The summaries of recent retail meetings are detailed below specific to Blue's Clues (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

 

 

 
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 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, suggrested 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 Assistant 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

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

Next Steps:

  • Scheduling follow up meeting Mid-March to finalize Holiday placement.

2/23/04

Sears

Sears:

  • Meg Ostrom, GMM
  • Caula Obertance, Boys 4-20
  • Megan Seifert, Girls 4-16

Summary:

  • Sears is looking for exclusive opportunities. Nick pitching exclusive "Blue’s Room" opportunity.

Next Steps:

  • Meeting with Meg Ostrom week of 3/8 to discuss holiday opportunities in more detail.

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.

 

2/12/04

Wal*Mart

Wal*Mart:

  • Eric Thomson, Oral Care Buyer

Nickelodeon:

  • Michelle McLaughlin, Director, Retail Development

Summary:

  • Overall good meeting supporting lauch items for SpongeBob/Fairly OddParents/Blue's Clues.
  • Suggested potential promotional placement in November and pulling 3rd SpongeBob sku release up to 4th Qtr.

Next Steps:

  • Send a list of SpongeBob/Fairly OddParents/Blue's Clues incremental placement and promotion for 3rd and 4th Qtr.

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:

  • Discussed BTS and Holiday exclusives, future plans for Nick Zone and Holiday gift programs

Next Steps:

  • Work with Accessories buyers on holiday gift program

2/3/04

Wal*Mart

Wal*Mart:

  • Doug Degn, EVP
  • Gary Severson, GMM
  • Scott McCall, DMM ToyDept
  • 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.