Nickelodeon's Eighth Annual Worldwide Day of Play to Combine With First Lady Michelle Obama's "Let's Move" Campaign and The President's Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition in Its Biggest Celebration of Play Ever, Live From Washington, D.C.'s Ellipse Saturday, September 24

First Lady Featured in Exclusive Event PSA Debuting on Sept. 3

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Sep 01, 2011, 01:00 ET

NEW YORK, Sept. 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Nickelodeon is joining with the First Lady's "Let's Move" campaign and the President's Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition to bring for the first time its flagship Worldwide Day of Play (WWDOP) event to the Ellipse in Washington, D.C., for the biggest celebration of active play in the eight-year history of the initiative. On Saturday, Sept. 24, Nickelodeon and its partners will host an entire day of activities and games for kids and their families to encourage active and healthy lifestyles. Additionally, as it has for the past seven years, Nickelodeon's networks and websites will go dark from 12 to 3 p.m. (all times ET/PT) as a signal to kids and families to get up and get active.

"Kids need to get moving every day to grow up healthy and strong," said First Lady Michelle Obama. "Whether it's hoola hooping, kicking around a soccer ball or – yes – double dutching, playing is the perfect way to keep active, stay healthy and have fun."

"First Lady Michelle Obama and the President's Council have shown admirable leadership in raising awareness about the importance of kids and families living healthier and more active lifestyles," added Marva Smalls, Executive Vice President, Public Affairs, Nickelodeon. "We share the same passion for that message, and at Nick we hope to continue to inspire action through Worldwide Day of Play and The Big Help."

In the weeks leading up to WWDOP, First Lady Michelle Obama will be featured in an exclusive PSA to raise awareness for the event and the Presidential Active Lifestyle Award (PALA) Challenge. In the spot, speaking from the White House lawn, Mrs. Obama encourages kids to get active an hour a day to earn the Presidential Active Lifestyle Award and asks families to celebrate at Nickelodeon's WWDOP with her in Washington, D.C. The spot, which bows on Nickelodeon and its digital networks (TeenNick, Nicktoons and Nick Jr.) on Sept. 3, also features the First Lady jumping double dutch with D.C.-area kids to highlight the importance of play.

Kids in every state across the U.S. and in 12 countries worldwide are expected to participate in Nickelodeon's WWDOP at the more than 3,000 local events anticipated. Launched in 2002, WWDOP is part of Nickelodeon's The Big Help health and wellness efforts, which include grants programs, public service announcements, websites, games and more. Millions of kids have participated in WWDOP and Nickelodeon's other initiatives that promote healthier lifestyles. The Big Help campaign is a kid-led movement for positive change that focuses on four key issues: the environment, education, health and wellness and community service. For more information about Nickelodeon's WWDOP, visit http://www.nick.com/thebighelp/road-to-wwdop.html. Click on resources for WWDOP event planning materials.

Nickelodeon, now in its 32nd year, is the number-one entertainment brand for kids. It has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does. The company includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, online, recreation, books and feature films. Nickelodeon's U.S. television network is seen in more than 100 million households and has been the number-one-rated basic cable network for 16 consecutive years. For more information or artwork, visit http://www.nickpress.com. Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom Inc. (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B).

SOURCE Nickelodeon