NickALive!: 12/31/12

Nickelodeon Australia has unveiled the Nickelodeon News in the following Press Release (via twitdoc.com) that they and Tennis Australia have announced an exciting new partnership that will see Nickelodeon, the world's leading kids' entertainment company, produce the entertainment for MLC Tennis Hot Shots' Kids Tennis Day 2013 event, which will be held at Melbourne Park on Saturday 12th January 2013 as part of the Australian Open 2013. To headline the biggest ever Kids Tennis Day, some of Nickelodeon's best loved characters, such as "SpongeBob SquarePants" and "Dora the Explorer", will share the arena with some of the world's best tennis players. Also in the mix will be Nickelodeon's trademark green slime – relished by kids at events such as the Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards and "SlimeFest" – which will entertain families in the "Slime Time Live" stage show! Nickelodeon's full schedule of shows and events at MLC Tennis Hot Shots' 2013 Kids Tennis Day will also feature action on Garden Square Stage; a Garden Square Activity Zone; Court 6 wackiness with Nickelodeon's Oz's very own presenters, Luke and Wyatt (also known as Luke Ryan and Wyatt Nixon-Lloyd); and "The Rod Laver Arena Spectacular", where tennis superstars will get silly while showing off their skills – plus, one of Australia’s top music acts (to be announced soon!) will wow the crowd with an on-court concert experience not to be missed!:

MEDIA RELEASE

NICKELODEON PARTNERS WITH TENNIS AUSTRALIA FOR THE BIGGEST EVER KIDS TENNIS DAY!

Kids Tennis Day at Australian Open 2013 – 8.30am-1.00pm, Saturday 12 January, 2013

Event maps and schedule available online: hotshots.tennis.com.au

SYDNEY, 11 December, 2012 - Nickelodeon Australia and Tennis Australia today announced an exciting new partnership that will see Nickelodeon, the world’s leading kids’ entertainment company, produce the entertainment for the next annual Kids Tennis Day in 2013. This year’s event will feature The Rod Laver Arena Spectacular and is set to be the greatest day of tennis and kids' entertainment ever seen at Melbourne Park. Gates open from 8.30am, with activities running from 9.00am -1.00pm
on 12 January as part of Australian Open 2013.

Already a highly-anticipated family event for tennis fans around the country, Kids Tennis Day was established in 2011 in association with Tennis Australia's MLC Tennis Hot Shots program for kids. This year’s event attracted an impressive crowd of more than 8000 people. In 2013, Nickelodeon will play a driving role in designing and promoting Kids Tennis Day activities to its target audience nationwide, and will bring to the table its expertise in producing large-scale entertainment events for kids.

To headline the biggest ever Kids Tennis Day, some of Nickelodeon's best loved characters, such as SpongeBob SquarePants and Dora the Explorer, will share the arena with some of the world’s best tennis players. Also in the mix will be Nickelodeon's trademark green slime – relished by kids at events such as the Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards and SlimeFest – which will entertain families in the Slime Time Live stage show.

The full schedule of shows and events will feature action on Garden Square Stage; a Garden Square Activity Zone; Court 6 wackiness with Nickelodeon's own Luke and Wyatt; and The Rod Laver Arena Spectacular, where tennis superstars will get silly while showing off their skills – plus, one of Australia's top music acts (soon to be announced!) will wow the crowd with an on-court concert experience.

Ben Richardson, General Manager for Nickelodeon Australia and New Zealand, said the partnership between Tennis Australia and Nickelodeon was an excellent match:

“Tennis is one of the world’s best loved sports, with equal appeal to both girls and boys, making it an ideal sports association for Nickelodeon. We’re thrilled to be working on Kids Tennis Day 2013, bringing our brands and music connections to the event,” he said.

“Nick and Tennis Australia enjoyed working together earlier this year promoting the Hot Shots program for kids, integrating our Nick hosts Luke and Wyatt into a national competition to visit one of the tennis camps. We can’t wait to see how many aces we can serve up together at Kids Tennis Day in January – and you can’t ask for a better platform than the Australian Open!”

Craig Tiley, Australian Open Tournament Director, added:

“Kids Tennis Day has fast become one of the feature dates on the Australian Open calendar. We are excited to be taking the event to the next level and presenting our biggest and best program of events ever in 2013,” Tiley said.

“As well as showcasing our major participation program, MLC Tennis Hot Shots, and providing awesome on-court experiences, we will give away 500 racquets throughout the day, encouraging more kids to get involved in our great sport.”

Leader of the MLC Tennis Hot Shots program, former elite coach Craig Morris, can’t wait for the big day:

“Kids Tennis Day gives families the chance to enjoy free tennis events and entertainment as we count down to Australian Open 2013. It is designed to introduce children to the sport in a fun, friendly environment and we are looking forward to welcoming thousands of children through the gates here at Melbourne Park next month,” Morris said.

The entire family will love the Rod Laver Arena Spectacular, featuring tennis superstars, Nickelodeon characters, Nickelodeon hosts Luke and Wyatt and big music acts.

Kids will also have the chance to unleash their inner tennis star on the world famous Melbourne Park courts, and to meet some of their favourite tennis players at Autograph Island.

Entry to Kids Tennis Day is FREE but due to popularity, patrons are encouraged to submit their details online to receive a free venue map and event schedule. To find out more, go to: hotshots.tennis.com.au

– ends –

IMAGES AVAILABLE FOR MEDIA USE – please download here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/australian-open/

Media contacts:

Nickelodeon
Vasinee Jordan - Communications Manager
Nickelodeon Australia & New Zealand
02 9813 6262
Vasinee.Jordan@nickaus.com.au

Tennis Australia
Erin Carter - Publicist
Tennis Australia
03 9914 4138
ECarter@tennis.com.au

About Nickelodeon Networks: Now in its 33rd year globally and 17th year in Australia, Nickelodeon is the number one entertainment brand for kids and the company has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does. Nickelodeon Australia has been named Channel of The Year twice by the ASTRA Awards and won numerous other awards for local productions, events and digital applications. Nickelodeon and Nick Jr. channels air 24 hours a day, seven days a week and are seen in over 2.2 million households via Foxtel. The company portfolio extends across television, online, mobile, theme parks, consumer products and music. www.nickelodeon.com.au

About Australian Open 2013: Tickets for Australian Open 2013 are now on sale through www.ticketek.com.au

Australian Open 2013, presented by Kia Motors in association with ANZ, Jacob's Creek and Rolex, will take place at Melbourne Park, Melbourne, from 14 to 27 January.

NickALive!

Monday, December 31, 2012

Nickelodeon France Announces Plans To Fully Premiere Nick's Brand New CGI-Animated "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" TV Series From Saturday 5th January 2013!

Nickelodeon Australia Partners With Tennis Australia To Hold The Biggest Ever Kids Tennis Day Event In January 2013!

Correction: Nickelodeon UK To Premiere Brand New Episodes Of "Supah Ninjas" From Monday 7th January 2013!