NEW YORK–March 12, 2009–Nickelodeon, the number-one entertainment brand for kids, announced today that multi-talented, actor/comedian/artist/producer Nick Cannon, former Nickelodeon and MTV Networks star, returns to the Nickelodeon family as Honorary Chairman and development consultant for TEENick, it was announced today by Cyma Zarghami, President, Nickelodeon /MTVN Kids and Family Group.
The network’s groundbreaking two-year deal with Cannon, which begins immediately, positions him in front of the camera and behind the desk as Honorary Chairman of The N as it transforms into TEENick. In fourth quarter ‘09, The N will rebrand itself as TEENick, further developing and delivering on its mission of serving teens and tweens through programming reflecting the breadth and depth of “teendom.”
As TEENick’s Chairman, Cannon will serve as creative consultant and provide his vision on several projects for the teen network and its development slate. He will have a presence on-air, online and behind-the-scenes as he works closely with the network’s development and on-air teams to harness and execute new ideas across multiple platforms.
“I started my career here at Nickelodeon and am so excited to be back, serving as an integral part of TEENick as the in-house voice and representative for teens everywhere,” said Cannon. “TEENick is their network and I am here to make sure this is an ultimate destination for and about them.”
Cannon also will host and executive produce TEENick’s Halo Awards (working title), a new hour-long special celebrating ordinary teens who make a difference in the world. Production on TEENick’s Halo Awards is scheduled to commence this summer and the special will premiere winter 2009. In addition, Cannon will serve as executive producer on a new original two-hour TV movie for Nickelodeon which is currently in development.
The Halo Awards will feature Cannon and a roster of his celebrity friends who will travel around the country and surprise, recognize and celebrate ordinary teens who are doing extraordinary things for their community, in the hopes of inspiring and motivating a new generation of leaders.
Cited by People Magazine as one of the ‘Top Ten Most Successful Young People in Hollywood,” and featured on the Cover of Black Enterprises’ “40 Under 40,” 28-year-old Nick Cannon is a successful, multi-faceted entertainer, film star, comedian, musician, writer and executive producer of his very own hit TV shows.
A San Diego native, Cannon began performing at the age of eight after his grandfather gave him several instruments as a gift. Through what Cannon recalls as “a lot of trial and failure,” he recorded his first song at home on his boom box. Shortly after, Cannon took the stage to perform his music along with stand-up comedy.
That's really good for Nick Cannon! But why the name change again? Wasn't it called TEENick before? The N is simple and catchy but whatever works for them.
I thought it was TEENick before as well. The network has to do something because Disney's XD channel launched with a bang, and a bang in HD.
TEENick was the block on Nickelodeon that played teen-oriented show (the block used to be called SNICK in the 90s) The-N is launched as a night time block for teens on Noggin in 2002. Then got it's own channel in 2007. TEENick was never used to refer to the programming block/channel that is The-N today.