Nickelodeon Names James Stephenson Senior Vice President, Animation And Games

Original Nickelodeon USA Press Release via NickPress.com:

NICKELODEON NAMES JAMES STEPHENSON SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, ANIMATION AND GAMES

Burbank, Calif. – July 22, 2015 – Nickelodeon has named James Stephenson to the newly created position of Senior Vice President, Animation and Games, adding animation production and development to his current responsibilities of digital content creation. Stephenson will be based at Nickelodeon's animation studio in Burbank, Calif., reporting to Russell Hicks, President, Content Development and Production, Nickelodeon Group.

In this new role, Stephenson will guide current series creative and also have oversight of day-to-day operations for animation development, short form, series, and games, ushering in a new production model for the studio focused on expanding Nickelodeon's development and production capabilities.

"James' outstanding track record for producing highly successful content across all of Nickelodeon's screens makes him the perfect addition to the Nickelodeon animation team, as we take a more holistic approach to the development process, said Hicks. "His keen eye for identifying unique ideas and innate strategic mindset will be a huge asset as we continue to expand and evolve our animation pipeline."

Most recently, Stephenson served as Senior Vice President of Content Development, Digital Media. He was responsible for the creative development of original content for Nickelodeon's digital destinations, including Nick's websites, Apps, digital platforms and premium games publishing businesses. Under his leadership, the network launched its first-ever original digital series, Welcome to the Wayne, which subsequently has been greenlit for television after a successful run on the network's digital platforms.

Stephenson joined Nickelodeon in 2008, as Senior Vice President, Creative Director, Digital; overseeing creative development for all digital media including online, mobile and console/handheld platforms.

Prior to joining Nickelodeon, Stephenson served as Vice President of Digital Creative, Product Development at MTV Networks, where he managed a development group within MTV Networks focused on shifts in programming and strategy for content on digital platforms. Earlier, Stephenson was Creative Director at Atom Entertainment, publisher of online entertainment sites AtomFilms.com, Shockwave.com and AddictingGames.com.

Nickelodeon, now in its 36th 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, online, recreation, books and feature films. Nickelodeon's U.S. television network is seen in almost 100 million households and has been the number-one-rated basic cable network for 20 consecutive years. 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).

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Photo via Animation World Network

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Behind The Scenes Of Brand-New "Sanjay and Craig" Episode "Snake Parts Unknown" With Guest Star Anthony Bourdain

Dudes, what's up? To celebrate culinary extraordinaire Anthony Bourdain guest starring in the brand-new "Sanjay and Craig" episode "Snake Parts Unknown", premiering Saturday 25th July 2015 at 11:30am ET/PT, Nick USA have unveiled a super all-new video which goes behind the scenes with Señor Bourdain to learn more about the character he plays on his favorite cartoon show! If you ever wanted to hear Anthony Bourdain say, "Definitely one of the best things I have ever shoved in my facehole", then this video is for you! Check it!:

Nickelodeon USA Unveils Sneak-Peek At Upcoming Brand-New "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" Season Three Episodes

To celebrate Nickelodeon USA starting to premiere more brand new episodes from "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" season three every Saturday at 11:00am ET/PT from Sunday 2nd August 2015, Nick USA has unveiled a fantastic TMNT Vine featuring a Turtley Awesome 6-second sneak-peek preview at what's in store for the four mutant Heroes in a Half-Shell turtles in the all-new episodes, which you can watch in the video clip below! Just watch out for the MEGA SHREDDER!!!

Spin Master Launches "PAW Patrol" Summer Tour Across The USA

Original Spin Master Ltd. Press Release from CNW via PR Newswire:

Spin Master Launches PAW Patrol Tour

Summer tour will visit fairs across the country with life-size PAW Patroller vehicle and bring to life characters from the wildly popular pre-school series

TORONTO, July 22, 2015 /CNW/ - Spin Master Corp., a leading global children's entertainment company, is set to launch the PAW Patrol Tour, a multi-city activation to bring the popular series closer to fans. The tour will visit 9 state and county fairs across the US from July to October, with additional stops scheduled at select retail locations, and feature a full-size version of the iconic PAW Patroller vehicle.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150722/239949)

"Kids across the country have shown their love for PAW Patrol and we want to thank them and their families for all the support," says Tor Sirset, Vice President Preschool and Girls Team at Spin Master. "The PAW Patrol Tour is a way to give families the opportunity to experience PAW Patrol up close and in real life. We are so thrilled by the support fans have shown the series and look forward to meeting fans, new and old, across the country this summer."

The PAW Patrol tour will travel from state to state beginning July 25, visiting nine fairs until its completion in October. Each stop will feature the life-size PAW Patroller vehicle, as well as kids' activities, family photo opportunities, new toys and limited edition giveaways. The tour is also being joined by other Spin Master properties Little Charmers, Chubby Puppies and Sick Bricks.

The PAW Patrol Tour will visit the following fairs:

July 25-26 - OC County Fair - Costa Mesa, CA

August 1-2 - New Jersey State Fair - Branchville, NJ

August 7-9 - Wisconsin State Fair - West Allis, WI

August 15-16 - Illinois State Fair - Springfield, IL

August 22-23 - Kentucky State Fair - Louisville, KY

August 29-30 - Minnesota State Fair - St Paul, MN

September 11-13 - York Fair - York, PA

September 19-20 - Massachusetts State Fair - West Springfield, MA

October 3-4 - State Fair of Texas - Dallas, TX

A co-production between Spin Master Entertainment and Nickelodeon, PAW Patrol is a CG-animated, action-adventure preschool series starring a pack of six heroic puppies led by a tech-savvy 10-year-old boy named Ryder. The series' unique blend of problem-solving skills, cool vehicles and cute doggy humor has propelled it to become TV's number-one preschool series. PAW Patrol made its U.S. debut on Nickelodeon in August 2013 and has been picked up for a third season, to launch later this year.

For additional information and to keep track of the tour, fans can visit PAWPatrol.com/Tour and follow the adventure using #PAWPatrolTour.

About Spin Master Corp.
Spin Master is a leading global children's entertainment company that creates, designs, manufactures and markets a diverse portfolio of innovative toys, games, products, and entertainment properties. Spin Master is best known for award-winning brands including Bakugan Battle Brawlers™, Air Hogs®, Spin Master Games™ and the 2015 Toy of the Year, Zoomer™ Dino. Since 2005, Spin Master has received 60 TIA Toy of The Year (TOTY) nominations with 16 wins across a variety of product categories. Spin Master has been recognized with 11 TOTY nominations for Innovative Toy of the Year, more than any of its competitors. Spin Master is among a limited number of companies that not only develop and produce global entertainment properties, characters and content, but also monetize that content through the creation, sale and licensing of products. To date, Spin Master has produced five television series, including 2007 hit series Bakugan and current hits PAW Patrol, which is broadcast in over 160 countries and territories globally, and Little Charmers. Spin Master employs over 850 people with offices in Canada, United States, France, Italy, United Kingdom, Slovakia, Germany, Holland, Mexico, China, Hong Kong and Japan.

About Nickelodeon
Nickelodeon, now in its 36th 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, online, recreation, books and feature films. Nickelodeon's U.S. television network is seen in almost 100 million households and has been the number-one-rated basic cable network for 20 consecutive years. 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).

SOURCE Spin Master Ltd.

RELATED LINKS
http://www.spinmaster.com

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Nickelodeon Calls For Entries For First-Ever "What's Your Nickfluence?" Animation Scholarship Challenge In Partnership With Get Schooled To Award A $25,000 Scholarship

Original Nickelodeon USA Press Release via The Futon Critic:

NICKELODEON CALLS FOR ENTRIES FOR FIRST-EVER "WHAT'S YOUR NICKFLUENCE?" ANIMATION SCHOLARSHIP CHALLENGE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH GET SCHOOLED TO AWARD A $25,000 SCHOLARSHIP

Call for Global Submissions Open Now through Sept. 14, 2015

Los Angeles-(July 22, 2015)- Nickelodeon, the number-one entertainment brand for kids, and Get Schooled, a national non-profit co-founded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Viacom, are giving one skilled and innovative young animator the chance to win a $25,000 scholarship through the inaugural "What's Your Nickfluence?" Animation Challenge. The open call for original animated shorts is open now through Sept. 14, 2015, and marks the first-ever animation scholarship program between the two organizations, which will help elevate and support the brightest up and coming animators by giving them an opportunity to submit their story.

"What's Your Nickfluence?" Animation Challenge is a global short film competition which gives eligible participants the opportunity to create an original, Nick-inspired short film - no longer than three (3) minutes - that celebrates Nickelodeon's past and present shows and brand, and how these influenced the applicant's art, childhood and life.

The scholarship opportunity is open to 17-24 year-old college students in which applicants will be required to submit an animated short in any format. Realizing that talent is found across all age ranges and in all corners of the globe, 13-17 year-old high school students are also invited to submit a short in any format for the chance to win a Wacom Cintiq 13HD Interactive Pen Display, along with a one year subscription for Adobe Creative Cloud services. All applicants must submit their entries in accordance with the submission process described in the below link, comply with all official rules, and provide satisfactory verification of age and school status.

Following the entry period, finalists will be selected by a panel of judges, and the top entries in each of the two age categories will be announced November 2015 as finalists. From Sept. 28, 2015 through Nov. 15, 2015 fans will have the chance to vote for their favorite "People's Choice" short at Get Schooled.com. There will be one winner in the college category and five winners in the high school category, who will be announced in November 2015, along with the "People's Choice" short winner. For additional details on the submission process and official rules, please visit https://getschooled.com/nickfluencechallenge.

About Nickelodeon

Nickelodeon, now in its 36th 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, online, recreation, books and feature films. Nickelodeon's U.S. television network is seen in more than 100 million households and has been the number-one-rated basic cable network for 20 consecutive years. Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB).

About Get Schooled

Get Schooled, a non-profit launched in 2010 by Viacom and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, with the belief that students themselves have the power to improve their future if given the right information and motivation. Get Schooled works with 2,000 high schools across the United States and draws 1.8 million students to its website annually.

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Additional link: Nickfluence.com.

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