Nickelodeon Signs Russia/CIS Agent

The appointment follows the recent acquisition of “Kikoriki,” the animated property known in Russia as “Smeshariki,” across Central and Eastern Europe (excluding Russia), the Middle East, Africa and the Asia Pacific region (excluding Greater China).

Riki Group will broker licensing deals for all VIMN programs in RCIS, including Nickelodeon properties SpongeBob SquarePants, Dora the Explorer, iCarly and Avatar, as well as the MTV logo and adult brands, including South Park, Beavis and Butthead and Jackass.

“We’re thrilled to announce our new master licensing partnership with Riki Group for our Nickelodeon and MTV adult brand properties in the Russia and CIS market,” says Michael Connolly, senior vice president, consumer products, VIMN. “This is a further step in our

“We are excited to be working with VIMN and look forward to applying everything we have learned while growing our Kikoriki brand to the globally recognized Nickelodeon brand and the tremendous slate of Nickelodeon and MTV properties we will be managing,” says Ilya Popov, chief executive officer and executive producer, The Riki Group. “The Riki Group’s expertise in the Russian marketplace, together with VIMN’s vast global experience, will make for an extremely successful partnership in the licensing arena.”