Nickelodeon's Kids Pick The President Initiative Hits The Campaign Trail, Leading Up To Kids' Vote

Two Nick News with Linda Ellerbee Election-Themed Specials to Premiere in Sept. and Oct.

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Sep 10, 2012, 11:54 ET

NEW YORK, Sept. 10, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Nickelodeon is hitting the campaign trail this fall with Nick News with Linda Ellerbee and its Kids Pick the President initiative, offering election-themed educational content on-air and online -- all leading up to its renowned week-long kids' vote on Oct. 15. The initiative begins with the first of two Nick News specials, "Kids Pick the President: The Issues" on Monday, Sept. 17, at 8 p.m. (ET/PT), followed by "Kids Pick the President: The Candidates" on Monday, Oct. 15, at 8 p.m. (ET/PT). Immediately following the Oct. 15 "The Candidates" special, kids will have the opportunity to cast their vote for whom they think should be the next president at www.nick.com/kpp. Throughout the history of Kids Pick the President, kids have correctly chosen the next U.S. president five out of six presidential elections. The winner of the Kids Pick the President vote will be announced Oct. 22 on Nickelodeon.

"Through Kids Pick the President, Nickelodeon continues to connect kids to the electoral process -- the candidates and issues that are most important to them," said Marva Smalls, Executive Vice President of Public Affairs, Chief of Staff for Nickelodeon Group. "Although not legal voters, kids aren't just on the sidelines; they have opinions which deserve to be heard and have a great influence on their parents."

A series of new spots featuring kids along with Nickelodeon stars will roll out on TeenNick at the end of September. The "TeenNick's Make It Count" spots, hosted by Nick Cannon, will focus on the power of voting and the importance of civic engagement. New educational spots with kids discussing the candidates and the electoral process will roll out Oct. 7 on Nickelodeon.

In "Kids Pick the President: The Issues," kids across the country went online to rank the campaign issues most important to them, choosing from same-sex marriage, education, healthcare, taxes, immigration, Iran, energy and jobs. In "Kids Pick the President: The Candidates," Nick News will take kids' questions to the presidential candidates —who will answer the questions. Kids will then be encouraged to go online to www.nick.com/kpp and vote for the next U.S. president. More than two million kids' votes were cast online for the last election.

Kids can visit Nick.com to interact and learn more about the upcoming election. They can also play games, take quizzes about the government, learn about each candidate, and the issues.

Kids Pick the President is also incorporated into Nickelodeon's The Big Help initiative where kids are given tools and information to take action on issues important to them. For more information, go to www.thebighelp.com.

About Nickelodeon

Nickelodeon, now in its 33^rd 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 17 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. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIA.B).

SOURCE Nickelodeon