Macy's Parade & Entertainment Group has appointed Nickelodeon character SpongeBob SquarePants as its 2014 Holiday Ambassador.

"SpongeBob SquarePants has experienced many iconic moments over the last 15 years, and we are honored to add Macy's coveted holiday ambassadorship to the list," says Pam Kaufman, chief marketing officer and president, consumer products, Nickelodeon. "The holidays are a magical time of year, and who better than SpongeBob, the eternal optimist, to deck the halls with cheer this season."

The partnership will kick off this November with the debut of a SpongeBob talking plush complete with sound chip and Patrick and Plankton finger puppets available exclusively at Macy's stores and online as part of the Macy's collectible plush program that runs through Dec. 31. Adding to the holiday cheer, the first-ever ‘square' balloon will make its 11th appearance in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade this November in New York City.

As part of the partnership, SpongeBob will also be featured in holiday collateral at Macy’s stores across the U.S. including posters, signage and a number of in-store events. At Macy's flagship location at Herald Square in New York City custom-designed shopping bags featuring SpongeBob will be distributed throughout the holiday season, a SpongeBob cold-air inflatable will adorn a marquee entrance to the store and one of the store’s famed holiday windows will be dressed in Bikini Bottom flair.

"For over a decade, SpongeBob SquarePants has delighted millions of spectators along the streets of New York City, and several millions more in homes across the nation, as he's soared down the streets of Manhattan in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade," says Amy Kule, group vice president, Macy's Parade & Entertainment Group. "We are overjoyed that SpongeBob will be adding Macy's Holiday Ambassador to his list of entertaining accomplishments as he helps Macy's kick off the holiday season in our stores across the nation."