Nickelodeon To Open "Nickland" In Germany

From AWN Headline News:

Nickelodeon To Open "Nickland" In Germany

Nickelodeon and Movie Park Germany, a premiere film and entertainment theme park, have signed a multi-year strategic partnership to bring Nickelodeon's children's animated television programs to life in a 15,000 square-meter interactive adventure zone called Nickland. Scheduled to open in April 2007 at Movie Park Germany in Bottrop-Kirchellen, Nickland will feature seven all-new immersive attractions and will be the first Nick-themed adventure site in Europe.

Also inclusive within the new partnership, Nickelodeon and Movie Park Germany will create co-branded promotions and marketing campaigns, develop licensing and merchandising programs within the park and increase advertising on Nickelodeon's popular kids channel, Nick in Germany. This agreement grants Movie Park Germany theme park rights to use Nickelodeon's characters and intellectual properties, including SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS, JIMMY NEUTRON, DORA THE EXPLORER, MY LIFE AS A TEENAGE ROBOT, DANNY PHANTOM and THE BACKYARDIGANS, at its theme park. Nickelodeon costume characters such as SpongeBob SquarePants and Patrick Starfish, Dora the Explorer and Jimmy Neutron, will be on-site at the park for meet-and-greets with kids and their families.

"Nick and Movie Parks Germany epitomise kids, families and fun, and together we are exceptionally well positioned to create an innovative, bespoke destination for German kids," commented Markus Andorfer, vp, Nick and Comedy Central, Germany. "Nick has the highest brand affinity among kids in Germany and Nickland at Movie Parks will serve the same objectives, where kids come first and have fun."

Bill Muirhead, ceo Starparks Europe, added, "We are extremely excited to be partnering with Nick and bringing their incredibly popular characters to life in our amusement park. This coming season, only at Movie Park Germany, guests will have the chance to meet their favorite characters such as SpongeBob SquarePants, Dora the Explorer and Jimmy Neutron in an eye-catching environment that brings a whole new dimension to their visit and experience."

"This is a significant step in Nickelodeon's rapid growth within the German market," said Howard Smith, svp, Nickelodeon Recreation. "Kids and their families now have a new home base at Movie Park where they can experience Nickelodeon first-hand and meet their favorite characters."

The first attractions to premiere will be Jimmy Neutron's 'Atomic Flyer' and 'Splash Bash,' a romp through the undersea world of SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS.

Situated among five hectares of world-class movie studios in Bottrop-Kirchhellen, Movie Park Germany offers visitors a day behind the scenes. Stunt, musical and animation shows, attractions and high-speed roller coasters and water rides are staged among five movie-themed areas. Movie Park Germany works in close partnership with film studios such as Metro Goldwyn Mayer and 20th Century Fox, as well as with Internet companies, television and radio stations.