Nickelodeon & Viacom Consumer Products has granted JAKKS Pacific Inc. the master toy licnese for the hit Nickelodeon animated series SpongeBob SquarePants. Announced today at the American Int’l Fall Toy Show in Dallas, the pact expands an existing relationship between the two companies with new toys and related products slated to arrive at retail in 2008.
JAKKS Pacific plans to launch the line with collectible micro figures and plush products based on the spongy one and his fellow Bikini Bottom residents. The agreement also covers playsets, preschool toys, youth electronics, water toys, novelty items and more.
Leigh Anne Brodsky, president of Nickelodeon & Viacom Consumer Products, comments, ‘JAKKS is the perfect partner to bring new innovation to our toys. JAKKS has been developing creative product lines for Nickelodeon for many years and we’re excited to add SpongeBob’a multi billion dollar brand and a consumer favorite to JAKKS’ Nickelodeon portfolio. We look forward to continuing SpongeBob’s growth as a top toy brand.”
Launched in July of 1999, SpongeBob SquarePants remains the most popular animated television program for kids 2-11. According to Nickelodeon, approximately 64.5 million viewers, including adults, tune into the show each month. At retail, the property has brought in more than $6.3 billion to-date.
