Nickelodeon channels globally.
Dodge touts Spin Master’s holistic approach to kids entertainment as unique but also necessary for a generation of digital natives whose play patterns blur regularly with their computer, mobile and TV screen habits.
“Today, our audience really doesn’t differentiate between physical product and what they have on the screen. If you love a character and a world, you want to experience it on every level and that could be passively by watching a story on television or on your iPad,” she says.
“It could be more active by using an app and exploring that world digitally. Or it could be more physically where you’re building out that play yourself and taking the power in your own hands.”
Abby Hatcher airs regularly on Nickelodeon USA and premieres in Canada on Monday, February 11, 2019 on TVO and Knowledge Network at 7:57am. PAW Patrol and Rusty Rivets airs regularly on Nickelodeon channels worldwide. Abby Hatcher will roll out on Nickelodeon’s international channels and branded blocks throughout 2019.
More Nick: Nickelodeon USA Premieres 'Abby Hatcher'!
Follow NickALive! on Twitter, Tumblr, Reddit, via RSS, on Instagram, and/or Facebook for the latest Nickelodeon Preschool, Nick Jr. and Abby Hatcher News and Highlights!
Ronnen Harary, co-founder and co-CEO of the Spin Master toy and entertainment company, poses for a photograph at their office in Toronto on Tuesday, January 29, 2019. Nathan Denette / THE CANADIAN PRESS
TORONTO — “Aspirational” is a word that comes up often as Spin Master co-founder Ronnen Harary describes the spunky lead character of his company’s latest preschool TV series Abby Hatcher.
Along with original stories, it’s a quality writers strive for because “if the characters are aspirational, there’s a chance that potentially the kids will want to buy some merchandise and some toys.”
That realization helped turned Spin Master’s other preschool series Paw Patrol into a licensing and programming juggernaut, and Harary would love a repeat with Abby Hatcher.
That’s aspirational, too.
“We’re about play and storytelling,” Harary told the Financial Post during a recent interview at Spin Master’s airy, light-filled downtown offices, where boxed toys greet visitors in the lobby and giant plush Chase and Skye dolls from Paw Patrol nestle into auditorium seats overlooking the cafeteria.
“At the end of the day it’s the love of the characters, and potentially how the characters emote and how the characters interact on the show that can translate well in the physical play. That’s the marriage of the two.”
Spin Master’s origins as a toy company in 1994 positioned it well to expand into digital and TV content over the past dozen years, says Harary, crediting that early focus on making toys kids like with the ability to hone a sense of shows kids watch.
And while toys can influence program development, the TV hits boost toy lines, adds Jennifer Dodge, executive vice president of Spin Master Entertainment.
“At Spin Master we have a very special situation,” acknowledges Dodge, who joined Spin Master in 2009, but left briefly in 2015 to head preschool programming at Nickelodeon for two years.
“When you marry the knowledge of what children love from a storytelling and a character standpoint with what they want to play with, it gives you the maximum amount of knowledge you need to go out and build a world of stories that are really going to resonate with children.”
A few blocks from Spin Master’s headquarters, actor Macy Drouin erupts in coos while watching spritely animated creatures bound onscreen at Abby Hatcher's audio production studio, Vapor Music.
The 13-year-old voice lead has seen them countless times but says she genuinely adores the so-called Fuzzlies, who are the trouble-prone pals to her title character.
“Oh, he’s so cute,” Drouin squeals when one of her favourites (they’re all her favourite) appears. “I get goosebumps every time!”
Drouin says she wouldn’t mind voicing her seven-year-old heroine for a few more years.
Even though she’s well beyond the target demographic, Drouin admits she and her friends are also fans of Paw Patrol, which they watch with her friend’s little brother.
For those who’ve escaped the grip Paw Patrol holds on many households with young children, the show centres on a 10-year-old boy and his pack of rescue dogs, each of whom have special abilities and cool vehicles. They include Marshall the firefighting Dalmatian, Chase the German shepherd police dog and Skye, the cocker spaniel pilot.
In addition to reaching beyond the traditional preschool demographic, Harary says he’s been surprised by data that suggests Paw Patrol is equally appealing to boys and girls.
Still, when Rob Hoegee pitched Abby Hatcher as a humour-filled series led by a courageous and caring girl, Spin Master saw a chance to add “a girl-oriented” show to their roster, which also includes the boy-led Rusty Rivets.
Early data on Abby Hatcher, which premiered Jan. 1 on Nickelodeon in the United States and debuts in Canada on Monday, February 11th on TVO and Knowledge, suggests the series is subverting gender expectations, too, says Harary: “Actually, more boys are watching the show than girls, which is completely fascinating.”
Again, he credits that to the fact Abby “does really interesting, cool things” and is “aspirational.”
“We’re not a research-heavy company. We’re more of an art, intuitive-based company,” adds Harary.
Abby Hatcher has been in development for close to four years to nail down the writing, cast, animation, music and direction.
“It’s not just like, ‘Oh, they kind of look like a toy so then they’re going to work,”' he says, agreeing that the Fuzzlies seem like obvious toys. “It’s much deeper, it’s much more complex.”
But of course, Abby-themed toys are on the horizon. Harary says plushies will likely land at the end of the year, and more products are on deck for 2020.
Harary is also bullish on the recent re-launch of the Bakugan toy line and TV show, and continued growth for Paw Patrol, which hits TV Tokyo in April.
“It’s the first North American preschool show to come to Japan in over 10 years,” he boasts of the series, seen in Canada on Netflix and the provincial broadcasters TVO, B.C.’s Knowledge, City Saskatchewan, and Tele-Quebec, and on Nickelodeon channels globally.
Dodge touts Spin Master’s holistic approach to kids entertainment as unique but also necessary for a generation of digital natives whose play patterns blur regularly with their computer, mobile and TV screen habits.
“Today, our audience really doesn’t differentiate between physical product and what they have on the screen. If you love a character and a world, you want to experience it on every level and that could be passively by watching a story on television or on your iPad,” she says.
“It could be more active by using an app and exploring that world digitally. Or it could be more physically where you’re building out that play yourself and taking the power in your own hands.”
Abby Hatcher airs regularly on Nickelodeon USA and premieres in Canada on Monday, February 11, 2019 on TVO and Knowledge Network at 7:57am. PAW Patrol and Rusty Rivets airs regularly on Nickelodeon channels worldwide. Abby Hatcher will roll out on Nickelodeon’s international channels and branded blocks throughout 2019.
More Nick: Nickelodeon USA Premieres 'Abby Hatcher'!
Follow NickALive! on Twitter, Tumblr, Reddit, via RSS, on Instagram, and/or Facebook for the latest Nickelodeon Preschool, Nick Jr. and Abby Hatcher News and Highlights!
Nickelodeon To Develop Norman Lear Animated Project, 'Man of the House' [Updated: 2/8/19]
Originally published: Wednesday, May 23, 2018
Update (8/2/19): The New York Post is reporting that Nickelodeon has put the Man of the House project on hold for now. Please note that this is currently unconfirmed, however, it is attached to a article featuring an interview with Leer.
Official Nickelodeon USA Press Release:
BURBANK, Calif.--May 23, 2018--Nickelodeon today announced the development of a new animated project, Man of the House (working title), from Norman Lear's ACT III Productions. With creative concept by Colombian-American writer and illustrator Michael Molina (Trivia Night), Man of the House follows 11-year-old José as he helps his mother Maria watch over his two younger siblings, Maria Juliana (Maju) and Diego, while trying to form a hip-hop group with his quirky classmate and neighbor, Wilbur, that lives downstairs. Lear (All in the Family, The Jeffersons) and Brent Miller (One Day at a Time) will serve as executive producers.
The development of Norman Lear's project will be overseen by Claudia Spinelli, who has been promoted to the role of Vice President, Animation Development. Formerly Vice President of Current Series, Spinelli will oversee the development pipeline of all new animated content, while identifying potential creators, showrunners, writers and directors. She will also work closely with Nickelodeon's talent relations department and the animation community to scout new talent for animation development.
"Norman has been telling stories about families, parents and kids for many years, and it's so exciting that he and his producing partners Brent and Michael, want to tell this story to today's generation of Nick kids," said Chris Viscardi, Senior Vice President, Nickelodeon Animation.
Viscardi continued, "I am also incredibly excited that Claudia will oversee the development of this project, among many more, as Nick's new head of development. Claudia has shepherded some of today's most popular series including SpongeBob Square Pants and Sanjay and Craig. She is a true creative partner and a trusted voice with a love for storytelling. I look forward to her continued leadership in our animation group."
Spinelli began her career at Nickelodeon in 2000 in the development department. In 2002, she expanded her role by joining the Current Series group as a creative executive overseeing the brand management of SpongeBob SquarePants, The Fairly OddParents, Jimmy Neutron and Avatar. Throughout her career at Nickelodeon, she has also worked on animated shows Sanjay and Craig, Robot and Monster, Making Fiends, and Planet Sheen, among others. As SpongeBob SquarePants grew in popularity, Spinelli was elevated to Executive in Charge of the series in 2007. For the past decade, her work on SpongeBob SquarePants has extended beyond the show as she has helped initiate projects throughout other areas of the company including: marketing partnerships with Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade; SpongeBob SquarePants theme park attractions; video games featuring the iconic character; and the most recent debut of SpongeBob SquarePants: The Broadway Musical, which was recently nominated for 12 Tony Awards.
Spinelli holds a BFA in film from New York University. She also earned an MFA in Animation and Digital Arts from University of Southern California, where later she taught a class on Introductory Principles of Motion for Animation for the Interactive Media Department. In between her degrees, Spinelli has held a number of positions in various animation houses in New York City on commercials and short films.
Founded in 1985 by television icon Norman Lear, ACT III Productions is a media company dedicated to creating and or producing content that not only entertains, but also creates a conversation and is best known for producing popular films including Stand by Me, The Princess Bride and Fried Green Tomatoes.
Brent Miller, Lear's producing partner and head of production and development for the company, also serves as an executive producer with Lear on projects including the critically acclaimed reimagining of One Day at a Time, documentary series America Divided, and upcoming pilot Guess Who Died.
After graduating from Columbia University in New York City, Michael Molina produced sketch videos and feature film, Trivia Night, with comedy troupe Local Empire before relocating to Los Angeles. Molina has also written educational animated TED talks that have garnered millions of views online, covering topics ranging from déjà vu to vampires.
Nickelodeon, now in its 39th 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 company includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, digital, recreation, books and feature films. Nickelodeon's U.S. television network is seen in more than 90 million households and has been the number-one-rated kids' basic cable network for 22 consecutive years. Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB).
###
More Nick: Nickelodeon Greenlights New Original Animated Comedy Series 'Pony' | Nick Upfront 2018!
Via TheFutonCritic.com; Additional sources: Wikipedia, IndieWire; H/T: TVKIDS.
Follow NickALive! on Twitter, Tumblr, Google+, via RSS, on Instagram, and/or Facebook for the latest News and Highlights!
Follow NickALive! on Twitter, Tumblr, Reddit, via RSS, on Instagram, and/or Facebook for the latest Nickelodeon and Man of the House News and Highlights!
Update (8/2/19): The New York Post is reporting that Nickelodeon has put the Man of the House project on hold for now. Please note that this is currently unconfirmed, however, it is attached to a article featuring an interview with Leer.
Official Nickelodeon USA Press Release:
NICKELODEON TO DEVELOP NORMAN LEAR ANIMATED PROJECT, "MAN OF THE HOUSE"
Claudia Spinelli to Oversee Project as Newly Appointed Vice President of Animation Development at Nickelodeon
BURBANK, Calif.--May 23, 2018--Nickelodeon today announced the development of a new animated project, Man of the House (working title), from Norman Lear's ACT III Productions. With creative concept by Colombian-American writer and illustrator Michael Molina (Trivia Night), Man of the House follows 11-year-old José as he helps his mother Maria watch over his two younger siblings, Maria Juliana (Maju) and Diego, while trying to form a hip-hop group with his quirky classmate and neighbor, Wilbur, that lives downstairs. Lear (All in the Family, The Jeffersons) and Brent Miller (One Day at a Time) will serve as executive producers.
The development of Norman Lear's project will be overseen by Claudia Spinelli, who has been promoted to the role of Vice President, Animation Development. Formerly Vice President of Current Series, Spinelli will oversee the development pipeline of all new animated content, while identifying potential creators, showrunners, writers and directors. She will also work closely with Nickelodeon's talent relations department and the animation community to scout new talent for animation development.
"Norman has been telling stories about families, parents and kids for many years, and it's so exciting that he and his producing partners Brent and Michael, want to tell this story to today's generation of Nick kids," said Chris Viscardi, Senior Vice President, Nickelodeon Animation.
Viscardi continued, "I am also incredibly excited that Claudia will oversee the development of this project, among many more, as Nick's new head of development. Claudia has shepherded some of today's most popular series including SpongeBob Square Pants and Sanjay and Craig. She is a true creative partner and a trusted voice with a love for storytelling. I look forward to her continued leadership in our animation group."
Spinelli began her career at Nickelodeon in 2000 in the development department. In 2002, she expanded her role by joining the Current Series group as a creative executive overseeing the brand management of SpongeBob SquarePants, The Fairly OddParents, Jimmy Neutron and Avatar. Throughout her career at Nickelodeon, she has also worked on animated shows Sanjay and Craig, Robot and Monster, Making Fiends, and Planet Sheen, among others. As SpongeBob SquarePants grew in popularity, Spinelli was elevated to Executive in Charge of the series in 2007. For the past decade, her work on SpongeBob SquarePants has extended beyond the show as she has helped initiate projects throughout other areas of the company including: marketing partnerships with Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade; SpongeBob SquarePants theme park attractions; video games featuring the iconic character; and the most recent debut of SpongeBob SquarePants: The Broadway Musical, which was recently nominated for 12 Tony Awards.
Spinelli holds a BFA in film from New York University. She also earned an MFA in Animation and Digital Arts from University of Southern California, where later she taught a class on Introductory Principles of Motion for Animation for the Interactive Media Department. In between her degrees, Spinelli has held a number of positions in various animation houses in New York City on commercials and short films.
Founded in 1985 by television icon Norman Lear, ACT III Productions is a media company dedicated to creating and or producing content that not only entertains, but also creates a conversation and is best known for producing popular films including Stand by Me, The Princess Bride and Fried Green Tomatoes.
Brent Miller, Lear's producing partner and head of production and development for the company, also serves as an executive producer with Lear on projects including the critically acclaimed reimagining of One Day at a Time, documentary series America Divided, and upcoming pilot Guess Who Died.
After graduating from Columbia University in New York City, Michael Molina produced sketch videos and feature film, Trivia Night, with comedy troupe Local Empire before relocating to Los Angeles. Molina has also written educational animated TED talks that have garnered millions of views online, covering topics ranging from déjà vu to vampires.
Nickelodeon, now in its 39th 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 company includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, digital, recreation, books and feature films. Nickelodeon's U.S. television network is seen in more than 90 million households and has been the number-one-rated kids' basic cable network for 22 consecutive years. Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB).
More Nick: Nickelodeon Greenlights New Original Animated Comedy Series 'Pony' | Nick Upfront 2018!
Via TheFutonCritic.com; Additional sources: Wikipedia, IndieWire; H/T: TVKIDS.
Follow NickALive! on Twitter, Tumblr, Google+, via RSS, on Instagram, and/or Facebook for the latest News and Highlights!
Follow NickALive! on Twitter, Tumblr, Reddit, via RSS, on Instagram, and/or Facebook for the latest Nickelodeon and Man of the House News and Highlights!
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