Toy Lines From Nickelodeon's Breakout Hits iCarly and Ni Hao, Kai-lan Debut at Toy Fair 2009

Toy Lines From Nickelodeon's Breakout Hits iCarly and Ni Hao, Kai-lan Debut at Toy Fair 2009

Leading Toy Manufacturers to Unveil New Lines Based on Other Nick Blockbuster Brands including SpongeBob SquarePants, Dora the Explorer, Go, Diego, Go!, Neopets and The Wonder Pets!

NEW YORK, Feb. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Nickelodeon & Viacom Consumer Products (NVCP), the world's leading television-based licensing organization, announces an exciting lineup of toys for preschoolers, kids and tweens at Toy Fair 2009. Combining the magic of kids' favorite characters with today's top toy trends, Nickelodeon is setting the tone for an exciting year for its toy programs. Headlining the extensive lineup will be the introduction of the first toys based on the hit Nick Jr. series Ni Hao, Kai-lan and the breakout tween series iCarly.

"Each year, our goal is to test the limits of innovation for all of our brands," said Manuel Torres, Senior Vice President, Global Toys, Video Games & Consumer Electronics, NVCP. "Our toy partners have done a phenomenal job at pushing the envelope to create a lineup of products that will appeal to fans of our shows around the world."

Nickelodeon also will unveil an impressive lineup of products based on leading Nick Jr. and Nickelodeon key properties including Dora the Explorer, Go, Diego, Go!, The Wonder Pets!, SpongeBob SquarePants, Neopets and Nickelodeon's signature Slime! Additionally, global playtime trends will be evident in the new lineup of toys including the advancement of interactive technology, a return to basic play, and protecting the environment -- marked by a new agreement with partner Toy Island to produce organic plushes, high-quality wooden toys.

iCarly

iCarly will expand on the brand's unique line of consumer electronics products with its very first line of toys aimed at tweens. Playmates Toys will introduce new products that capture the lifestyle of today's trendy and tech-savvy middle-schooler. Available in fall 2009 (and 2010 internationally), the line will include hip collectible vinyl figures with stylized designs, distinctive features, and detailed electronic role play accessories inspired by the show, such as the Applause-O-Meter, so girls can imagine themselves on-set with Carly and her friends. Additionally, game leader Hasbro will release a new board game based on the hit series.

Ni Hao, Kai-lan

Industry-leader Fisher-Price will reveal the I Feel Super Doll -- an interactive version of the bilingual character. The technologically advanced doll brings Kai-lan to life, responding to touch and communicating signature songs and phrases from the show. Fisher-Price will also unveil a new line of plush dolls based on the series. Ni Hao, Kai-lan products will be available in all major European territories in 2010. Top toymaker Mega Brands will debut a series of adorable block playsets based on Ni Hao, Kai-lan featuring detailed figurines of Kai-lan and her friends in familiar settings including: "Kai-lan's Buildable Bedroom," "Kai-lan's Dragon Boat," and "Mr. Fluffy's Bakery." Additionally, LeapFrog will expand play patterns for Ni Hao, Kai-lan with "ClickStart(TM) My First Computer," and Vtech will introduce V.Smile V-Motion video games. Additionally, game leader Hasbro will release two board games in fall 2009 including "Ni Hao, Kai-lan Dragon Boat Race," where fans celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival with Kai-lan and her friends, and a new addition to the Learning Made Fun Sound Game Assortment is the "Ni Hao, Kai-lan Big Numbers Parade" Sound Game, which introduces basic Mandarin to preschoolers, and reinforces number and sound recognition.

Nick Jr. properties

The reigning leader in licensed preschool toys, Dora the Explorer, will be featured in new products from Fisher-Price that take advantage of both time-tested play patterns and emerging toy aisle trends including interactive technology. Celebrating Nickelodeon's upcoming television event, Dora Saves the Crystal Kingdom, the "Dance Around Dora" feature doll will launch this fall. Since 2000, preschoolers have become best friends with Dora and as those preschoolers grow up, the network is now introducing an older Dora brand extension called "Dora's Explorer Girls(TM)," that is more relatable for those graduating preschoolers. The centerpiece of this new tween version of Dora will be an interactive fashion doll from Mattel that links directly into the computer with a USB connection allowing customizations made online to be reflected in the doll (for example, by changing Dora's hair length, jewelry, and eye color on screen, the Dora doll magically changes as well). The Dora's Explorer Girls(TM) doll line also offers an expansive online world that is completely interactive and follows Dora and her new group of problem solving friends as they solve mysteries. Nickelodeon and Mattel plan to keep Dora's new look a secret until the brand launches.

Dora's beloved cousin Diego will also get the star treatment at Toy Fair as Fisher-Price debuts a line of toys based around action hero Go, Diego, Go!. The line will feature action packed vehicles and a feature item themed to the upcoming television event "Diego's Arctic Rescue."

Both Dora and Diego programs will be available internationally in 2010.

Lastly, Nick Jr.'s hit preschool musical series The Wonder Pets! will also come to life in 2009 with new blocks and playsets from Mega Brands and Fisher-Price respectively.

Nickelodeon properties

SpongeBob SquarePants(R) celebrates its 10th Anniversary this year, and fans can connect with the character like never before through innovative and exciting new toys. The legendary Nickelodeon animated character will come to life in a way he never has before with the hilarious new interactive SpongeBob ShakyPants toy among others expected to offer new interactive and affordable gaming experiences for SpongeBob fans. Fans of the loveable yellow sea sponge can continue the celebration with friends and family as Hasbro offers up a wide assortment of SpongeBob SquarePants-themed games that range from outsmarting opponents to puzzle solving. On the tech front, Sakar International Inc -- designer and manufacturer of a wide range of technology, toy, and consumer electronic products -- will unveil a SpongeBob SquarePants underwater camera as part of an extensive line of branded electronic products that will include several other hit Nickelodeon brands.

A whole new world of Neopets(R) will be hitting retail shelves in spring 2009 when JAKKS PACIFIC, INC. (NASDAQ:JAKK) introduces all new 5" Plush featuring new characters, 10" Jumbo Plush based on all-time favorite characters and accessories including character-based Slap-Bands and Clippies. Based on the enchanting characters found on the most engaging virtual world on the web, JAKKS PACIFIC, INC. (NASDAQ:JAKK) plans on both a spring and fall product lineup of collectible plush, mini figures, electronics, activities and accessories. All Neopets products from JAKKS PACIFIC, INC. (NASDAQ:JAKK)(TM) will have an interactive online component, which brings the experience of the #1 Virtual Community for Kids and Tweens, found at www.neopets.com, into the real world. The variety of collectible toys will tie-in to the extensive breadth of Neopets species and characters featured throughout the world of Neopia.

Finally, JAKKS PACIFIC, INC. (NASDAQ:JAKK) also teams up with Nickelodeon's iconic SLIME!(TM) line to debut more new interactive toys that will ooze, drip, and splat all over retail shelves throughout the year comprised of an expanded assortment of activity-filled SLIME! items including Illum -- a new thick gooey compound in a rainbow of colors, and Flek -- a new textured and moldable compound collection. In fall of 2009, kids can look forward to the introduction of cool, new, non-toxic, washable slime products including an Ultimate Slime machine, a Slime Horn, and more!

Nickelodeon partners at Toy Fair 2009 include: Fisher-Price, Hasbro, Mega Brands, Play Along, JAKKS PACIFIC, INC. (NASDAQ:JAKK) Pacific, Playmates Toys, and Sakar International among others.

About Nickelodeon & Viacom Consumer Products

Nickelodeon & Viacom Consumer Products manages the world's third largest licensing business, representing leading properties such as SpongeBob SquarePants and Dora the Explorer, and managing merchandising for Nick Jr., Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, MTVN International, and Spike TV.

Nickelodeon, now in its 30th 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, magazines and feature films. Nickelodeon's U.S. television network is seen in more than 98 million households and has been the number-one-rated basic cable network for more than 14 consecutive years. Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom Inc. (NYSE:VIA)(NYSE:VIA.B).

Source: Nickelodeon

CONTACT: David Bittler, +1-212-846-4082, David.Bittler@mtvstaff.com, or
Tori Fernandes, +1-212-846-4942, Tori.Fernandes@mtvstaff.com, both of
Nickelodeon & Viacom Consumer Products; or JP Shields,
jp_shields@bhimpact.com, or Shannon Swaggerty, shannon_swaggerty@bhimpact.com,
both of Bender/Helper Impact, +1-212-689-6360

Web Site: http://www.nick.com/

-------
Profile: intent