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American
Greetings and Nickelodeon launch Nickspressions
New products based on the way today's kids communicate
CLEVELAND, July 22 /PRNewswire/ -- American Greetings (NYSE: AM)
and Nickelodeon have launched a new collection of communications
products for children aged six through 12. Named Nickspressions,
the new line incorporates the same surprise, playfulness, irreverence
and humor that appeal to children who watch Nickelodeon, the number-one
entertainment brand for kids. Many of the products feature characters
from popular Nickelodeon programs like SpongeBob SquarePants and
The Fairly Oddparents.
"Nickspressions breaks fresh ground by offering children playful
and interactive ways to communicate with each other in their own
language, inspired by their favorite entertainment characters,"
said Mike Brown, vice president of Licensing for American Greetings.
"American Greetings now has one of the most recognizable and
consumer- demanded brands available in the marketplace that speaks
directly to kids and their lifestyles."
Products range from a Secret Message Decoder, which contains decoders,
mini pens and code cards that let kids give their friends hidden
notes only they can read, to Side Burns, which features three recordable
mini CDs, labels to give them a "stylin'" look and stickers
to personalize them for buddies.
Hal Snik, vice president of Apparel and Stationery for Nickelodeon,
said interactivity, entertainment and kid-style humor are incorporated
in all of the products to make communicating fun for kids and to
encourage creativity and imaginative play. "One of the ways
we've added extra play value and excitement to the program is by
packaging free Greetnicks with all Nickspressions products,"
he added.
Greetnicks are Nickspressions collector cards. When inserted into
a special on-the-go reader (sold as a separate part of the Nickspressions
line) they provide the interactivity kids love by unlocking various
character audio clips. In addition, when the numeric code printed
on the card is entered on the Web site, http://www.nickspressions.com,
children can unlock video clips, games and quizzes. Kids can enjoy
collecting all the Greetnicks and trading them with their friends.
The Nickspressions line also includes several quirky and creative
formats of notes (some foldable) that are ideal for the ever-popular
pastime of note passing. With names like Smell-a-Grams, Chatterbox
Cards, Chit Chats and Mini Note Totes, they're packaged in colorful
boxes, tins and totes decorated with Nickelodeon characters, and
sized just right to tuck into pockets, purses and backpacks.
"Thinking like a kid was the key to developing products that
reflect the playfulness and childlike sense of humor that makes
them so appealing,"
according to Jeffrey Conrad, the program's creative director. "Nickspressions
was inspired by those little classroom valentines kids love so much.
That same spirit of fun and creativity is behind these products."
A few of the many other products in the Nickspressions line include:
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Stick Stacks - These miniature plastic containers contain
tiny, die- cut stickers. The containers themselves are a big part
of the fun. Available in several colors/styles, they stack and
connect to one another like magic, adding to their play value.
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Fashion Statements - This set features three
funky, interchangeable slap bands and a giant faux gem that opens
up to reveal tiny notes to pass to friends -- some blank and some
with instant messaging lingo.
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Best Friend Kit - This is a great keep in touch kit for
two best friends! It includes a back-and-forth journal, stickers,
cards, mini cards and gel pens.
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Slumber Party Kit - This kit has everything needed for
the perfect sleepover, including dream analyzer and activity books,
mini fun fact cards, doorknob hanger, mini tattoos, stickers and
invitations.
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Big Fat Stickers - Each package includes five enormous,
die-cut stickers of characters like SpongeBob and Rocket Power
to apply to skateboards, notebooks and bulletin boards.
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Memory Makers - This scrapbooking kit comes with fun
stickers, stampers, gel pens, glue sticks and more - perfect for
collecting photos, tickets stubs, notes, school pictures, doodles
and drawings.
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Cling-Ons - These peelable, reusable vinyl clings come
with a wipe-off marker and can be used to leave fun messages on
computer monitors, mirrors, windows or windshields.
Nickspressions
is available in participating American Greetings and Carlton Cards
stores, and in Target, Meijer and other retail chains. Products
are value priced, ranging from $1.99 to $9.99, making them affordable
enough for back-to-school time, or to use as small add-on birthday
gifts or Christmas stocking stuffers.
About American Greetings
American Greetings Corporation (NYSE: AM) is one of the world's
largest manufacturers of social expression products. Along with
greeting cards, its product lines include gift wrap, party goods,
reading glasses, candles, stationery, calendars, educational products,
ornaments and electronic greetings. American Greetings is also the
creator and owner of many celebrated character properties, including
Strawberry Shortcake and Care Bears. Located in Cleveland, Ohio,
American Greetings generates annual net sales of approximately $2
billion. For more information on the Corporation, visit http://corporate.americangreetings.com.
About Nickelodeon and Nickelodeon Enterprises
Nickelodeon, which is celebrating its landmark 25th anniversary
this 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 88 million households and has
been the number-one-rated basic cable network for more than eight
consecutive years. Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters
and logos are trademarks of Viacom International Inc.
Nickelodeon Enterprises is the ancillary business unit of Nickelodeon
Networks, responsible for licensing its own brands and characters
as well as the properties of Comedy Central, Spike TV and non-Viacom
properties. Nickelodeon Enterprises is active in all ancillary markets,
including merchandise licensing, home video, interactive software,
electronic media, online, wireless, book and magazine publishing,
music, live tour and stage shows, theme parks and themed hotel venues.
Nickelodeon Enterprises manages the largest TV-based licensing business
in the world with $4 billion in retail sales. Nickelodeon, Comedy
Central and Spike TV are trademarks of Viacom international Inc.
SOURCE American Greetings
-0- 07/22/2004
/NOTE TO EDITORS: Product samples, high-resolution product images
and interviews with Jeffrey Conrad are available upon request. For
more background and visuals, visit the Nickspressions press room
at http://pressroom.americangreetings.com/NICKspressions
/CONTACT: Amanda Todorovich, Consumer Public Relations of American
Greetings, +1-216-252-7300, ext. 2912, or Amanda.Todorovich@amgreetings.com
; or Nancy Muldoon, Publicist, of Nickelodeon, +1-212-258-7491,
or Nancy.Muldoon@Nick.com/
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