NEWS
TOTAL LICENSING
niCKeloDeon announCeS neW merCHanDiSinG
ProGramS
Nickelodeon & V�iacom Consumer Products arrive at Licensing 2007 with new merchandising programs for its latest hits
– Nick Jr.’s The Wonder Pets! and T��Nick sensation, The Naked Brothers Band. Also being unveiled is a new licensing
program for the tween-targeted interactive on-line world of NeoPets. NV�CP continues to expand its roster
of licensees on leading properties including mega-brand’s Dora the �xplorer and SpongeBob SquarePants
as well as Go, Diego, Go!, The Backyardigans, Blue’s Clues, Avatar: The Last Airbender, Zoey 101 and
Unfabulous. �n addition, NV�CP offers creative merchandising opportunities with Comedy Central hits
including South Park, Reno 911 and Mind of Mencia.
On a different note, UA� based Al Ahli Group, a leading multi-disciplined organization, and Nick-
elodeon recently announced a long term partnership that will add Nickelodeon and its
properties to the giant Al Ahli Park development underway in Dubai. Several Nickelode-
on entities will become part of the park, which will open in 2011, including: SpongeBob
SquarePants, Patrick Starfish, Dora the �xplorer, Diego, and Blue’s Clues, among
others.
“AAG is so very proud to include Nickelodeon as a crown jewel in our park
property. We have been in discussions for more than two and half years with the
world’s top intellectual properties in the entertainment world and look forward to this long-term
partnership with Nickelodeon, the world’s most widely distributed kids’ network with proven global
appeal. �t has been a great experience working with our friends at Nickelodeon: Sarah Kirshbaum Levy,
executive vice president of Nickelodeon Strategy & Operations; Howard Smith, senior vice president, Nick-
elodeon Recreation; and John Paul Geurts, creative director, Nickelodeon Recreation; and a truly world-class organization
with an extremely talented and dedicated group of core executives,” commented Mohammed Khammas, C�O of Al Ahli
Group. “We are very excited to partner with the Al Ahli Group to bring the Nickelodeon brand and our hit properties to
one of the fastest growing travel destinations in the world. This is an exciting milestone in Nickelodeon’s global expan-
sion,” said Sarah Kirshbaum Levy, executive vice president of Nickelodeon and MTV�N Kids and Family Group.
nelVana SiGnS neW SmallfilmS
DiStriBution Deal for BaBar featureS in BBC
Nelvana recently announced that it will distribute the animated classic
DoCumentary
Babar through Azureus, �nc.’s newly enhanced broadband aggregation
The BBC are producing a five-part series
and distribution platform, V�uze. V�uze will create a new fan base for Ba-
documenting the history of children’s
bar by offering the series and feature films to the millions of users
television in the UK, scheduled for trans-
currently engaged on the platform.
mission on BBC4, on the 26 and 27 May
All 78 episodes of the Babar television series, as well as
this year.
the feature-length films, Babar: King of the �lephants
As a major contributor to children’s
and Babar and Father Christmas, will be avail-
television in the 1960s and 1970s, Oliver
able to rent or download-to-own in multiple
Postgate and Peter Firmin, iconic creators
languages at www.vuze.com in the UK, Aus-
of TV� favouriteouritess Bagpuss, �vor or the the �ngine,
tralia, New Zealand, �taly, the US and Russia.
The Clangers, Noggin the Nog, will be
The first two episodes will be available for free
heavily featured in this landmark docu-
as a special incentive.
mentary.
“We are excited to debut a classic brand on this
This comes at a time when, as part of an
emerging platform,” said Doug Murphy, President, Nelvana
‘all-star’ line up, Oliver Postgate has been
�nterprises. “Babar’s popularity the world over, with our
voted runner up in a recent poll to mark
quality, language-versioned content and Azureus’ lead-
the best-loved voice in children’s televi-
ing technological peer-to-peer network makes for a
sion. Postgate is known for his narration
winning combination.”
of such memorable TV� classics as Bagpuss,
“With new users discovering V�uze every day, we are ex-
The Clangers, �vor the �ngine, Noggin the
cited that a large global audience will now have the oppor-
Nog.
tunity to become acquainted with Babar in a very dynam-
More than 1,200 ‘voices’ took part in the
ic way,” said Gilles BianRosa, C�O of Azureus. “Through
survey, with Brian Cant (Trumpton) filling
V�uze, old fans can instantly reconnect with their favorite
the top slot. Others in the top 10 include
elephant and recommend the show to their friends,
such famous talent as David Jason, Ber-
while new fans from around the world can discover
nard Cribbins, Kenneth Williams and ex-
and embrace the classic series and movies.”
Beatle Ringo Starr.
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