The summaries of recent Nickelodeon retail meetings are detailed below specific to Dora the Explorer (click on the different logos/images above to see what was discussed for other properties). For further information, please contact your Nickelodeon Retail Marketing representative (refer to the Who's Who section).
Date | Retailer | Attendees | Summary and Next Steps
3/29/04 | Sears | Sears Meg Ostrom, DMM Marilyn Miller, Manager Nickelodeon: Bob Traub, VP, Retail Development Deena Boykin, Director, Retail Development | Next Steps: Meg will follow up with her buyers to ensure that they are supporting Dora for Holiday and she’ll consider a Blue’s Room exclusive for Spring ’05 Licensees need to work with apparel buyers to get Dory Fairytale products in for Holiday
3/25/04 | Wal*Mart (no Wal-Mart personnel were present) | Wal*Mart: Nick Licensed Sales Reps for Wal-Mart Nickelodeon: Robert Traub, VP Retail Development Michelle McLaughlin, Director Retail Development Jori Meyer, Coordinator Retail Development Jennifer Kosann, Packaged Goods Manager Hal Snik, VP Apparel & Stationary Steve Youngwood, VP Media Products | Summary: This first annual meeting was scheduled to help educate our Nick Licensed Wal-Mart Sales Reps on the latest Nick info. We are in the process of gathering feedback from the meeting, but overall results are very positive. Next Steps: We are gathering feedback from the sales reps that attended the meeting. We will also follow-up with the presentation shortly.
3/24/04 | JC Penny | JC Penny: Bob Baublits Nickelodeon: Bob Traub, VP, Retail Development Deena Boykin, Director, Retail Development | Summary: Bob was very supportive of the Nick Zone shops. Moving forward we will host strategy meetings with the JCP buyers to ensure that we are making the appropriate merchandising decisions on what merchandise is going to flow through the Nick Zone shops. We also will be looking at other opportunities to ensure that the Nick Zone are making a point of difference for the customer. Next Steps: Nick to set up a meeting to with all buyers to implement strategic conversations on the direction of the Nick Zone Shops. Nick to present Nick at Retail Research Study. Licensees need to ensure that they are working with buyers on new merchandise for Dora, SpongeBob and Blue’s Clues
3/3/04 | Wal*Mart | Wal*Mart: Dana Jordan, Infant Apparel Buyer Nickelodeon: Michelle McLaughlin, Director Retail Development Maureen Taxter, Sr. VP, Retail Development Kym Hickey, Director Apparel Kathy Ryan, Kids Headquarters Sales Frech Shechter, Kids Headquarters, Sales Stacey Wunsch, Director Marketing | Summary: Dana is very supportive of Dora and Blue and suggested adding a SpongeBob item to them to the line. Also mentioned a potential Nick dedicated peg with signage in the 50 stores testing the toy dedicated space. Lastly, sugguested we have a screening of the SpongeBob movie for buyers. Next Steps: Providing Dana with a list of incremental support for Dora, SpongeBob and Blue's Clues in the Fall as well as the lit of the 50 store test. Pushing to get a screening of the SpongeBob movie asap or at least in time to effect Spring '05 Video Release buying season. Proving Dana with signage for the place at the Nick Peg.
3/2/04 | Wal*Mart | Wal*Mart: Wendy Defrief, Asst Buyer Accessories D33 Nickelodeon: Michelle McLaughlin, Director Retail Development | Summary: Presented all properties and Assisantt Buyer stated buying Dora would be a struggle for her and her buyers. Michele Lupo, as all most license categories were Ellen Peoples responsibility. She did say that they hadn’t planned on taking SpongeBob and in light of the movie and other department support not buying SpongeBob would be a missed opportunity. Next Steps: Send licensee list. Incremental placement and promotion list for SpongeBob, Fairly OddParents and Dora. Keep assistant buyer in the loop on when we get a meeting to review our research study with her DMMs.
3/2/04 | Kohl’s | Kohl's: Mike Johnson Scott Ternes Nickelodeon: Bob Traub, VP Retail Deena Boykin, Director Retail Michelle Wong, Coordinator, Retail Kym Hickey, Director Licensing | Summary: #3 property on selling floor. 40% growth last year in toy. Pitched GWP opportunity; however GWP’s haven’t been successfully executed at Kohl’s – prefers to see promotional dollars allocated to circular advertising (24MM circulation). Next Steps: Nick Apparel working with licensees and retailer to recommend optimal category proportions for merchandising mix.
2/23/04 | Federated | Federated: Cathy Rano Jeff Glick Nickelodeon: Deena Boykin, Director Retail Bob Traub, VP Retail Kym Hickey, Director Apparel Hal Snik, VP Apparel & Stationery Leigh Anne Brodsky, EVP Consumer Products | Summary: Presented updates on Blue’s Room, Dora, All Grown Up and Fairly OddParents. Next Steps: Scheduling follow up meeting Mid-March to finalize Holiday placement.
2/20/04 | Borders | Borders: Jennifer Colbert, Category Manager Cheryl Fields, Marketing Manager Children's & Multimedia Ella Garrison, Manager, Children's Sales & Marketing Victor Iannone, Children's Marketing Specialist Wendy Krabbe, Marketing Manager Nickelodeon: Kristy DeLano, Director Nickelodeon Retail Development Lisa Andrews, Coordinator Nickelodeon Retail Development Margaret Milnes, Senior Director Nickelodeon Publishing | Summary: Nickelodeon will have featured space at 500 Borders Amphitheatre sections (June 26-August 29). We are supporting the sections with custom signage. Borders is also hosting Nickelodeon themed Summer Reading camps at 300 stores. Nick will support the camps with suggested events and will provide grand prizing. Nickelodeon will also support grand openings throughout 2004 with costume character appearances and prizing. NY opening scheduled for (April 17).
2/18/04 | Wal*Mart | Wal*Mart: Rick Cloud, Sporting Goods Buyer Nickelodeon: Michelle McLaughlin, Director Retail Development Paul Sauer, Variflex Sales | Summary: Kids Sporting Goods is loosing space in department because of a downtrend in kids buying. Industry hit heavily is skates and skateboards loosing space to paint ball which is productive for Wal-Mart. Buyer is only keeping 2-3 license skus beyond his private label. He has confirmed that he is taking Spiderman, Hulk and most likely SpongeBob as the third item.
2/10/04 | JCPenney | JCPenny: Bob Brenda Mike Remsen Danny Kim Nickelodeon: Deena Boykin, Director Retail Hal Snick, VP Apparel & Stationery Kym Hickey, Director Apparel | Summary: Due to the success of Dora the Nick Zone shops will primarily feature Dora apparel & accessories for Back-to-School '04. Dora section will feature apparel, sleepwear and accessories. Apparel for Boys 4-7 will move back into the Boys department. Next Steps: Developed Dora signage for Nick Zone Shops. Develop Dora Sweepstakes promotion for September 2004. Work with Accessories buyers on holiday gift program.
2/3/04 | Wal*Mart | Wal*Mart: Doug Degn, EVP Gary Severson, GMM Scott McCall, DMM Toy Department Marvin Deshommes, Preschool and Boys Buyer Barb Laubenstein, Girls Buyer Nickelodeon: Maureen Taxter, SVP Retail Development Bob Traub, VP Retail Development Jim Davey, VP Toy Michelle McLaughlin, Director, Retail Development | Summary: Scott McCall suggested we regroup in a few weeks to discuss testing a Nick dedicated toy space in 50 stores in August. Next Steps: Regroup internally to discuss next steps and touch base with buyers and Scott McCall in 3 weeks to discuss getting started on test program.
2/2/04 | Wal*Mart | Wal*Mart: Phil Fielding, Activity Buyer Nickelodeon: Michele McLaughlin, Director, Retail Development | Summary: Phil is happy with the overall Nick brands performance. Based on feedback may be room for growth in Dora. Next Steps: Regrouped with Jakks on meeting. Touch base in 3 weeks regarding 50 store test of Nick dedicated space.
Last updated 4/8/04.