NICK-MARRIOTT (NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH NIKKI HILTON)

A friend of mine who works for the Marriott organization sent me this press release from May 31, 2007:

Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR), Nickelodeon, a unit of Viacom International, Inc.’s (NYSE: VIA B) MTV Networks, and Miller Global Properties, LLC, an international real estate investment and development company, today announced an agreement to co-develop a breakthrough new lodging resort brand and concept for travelers seeking fun and adventure, “Nickelodeon Resorts by Marriott,” with 20 potential hotels expected to be under construction by 2020.

The new upscale, self-contained destination resorts will be developed through a collaboration among Nickelodeon, the world’s number-one entertainment brand for kids, with 35 channels reaching approximately more than 200 million households in 135 countries; Marriott International, which has nearly 2,900 hotels in 68 countries; and Miller Global Properties. All “Nickelodeon Resorts by Marriott” properties will be managed by Marriott.

The first “Nickelodeon Resorts by Marriott” property is expected to be a 650-room resort at Liberty Station in San Diego, which will incorporate a 100,000 square-foot water park and activity deck complex featuring a variety of pools and interactive attractions.

Other potential resort locations being considered for development include major family-oriented destinations in the U.S., Caribbean and Mexican resort areas, the UK and Europe, Asia, Australia and the Middle East.

J.W. "Bill" Marriott, Jr., chairman and chief executive officer of Marriott International, said, “When you bring together the premier hospitality company with the number-one TV destination for kids and families, it’s a winning combination for unbeatable resorts."

Cyma Zarghami, President of Nickelodeon and MTVN Kids and Family Group, said, “This partnership with Marriott to bring the Nickelodeon experience to families all over the world comes at the perfect time, as the first generation of kids who grew up with our brand now have come of age and are having families of their own. Marriott knows hotels and business and leisure travelers, and no one knows kids and families like Nickelodeon. We know this will be a great combination, and it signals the beginning of a new era for the Nickelodeon brand.”

“Nickelodeon Resorts by Marriott” will cater to families with children but will also appeal to fun-seeking business groups and individuals, creating a unique marriage of Marriott’s superb hospitality with Nickelodeon’s dynamic and trend-setting entertainment. Guests will experience Nick-themed resort activities throughout the hotel.

A signature component to each resort will be a wide variety of attractions ranging from state-of-the-art pools and water features (indoor water parks will be featured elements in cooler destination markets), plus live entertainment programs featuring popular costumed Nickelodeon characters like Dora the Explorer and SpongeBob SquarePants. “Studio Nick,” a main stage theater space equipped with state-of-the-art lighting, sound and video will anchor the resorts’ live entertainment programs.

Each individual “Nickelodeon Resorts by Marriott” will feature guest rooms and suites that cater to the unique needs of families including multi-bedroom suites, HDTV’s and Marriott’s new signature “plug in” technology. Pleasantly styled “kids’ suites” will be themed with Nick’s most popular hit properties creating an environment that kids will call home while staying at the resort.

In addition to a variety of restaurant options, the “NickToons Café” will provide a casual and friendly environment—the ideal setting for daily “character” breakfasts as well as special evenings.

Visit the press site, www.nickmarriottpress.com, for more information.