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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Nickelodeon's "Kids' Choice Sports 2015" Scores A Ratings Victory

Original Nickelodeon USA Press Release via Business Wire:

Nickelodeon's Kids' Choice Sports 2015 is Night's Top Kids' Telecast

KCS 2015 Scores 2.5 Million Total Viewers, Posts Double-Digit Increases with Kids 2-11 and Total Viewers

** For the EPK and still photos from Kids' Choice Sports 2015, please visit: http://www.epklink.com/nickkcs2015/

** For embeddable show clips from Kids' Choice Sports 2015, please visit: www.nick.com/sbcom/press/kcs-media.jhtml

July 22, 2015 12:58 PM Eastern Daylight Time

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--A lineup of sports superstars including members of the U.S. Women's National Soccer team, Derek Jeter, Stephen Curry, Carmelo Anthony, Marshawn Lynch, DeMarco Murray, show host Russell Wilson and more helped Nickelodeon's Kids' Choice Sports 2015 score a ratings victory for its Thursday, July 16, (8-9:30 p.m. ET/PT) telecast.

Nick's slime-filled celebration of sports won the night with kids 2-11 and kids 6-11, while also posting double-digit year over year increases with kids 2-11 and total viewers. Kids' Choice Sports 2015, which was simulcast across Nick at Nite, Nicktoons, TeenNick and TV Land, averaged 2.5M total viewers (+10%) and earned a 4.4/1.3M with Kids 2-11 (+15%) and a 5.6/1.0M with Kids 6-11 (+10%).

Russell Wilson hosts Nickelodeon's Kids' Choice Sports 2015 (Photo: Business Wire)

Hosted by Russell Wilson (Super Bowl-winning Seattle Seahawks Quarterback), the awards were broadcast live from UCLA's Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles where kids honored their favorite athletes, teams and sports moments from the year in one big, slimy sports celebration.

Five-time World Series Champion Derek Jeter was honored with the Legend Award at this year's show in recognition of his unmatched talent and sportsmanship on and off the field. Upon receiving his golden mohawked blimp, Jeter was showered from head to toe in gold slime falling from a New York Yankees sign high above the stage.

Five-Time World Series Champ Derek Jeter at Nickelodeon's Kids' Choice Sports 2015 (Photo: Business Wire)

Additional highlights from the sports celebration included: Little League phenom Mo'ne Davis smashing a blimp off of Nick Cannon's head with a baseball on the second throw; sports trick-shot group Dude Perfect surprise sliming Wilson after Detroit Pistons' Andre Drummond, U.S. figure skater Gracie Gold and Philadelphia Eagles' DeMarco Murray missed the target during a dizzying challenge; a group of 16 kids beating Seattle Seahawks Super Bowl XLVIII champion Marshawn Lynch in a battle of tug-o-war; U.S. Women's National Soccer Team champions Carli Lloyd and Abby Wambach speeding through the finish line first against Golden State Warriors' Draymond Green and Klay Thompson during a tricycle relay race; and Grammy-nominated artist Ciara and host Wilson dancing the "Nae Nae."

Kids' Choice Sports 2015 award winners included Professional Alpine Skier Lindsey Vonn (Don't Try this at Home award); Golden State Warrior's Stephen Curry who took home three awards (Best Male Athlete, Sickest Moves, Clutch Player of the Year); Tennis icon Serena Williams (Queen of Swag), U.S. Women's National Soccer's Alex Morgan (Best Female Athlete), among others.

Replays of the awards will also air on Wednesday, July 22, at 10:30 p.m. (ET/PT) on Nicktoons. Kids' Choice Sports 2015 is also now available on the Nick App and Nick.com by signing in through participating TV Everywhere providers, and via Nickelodeon On Demand.

Nickelodeon's Kids' Choice Sports 2015 is produced by Done + Dusted in association with Nickelodeon Productions. Jay Schmalholz and Shelly Sumpter Gillyard are executive producers. Constance Schwartz and Michael Strahan of SMAC Entertainment will serve as executive producers, alongside Ian Stewart and Hamish Hamilton of Done + Dusted with Hamilton also serving as director of the show.

Kids' Choice Sports 2015 Presenting Sponsors include Verizon. Associate Sponsors include Nationwide and Popsicle®.

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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Nickelodeon Russia And CIS To Premiere "Make It Pop" On Monday 3rd August 2015

Nickelodeon Russia and CIS (Россия and СНГ) will start to premiere and show Nickelodeon's brand-new musical comedy series "Make It Pop", locally titled "Мэйк ит Поп", weekdays from Monday 3rd August 2015!

What do an aspiring pop diva, a fashionista and a book worm have in common? Music! "Make It Pop" (20 episodes) is a comedic, music-infused daily strip about three unique girls who come together to start their own K-Pop-inspired band. Randomly selected to room together at the at Mackendrick Prep boarding school, bookish Corki (Erika Tham), fashion-forward Jodi (Louriza Tronco) and social media maven Sun Hi (Megan Lee) meet and bond over music. With the help of fellow classmate and aspiring DJ, Caleb (Dale Whibley), the girls grow from roommates to bandmates when they form their new group, XO-IQ. Can they achieve pop stardom in a school where academics come first and the arts come last? How will these rising stars balance music, grades, relationships and crushes? There's only one way to find out! Get ready for fun, drama, and musical comedy with a K-pop twist and an EDM beat! The series, which features original songs and performances in every episode, is co-created by Thomas W. Lynch and Nick Cannon and produced by DHX Media. Nickelodeon recently ordered a twenty episode second season of "Make It Pop".

Pictured: (L-R) Jodi (Louriza Tronco), Sun Hi (Meghan Lee) and Corki (Erika Tham) in the new live-action series, Make It Pop, coming to Nickelodeon in the 2015-16 season. Photo Credit: Nickelodeon. ©2015 Viacom International, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

To celebrate Nick Russia and CIS debuting "Make It Pop", Nickelodeon.ru has unveiled Nick Россия and СНГ's all-new official "Мэйк ит Поп" show website to accompany the brand new show, which features information about the series and each of the characters in the show - Сан-Хи (Megan Lee), Джоди (Louriza Tronco), Корки (Erika Tham) and Калеб (Dale Whibley), plus exclusive online streaming video clips featuring XO-IQ's music videos from the show!

Source: ToonZone forums member chum_chum. Huge thanks to matteu21 for alerting me to the news!

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