Nickelodeon South East Asia to Premiere 'The SpongeBob Musical: Live On Stage!' on Friday 13th March 2020; New 'SpongeBob' Episodes from Saturday 29th February 2020

NICKELODEON SOUTHEAST ASIA TO DEBUT ORIGINAL TELEVISION MUSICAL EVENT

THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL: LIVE ON STAGE!

ON FRIDAY 13TH MARCH 2020

SpongeBob SquarePants Voice Actor Tom Kenny Appears in Special as “Patchy the Pirate”

Follow SPONGEBOB: @TheSpongeBobMusical @SpongeBob @NickAsia

(l-r) Danny Skinner (Patrick Star), Ethan Slater (SpongeBob SquarePants), Christina Sajous (Sandy Cheeks) in “The SpongeBob Musical: Live on Stage!”. Photo credit © Alex Bailey/Nickelodeon

Nickelodeon South East Asia will premiere The SpongeBob Musical: Live On Stage!, which, following a critically lauded run on Broadway, reunites members of the original award-winning Broadway company, on Friday 13th March 2020 at 5.30pm on Nickelodeon Malaysia (MY) and Nickelodeon Philippines (PH), 8:10pm on Nickelodeon Singapore (SG) and at 4:30pm on Nickelodeon Indonesia (WIB)! Joining the cast is veteran SpongeBob SquarePants voice actor Tom Kenny as “Patchy the Pirate,” performing the original Sara Bareilles song “Poor Pirates.” The SpongeBob Musical: Live On Stage! was filmed for television in front of a live theater audience, capturing all-new depths of theatrical innovation, where the power of optimism really can save the world.

Leading up to the debut of The SpongeBob Musical: Live On Stage!, fans can catch brand new episode of SpongeBob SquarePants from Saturday 29th February 2020 at 11am (MY / PH) / 11.30am (SG) / 10am (INDO).

“I’ve had a blast portraying live-action suburban buccaneer and President of the SpongeBob SquarePants Fan Club, ‘Patchy the Pirate,’ since the character’s first appearance in season two of SpongeBob SquarePants way back in 2000,” said Kenny. “I loved The SpongeBob Musical, and I was thrilled to be included in it both in pre-recorded (‘French Narrator’) and songwriter (‘Best Day Ever’) forms! But to now have the opportunity to actually step onstage and perform alongside members of the original Broadway production is truly a unique honor. It’s ‘meta times ten,’ and I think Nickelodeon’s audience will really get a kick out of it!”

Nickelodeon has revealed a first look of the special, where the stakes are higher than ever, as SpongeBob and all of Bikini Bottom face the potential of total annihilation of their undersea world. Chaos erupts. Lives hang in the balance. And just when all hope seems lost, a most unexpected hero rises and takes center stage.


The SpongeBob Musical: Live On Stage! cast will include Ethan Slater as SpongeBob SquarePants, Gavin Lee as Squidward Q. Tentacles, Danny Skinner as Patrick Star, Brian Ray Norris as Eugene Krabs, Wesley Taylor as Sheldon Plankton, Christina Sajous as Sandy Cheeks and Tom Kenny as ‘Patchy the Pirate’. The ensemble will include Kyle Hamilton, Katie Lee Hill, Curtis Holbrook, Jesse JP Johnson, L’ogan J’ones, Jai’len Josey, Kelvin Moon Loh, Lauralyn McClelland, Vasthy Mompoint, Bryonha Marie Parham, Oneika Phillips, Jon Rua, JC Schuster, Abby C. Smith, Robert Taylor Jr., and Allan Washington.

Adapted from the beloved Nickelodeon series, the Broadway musical was hailed by The New York Times as “brilliant,” and “effervescent candy-for-the-spirit” by New York Magazine. This new musical earned its place on 2017’s “Best of Broadway” lists, including Broadway.com, BuzzFeed, Chicago Tribune, The Daily Beast, Deadline, ET Online, Forbes, Time Out New York and Variety.

Named Best Musical by the Drama Desk Awards and Outer Critics Circle, and earned 12 Tony Award nominations – the most nominated musical of the 2017-2018 theatre season – winning for Best Scenic Design of a Musical (David Zinn).


Acclaimed Steppenwolf director Tina Landau and the groundbreaking designers behind Fun Home, Hedwig, and Spring Awakening have brilliantly reimagined Bikini Bottom for the Broadway stage, on tour, and now for television, bringing the spirit of SpongeBob to life with humanity, heart, and pure theatricality. With an original score from some of the biggest names in pop and rock, The SpongeBob Musical: Live On Stage! explodes with energy.

The SpongeBob Musical: Live On Stage! is a musical production conceived and directed for the stage by Tina Landau, book by Kyle Jarrow, orchestrations, arrangements & music supervision by Tom Kitt, with choreography by Christopher Gattelli, produced for television by Austin Shaw, and directed by Glenn Weiss. Nickelodeon’s Vice Presidents Paul J Medford and Susan Vargo serve as executive producers, alongside Senior Vice President of Music & Talent Doug Cohn and is executive produced and overseen by Executive Vice President of Unscripted and Live Events Rob Bagshaw.

This one-of-a-kind television musical event features original songs by Yolanda Adams, Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith, Sara Bareilles, Jonathan Coulton, Alex Ebert of Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, The Flaming Lips, Lady Antebellum, Cyndi Lauper, Rob Hyman, John Legend, Panic! At The Disco, Plain White T’s, They Might Be Giants, and T.I. (Clifford Harris, Jr.), Domani Harris, and Darwin Quinn, and additional songs by David Bowie, and by Tom Kenny and Andy Paley. Additional lyrics by Jonathan Coulton. Additional music by Tom Kitt. Along with “The SpongeBob Theme Song” by Derek Drymon, Mark Harrison, Stephen Hillenburg, and Blaise Smith.

The design team includes scenic and costume design by David Zinn, lighting design by Kevin Adams, projection design by Peter Nigrini, sound design by Walter Trarbach, hair and wig design by Charles G. LaPointe and casting by Telsey + Company/Patrick Goodwin, CSA.

The Original Cast Recording is available now from Masterworks Broadway wherever music is sold and streamed.

The SpongeBob Musical: Live On Stage! made its debut on Nickelodeon USA on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019, where it was a ratings hit. The SpongeBob Musical: Live on Stage! Sing-A-Long premiered Sat., January 4, 2020 at 7 p.m. (ET/PT) on Nick USA.

The SpongeBob Musical is now on tour across North America.

(l-r) Danny Skinner, Gavin Lee, Ethan Slater. Photo credit © Alex Bailey/Nickelodeon

Tom Kenny as “Patchy the Pirate” with cast members of “The SpongeBob Musical: Live on Stage!”. Photo credit © Alex Bailey/Nickelodeon

Ethan Slater and the cast of “The SpongeBob Musical: Live on Stage!”. Photo credit © Alex Bailey/Nickelodeon

Katie Lee Hill, Ethan Slater, Tom Kenny, Brian Ray Norris. Photo credit © Alex Bailey/Nickelodeon

Ethan Slater and the cast of “The SpongeBob Musical: Live on Stage!”. Photo credit © Alex Bailey/Nickelodeon

Since its launch July 17, 1999, SpongeBob SquarePants has reigned as the number-one kids’ animated series on TV for the last 17 years, while generating a universe of beloved characters, pop culture catchphrases and memes, theatrical releases, consumer products, a Tony award-winning Broadway musical and a global fan base. SpongeBob SquarePants is the most widely distributed property in Viacom International Media Networks history, seen in more than 170 countries, translated in 30+ languages, and averaging more than 140 million total viewers every quarter. SpongeBob SquarePants is created by Stephen Hillenburg and produced by Nickelodeon in Burbank, Calif. The character-driven cartoon chronicles the nautical and sometimes nonsensical adventures of SpongeBob, an incurably optimist and earnest sea sponge, and his undersea friends.

About Nickelodeon International:

Nickelodeon, now in its 40th 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 brand includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, digital, location-based experiences, publishing and feature films. For more information or artwork, visit http://www.nickpress.com. Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of ViacomCBS Inc. (Nasdaq: VIACA, VIAC).

More Nick: Nickelodeon Asia to Premiere Kids’ Choice Awards 2020 on Wednesday 25th March 2020!

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First Appearance of the Ninja Rangers & Turtle Rangers in 'Mighty Morphin Power Rangers/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #4'

FIRST APPEARANCE OF THE NINJA RANGERS & TURTLE RANGERS IN MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS/TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES #4

February 22, 2020

Discover a First Look at the Ninja Turtles as Power Rangers in March 2020

BOOM! Studios, under license by Hasbro, Inc. and in partnership with IDW and Nickelodeon, is proud to reveal artist Simone di Meo’s character designs for Zack, Kimberly, Jason, Trini, and Billy as Ninja Rangers and Michelangelo, Donatello, Raphael, Leonardo, and April O’Neil as Power Rangers in MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS/TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES #4, the latest issue of the highly acclaimed all-new five-issue limited series event!

Written by Ryan Parrott (Power Rangers: Necessary Evil), illustrated by Simone di Meo (Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, Venom Annual), colored by Walter Baiamonte (Mighty Morphin Power Rangers), and lettered by Ed Dukeshire (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers fight – and team up with – the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

It’s the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers as you’ve never seen them before vs Green Ranger Shredder! Will both teams be enough to stop the head of the Foot Clan as he wields the awesome power of the Dragon Shield and the Morphin Grid for evil? And what’s Rita Repulsa up to as the mighty battle rages on?

MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS/TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES #4 (OF 5) features a main cover by Dan Mora (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Once & Future), with Turtle Ranger Helmet variant covers by Goñi Montes (Mighty Morphin Power Rangers) and more!

Print copies of MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS/TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES #4 will be available on March 18, 2020 at local comic book shops (use comicshoplocator.com to find the one nearest you), or at the BOOM! Studios webstore. Digital copies can be purchased from content providers like comiXology, iBooks, Google Play, and Madefire.

Softcover collections of MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS, SABAN’S GO GO POWER RANGERS, and other Power Rangers releases from BOOM! Studios, including original graphic novels such as Saban’s Power Rangers: The Psycho Path, are available everywhere books are sold.

IDW’s extensive library of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles graphic novels – new stories tied into the Rise of the TMNT cartoon, remastered Eastman & Laird classics, IDW’s critically-acclaimed ongoing saga (now approaching its landmark 100th issue and available as the TMNT: The IDW Collection), and more – are available now at comic book shops and booksellers everywhere.

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More Nick: The Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Team Up with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in New Comic Series from BOOM! Studios!

H/T: Bounding Into Comics.

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'Doug' Tribute 'A (Funny) Imagination!' to Play at New York Theater Festival's 2020 Winterfest

Kevin Ray Johnson's (The Unpredictable Times; OnStage Blogs 5 Questions Series) A (Funny) Imagination!, a one-act show inspired by Nickelodeon's beloved '90s animated series Doug, is heading to the New York Theater Festival's 2020 Winterfest!

The one-act follows Dee as he reunites ten years after graduating Highschool with Tricia and EmVee to discuss unresolved issues from the past that completely altered their relationship for the rest of their lives. Dee recalls the events that led him to the point of where he now is physically, socially and mentally.

Johnson will direct and the cast will feature * Michael Coale Grey returns to the role he originated in Dee, with Grace Andrade Bowen as Tricia, LeVane Harrington as EmVee, Rachael Henry Johnson as Dee's Sister, Frank Ruiz as Rog, and Mallory Campbell as Constance & Others.

(* Being seen Courtesy of Actors Equity Association)

A (Funny) Imagination! is an unauthorized parody based on characters from the cartoon Doug (The Nickelodeon Years).

Showtimes are Thursday February 27th at 6:15 pm, Friday February 28th at 6:30 pm and Sunday March 1st at 1:00 pm and tickets can be purchased by visiting - https://newyorktheaterfestival.com/funny-imagination/ (Members of Actors Equity Association will get in for Free with proof of Union Status).

Each performance runs for 60 minutes.

Doug was created by Jim Jinkins and premiered on August 11, 1991 as one of the original Nicktoons, alongside The Ren & Stimpy Show and Rugrats. It ran on Nickelodeon for 52 episodes before being acquired by Disney and spawning the feature film, Doug's 1st Movie

Original source: Broadway World Off-Off-Broadway.

From Playbill:

Cast Set for A (Funny) Imagination!, Unauthorized Parody of Characters From Nickelodeon’s Doug

The three performances of Kevin Ray Johnson's one-act are part of the New York Theater Festival’s 2020 Winterfest.

A (Funny) Imagination!, a new one-act based on the characters from the animated Nickelodeon series Doug, will be part of the New York Theater Festival's 2020 Winterfest.

Kevin Ray Johnson's unauthorized parody will feature Michael Coale Grey as Dee, Grace Andrade Bowen as Tricia, LeVane Harrington as EmVee, Frank Ruiz as Rog, Rachael Henry Johnson as Dee's Sister, and Mallory Campbell as Constance and others. Playwright Johnson also directs. The stage manager is Emily Yarmey.

The one-act follows Dee as he reunites 10 years after graduating high school with Tricia and EmVee to discuss unresolved issues from the past that altered their relationship. Dee recalls the events that led him to the point of where he now is physically, socially, and mentally.

Johnson's other plays include The Unpredictable Times, The Next Day, and A Week in the Life of Norah Andrews.

Performances will run February 27–March 1. For ticket information, click here.

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Watch all your ‘80s, ‘90s, and ‘00s Nickelodeon favorites on NickRewind, your late-night destination for your favorite childhood Nickelodeon cartoons and live-action shows! NickSplat doesn't question football-shaped heads, but embrace them - along with Reptar bars, a Big Ear of Corn, orange soda, and even slime for Pete (and Pete's) sake. Make your slime-covered Nickelodeon childhood dreams come true every night on TeenNick USA, and anytime you want on NickSplat on VRV, Nick Pluto TV, and Nick on CBS All Access!

Like NickRewind on Facebook, subscribe to the NickRewind YouTube channel and follow NickRewind on Twitter and Instagram for exclusive digital content from all of your throwback favorites like Rugrats, Hey Arnold!, iCarly, Victorious, Kenan & Kel, CatDog, Doug, Rocko’s Modern Life, The Amanda Show, Clarissa Explains It All, The Ren & Stimpy Show, Are You Afraid of the Dark?, and so much more!

Join Nickelodeon's official I Was A Nick Kid Facebook Group!: https://www.facebook.com/groups/IWasANickKid/

More Nick: Nickelodeon and Paramount to Bring 'Rugrats' Back for the Next Generation of Kids!

Originally published: Monday, January 27, 2020.

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'PAW Patrol Dino Rescue' Theme to Launch Summer 2020

Spin Master is set to launch Dino Rescue, the latest theme for Nickelodeon's beloved CG-animated preschool series PAW Patrol, during summer 2020!

Update (6/22) - Nickelodeon will premiere "PAW Patrol Dino Rescue: Pups and the Lost Dino Eggs" on Friday, June 26, 2020 at 12:00 p.m. (ET/PT)! Click the following link for more info!: http://nickalive.blogspot.com/2020/05/nickelodeon-to-premiere-new-paw-patrol.html

PAW Patrol™ is rooted in action and adventure and this summer the pups will embark on a Dino Rescue™. In Dino Rescue, the PAW Patrol travel to Dino Land where they meet new pup and dinosaur expert, Rex. With brand-new rugged Dino Rescue gear, heavy-duty vehicles and tools, the pups are ready for action-packed prehistoric rescue missions in a lost world full of dinosaurs.

The Dino Rescue theme will be meticulously integrated into the PAW Patrol world, staying true to the storylines and characters while exploring new landscapes and rescues. The attention to detail will transcend to the toys, with new innovative features and inspiring transformations like the PAW Patrol™ Dino Patroller, the first-ever motorized PAW Patrol vehicle. Featuring large scale wheels for extra rough terrain the Patroller also comes with five and a half inch T-Rex Dino and Chase figure for your little hero to go on big rescues. The PAW Patrol™ Dino Patroller is set to zoom into stores during Fall 2020 with a SRP of $59.99. Suitable for children aged age: 3+.

Introducing the first ever motorized PAW Patrol vehicle which features oversized wheels for extra tough terrain and includes a T-Rex dino and Chase figure. Use the projectile launcher for action-packed dino rescues. It even has room for all 6 pups! Fall 2020 Age: 3+; SRP $59.99

Spin Master will be previewing the company's new PAW Patrol Dino Rescue line of consumer products at the 2020 North American International Toy Fair in New York City from February 22 through 25, 2020. Media and influencers are invited to visit the Spin Master Booth (#2209) to see these products first-hand.

Spin Master will also be showcasing these PAWsome brand new PAW Patrol toys at North American International Toy Fair 2020!:

PAW PATROL CHASE'S HOVERCRAFT

This PAW Patrol deluxe transforming vehicle is packed with features like translucent light up details, sound effects, a projectile launcher and rescue net, and it can even drive in vehicle or hover mode. Load the exclusive Charged Up Chase collectible figure (included) into the vehicle and for even more adventures, add all of the Charged Up pups and their Deluxe Vehicles (each sold separately) to your PAW Patrol collection. Spring 2020. Age: 3+; SRP $14.99

ULTIMATE POLICE CRUISER

This all new team vehicle features real lights and sounds and includes four mini vehicles, a dual motorcycle launcher and helicopter with motorized propellers for the ultimate rescue. Includes Chase figure. Fall 2020. Age: 3+; SRP $79.99.

ADVENTURE BAY RESCUE WAY

This all new PAW Patrol True Metal playset is modelled after the Adventure Bay Lookout Tower and features dual track play to launch the two exclusive True Metal vehicles at the same time to race to the rescue. Fall 2020. Age: 3+; SRP $49.99.

"At Spin Master, we are reimagining where imagination can take us across toys, entertainment and digital to excite, entertain and inspire children and families globally," said Chris Beardall, Executive Vice President of Global Sales at Spin Master. "We are excited to reveal our 2020 portfolio which will deliver unique experiences, memorable characters and one of a kind innovation."

"From dragons, we move onto dinosaurs…and puppies. That’s right, PAW Patrol Dino Rescue will pair the puppers with dinosaurs. That means a whole new line of toys. And the Dino Patroller is the first-ever motorized vehicle for the line; the oversized wheels allow it to drive over obstacles with ease. But for the regular line, you can look forward to the Adventure Bay Lookout Tower track, which comes out this fall and retails for $49.99." - The Geekiary.

Spin Master continues to be at the forefront of evolving trends, capturing the hearts and minds of children around the world and maintaining its position as a toy industry trailblazer with a total of seven nominations for the upcoming 2020 Toy of the Year (TOTY) Awards, in addition to four nominations for the Women in Toys (WIT) Awards, both presented by The Toy Association.

The news comes hot on the heels of Spin Master announced the first-ever PAW Patrol theatrical movie! A Spin Master Entertainment production in association with Nickelodeon Movies and distributed by Paramount Pictures, the PAW Patrol film is slated to arrive in theaters in August 2021 and will be directed by animation veteran Cal Brunker (Nut Job 2: Nutty By Nature; Escape From Planet Earth).

PAW Patrol follows the adventures of a tech-savvy boy named Ryder and his team of pups who are ready to save the day. Whenever there's trouble, pups Chase, Marshall, Rubble, Zuma, Rocky and Skye are ready for action, no matter what comes their way. With a mission to work together to keep Adventure Bay safe, no job is too big, and no pup is too small.

Airing in over 160 countries, in 30 languages, PAW Patrol is consistently ranked as one of, if not the, top-rated preschool series. Currently entering its seventh season on Nickelodeon, PAW Patrol's universal messaging resonates with children around the world and since its launch in 2013, the franchise has won countless awards. The series has been renewed for an eighth season.

More Nick: Nickelodeon Launches PAW Patrol Safety First! Global Campaign!

Originally published: Friday, February 21, 2020.

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Nickelodeon Adds Three Senior Animation Executives

Nickelodeon is bolstering its executive team in its Animation Studio headquarters. Hired in the newly created senior positions are former Fox Animation executive Darlene Caamaño Loquet as Senior Vice President (SVP) of Nickelodeon Movies; former 20th Century Fox TV SVP casting Liz Paulson as SVP of Nickelodeon Animation Casting & Talent Development; and former Walt Disney Animation Studios executive Camille Eden as Vice President (VP) of Nickelodeon Recruiting and Talent Development. All will be based at the network's Burbank, California headquarters and will report to Ramsey Naito, Executive Vice President (EVP) of Nickelodeon Animation Studios. All three officially began in their new roles earlier this week.

“Nickelodeon Animation is focused on three vital elements to drive our business forward—building the culture, developing talent and creating great animated content for kids and families everywhere—and Darlene, Liz and Camille are the perfect leaders to bring our creative-lead mission into the future,” said Naito.

In the newly created roles, Caamaño Loquet will oversee Nickelodeon’s movie business, building and managing a slate of content for features and SVOD services. Paulson will run animation casting and talent development for the animation studio which will include development and current series productions, movies and short form content; and Eden will lead the recruitment for the animation studio, finding and placing new talent that will help develop a growing slate of series and feature productions.

Caamaño Loquet recently served as Vice President of production at Fox Animation, where she brought in and packaged several projects including National Book Award winner The Girl Who Drank the Moon, the New York Times bestselling trilogy Zita the Space Girl, as well as Eisner Award winning graphic novel Nimona, currently in production at Blue Sky Studios, on which she also served as Producer. Prior to joining Fox Animation, Caamaño Loquet served as President and Chief Operating Officer (COO) of NALA Films, producing notable projects such as The Bling Ring; Decoding Deepak; Casa De Mi Padre; In The Valley of Elah and Dan in Real Life. She began her executive career at DreamWorks Animation/Patchwork Productions.

Paulson has spent the past 20 years in the field of casting in the television arena until leaving the studio last fall. Most recently, she served as SVP of Casting at 20th Century Fox Television, overseeing scripted and animation television projects including American Horror Story, 9-1-1, Empire, Bob’s Burgers, Bless The Harts and Fresh off the Boat, among others. Paulson began her career in the commercial landscape and is a founding partner of Mel & Liz Casting, a commercial casting company that works with a variety of high-profile television and feature directors.

Most recently, Eden oversaw the recruitment and outreach strategy at Walt Disney Animation Studios. Her credits include Frozen 2, Ralph Breaks the Internet, Moana, Zootopia, Big Hero 6, Frozen and Wreck-it Ralph. In 2004, Eden joined DreamWorks Animation on their first CG feature, Shark Tale. The following year, she transitioned from production to talent acquisitions/talent management working at Sony Pictures Imageworks recruiting for visual effects and animated features, as well as, spearheading efforts for satellite offices in Bristol, England, Albuquerque and Vancouver. In 2006, Eden joined Framestore, London to oversee recruitment for their first feature, The Tale of Despereaux, as well as, The Quantum of Solace, The Golden Compass, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix and Wanted.

From Animation World Network:

Nickelodeon Appoints 3 New Senior Animation Studio Executives

Darlene Caamaño Loquet, Liz Paulson, and Camille Eden join studio in newly created roles to oversee movies, casting and talent development, and recruitment.

BURBANK — Expanding its efforts to increase feature film development and production, Nickelodeon has just appointed three executives to newly created senior positions in its Burbank animation studio headquarters. The new hires include: Darlene Caamaño Loquet, named Senior Vice President of Nickelodeon Movies; Liz Paulson, named Senior Vice President of Nickelodeon Animation Casting & Talent Development; and Camille Eden, named Vice President of Nickelodeon Recruiting and Talent Development. The announcement was made today by Ramsey Naito, Executive Vice President of Nickelodeon Animation Studios, to whom the three will report.

According to Naito, “Nickelodeon Animation is focused on three vital elements to drive our business forward—building the culture, developing talent and creating great animated content for kids and families everywhere—and Darlene, Liz and Camille are the perfect leaders to bring our creative-lead mission into the future.”

Caamaño Loquet will oversee Nickelodeon’s movie business, building and managing a slate of content for features and SVOD services. Paulson will run animation casting and talent development for the animation studio, which will include development and current series productions, movies and short form content; and Eden will lead the recruitment for the animation studio, finding and placing new talent that will help develop a growing slate of series and feature productions.

Caamaño Loquet recently served as Vice President of Production at Fox Animation, where she brought in and packaged several projects including National Book Award winner The Girl Who Drank the Moon, the New York Times Bestselling trilogy Zita the Space Girl, as well as Eisner Award winning graphic novel NIMONA, currently in production at Blue Sky Studios, on which she also served as producer. Prior to joining Fox Animation, Caamaño Loquet served as President and COO of NALA Films, producing notable projects: The Bling Ring; Decoding Deepak; Casa De Mi Padre; In The Valley of Elah and Dan in Real Life. Darlene began her executive career at DreamWorks Animation / Patchwork Productions.

Paulson has spent the past 20 years in the field of casting, discovering emerging talent and aligning high-end talent in the television arena. Most recently, she served as Senior Vice President of Casting at 20th Century Fox Television, overseeing scripted and animation television projects including; American Horror Story, 9-1-1, Empire, Bob’s Burgers, Bless The Harts and Fresh off the Boat, among others. Paulson began her career in the commercial landscape and is a founding partner of Mel & Liz Casting, a commercial casting company that works with a variety of high-profile television and feature directors. In October 2015, Variety honored Paulson as one of Hollywood’s New Leaders.

Most recently, Eden oversaw the recruitment and outreach strategy at Walt Disney Animation Studios. Her credits include; Frozen 2, Ralph Breaks the Internet, Moana, Zootopia, Big Hero 6, Frozen and Wreck-it Ralph. In 2004, Eden joined DreamWorks Animation on their first CG feature, Shark Tale. The following year, she transitioned from production to talent acquisitions/talent management working at Sony Pictures Imageworks recruiting for visual effects and animated features, as well as, spearheading efforts for satellite offices in Bristol, England, Albuquerque and Vancouver. In 2006, Eden joined Framestore, London to oversee recruitment for their first feature, The Tale of Despereaux, as well as, The Quantum of Solace, The Golden Compass, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix and Wanted.

Source: Nickelodeon

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From Kidscreen:

She’s All That: How Camille Eden is shaking up Nickelodeon’s hiring

The former talent acquisitions manager at Disney Animation Studios joined Nick as VP of talent and recruitment, and she has with plans to change how the media conglom thinks about hiring entirely.

Before joining Nickelodeon as its new VP of recruiting and talent development in late January, Camille Eden had spent nearly a decade at Walt Disney Animation Studios as a talent acquisition and outreach manager. There, she built a reputation for promoting diverse and inclusive hiring practices while helping staff projects like Frozen and Frozen 2, Wreck-it Ralph, Moana and Big Hero 6.

She’s done stints at Sony Pictures Imageworks (recruitment), DreamWorks (production manager) and her new home Nickelodeon (production supervisor). Her experience caught the eye of Nick, which is up plenty of projects in the wake of the Viacom and CBS’ merger and its multi-year output deal with Netflix.

Finding fresh blood for new and existing projects, teams and exec ranks falls squarely on Eden’s shoulders, and she sat with Kidscreen to talk how she landed in this role and what the rest of the kids industry should know about talent recruitment and development.

Kidscreen: How did you end up as VP of Nickelodeon recruiting and talent development?

Camille Eden: I was overseeing recruitment and outreach and school initiatives for Disney, and that was going on almost nine years, and I got an email out of the blue and from one of the recruiters at Viacom. I wasn’t really looking at the time but I thought it would be great to come in and meet with the hiring managers.

KS: Why are you the right person for this job?

CE: I’ve been doing this for awhile, and I love what I do. Whenever I meet somebody, I’m always thinking of a role that they would be great for, a person [they should be] connected to to this, [mentally] or keep this person in our rolodex because I know something is going to come up down the road.

I’ve also been doing a lot of work with diversity and inclusion and bringing new talent forward, and that was pretty important to me to be able to do that kind of work and do it for a bigger scale. With the amount of projects coming through [at Nickelodeon], I [can help] build a recruiting team, and a recruiting culture that brings new voices to the forefront.

KS: What do you mean by “recruiting culture”?

CE: When people think of recruiting, they think of one person or a team of recruiters, but I think recruiting is part of everyone’s job at a company or studio.

KS: What were the first tasks you set out doing when you started in late January?

CE: I think it’s really important to learn about the studio, the people, the culture before implementing big changes. There’s still a lot of meetings to go, but the first thing is just trying to learn and understand.

KS: What lessons did you learn at Disney that you’re going to apply to your new role?

CE: Working in companies that have a lot of creative talent, it’s not just about saying that the artists are the only creative ones. You can be creative in HR or in overhead roles, and I think listening to people and hearing what their goals are [and it's thinking through], how do you connect people with the right person or the right resource to help them in their career goal? I think that’s something I’ve learned at Disney.

KS: What are the main talent areas you’re looking to fill right now at Nickelodeon?

CE: Production, management, story and art. And then there’s probably going to be some CG roles—those are the ones that are going to be key. [I'm looking to fill positions like] storyboard artists, character designers, background painters, roles in the visual development world.

KS: What is your biggest obstacle to finding new talent right now?

CE: Everybody is looking at the same time for the same talent. There’s a high demand for storyboard artists and story in general because there are a lot of places now now creating content. So that makes it a challenge.

KS: So how do you convince talent to come work for you rather than one of those other studios?

CE: I think the studio itself is really key because it’s an amazing place to work, there’s so many projects coming and already in the works. People want an environment that is welcoming, they want to contribute, and I think we need to show off the culture of Nickelodeon when we’re meeting people or using social media, will help entice people to come here.

KS: How do you find fresh new talent?

CE: There’s an outreach component, but there’s also an element of going out, going to schools, hosting things here for them to take a look around. There’s social media, there’s tools like LinkedIn which a lot of people in recruitment will use. There’s referrals, some of the best ways to get talent is from the people who are already here. It’s just about being creative about how you reach out, and thinking strategically about tailoring your search for what you’re looking for and how you tailor that search for that specific role.

It’s combining all of those different efforts for the job and then creating a new culture here to be ahead of the game and start to proactively look for talent versus being reactive.

This interview has been edited and condensed for length and clarity.

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More Nick: 2020 on Nickelodeon | New Shows, Specials, Events, Movies, Episodes, and More | Nick Upfront 2020!

Originally published: Wednesday, February 12, 2020 at 19:48 GMT.

Original source: Deadline; Additional sources: Kidscreen, Multichannel News.

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Super7 Unveils SpongeBob SquarePants ReAction Figures at Toy Fair 2020

Super7 has announced the sponge-tastic news that Nickelodeon's beloved animated series SpongeBob SquarePants will be joining the world of its popular line of 3.75″ ReAction figures! The San Francisco-based pop-culture design house and producer of lifestyle-oriented collectibles, toys and apparel announced the news at Toy Fair 2020 in New York.

Super7's line of SpongeBob SquarePants ReAction figure line will include figures inspired by SpongeBob SquarePants, Patrick Star, Squidward Tentacles (in his Krusty Krab hat) and Mr. Krabs. Each figure will come with accessories, such as a spatula, an ice cream cone (Patrick) and a bag of money (Mr. Krabs). Each figure will also come in brightly colored packaging. The final designs are awaiting Nickelodeon's (the licensor) approval.

Grey scale prototypes of the figures were showcased at Super7's NYTF 2020 booth, however, the SpongeBob sculpture was oddly missing from the display.

Check out photos from the display below, courtesy of The Toy Ark! The SpongeBob SquarePants ReAction figures join previously released figures, including Beavis and Butthead, and upcoming Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Universal Monsters and The Munsters figures.

The SpongeBob figs join other recent collaborations from brands such as Unimatic, Nike and Timberland, Pharrell Williams' Billionaire Boys Club ICECREAM, Edward Venero's VNRO, a skateboard collection from Santa Cruz Skateboards, a homeware collaboration from Modernica with Chicago-based visual artist Louis De Guzman and global music artist J Balvin, a dog apparel and accessories collection with Fresh Pawz, clothing with Zara, and a Grillz collaboration between J Balvin and Ian Delucca. A collaboration with Teddy Fresh is also in the works.

SpongeBob SquarePants, which was recently greenlit for a 13th season, has reigned as the number-one kids’ animated series on TV for the last 17 years, while generating a universe of beloved characters, pop culture catchphrases and memes, theatrical releases, consumer products, a Tony award-winning Broadway musical which is now touring North America and a global fan base. SpongeBob SquarePants is seen in more than 208 countries and territories, translated in 55+ languages, and averages more than 100 million total viewers every quarter. SpongeBob SquarePants is created by Stephen Hillenburg and produced by Nickelodeon in Burbank, Calif.

Nickelodeon's is currently in the midst of the network's "Best Year Ever", a year-long global celebration of one of the most iconic TV series and characters ever created. The “Best Year Ever” launched with the premiere of “SpongeBob’s Big Birthday Blowout,” an original mixed live-action and animated special earlier this summer, and leads up to the Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies theatrical, The SpongeBob Movie: It's a Wonderful Sponge, coming May 2020.

A CG-animated prequel spin-off series, Kamp Koral, following 10-year-old SpongeBob SquarePants during his summer at sleepaway camp, is also slated to premiere during Summer 2020.

Shop SpongeBob!: https://www.spongebobshop.com

More Nick: Nickelodeon Announces Voice Cast for 'Kamp Koral: SpongeBob’s Under Years', First-Ever 'SpongeBob SquarePants' Spinoff!

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NECA and Super7 Showcase New TMNT Figures at Toy Fair 2020

COWABUNGA! The National Entertainment Collectibles Association (NECA) unveiled a bunch of new retro-themed Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles figures at Toy Fair 2020! They include toys inspired by the popular 1980s animated Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles television series, as well as the live-action Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie from 1990 and its 1991 sequel Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze, as well as the hit TMNT video game, Turtles in Time! Take a look at photos from the display below:

The Adventures of Paddington | FULL EPISODE | Nick Jr. UK

The Adventures of Paddington | FULL EPISODE | Nick Jr. UK


Watch brand new series, The Adventures of Paddington, beginning March 2nd only on Nick Jr. on Nick Jr. UK & Ireland! Info: http://nickalive.blogspot.com/2019/12/nick-jr-uk-to-premiere-adventures-of.html

Paddington Makes Pancakes: Pancake day is cancelled in the Brown household, when Mrs. Bird hurts her arm snowboarding. So Paddington decides to take matters into his own paws, and plans a surprise Pancake Day for everyone!

Paddington Plays Football: Jonathan introduces Paddington to football and an enthusiastic Paddington accidentally kicks the ball into Mr. Curry's garden! How will they get it back?

For more Nick Jr. activities and games visit : http://www.nickjr.co.uk/

More Nick: Nickelodeon Adventure Lakeside in Essex Opens its Doors!

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How to Use a Krabby Patty IRL! 🍔 SpongeBob

How to Use a Krabby Patty IRL! 🍔 SpongeBob


Think Krabby Patties are just for eating? Then you haven't lived! Check out all of the different ways you can use a frozen Krabby Patty IRL just like SpongeBob and Patrick!

CALLING ALL GOOFY GOOBERS! (ROCK!) Are ya ready for a deep dive into the world of SpongeBob SquarePants? The SpongeBob YouTube channel is THE PLACE for all fan-favorite SpongeBob moments! We’re serving up everything from legendary scenes to remixes of classic songs to deep dives into Bikini Bottom lore. Be sure to check back every week for Music Mondays, Wumbo Wednesdays, and Flashback Fridays! Subscribe now at https://www.youtube.com/SpongeBobOfficial!

Shop SpongeBob!: https://www.spongebobshop.com

More Nick: Nickelodeon Announces Voice Cast for 'Kamp Koral: SpongeBob’s Under Years', First-Ever 'SpongeBob SquarePants' Spinoff!

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Victorious Karaoke | Cheer Me Up | Nickelodeon UK

Victorious Karaoke | Cheer Me Up | Nickelodeon UK


Help Tori (Victoria Justice) with her audition tape for the Platinum Music Awards, and sing along to Cheer Me Up!

Visit nick.co.uk and the Nickelodeon Play app for more Victorious!

More Nick: Nickelodeon Big Base Camp to Open Easter 2020 in Greenwich, London - Making Kids Stars of the Show!

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Celebrating Black Writers Who Changed the Game | Black History Month | Nickelodeon

Celebrating Black Writers Who Changed the Game | Black History Month | Nickelodeon

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A post shared by Nickelodeon (@nickelodeon) on Feb 22, 2020 at 4:59pm PST

These Black writers changed the game!

More Nick: Black History Month on Nickelodeon!

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Nickelodeon Slime Garden Sensations Slime Kit Now Available at Walmart

Flex your green thumb with Nickelodeon Slime's garden sensations slime kit, now at Target!:

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A post shared by Nickelodeon (@nickelodeon) on Feb 23, 2020 at 8:37am PST

More Nick: Nickelodeon Announces Kids’ Choice Awards 2020 Host & Nominees!

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