Nickelodeon Blasts into Toy Fair With Toys From Mattel

Nickelodeon's 'Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius; Blasts into Toy Fair With Toys From Mattel 'Blue's Clues, 'Rugrats,' 'Dora the Explorer,' 'Rocket Power' and 'Wild Thornberries' Each Unveil New Product
Jimmy Neutron blasts into Toy Fair 2001 with a master toy license deal with Mattel. Jimmy Neutron is the title character of the Nickelodeon film, Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius set to premier in movie theaters December 2001. The movie marks the first Nickelodeon property in the company's history to be launched as a multi-platform franchise.

Nickelodeon, the number-one network for kids, is also putting its support behind Rocket Power, the animated TV series from Rugrats creators, Klasky Csupo, as well the new preschool hit Dora the Explorer and the 10th Anniversary of Rugrats. Nickelodeon is also expanding its Nick-tivities line of creative play toys and compounds after the incredible success of Goooze in 2000.

Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius also marks the first time Nickelodeon has introduced a property via a full-length feature film instead of on its TV network. Jimmy Neutron was introduced on Nickelodeon in January 2001 in a series of one-and two-minute comedic TV shorts that will continue throughout the year. Each of these interstitials will have a corresponding Jimmy Neutron online game that viewers can play at jimmyneutron.com, which is linked to nick.com. jimmyneutron.com will provide a truly interactive experience by providing an "inside look" into Jimmy's world -- including a "lab cam" that takes kids into Jimmy's backyard laboratory. A dedicated movie site will launch in July 2001. Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius will open in theaters nationwide in December 2001, with a TV series slated to debut Fall 2002.

"Nickelodeon is putting every line of business support behind Jimmy Neutron," said Leigh Anne Brodsky, Senior VP-Consumer Products at Nickelodeon. "It is being positioned as our next major property right alongside Rugrats and Blue's Clues," she said.

Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius tells the simple story of a 10-year-old boy who, along with his robot dog, Goddard, battles evil, rescues his parents from aliens, saves the Earth and still makes it home in time for supper. As a kid who just happens to be a genius, Jimmy is always creating gadgets to make his life more interesting.

Coinciding with the theatrical release of Jimmy Neutron, Mattel will roll-out product in Fall 2001 with a Deluxe Goddard animatronic dog, a Homemade Air Rocket and action figures. Software for Gameboy Advance and a CD-ROM title will also be released to coincide with the movie premiere. Additional merchandise will be available in conjunction with the debut of the Jimmy Neutron TV series in Fall 2002.

Deluxe remote controlled Goddard is the ultimate robotic pet for kids that comes to life with the personality and actions of Jimmy's best friend and dog from the movie. Kids can "bring Goddard to life" with the remote and prompt one of his many emotions and personality reactions. Along with his emotions, kids can also control Goddard's movement, and with a cool voice transmitter in the remote, kids can "throw" their voice through Goddard, just like Jimmy does in the movie.

Jimmy Neutron's Homemade Air Rocket is the only toy that allows kids to be just like Jimmy by inventing a cool transformable air-powered rocket for exciting Jimmy adventures. Kids can invent and re-assemble the coolest air rocket for four different modes of rocket play. And, if that is not enough, Jimmy's Homemade Air Rocket also has real-launching air powered missiles. Jimmy Neutron action figures fit into the rocket.

At Toy Fair, Nickelodeon will also unveil another new property, Dora the Explorer, with product by Eden Toys. The Eden line is based on Nickelodeon's new preschool program, Dora the Explorer, which debuted in August to Nick Jr's highest ratings ever. Dora the Explorer is an animated adventure series starring Dora, a 7-year-old Latina girl who lives inside a computer. Every day Dora and her friends invite preschool viewers to join their adventures and help them overcome obstacles in reaching their goals. Dora is bilingual and teaches viewers a Spanish word or phrase in every episode. Product will assist children in learning a little Spanish, too. For example, the 15" Dora doll not only comes with a backpack, but six bilingual flashcards. Dora the Explorer joins Nickelodeon's Blue's Clues as outstanding interactive television for preschoolers.

At Toy Fair, a new collection of Blue's Clues merchandise will be introduced, including the debut of Baby Blue's Clues for new moms and infants to set the foundation for the property's already popular toddler line. The Baby Blue's Clues product line includes a Playtime Stroller Toy, Musical Crib Toys and a Baby Mobile, all from Fisher-Price. In addition to toys, the Baby Blue's Clues line also includes layette, bedding, room decor, books and packaged goods such as bottles and diapers.

For preschoolers, exciting additions are being added which teach kids using the same unique interactive format as the show: Blue's Play & Learn Keyboard, which teaches kids how to read music while they learn to play, and Learn to Draw features an LCD screen that teaches kids to draw using the same methods used on the show. Surprise Sounds Schoolhouse, a carry-along play set; and Follow the Leader, a memory game that comes complete with fun lights and 3-D talking characters. Fisher-Price also has a complete line of toddler toys including a boom box called Blue's Tunes. In the Learning category, the focus is on teaching core curriculum that is associated with how kids learn from the show. Learning Lessons Computer helps kids learn shapes, colors and numbers; and Learning Letters Mailbox that challenges preschoolers to learn lessons about the alphabet and phonics.

New characters introduced this year on Blue's Clues have been incorporated into all the product categories including new cuddly plush toys. In this arena, new for all is Come Here Blue. She's a voice-activated puppy that comes to life when kids call her. Freeze Dancer Blue & Periwinkle move to the beat when kids squeeze their ears. Happy Ears Blue & Magenta move their ears when kids push their noses; and the Bedtime Assortment that features Blue and Magenta holding flashlights that kids can take to bed with them. Both items are carrying a backpack that unrolls into a sleeping bag for the toys.

Mattel is also the master toy licensee for Nickelodeon's Rugrats, who are celebrating their 10th Anniversary in 2001. To commemorate the event, in Fall 2001 Mattel will launch a 10th Anniversary gift set.

New from Mattel in Spring 2001 are the Totally Angelica Deluxe Dolls that allow young girls to give Angelica a complete makeover or dress her up with jewels. The assortment includes two fashion dolls collections: Beauty Boutique that lets girls give Angelica an ultimate day of luxury at her own spa, and Fashion Jewels that lets girls prepare Angelica for a big party as they decorate her outfit and hair with colorful jewels and beads.

In Fall 2001, Mattel will launch Angelica's RC Chatmobile and Susie's RC Chatmobile, Rugrats remote controlled cars with original phrases and sounds that correspond to the movement of the cars. Also in Fall, Mattel will introduce Angelica's Sassy Styles, a new feature doll with "wig recognition," that actually has Angelica responding to one of the three stylish wigs that girls place on her head!

In Fall '01, Mattel will introduce product around the hit show, Rocket Power. There will be eight items in all, including a Skateboard set that comes with a Rev-Up Otto Rocket Skateboarder with it's own charger. Also in the line is a large remote controlled Reggie on a skateboard that really does tricks. There is also individual motorized Otto, Reggie and Twister skateboarders that come with its own chargers and a die cast assortment of characters with extreme sports vehicles.

Mattel is also the master toy licensee for Nickelodeon's Wild Thornberrys, which will announce at Toy Fair a program tied to the National Wildlife Federation. Proceeds from Wild Thornberry toys will benefit NWF and include plush endangered species like tigers, elephants, llamas and pandas that bear a striking resemblance to the animated creatures on the show that are befriended by Eliza Thornberry and her family. The product line also features playsets that focus on animal nurturing in cool geographic locations. Each set comes with "fun fact cards" about animals and their habitats.

In Spring 2001, Nickelodeon Consumer Products will unveil Goooze line extensions from Flying Colors. The new products will include Zyrofoam, a foam-based molding compound that allows kids to mix, mash and mold their favorite Nickelodeon characters, or anything else they dream up. Zyrofoam follows the wild success of Goooze, which ended 2000 as one of the Top 10 unit toys of the year.

In addition, Flying Colors will launch a line of Nickelodeon branded activities marketed under the Nick-tivities umbrella. Nick-tivities brings classic activity toys into the future with updated versions of products such as spin art, shrinky dinks and figure makers. The line will launch first quarter 2001 with Melt-O-Matic, a figure-making machine, Splatter Dome, Tracer Light-Up Desk and 3-D Shrink-A-Toons.

Nickelodeon has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does. The company includes television programming and production in the U.S. and around the world, plus consumer products, online, recreation, publishing and feature films. Nickelodeon can be accessed at http://www.Nick.com. Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logosare trademarks of Viacom, Inc.

SOURCE Nickelodeon www.prnewswire.com