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In Depth

‘SpongeBob’ Goes to Happy Place at Walmart

Nickelodeon will set up a “SpongeBob SquarePants” store in Walmarts nationwide and on Walmart.com to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the cartoon. “The Happy Place” shop will feature SpongeBob-branded apparel, backpacks, accessories, DVDs, music, toys, books and electronics. A direct-to-DVD…

Nick Cannon Signs Programming Deal With Nickelodeon

Nickelodeon said it has made a two-year deal with Nick Cannon to star in, create, produce and direct original programming for its network aimed at teenagers. Mr. Cannon also will be dubbed honorary chairman of TEENick, the new name for…

Bravo’s ‘Supermodel’ Finds Sponsor in Maybelline

Maybelline New York has come aboard as a sponsor on the second season of Bravo’s “Make Me a Supermodel.” The exclusive, multiplatform sponsorship deal includes in-show product integration, in addition to a presence on-air and online in weekly webisodes, a…

Celebrity Agent Game Moving to TheInsider.com

Facebook’s fantasy game “Celebrity Agent” will be coming to TheInsider.com in April. The game allows users to step into the role of a celebrity agent by competing against friends and other players to manage and recruit celebrities. The game was…

First Lady Sits Down With ‘GMA’s’ Roberts

ABC News’ Robin Roberts has landed Michelle Obama’s first TV interview since the inauguration. The interview, which will air March 13 on “Good Morning America,” will take place as the First Lady makes her first official trip, to Fort Bragg,…

CBS Orders 4 More Scripts for ‘Mother,’ Boosting Likelihood of Renewal

CBS is giving “How I Met Your Mother” a big vote of confidence, ordering four additional scripts of the Monday night hit. The scripts are for the 2009-10 season, and the early order is designed to give producers a head…

Ramirez Joins Entertainment Studios’ Pets.tv as Exec VP

Lisa-Renee Ramirez was named executive vice president and executive producer of Entertainment Studios’ 24-hour high-definition network, Pets.tv, the production company announced today. Pets.tv is one of six HD channels Entertainment Studios is launching through Verizon’s FiOS. Ms. Ramirez will oversee…

Hale Joins Oxygen Media as Programming VP

Oxygen Media has tapped Bryan Hale as vice president of original programming and development. Mr. Hale, who steps into the position immediately, will be responsible for development on both coasts. He will look for talent and concepts that appeal to…

Aston Is MPG’s Not-So-Secret Agent

It’s one thing to understand your client’s business. It’s another to know everything about the business and strategy of your client’s competitors. And that’s where Gregory Aston comes in at media agency MPG. As senior VP and director of competitive…

Nickelodeon Hopes These Penguins Are Hot

The penguins are coming. Kids network Nickelodeon plans to launch “The Penguins of Madagascar,” the computer-generated animation series based on the DreamWorks movies, on March 28. The news series will launch in primetime at 8 p.m.—early enough for children who…