Nickelodeon Unveils Pictures Of The Stars And Characters Of Their Brand New Shows!

To celebrate Nickelodeon unveiling their 2013-2014 season highlights as their annual upfront presentation (Nickelodeon Upfront 2013) on Tuesday 26th February 2013, Nickelodeon has released a series of brand new images featuring photographs and pictures of the stars, casts and characters of some of their brand new shows, which will be premiering on Nick USA soon!:


"Sam & Cat": In this live-action comedic spin-off from award-winning creator and executive producer Dan Schneider ("iCarly", "Victorious", "Drake & Josh", "Zoey 101"), "Sam & Cat" stars Jennette McCurdy ("iCarly"'s Sam Puckett ) and Ariana Grande ("Victorious"' Cat Valentine) reprising their roles from their respective hit shows. The series features the pair as unlikely roommates and best friends who become teen entrepreneurs by starting their own after-school babysitting business. "Sam & Cat" is currently in production on 20 episodes in Los Angeles, California, USA and will premiere this on Nickelodeon USA in Fall 2013.

"Sanjay & Craig": The 20-episode animated series tells the story of two best friends -- one of whom is a snake -- and the true adventures of being a kid. Voice actors include: Maulik Pancholy ("30 Rock") as Sanjay; Chris Hardwick ("Nerdist", "Back at the Barnyard") as Craig; Tony Hale ("Arrested Development") as Mr. Noodman; Linda Cardellini ("Freaks and Geeks") as Megan; Kunal Nayyar ("The Big Bang Theory") as Vijay; and Grey DeLisle ("Fairly Odd Parents") as Darlene. "Sanjay & Craig" is created and co-executive produced by Jim Dirschberger , Jay Howell (character design for "Bob's Burgers") and Andreas Trolf, and executive produced by Nickelodeon alumni Will McRobb and Chris Viscardi ("The Adventures of Pete & Pete", "Alvin and the Chipmunks").

"Breadwinners": Created by Gary "Doodles" DiRaffaele ("MAD", "Metalocalypse"), who was discovered from Nick's 2012 Animated Shorts Program, and Steve Borst ("Teen Titans Go!", "MAD"), "Breadwinners" is a animated series that follows two booty-shaking ducks as they operate a bread delivery service out of their awesome, jet-fueled rocket van. The series was picked up for 20 full-length episodes.

"The Haunted Hathaways": Life in The Big Easy gets a little more complicated and way more spirited in this all-new live-action series when the Hathaway siblings (Amber Montana, Breanna Yde) and their mom (Ginifer King) move into a house already occupied by a dad ( Chico Benymon ) and his sons ( Curtis Harris , Benjamin "Lil P-Nut" Flores Jr.) who happen to be ghosts. Created by veteran comedy writer-producer Robert Peacock ("Reba", "The Jeff Foxworthy Show"), "The Haunted Hathaways" is executive produced by Boyce Bugliari & Jamie McLaughlin ("Bucket & Skinner's Epic Adventures"). The series will begin production on 20 episodes this spring.

"Nick Studio 10": This live action, daily afternoon daypart features four friends who make and share outrageously funny content in real time. Beginning this spring, content created on the show will also migrate from on-air to the recently launched Nick App, and content from the app will also be featured on the series.

"Monsters vs. Aliens": Inspired by DreamWorks Animation's 2009 blockbuster feature film ($383 million worldwide gross), this new CGI-animated series follows the further adventures of the beloved monsters -- B.O.B., the gelatinous blob without a brain; Link, the prehistoric fish-man; Dr. Cockroach, the half-man/half-insect mad scientist; and Susan (aka Ginormica), the incredible growing woman — as they learn to adapt to a new world filled with bizarre aliens. This series, which is greenlit for 26 episodes, marks the third partnership between Nickelodeon and DreamWorks Animation.

"Rabbids": This CGI-animated series brings to television the hysterical physical comedy that is the hallmark in Ubisoft's wildly successful "Raving Rabbids" video games. Irreverent, unpredictable and silly, the Rabbids are a mysterious breed of rabbit-like creatures that explore, and often wreak havoc, in the human world. Everything is a source of wonder and amusement, and these indestructible and uncontrollable creatures have absolutely no respect for the social rules that govern society. For them, there are no laws, no rules of the road. It's all about having fun and saying "Bwaaaaaah!" Nickelodeon has secured global broadcast rights for 26 new half-hour CG episodes of "Rabbids", which will be produced by Ubisoft.
(Source of above images: Nickelodeon USA's official Tumblr blog)

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NickToons UK To Premiere New Episodes Of "Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers" During March 2013

According to the official Sky Media UK websites' 'Sky TV's Children's Television Schedule Highlights In March 2013' webpage, Nickelodeon UK has announced the news that Nick UK's animation and action channel, Nicktoons UK and Ireland, will premiere and show more brand new to NickToons episodes and adventures of the original "Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers" series that started it all in March 2013, as part of "March on Nicktoons UK 2013"!:

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers
NickToons
Throughout March


The Mighty Morphin Power Rangers are back with Brand New episodes this March! Tune in for non-stop action from the rangers!

COPPA Clarity: Proceed With Caution

The children's entertainment and media news website Kidscreen has unveiled an exclusive interview that Kidscreen reporter Wendy Smolen recently held with Linnette Attai, founder of Playwell, LLC, a company that specializes in helping clients navigate the safety and privacy requirements for kids, about the changes everyone can expect to see as part of the US Federal Trade Commission's revision of the COPPA law, COPPA 2.0, the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act, which will give parents greater control over the personal information that websites and online services can collect from kids under 13, which also talks about research just released by Nickelodeon which reveals how tablet use among kids 11 and younger is projected to grow faster than almost any other age group:

COPPA clarity: Proceed with caution

The Federal Trade Commission recently revised COPPA, the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act, to give parents greater control over the personal information that websites and online services can collect from kids under 13. To get the 411, I talked to Linnette Attai, founder of Playwell, LLC, a company that specializes in helping clients navigate the safety and privacy requirements for kids. Linnette will be delving deeper into this subject as a panelist discussing privacy vs. creativity at SandboxSummit@MIT in April [2013]. But for now, here’s her top-line interpretation of the changes we can expect:

WS: How does COPPA 2.0 differ from the old COPPA?

LA: The biggest differences in COPPA 2.0 (which is what we’re informally calling the new law), are in the modified definitions of personal information, operator, and website or online service directed to children. The new rule also includes some streamlined provisions related to parental notice, new requirements for data retention and deletion, and additional oversight of safe harbor outlets.

WS: What personal information can’t be collected? And was any of it previously collected?

LA: The personal information that can’t be collected from users under 13 without prior parental consent includes:

- A first and last name

- A home or other physical address including street name and the name of a city or town

- Certain online contact information, such as an email address or other substantially similar identifier that permits direct contact with a person online

- A screen or user name where it functions in the same manner as online contact information

- A telephone number

- A Social Security number

- A persistent identifier (such as a customer number held in a cookie, an IP address, a processor or device serial number, a unique device identifier) that can be used to recognize a user over time and across different websites or online services

- A photograph, video or audio file where such file contains a child’s image or voice

- Geolocation information sufficient to identify street name and name of a city or town;

- Information concerning the child or the parents of the child that the operator collects online from the child and combines with an identifier (as described above)

Significant additions include an expanded definition of persistent identifier, the overt mention of geolocation, the addition of all photographs, videos and audio files that contain a child’s image or voice, and changes to the definition of a screen or user name.

WS: Wow! So what CAN be collected?

LA: When it comes to children, not much! But that’s always been the case. The idea here is twofold: 1) all of the information listed above can be used to identify an individual, and when that individual is a child, it should be the parent who has the final say in what companies can and can’t collect, use or share; and 2) let’s keep data collection from children to the bare minimum.

However, the FTC is by no means interested in putting companies out of business. There is some data that is commonly used for purposes such as analytics, site security or, for example, to ensure that site features function properly, that can still be collected (when used only for those purposes). And companies can still respond once to a specific request from a child as long as the data is deleted once the request has been fulfilled.

WS: What does this mean for existing companies?

LA: The rule goes into effect on July 1, 2013, so companies with established websites and online services are now working to retrofit their policies and practices to comply with the new law.

WS: According to research just released by Nickelodeon, tablet use among kids 11 and younger is projected to grow faster than almost any other age group. So who’s watching over these kids as they go on Instagram or YouTube?

LA: Attempting to ensure that children access only those sites and services that are designed for them is a tremendous challenge for industry and parents. Sites that include social networking features or allow users to upload content create particular challenges. Most of them don’t allow users to register unless they’re 13 or older. Aside from privacy considerations, there are also potential safety issues. And of course, there is also content on some of these sites that is simply not intended for young children.

If the site is age-gating properly, it falls back on the parents to really understand what sites their children are visiting and what they’re doing online. They have to balance empowering their children to use the best that technology has to offer, and setting digital and mobile boundaries just as they do in the real world.

WS: Let's get real. Will a 10 year old still be able to go on Facebook by making up a birthdate? And if so, what does the new ruling really do?

LA: Yes, it's true, kids will still be able to make up a birthdate and access sites that aren't intended for them. Unfortunately, there's simply no easy way for most operators to truly verify whether or not a child is being honest.

Industry can play a role in helping parents understand that the age limit is often in place for a number of reasons. Privacy law is just one consideration. Safety and age appropriate content are also priorities.

What COPPA does accomplish is that it ensures that parents have control over their child’s personal information when that child honestly enters their birthdate. It also reminds the industry that when we create sites and services intended for children, we need to take responsibility for the fact that our users are not fully able to understand, let alone navigate, complicated concepts such as privacy.

WS: And probably most important for Kidscreen readers, how will this affect new businesses as they develop their products?

LA: Having worked in the compliance space for many years, I believe that when done properly, compliance and business success can go hand in hand. With COPPA 2.0 upon us, it’s very important that businesses take a look at the new regulations and assess their policies and practices for compliance.

Businesses that are still in the development stage actually have an advantage, in that they can truly embrace the concept of “privacy by design,” and build privacy considerations into the infrastructure of their products.

As an industry, we can also help by providing parents with more education about privacy, safety, password security and the implications of uploading user-generated content.

Comments? Private or not at wendy@sandboxsummit.org

Tags: COPPA, Playwell

Interview With Nickelodeon Consumer Products UK & Australia's Mark Kingston And Flair's Nic Aldridge About Classic Brands Making A Comeback

ToyNews, a monthly trade magazine for the toy business, has unveiled a exclusive interview they recently held with Mark Kingston, the Vice President of Nickelodeon Consumer Products UK & Australia at MTV Networks, and Nic Aldridge, the Marketing Director at Flair Leisure Products Plc., the British toy distributor who's responsible for distributing Playmates' "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" in the UK, in which they speak about retro brands making toy comebacks:

'Great brands will continue to make toy comebacks'


"If there’s a gap in the market that can be filled by updated existing IP, it will happen," says Nickelodeon.

Licensing experts believe Turtles, Furby and Cabbage Patch Kids are just the start of what could be a huge resurgence in retro toys.

Long-running brands like the above enjoyed a comeback last year with new products hitting shelves, and other established properties could follow suit in the coming years.

“Nostalgia and tradition might be a part of [why older brands are returning nowadays] but I think these things can be rather cyclical,” Nickelodeon’s VP of consumer products for the UK and Australia Mark Kingston told ToyNews.

“I think that great brands will continue to make a comeback. If there is a gap in the market that can be filled by updated existing IP then it is going to happen. Classic brands are successful due to new creative interpretations that make them relevant to today's generation.

“The popularity of Turtles is testament to relatable, dynamic characters and exciting storylines for kids today, making it a truly timeless property.”

Rob Corney, MD of Bulldog Licensing, which handles properties such as Sindy, added: “Retro brand resurgence has been a core facet of licensing for as long as I can remember. Although technology has moved on and the method of consumption of entertainment has changed, kids are still wowed by the same principals that enthused them 50 years ago.”

Flair, which is responsible for the Turtles figure range in the UK, has the rights to several classic brands including Plasticine, Slinky and Tom & Jerry.

Marketing director Nic Aldridge said: “This is much more than a passing trend and we will continue to see retro as a recurring theme in years to come, as products are innovated and redeveloped to meet the demands of today’s market.”

Flair's Turtles recently reached number one in the action figure supercategory.

Tags: toys, turtles

Flair's "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" Action Figures Range Claim Top Spot In The UK

ToyNews, a monthly trade magazine for the toy business, is reporting in the following article that the market research company NPD Group has announced the news that Playmates and Flair's "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" toyline soared 56 per cent above next best selling line according to January 2013 figures, and that GP Flair's "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" action figures are now the number one selling item in the super category in the UK!:

Flair's Ninja Turtles claim top spot in action figures


NPD data for January shows range soaring 56 per cent above next best selling line.

GP Flair's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles action figures are now the number one selling item in the super category, according to new data from NPD.

The range was 56 per cent above the next best selling line, according to January figures. Overall, the range was fourth in the action category for the month, and third new property in the total toy markey YTD.

The Power FX figures and Ninja Combat gear also appear in the overall top 20 for the super category at number 12 and 19 respectively.

The GP Flair Turtles line-up also performed well in the sub categroies, with all three figure ranges - Action Figures, Power FX and Classic - making the top 20 of the action figure category.

In Action Figure Play-sets and Accessories, the Turtles toys claim three of the top five spots, with the Shell Raiser at number one.

In addition, the Ninja Combat Gear made number two in the action role-play and dress up category.

"These latest results are outstanding and just go to show that the Turtles toys really are starting to be the top choice for kids across the UK," said Nic Aldridge, marketing director at Flair Leisure Products. "The action figures being the number one line in the Action Figure Super Category and so far above the next line shows the immense popularity of the range, which continues to gather pace at an amazing speed in its second full month from launch.

"We are going to be extending the range even further with a number of new waves of product launches throughout the year, and are confident that the phenomenon will continue as the Turtles continue their UK takeover."

Tags: gp flair, nickelodeon, teenage mutant ninja turtles

Your Chance To Enjoy Animal Magic With DreamWorks' Madagascar Live! In Glasgow In March 2013!

The Kirkintilloch Herald, a weekly tabloid newspaper serving the Kirkintilloch area of East Dunbartonshire in Scotland that is known locally as the Kirky Herald, has announced a brand new and exclusive competition which is giving fans of the popular "Madagascar" movie series and of the animated Nickelodeon series (Nicktoon) "The Penguins of Madagascar" the chance to win a set of five family tickets (for four people, worth £120) to attend and see a performance of DreamWorks' Madagascar Live! stage show at the Clyde Auditorium in Glasgow on Friday 8th March 2013!:

Your chance to enjoy animal magic with Madagascar Live! in Glasgow


HERE’S a competition you can really go wild for – DreamWorks’ ‘Madagascar Live!’ at the Clyde Auditorium.

The Herald is offering you the chance to win tickets for a family of four to the first arena tour of this amazing show – presented by Stage Entertainment Touring Productions.

There are a fabulous five family tickets (for four people, worth £120) up for grabs for the Glasgow performance on Friday, March 8.

Everyone’s favourite Madagascar characters star in a live theatrical show based on the blockbuster DreamWorks Animation franchise.

The super show relives the fun and humour of the animals and their escapades – brilliantly recreated in an arena production of lively storytelling, dance and music, including the hit song ‘Move It, Move It’.

Audiences of all ages will love the wild and action-packed adventure as Alex the lion, Marty the zebra, Melman the giraffe, Gloria the hippo and the plotting penguins escape from their home at New York’s Central Park Zoo and find themselves on an unexpected journey to the madcap world of King Julien's Madagascar.

This celebration of friendship is brought vividly to life by imaginative sets and costumes, joyous dance numbers and spectacular new songs – bringing West End values to the arena environment.

A cast of 25 characters take the audience on a journey from Central Park Zoo all the way to the beaches of Madagascar in a song-filled show for the whole family.

The show is on from March 8-10 at Clyde Auditorium. Telephone 0844 581 0600 for tickets.

To be in with a chance of winning see this week’s Kirkintilloch Herald (dated February 27).

‘Madagascar Live!’ is directed by Gip Hoppe, director of ‘Dora the Explorer Live’, who has worked with Broadway Across America and Nickelodeon on other family-friendly live touring productions. Hoppe also wrote and directed the Broadway play ‘Jackie: An American Life’ and is a founding member and co-artistic director of the Wellfleet Harbor Actor’s Theatre.

He said: “It’s like a Broadway musical for the whole family. We took the incredible adventure and amazingly funny and rich characters from the film and added some great songs.

“There are beautiful sets and costumes that render the films wonderful artwork into a fully realised dimensional world.

“The show is based on the original film and it tells the story that got the whole thing started.

“To me, ‘Madagascar’ is really about friendship and seeking your true place in the world. These characters are so beautifully developed . . . and funny!”

Meanwhile King Julien had this to say:

“Alex who is a lion, Gloria who is a hippo, Melman who is a giraffe and Marty who is a zebra, escape from their zoo and find themselves in my royal kingdom on the island of Madagascar.

“Somehow the penguins end up there too. Do not ask me how. As always when I am around, there is much singing and dancing – but also thrilling jeopardy and excitement.

“If you are dancing and singing in the cinema people might say “sit down, be quiet!”, but when you come to see our show, live, you can boogie on down and no one will tell you to stop.

“You will also be laughing out loud. Indeed there will be generalised hilarity, colourful scenes and much joyful music, along with lots of lemurs. You like lemurs? Of course you do.

“What better way to proclaim your love for your great leader (me) than to come along to ‘Madagascar Live!’ to bask in my warm and powerful glow? Come, worship your king and I promise you too will learn how to MOVE IT MOVE IT like the grooviest of lemurs.”

See this week’s Herald or visit www.madlive.co.uk for more information.