Tag: Manuel Torres

  • Nick US boosts merchandising activity for ‘SpongeBob SquarePants’

    Nick US boosts merchandising activity for ‘SpongeBob SquarePants’

    MUMBAI: US kids‘ broadcaster Nickelodeon has launched a new SpongeBob SquarePants Hot Wheels collection featuring six die-cast vehicles inspired by SpongeBob and his Bikini Bottom friends.

    Each 1:64 scale vehicle features SpongeBob, Patrick, Mr. Krabs, Plankton or Squidward graphics, specially designed in their likeness. Retailing for $3.49 each, SpongeBob, Plankton and Squidward‘s fun-sized vehicles are available now with the remaining rolling out at stores across the US later this summer.

    Nickelodeon consumer products senior VP Global Toys and consumer electronics Manuel Torres said, “We are so happy to have SpongeBob SquarePants join the Hot Wheels family. We continue to push the boundaries of imagination with SpongeBob, and these new cars bring the show‘s characters to life in such a unique way; they are sure to provide hours of action-packed adventure for fans everywhere.”

  • Nick in deal with Fuhu to launch co-branded tablet

    Nick in deal with Fuhu to launch co-branded tablet

    MUMBAI: Nickelodeon and Fuhu have signed a multi-year deal to produce and distribute Nickelodeon-themed tablet accessories and nabi Jr. tablets pre-loaded with the network‘s content.

    The first release of the partnership is the recently launched, touch screen nabi Jr. tablet, filled with educational apps, games, and videos, from hit Nickelodeon preschool series including Dora the Explorer, Team Umizoomi and Bubble Guppies.

    This spring, a line of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles-inspired mobile tablet accessories, such as character bumpers, Kinabis and stands, will be available nationwide, ranging from $19.99 to $79.99.

    “We are thrilled to partner with Fuhu, Inc., they are a leader in designing state of the art devices and kid-friendly mobile tablet accessories,” said Nickelodeon Consumer ProductsSenior Vice President, Global Toys and Consumer Electronics Manuel Torres.

    “Bringing our captivating characters and adventure-filled stories to the nabi Jr. tablets; and our line of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles-themed accessories, offers Nickelodeon fans a deeper connection with their favorite properties wherever they are.”

    “We are honored to partner with Nickelodeon, a company that is synonymous with rich and engaging kids and family entertainment, and is genuinely humbling to be creating a unique technology platform like nabi Jr. in collaboration with Nick Jr. content. We believe that this partnership will bring children consumer electronics, learning and entertainment to the next level,” said Fuhu CEO Jim Mitchell.

    “As a leader in entertainment and education, we are thrilled to bring Nickelodeon content to nabi Jr. tablets. Our preschool fans, with their parents, can learn while interacting with characters they love across games, videos and books,” said Nickelodeon Group VP, Games Vikram Goel.

    Additionally, Fuhu, Inc. is an associate sponsor of Nickelodeon‘s 26th Annual Kids‘ Choice Awards 23 March. The nabi Jr. tablet features an Nvidia Tegra dual-core processor, Android 4.0 ICS, 5-inch high-resolution (800×480) capacitive touch screen and rotating front and back camera for only $99.

    nabi Jr. is a breakthrough product that redefines education with the first tablet-based adaptive learning system that takes a holistic approach to courseware vs. individualised textbooks and stand-alone apps.

  • Nick unveils toys of its entertainment brands

    Nick unveils toys of its entertainment brands

    MUMBAI: US kids broadcaster Nickelodeon is headed to Toy Fair 2012 with a toy portfolio, based on entertainment brands for preschoolers, kids, and tweens.

    Nickelodeon will unveil products for both new and established properties, including ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’, ‘Winx Club’, ‘Team Umizoomi’, ‘Dora the Explorer’, ‘SpongeBob SquarePants’ and ‘Victorious’.

    Playmates Toys will show a new line of toys inspired by the broadcaster’s new CG-animated ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’. Currently in production at the Nickelodeon Animation Studio in Burbank, California, the series is set to premiere later this year. The new series explores the camaraderie of four teenage brothers learning to rely on one another as they unravel the mystery of their existence and train to become heroes in a half shell. Playmates Toys has been the partner responsible for the TMNT toy lines over the last two decades, and this year‘s lineup includes basic, deluxe, and collectible action figures, as well as Ninja gear, playsets, and vehicles.

    Another new Nickelodeon property, Winx Club, is an animated modern fantasy adventure series that follows six best friends — Bloom, Stella, Flora, Musa, Tecna and Aisha — enrolled in Alfea College, the finest fairy school in all the realms. Jakks Pacific and its Creative Designs International (CDI) and Disguise Halloween divisions will debut a new line of dolls, playsets, accessories, dress-up, role play items and Halloween costumes based on the series.

    Building on the ‘Winx Club’ doll line from Jakks, Creative Designs International has created a beautiful assortment of role-play dresses and fairy wings for girls who want to transform themselves into their favorite Winx Club member.

    The Jakks Pacific, CDI and Disguise product lines are scheduled to launch later this year to coincide with the premiere of the brand new CG episodes of ‘Winx Club’ on Nickelodeon.

    Nickelodeon and Fisher-Price will introduce new toy lines for ‘Team Umizoomi’ and ‘Dora the Explorer’. This is the first toy line for Team Umizoomi, which will incorporate elements from the show featuring Umi-friends, Geo, Milli, and Bot by infusing their “mighty math powers” into this preschool toy line.

    ‘Team Umizoomi’ products from Fisher-Price include figures, basic and learning plush, bath toys, and vehicles. Building on the past success of Fisher-Price toys inspired by Dora, new products for 2012 will include a dollhouse, playsets, dolls and role play toys.

    ‘SpongeBob SquarePants’, who has entertained fans of all ages for more than a decade, is the inspiration for new toys from Fisher-Price‘s Imaginext brand. The new line includes playsets, vehicles, and figures where SpongeBob is featured in the iconic Imaginext look. SpongeBob is also the inspiration for two new building sets from The Lego Group, which debut at Toy Fair.

    Finally, Victorious master toy licensee Spin Master will unveil new products for the series. The show is about teenagers navigating life at the performing arts high school Hollywood Arts. The 2012 offerings will expand upon the success of Spin Master‘s first Victorious toy launch in October 2011. The new line will feature fashion dolls, and role play, including a new Tori Singing Doll featuring the song, ‘Best Friend‘s Brother’.

    Feature dolls for additional Victorious characters, including Trina (Daniella Monet), Cat (Ariana Grande) and Jade (Elizabeth Gillies) are also included.

    Nickelodeon senior VP, global toys and consumer electronics Manuel Torres said, “Nickelodeon‘s presence at Toy Fair 2012 is our strongest toy portfolio ever, and demonstrates our influence with kids of all ages, from preschoolers, to kids, and tweens. Our robust programming line-up has given us a tremendous opportunity to develop exciting toys for both girls and boys, to bring their favorite characters to life through active play.”