NVCP Secures Merchandising Rights to ZDF Live-Action Series

March 11, 2008 World Screen

MAINZ, March
11: Nickelodeon & Viacom Consumer Products (NVCP) has inked a deal with ZDF
Enterprises for the exclusive licensing and merchandising rights to the hit
Australian live-action property H2O—Just Add Water in the U.K. and France.

NVCP will
represent the property across publishing, interactive, apparel, accessories,
toys, games and paper product throughout the U.K. and France. The first phase
of product rollout will begin in fall/winter 2008 and will be followed by a
larger range of product launches in spring 2009. The products will target girls
aged 7 to 12.

The series
premiered in the U.K. in April 2007 on Nickelodeon, and can now be seen in more
than 120 territories around the world. H2O—Just Add Water centers on three normal teenage girls
who transform into mermaids with power over the water.

Clare Piggott,
the VP of consumer products for Nickelodeon UK, said: “H2O—Just Add
Water has been a
phenomenal ratings success for Nickelodeon UK and its incredible appeal to
tweens and girls makes it an ideal property to translate into targeted
consumer-product categories. Nickelodeon is the premiere kids' platform in the
U.K. and we look forward to working with key licensing partners to bring this
very special TV show to life.”

Fred Burcksen,
ZDF Enterprises’ VP of distribution, merchandising and investments, said:
"With its high production value and loveable mermaids, H2O—Just
Add Water has a huge
branding potential all over the world. As the lead merchandising agency for
Europe, ZDF Enterprises has already closed several merchandising and licensing
deals for Benelux, Italy and Spain, negotiations for the U.S. market are being
conducted. ZDF Enterprises is extremely pleased to have a strong partnership
with Nickelodeon Viacom Consumer Products for the U.K. and France and will give
any assistance required to ensure a significant merchandising success in these
territories."

Nickelodeon in
the U.S. recently snapped up the rights to the show for launch this month.

—By
Kristin Brzoznowski