Nick-Branded Entertainment Centers to Launch in Europe

MADRID: Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) is partnering with leisure-park operator Parques Reunidos to bring Nickelodeon-branded family-entertainment centers to Europe, with the first slated to open in Murcia, Spain, next year.

The first Nick-branded location will be housed in Murcia’s Centro Comercial Thader, owned by Metrovacesa, one of the top operators of shopping malls in the country. The space will be equipped with interactive activities, an adventure zone, a dedicated space for younger children and Nickelodeon-themed party rooms.

There will also be meet-and-greets with characters from Nick properties such as SpongeBob SquarePants, Dora the Explorer, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, PAW Patrol and The Fairly OddParents. In addition, the center will offer a dedicated food and beverage area and Nickelodeon retail space.

The new agreement expands VIMN and Parques Reunidos’s existing partnership following the success of Nickelodeon Land at Parque de Atracciones in Madrid and NickLand at Movie Park Germany. These family-entertainment centers will mark Nickelodeon and Parques Reunidos’s first foray into the family-entertainment center business.

“Our goal at Nickelodeon is to be everywhere kids are, and we’re excited to diversify our portfolio to bring the Nickelodeon brand and characters to life through these new family entertainment centers,” said Gerald Raines, the senior VP of global recreation for Viacom International Media Networks. “Parques Reunidos has been a great partner and we’re thrilled to expand our relationship to create another great entertainment experience for families in Europe.”

‘’I’m very pleased that these recreation projects are performing so well in Spain and my intention is to continue to expand the business in other regions,’’ said Raffaele Annecchino, the executive VP and managing director of VIMN in Southern Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Fernando Eiroa, CEO of Parques Reunidos, commented, “We look forward to bringing this new entertainment experience to shopping malls in collaboration with Nickelodeon and its characters. We are certain that Nickelodeon’s magic, in such an innovative and unique space, will become a significant landmark for local residents, not only in Murcia but also the surrounding area, replicating our success with Nickelodeon Land at Madrid’s Parque de Atracciones and NickLand at Movie Park Germany.”

Pedro Cortés, the general manager of business strategy and development for Parques Reunidos, added: “This is the first step in an ambitious and promising project for our company’s strategic growth. It will soon be followed by important agreements to develop family entertainment centers with leading shopping mall operators in several European countries.”