Exclusive SpongeBob SquarePants Collectible Plush Available
This Holiday Season in More Than 600 Full line Macy's Stores and Online
at Macys.com
"Square" Balloon Set to Make its Triumphant Return to 88th
Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade® in New
York City
LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Macy's Parade & Entertainment Group and Nickelodeon today announced that
beloved pop-culture phenomenon SpongeBob SquarePants will serve
as Macy's 2014 Holiday Ambassador. Kicking off this November, an
exclusive SpongeBob talking plush complete with sound chip and Patrick
and Plankton finger puppets will be available exclusively in more than
600 full line Macy's stores and Macys.com, as part of the Macy's
collectible plush program that runs through December 31. Adding to the
holiday cheer, the first-ever ‘square' balloon makes its 11th
triumphant return to the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade® this
November in New York City.
SpongeBob SquarePants Macy's 2014 Holiday Ambassador (Photo: Business Wire)
"SpongeBob SquarePants has experienced many iconic moments over
the last 15 years, and we are honored to add Macy's coveted holiday
ambassadorship to the list," said Pam Kaufman, Chief Marketing Officer
and President Consumer Products, Nickelodeon. "The holidays are a
magical time of year and who better than SpongeBob, the eternal
optimist, to deck the halls with cheer this season."
"For over a decade, SpongeBob SquarePants has delighted millions
of spectators along the streets of New York City and several millions
more in homes across the nation, as he's soared down the streets of
Manhattan in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade," said Amy Kule, Group
Vice-President, Macy's Parade & Entertainment Group. "We are overjoyed
that SpongeBob will be adding Macy's Holiday Ambassador to his list of
entertaining accomplishments as he helps Macy's kick-off the holiday
season in our stores across the nation."
Macy's collectible plush program has for almost two decades, featured
some of the most beloved and iconic characters in history. Selected to
highlight the family fun and excitement that awaits shoppers at stores
during the holiday season, SpongeBob SquarePants joins a
star-studded list of the world's most famous characters that in the past
have welcomed the holidays at the retailer. From the first plush of
Babar the elephant to the most recent stars including The Smurfs™,
Kermit the Frog, Scooby-Doo, Snoopy, Shrek® and Mickey Mouse,
the plush has become a Macy's tradition and a coveted collector's item.
The SpongeBob SquarePants plush features SpongeBob's laugh and
loveable quotes such as "Did you know you were my best friend?" and "I'm
ready, I'm ready, I'm ready," and will be available for $15.95. In
addition to the Patrick and Plankton finger pals, owners of the plush
will have access to exclusive online added value components including a
customizable and shareable digital holiday greeting.
As part of the program, SpongeBob will be featured in holiday collateral
at stores nationwide including posters and other signage. In addition,
there will be a number of in-store events that will feature the loveable
character. At Macy's flagship location at Herald Square in New York City
- the third most visited site in the city during the holidays, annually
attracting more than 350,000 visitors per day - custom-designed shopping
bags featuring SpongeBob will be distributed throughout the holiday
season; a SpongeBob cold-air inflatable will also adorn a marquee
entrance to the store; and a window on the famed 34th Street
side of the iconic department store will be dressed in Bikini Bottom
holiday flair with the exclusive plush and other holiday décor.
Floating at 44-feet tall, 41-feet long and 34-feet wide, SpongeBob's
helium balloon will travel down New York's most famous Parade route for
the eleventh time. Last year the quadrangular balloon received a
state-of-the-art makeover with the eternal optimist donning a
holiday-themed ensemble for his second and newest balloon in the annual
holiday spectacular. The new design was re-imagined by Nickelodeon and
Macy's Parade organizers to give it a fresh, more vivid look. The
balloon structure was also fine-tuned as organizers accomplished an
engineering feat, incorporating more than 800 tie lines in the single
chamber sphere that intricately pull together SpongeBob's trademark
square shape.
Since its launch in July 1999, SpongeBob SquarePants has become
one of the most beloved animated characters in TV history, and a global
pop culture phenomenon. In its 15th year, the series continues to rank
as the number-one animated series with kids 2-11 on all of television,
as well as one of the most ‘liked' animated series on Facebook, with
more than 81 million fans. Over the past several years, SpongeBob has
averaged more than 100 million total viewers every quarter across all
Nickelodeon networks. SpongeBob SquarePants is executive produced
by creator Stephen Hillenburg, who previously worked as a writer,
director and creative director on Nickelodeon's animated series Rocko's
Modern Life. Paul Tibbitt served as a director and writer on SpongeBob
SquarePants for its first three seasons and is currently executive
producer.
About Macy's Parade & Entertainment Group
Macy's Parade & Entertainment Group, a dedicated staff at Macy's, Inc.
are the creative, marketing, design and logistics organization behind
world-famous events including Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade®
and Macy's 4th of July Fireworks®. The group also oversees
the creation and production of local in-store and significant community
events in cities across the nation. Its partnership marketing team is
responsible for creating strategic alliances with companies that will
add value to Macy's retail and shopping experience. From celebrity
appearances and flower shows to extravagant fashion events, tree
lightings and parades; Macy's Parade & Entertainment Group is charged
with bringing the magic of Macy's to millions of people from
coast-to-coast.
About Nickelodeon
Nickelodeon, now in its 35th 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 and feature films. Nickelodeon's
U.S. television network is seen in almost 100 million households and has
been the number-one-rated basic cable network for 19 consecutive years.
For more information or artwork, visit http://www.nickpress.com.
Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks
of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIA.B).
Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/multimedia/home/20140619006073/en/
Media:
Nickelodeon
Tori Fernandes, 212-846-4942
Tori.Fernandes@nick.com
or
Macy's
Orlando
Veras, 646-429-7450
Orlando.Veras@macys.com
Source: Nickelodeon
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