Wal-Mart inks ad & merchandising deal for Nick‘s Kids‘ Choice Awards

Wal-Mart inks ad & merchandising deal for Nick‘s Kids‘ Choice Awards

MUMBAI: Nickelodeon and Wal-Mart and Nickelodeon announced first-time advertising, promotions and merchandising partnership around Nickelodeon‘s 20th Annual Kids‘ Choice Awards airing March 31.

Wal-Mart has signed on to become the first and exclusive retail sponsor for Nickelodeon‘s annual television event that celebrates top entertainment picks, as chosen by kids. The advertising and promotional agreement between Wal-Mart and Nickelodeon will be divided among several Nickelodeon platforms including Nickelodeon television, Nickelodeon Magazine and Nick online.

As an associate sponsor of Nickelodeon‘s 20th Annual Kids‘ Choice Awards, Wal-Mart has launched a substantial advertising campaign on Nickelodeon this month, which runs through mid-April.

The new spots star Wal-Mart‘s animated "spokes-elves," Wally and Marty, and build excitement about the TV event and products in stores. Additionally, Wal-Mart will
sponsor a new and exclusive category within this year‘s Kids‘ Choice Awards-- the "Favorite DVD" category -- and will also have a sponsored area and dance floor at the Kids‘ Choice Awards after party.

In stores, Wal-Mart will feature exclusive products and a designated Kids‘ Choice Awards display, and on-line kids can vote for their favorite DVD at http://www.nick.com/walmart .

"We are excited to be engaged in what has become a well-recognized and highly anticipated TV event for kids each year," said Wal-Mart Stores executive vice president and chief marketing officer Stephen Quinn."We see this partnership as a great opportunity to share our commitment to kids, tweens and families to be the retail destination for unbeatable values on their top selections."

"The Kids‘ Choice Awards are one of the biggest events on kids‘ television today, and we are thrilled to be working with Wal-Mart in marking the 20th anniversary of the show as the exclusive sponsor in the retail category," said Nickelodeon and MTVN Kids and Family Group Executive Vice President, 360 Brand Sales Jim Perry. "Wal-Mart‘s creative
promotional concept really signifies how marketers are able to take advantage of all Nickelodeon has to offer, with many platforms on which to partner to create customized programs."

Among the exclusive products available in Wal-Mart stores is the new Nickelodeon Kids‘ Choice, Vol. 3 CD, by Nick Records/SONY BMG‘s Commercial Music Group, retailing for $13.88. The CD marks the third installment of the Nickelodeon Kids‘ Choice Awards music franchise.

Over 18,000 kids voted on this year‘s cover design. The CD features 16 songs from today‘s most popular recording artists including Justin Timberlake, Carrie Underwood,
Alicia Keys and Ashlee Simpson.

Included with the in-store Nickelodeon‘s Kids‘ Choice Awards displays and among Wal-Mart DVD movie selections will be exclusive DVD movie 2-packs for only $9.44. These include the Nickelodeon Kids‘ Choice Awards "Winner‘s Collection" bundled with top kid movie favorites such as the Drake & Josh,Go Hollywood DVD, the first television movie event based on the top-rated tween series, and the DVD of the hit theatrical film The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie. A wide range of Nickelodeon branded toys will also be featured prominently on in-store displays.

Nickelodeon‘s 20th Annual Kids‘ Choice Awards takes place on Saturday, 31 March and will honor kids‘ favorites from the worlds of film, music, sports and television in a live telecast from UCLA‘s Pauley Pavilion. Singer/actor/two-time Best Burp
Award winner and 2007 Nickelodeon Kids‘ Choice Awards nominee, Justin Timberlake, will serve as the host of this year‘s awards show.

Nickelodeon‘s Annual Kids‘ Choice Awards is one of the network‘s highest rated events of the year.