NickALive!: 01/25/14

Saturday, January 25, 2014

Nick Jr. UK To Premiere New Preschool Series "Zack and Quack" On Friday 7th February 2014

The online British and Irish TV guide website Digiguide is reporting the exciting news that Nickelodeon UK's preschool channel, Nick Jr. UK and Ireland, will start to show Nickelodeon's brand new CG-animated series "Zack and Quack" on Friday 7th February 2014 at 4:30pm (repeated at 5:30pm on Nick Junior UK's plus-one (+1) timeshift channel, Nick Jr.+1)!

Following the series debut, Nick Jr. UK will show "Zack and Quack" on Saturday 8th February 2014 at 9:00am (10:00am on Nick Jr. +1) and on Sunday 9th February 2014 at 12:00pm (1:00pm on Nick Junior Plus 1).

"Zack and Quack" (formally titled "Quick, Quack, Duck!") follows the adventures of an inquisitive seven-year-old boy called Zack (formally Remi) and his devoted duck Quack. The duo live inside the most amazing pop-up book ever, a place full of fantastical surprises, where they can pull tabs, pulls, flaps, levers and other devices to trigger popups that make amazing and unexpected things happen to create an interactive story. "Zack and Quack" is executive produced by Zodiak MEAA/UK family and kids chief executive Nigel Pickard with The Foundation's ("Summer In Transylvania") Vanessa Hill, alongside Kaplan and QQD's Ronen Shani. Simon Spencer serves as the series showrunner. "Zack and Quack" is based on Bafta-winning short film "The Happy Duckling". The short's director Gili Dolev co-created the new series with Yvette Kaplan ("Ice Age", "Beavis & Butthead").

Also, posted by Nick Jr. UK on their official Facebook profile page, Facebook.com/NickJrUK:

Nick Jr. UK changed their cover photo. - Friday 24th January 2014

[...] EXCLUSIVE [...] We will be welcoming some new characters into our Nick Jr. family very soon!

Can you guess what the show is about from the image below?
(Hint: look out for the arrows) - Saturday 25th January 2014

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Viacom Forms Program Acquisitions Group

Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIAB, VIA), the parent company of the Nickelodeon brand, has announced the news in the following press release, from PR Newswire, the formation of a Program Acquisitions Group to coordinate the company's domestic program acquisition activity across its portfolio of domestic media networks, including Nickelodeon, Nick at Nite, TV Land, BET, Centric, MTV, VH1, CMT, Comedy Central, and Spike TV.

The Program Acquisitions Group will unify the planning and analysis, inventory management, acquisition process and buying activity for all Viacom Media Networks' domestic program acquisitions. The group will be jointly led by David Bernath, Executive Vice President (EVP), Programming & Multiplatform Strategy for Comedy Central, and Barbara Zaneri, who will assume the newly created role of Executive Vice President of Program Acquisitions. Program acquisitions executives at each of the individual networks will continue to lead the selection of acquisitions for their respective channels.

In her new role, Zaneri will lead negotiations for all domestic program acquisitions within Viacom Media Networks, working closely with the relevant network program acquisitions executive. She will also be responsible for all domestic multi-channel program acquisitions. Zaneri will report directly to Rich Eigendorff, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Viacom Media Networks. Bernath will be responsible for coordinating all of Viacom's domestic program acquisitions activity. He will continue to report to Michele Ganeless, President of Comedy Central, and will report to Rich Eigendorff in his Program Acquisitions Group role.

Most recently, Zaneri served as Executive Vice President of Program Strategy, Acquisitions and Scheduling for BET Networks, overseeing the long-term planning and short-term scheduling of both BET and Centric, which has played a strategic role in delivering record-breaking results.

Bernath oversees the strategy and programming of Comedy Central content across linear TV, comedycentral.com, video on demand (VOD), subscription video on demand (SVOD), mobile and new emerging platforms.

Original Viacom Press Release:

Viacom Forms Program Acquisitions Group

David Bernath and Barbara Zaneri to Lead Newly Created Unit; Zaneri Named To Newly Created Position of Executive Vice President of Program Acquisitions for Viacom Media Networks

NEW YORK, Jan. 23, 2014 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIAB, VIA) today announced the formation of a Program Acquisitions Group to coordinate the company's domestic program acquisition activity across its portfolio of domestic media networks, including BET, Centric, MTV, VH1, CMT, Comedy Central, Spike TV, TV Land, Nickelodeon and Nick at Nite.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110811/NY51392LOGO)

The Program Acquisitions Group will unify the planning and analysis, inventory management, acquisition process and buying activity for all Viacom Media Networks' domestic program acquisitions. The group will be jointly led by David Bernath, Executive Vice President, Programming & Multiplatform Strategy for Comedy Central, and Barbara Zaneri, who will assume the newly created role of Executive Vice President of Program Acquisitions. Program acquisitions executives at each of the individual networks will continue to lead the selection of acquisitions for their respective channels.

In her new role, Zaneri will lead negotiations for all domestic program acquisitions within Viacom Media Networks, working closely with the relevant network program acquisitions executive. She will also be responsible for all domestic multi-channel program acquisitions. Zaneri will report directly to Rich Eigendorff, Chief Operating Officer of Viacom Media Networks. Bernath will be responsible for coordinating all of Viacom's domestic program acquisitions activity. He will continue to report to Michele Ganeless, President of Comedy Central, and will report to Rich Eigendorff in his Program Acquisitions Group role.

"Synchronizing our program buying activities across the Viacom portfolio will afford us the opportunity to further integrate our businesses and forge innovative partnerships," said Eigendorff. "With Barbara and Dave's creative approaches to seeking and securing off-net rights, we will continue to strengthen our robust mix of original programming with acquisitions and maximize value for our brands and our audiences."

Most recently, Zaneri served as Executive Vice President of Program Strategy, Acquisitions and Scheduling for BET Networks, overseeing the long-term planning and short-term scheduling of both BET and Centric, which has played a strategic role in delivering record-breaking results.

Bernath oversees the strategy and programming of Comedy Central content across linear TV, comedycentral.com, VOD, SVOD, mobile and new emerging platforms.

About Viacom

Viacom is home to premier global media brands that create compelling television programs, motion pictures, short-form video, apps, games, consumer products, social media and other entertainment content for audiences in more than 160 countries and territories. Viacom's media networks, including MTV, VH1, CMT, Logo, BET, CENTRIC, Nickelodeon, Nick Jr., TeenNick, Nicktoons, Nick at Nite, Comedy Central, TV Land, SPIKE, Tr3s, Paramount Channel and VIVA, reach approximately 700 million television subscribers worldwide. Paramount Pictures, America's oldest film studio, is a major global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment.

For more information about Viacom and its businesses, visit www.viacom.com. Keep up with Viacom news by following Viacom's blog at blog.viacom.com and Twitter feed at www.twitter.com/viacom.

SOURCE Viacom Inc.

RELATED LINKS
http://www.viacom.com

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VTech Bolsters Learning Lodge App Store With Software Downloads Featuring New Properties From Nickelodeon, Sesame Street And Dreamworks; New Educational Content Enhances InnoTab Learning Tablet Range

VTech, a world leader in age-appropriate and developmental stage-based electronic learning products for children, has announced in a press release, on PR Newswire, the continued growth of its comprehensive app store, the Learning Lodge, which includes more than 650 apps teaching key curriculum. The new software downloads, featuring a variety of education-packed learning games and e-books as well as new videos and songs, are compatible with the award-winning InnoTab® Learning Tablet range, which includes InnoTab 3S with Kid Connect and InnoTab 3.

(Download Image - VTech® Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20090615/HKM004 )

"Our Learning Lodge app store provides unsurpassed quality and educational content and these new titles further our position as a pioneer in the electronic learning category," said William To, President, VTech Electronics North America. "We are thrilled to partner with leading licensors to continue to add new, age-appropriate content with beloved characters, delivering educational benefits in a product that parents can trust and kids can enjoy."

New video downloads are available featuring Nickelodeon's popular animated preschool series "Lalaloopsy", "Paw Patrol" and "Peter Rabbit", DreamWorks Animation's "Penguins of Madagascar" and "Kung Fu Panda" as well as the award winning foreign language program from "Little Pim", which teaches young kids a second language at the age they learn best. These new video introductions, like all Learning Lodge content, are endorsed by VTech's team of educational experts for providing a balanced mix of learning and fun.

In addition, VTech has partnered with "Sesame Street" to offer licensed songs for the first time. The music includes some of children's favorite characters from "Sesame Street", including Elmo and Bert & Ernie.

VTech's InnoTab range offers children a variety of tablets that open up a world of age-appropriate educational content across the widest variety of curriculums, from downloads to software cartridges, combining innovative technology with a developmental learning tool that grows with a child and makes learning fun. InnoTab 3S offers Kid Connect (www.vtechkids.com/kidconnect), a groundbreaking family communication app and wireless connectivity while InnoTab 3 delivers a powerful punch in a compact size and at an affordable price.

The Learning Lodge gives parents and children access to purchase hundreds of engaging, age-appropriate games, videos, e-books and music. More than 650 titles teach reading, math, social studies, handwriting, science, problem solving, geography and more. The wide variety of educational and engaging content and curriculum is tailor-made for each age group and is suitable for toddlers to grade-schoolers, giving every child an opportunity to expand their learning potential while keeping them entertained. Parents can even track their child's learning progress online. Additional characters featured throughout the downloads and software cartridges are Nickelodeon's "Team Umizoomi", "Dora the Explorer", "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" and "Bubble Guppies", plus HiT Entertainment's "Thomas & Friends", DreamWorks Animation's "Turbo", and Sesame Workshop's "Sesame Street".

The new downloads can be found at http://www.vtechkids.com/downloads/innotab3s. For more information about the complete InnoTab range and VTech product range, please visit http://www.vtechkids.com/innotabrange.

VTech® is a world leader in age-appropriate and developmental stage-based electronic learning products for children. As a pioneer in the learning toy category, VTech develops high-quality, innovative educational products that enrich children's development and make learning fun. With a rich, almost 35 year history, VTech has not only established itself as a learning authority but also consistently remains at the forefront of innovation with award-winning products such as the InnoTab® 2S Wi-Fi Learning App Tablet, one of the first children's learning-based tablets with Wi-Fi, MobiGo®, V.Reader® and V.Smile®. The Learning Lodge™, VTech's comprehensive app store, features a robust library of more than 650 educational and entertaining games, e-books, music and videos with engaging age-appropriate content across the widest variety of curricula, with content expanding. The company also has a broad range of award-winning infant and preschool products available in 24 different languages worldwide, with more than 100 new products introduced every year. In order to further strengthen VTech's position as a learning authority, the company's Panel of Experts, with esteemed experts in reading, language arts, science, math, and child development, consult on new product introductions and Learning Lodge content.

VTech Electronics North America, LLC is based in Arlington Heights, Illinois. VTech Electronics Ltd. is headquartered in Hong Kong with distribution globally. VTech is the largest supplier of ELPs from infancy to preschool in the US and Western Europe.

For more information on VTech's additional product lines, visit www.VTechKids.com, www.facebook.com/VTechtoys on Facebook or follow @VTechToys on Twitter.

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Viacom Launches Viacom Velocity, Full-Service Integrated Marketing And Creative Content Solutions Group

Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIAB, VIA), the parent company of the Nickelodeon brand, has announced the news in the following press release, from PR Newswire, the launch of Viacom Velocity, a brand-new full-service group offering insights-driven integrated marketing and creative content solutions from Viacom Media Networks Music and Entertainment.

Viacom Velocity merges the company's existing Music and Entertainment Integrated Marketing teams, under Dario Spina, with a new creative team headed by Niels Schuurmans, former Executive Vice President (EVP), Consumer Marketing and Executive Creative Director at Spike TV, who joins as Executive Vice President, Viacom Velocity Creative Content Solutions. Both Spina and Schuurmans report to Jeff Lucas, Head of Sales for Music and Entertainment.

Within Viacom Velocity, Integrated Marketing will continue to work with clients to build strategic campaigns under the leadership of Dario Spina, Executive Vice President of Viacom Velocity Integrated Marketing. This includes the planning and execution of campaigns across Viacom's networks and their online and mobile extensions, as well as throughout social media. Viacom Media Networks Music and Entertainment were recently voted the number one and two integrated marketing teams, respectively, in an industry survey conducted by the Myers Media Business Report.

Under Schuurmans' leadership, Viacom Velocity Creative Content Solutions will produce original content for clients in partnership with MTV, VH1, CMT, Logo, Comedy Central, Spike TV and TV Land. This includes the development of custom creative on linear television, digital platforms and cross-network campaigns. Viacom Velocity Creative Solutions capabilities will include video and digital production, strategy, design, copywriting and more.

Upon launch, Viacom Velocity introduced the Viacom Echo Social Media Network, a new service offering for clients. Through Viacom Echo, the company will develop creative campaigns for clients on the company's platforms and engineers their extension across social media and measurable earned media.

Original Viacom Press Release:

Viacom Launches Viacom Velocity, Full-Service Integrated Marketing and Creative Content Solutions Group

Dario Spina to Head Viacom Velocity Integrated Marketing; Niels Schuurmans Joins Viacom Velocity from Spike TV to Run Viacom Velocity Creative Content Solutions

NEW YORK, Jan. 22, 2014 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIAB, VIA) today launched Viacom Velocity, a new full-service group offering insights-driven integrated marketing and creative content solutions from Viacom Media Networks Music and Entertainment. Viacom Velocity merges the company's existing Music and Entertainment Integrated Marketing teams, under Dario Spina, with a new creative team headed by Niels Schuurmans, former Executive Vice President, Consumer Marketing and Executive Creative Director at Spike TV, who joins as Executive Vice President, Viacom Velocity Creative Content Solutions. Both Spina and Schuurmans report to Jeff Lucas, Head of Sales for Music and Entertainment.

(Download Image - Viacom Velocity logo. (PRNewsFoto/Viacom Inc.): http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140122/NY50060LOGO )

"Now more than ever, creative collaboration and custom content are at the center of our client partnerships, and we continue to grow our capabilities to meet marketers' evolving needs," said Lucas. "Viacom Velocity is built to utilize our unique relationship with our passionate fans and drive value for marketers through consumer insights, strategic collaboration and creative excellence."

Within Viacom Velocity, Integrated Marketing will continue to work with clients to build strategic campaigns under the leadership of Dario Spina, Executive Vice President of Viacom Velocity Integrated Marketing. This includes the planning and execution of campaigns across Viacom's networks and their online and mobile extensions, as well as throughout social media. Viacom Media Networks Music and Entertainment were recently voted the number one and two integrated marketing teams, respectively, in an industry survey conducted by the Myers Media Business Report.

Under Schuurmans' leadership, Viacom Velocity Creative Content Solutions will produce original content for clients in partnership with MTV, VH1, CMT, Logo, Comedy Central, Spike TV and TV Land. This includes the development of custom creative on linear television, digital platforms and cross-network campaigns. Viacom Velocity Creative Solutions capabilities will include video and digital production, strategy, design, copywriting and more.

Upon launch, Viacom Velocity introduced the Viacom Echo Social Media Network, a new service offering for clients. Through Viacom Echo, the company will develop creative campaigns for clients on the company's platforms and engineers their extension across social media and measurable earned media.

"Viacom Echo is a one-of-a-kind service that mirrors the way our content travels beyond our screens, across social media and throughout the pop culture. We want to take our clients and their brands with us on that journey," said Lucas.

About Viacom

Viacom is home to premier global media brands that create compelling television programs, motion pictures, short-form video, apps, games, consumer products, social media and other entertainment content for audiences in more than 160 countries and territories. Viacom's media networks, including MTV, VH1, CMT, Logo, BET, CENTRIC, Nickelodeon, Nick Jr., TeenNick, Nicktoons, Nick at Nite, Comedy Central, TV Land, SPIKE, Tr3s, Paramount Channel and VIVA, reach approximately 700 million television subscribers worldwide. Paramount Pictures, America's oldest film studio, is a major global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment.

For more information about Viacom and its businesses, visit www.viacom.com. Keep up with Viacom news by following Viacom's blog at blog.viacom.com and Twitter feed at www.twitter.com/viacom.

SOURCE Viacom Inc.

RELATED LINKS
http://www.viacom.com

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Viacom Promotes Martha Riley To SVP Of Music Sales; Names Niels Schuurmans As EVP Of Viacom Velocity; Announces Quarterly Cash Dividend

Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIAB, VIA), the parent company of the Nickelodeon brand, has announced the news in a series of press releases that the media company has promoted Martha Riley to the role of Senior Vice President (SVP), Music Sales, and has named Niels Schuurmans to the newly created position of Executive Vice President (EVP), Viacom Velocity Creative Content Solutions.

In her new role, Riley will have sales responsibility for the company's Music and Logo Group, which includes MTV, MTV2, mtvU, VH1, VH1 Classic, Palladia and Logo. Riley will provide the strategic connection between Viacom's Music and Entertainment Ad Sales group and the Music and Logo Group brands it supports. She will work closely with channel leadership to drive ad sales strategy and products that are consistent with each brand, its content and its overall goals. Riley will foster collaboration among Ad Sales, Integrated Marketing, Programming, Scheduling and Digital to develop marketing solutions that leverage the company's creative and cross-platform capabilities in full to achieve client objectives. Based in New York, Riley will report directly to Jeff Lucas, Head of Sales for Music and Entertainment at Viacom.

"Our Ad Sales team and its marketing solutions are at their best when they're fully aligned with the creative content of our brands across every screen," said Lucas. "Martha is a big picture, innovative thinker who knows how to get the most out of our content for our clients in a way that resonates with our audiences."

Riley is a twenty-year veteran of Viacom, and during that time she has worked extensively with the company's Music and Logo Group brands. Most recently, she served as Vice President of Sales for the Music Group, with responsibility for New York-based ad sales across MTV, MTV2, mtvU, VH1 and Logo. Earlier, Riley was Director of Sales for MTV2. She joined Viacom as a Sales Planner in 1993.

In his new role, Schuurmans will oversee the creative execution of branded content for the company's Music and Entertainment Ad Sales portfolio, which includes MTV, VH1, CMT, Logo, Comedy Central, Spike TV and TV Land.

Schuurmans will report to Jeff Lucas, Head of Sales, Music and Entertainment at Viacom Media Networks and partner closely with Dario Spina, Executive Vice President, Viacom Velocity Integrated Marketing, who will continue to be the strategic and client lead on all Music and Entertainment integrated marketing campaigns. Schuurmans will remain based in the company's New York headquarters.

"Our custom content business has grown exponentially over the past few years, as more and more advertisers seek to harness the creative power of our brands and connect with our audiences in unique, authentic ways," said Lucas. "Niels is one of the most energetic and versatile creative minds at Viacom and we are very excited to turn him loose for our clients, who can continue to expect the most innovative and unexpected work from our team."

In his new role, Schuurmans will supervise the development of partner creative on linear, digital and cross-network campaigns. He will oversee creative product in areas including video production, graphic design and copywriting. Schuurmans will collaborate closely with the Programming, Connected Content and Marketing teams at each of the Music and Entertainment networks to best leverage their creative voice, assets and capabilities.

Most recently, Schuurmans served as Executive Vice President, Consumer Marketing and Executive Creative Director at Spike TV. At Spike, he was a driving creative force behind the Spike brand, guiding its evolution to a premier entertainment destination. Schuurmans helped refine the brand filter around the network's original programming, its MMA partnerships with Bellator and the UFC, and its veteran focused pro-social campaigns including Hire A Veteran and the Spike Salutes initiative. Prior to his arrival at Spike, Schuurmans was Senior Vice President and World Wide Creative Director at Nickelodeon.

Additionally, Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIAB and VIA) has announced that its Board of Directors has declared a quarterly cash dividend of US$0.30 per share on both its Class A and Class B common stock. The dividend will be payable on Tuesday 1st April 2014 to stockholders of record at the close of business on Friday 14th March 2014.

Viacom is home to premier global media brands that create compelling television programs, motion pictures, short-form video, apps, games, consumer products, social media and other entertainment content for audiences in more than 160 countries and territories. Viacom's media networks, including MTV, VH1, CMT, Logo, BET, CENTRIC, Nickelodeon, Nick Jr., TeenNick, Nicktoons, Nick at Nite, Comedy Central, TV Land, SPIKE, Tr3s, Paramount Channel and VIVA, reach approximately 700 million television subscribers worldwide. Paramount Pictures, America's oldest film studio, is a major global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment.

For more information about Viacom and its businesses, visit www.viacom.com. Keep up with Viacom news by following Viacom's blog at blog.viacom.com and Twitter feed at www.twitter.com/viacom.

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