Using current and past Nickelodeon animated shows as inspiration, create a mix of four unique short videos or still images designed for social media that can be used on Nickelodeon-owned social channels to promote their partnership with the National Football League (NFL) for four key football events: the 2022 season kick-off game, Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and general NFL-inspired content that could be used throughout the football season.
We know you're out there. When you see a football, all you can think about is the shape of a classic Nicktoon's head. When you win your Fantasy Football game, you secretly wish you could get slimed to celebrate. Whenever you watch a field goal attempt, those yellow uprights remind you of a certain sponge who lives in a pineapple under the sea. If this sounds like you, it's time to get your game face on!
...and if this doesn't sound like you, check out Nickelodeon's handy dandy guide to football. You'll be complaining about unfounded pass interference penalties before you know it!
Either way, the NFL on Nickelodeon is a partnership between the two organizations where an NFL game is simulcast on both CBS and Nickelodeon. Last year's simulcast of the Chicago Bears vs. the New Orleans Saints Wild Card game was such a big success that Nickelodeon will be back this year with a regular season simulcast game between Denver Broncos and the Los Angeles Rams on Christmas Day.
To help celebrate this expanding partnership, Nickelodeon is looking for a single talented creator to produce four unique assets - including stills or short video content - that can be used on Nickelodeon-owned social media channels to highlight four big football events this season. Here's specifically what the Nick team is looking for:
All of these posts should feature Nickelodeon animated characters from current or past Nickelodeon shows, but which characters and how they are incorporated is up to you. In terms of executions, the sky is the limit! We're open to seeing creative executions for everything from stop motion & animation, to motion graphics, to paper craft, to photography or lifestyle content, and everything in between. You could even create custom illustrations featuring characters from multiple Nick properties in a single image (similar to this Nick or Treat Instagram carousel or this First Day of Spring post). While you will have access to official reference images of Nickelodeon characters, the expectation is that you will be drawing the characters yourself to fit the creative concept you submitted.
For the purposes of the Pitch stage, we're asking that you include at least 1 creative concept per social post in your treatment (4 total concepts). That said, the more concepts, the better! These creative concepts should illustrate the potential creative approach you would plan to execute for each post, along with any specific characters you would plan to feature. You can mix & match format and execution depending on what works best for each post. For example, you could pitch a stylized illustration for the NFL Kick-Off Game post featuring Arnold from Hey Arnold!, and a stop-motion approach for the Thanksgiving post featuring characters from SpongeBob SquarePants.
It's strongly recommended that the creative execution for each post feel different and unique. Nick is NOT looking for 4 assets that are similar in style and approach. Each asset should be able to stand on its own while still feeling on brand for Nickelodeon. We encourage you to check out the Background section for more information about each show and examples of successful social content.
While Nick is primarily looking for one creator to make all 4 assets, there is a chance Nick may want to "mix and match" ideas from different creators. If that's the case, Tongal will reach out to those creators individually to work out a revised budget based on your bid to create all 4 assets.
For any questions or other project updates, check out the Project Forum.
DELIVERABLES: 8 total social assets
TIMELINE: For the full project timeline please see the Assets section.
EXPOSURE:
TARGET AUDIENCE:
TONE:
EXECUTIONAL MANDATORIES:
OPEN BID:
Shooting live action or stop motion? Our priority is ensuring everyone's safety, so please review our COVID-19 Production Safety Guide and check federal, state, and local rules before and during your shoot to make sure your on-set protocols are up to date. We're working hard to keep people working during this extraordinary time, and you should ensure your submission is executable within the anticipated timeline and budget, while also ensuring everyone's safety.
For more information about the NFL on Nickelodeon, check out the official Nick Sports TV Instagram channel and NFL Slimetime, which is Nickelodeon's weekly NFL highlights show that airs during the football season. It will give you a good sense of how Nickelodeon likes to approach the NFL through the lens of their kid-friendly brand.
EXAMPLES OF SUCCESSFUL NICKELODEON SOCIAL CONTENT:
NICKELODEON BRAND - Nickelodeon is the number one entertainment brand for kids, and it's a brand on the precipice of change. Nickelodeon is expanding its focus far beyond the traditional cable TV channel. Treating Nickelodeon as a lifestyle brand – with content, products, experiences and more – is the core of Nick's future-forward plan. Video that embodies that distinct Nickelodeon feeling and connects with fans old and young can help drive that message.
NICKREWIND - NickRewind is Nick’s place for all things nostalgia - covering all your favorite Nickelodeon shows from the 1980s to late 2010s.
In order to be considered for this project, you must include the below materials in your pitch submission. For examples of effective pitches, check out this gallery.
The most compelling pitch will be greenlit, and the responsible creator will then receive an email from Tongal producers detailing next steps. All submitters will also receive an automated email notification that a selection has been announced. To ensure you’re receiving project updates, review your email settings to check that you haven’t unsubscribed.
Creators who’ve been selected will receive funding upon completing the Winner Affidavit and the IP Assignment. Payment of the pitch funds is subject to a payment schedule determined by Tongal. Please see the full payment schedule in the Assets section.
PRE-PRODUCTION REQUIREMENTS: Pre-production approvals will be dependent on the creative concepts selected, but may include:
For your convenience, we’ve provided some helpful templates to use at your discretion. They include templates for creating a treatment, production budget, storyboards, shot list, call sheet, and a music cue sheet. Additionally, there are templates that will help you clearly present cast, location, and wardrobe options to the Sponsor. They can all be accessed here.
BUILDING YOUR TEAM: Tongal supports inclusivity in all of our productions and strongly encourages you to hire diverse talent for your team. To find staff & crew in your area, check out these resources and partners.
REVISION REQUIREMENTS: Once the Video Phase has closed, the greenlit submitters will enter the Revisions Phase. Filmmakers will perform reasonable edits on their videos according to the Sponsor’s feedback.
MUSIC: Tongal has partnered with three premiere music providers: Jingle Punks, Universal Production Music and Epidemic Sound, any of which can be used to source music for your video submission to this project. Music from these providers is available to registered Tongal members at no charge solely for their incorporation into submissions to this project and will not require a separate Music Release Form. To learn more about using each of these music providers, click on any of the providers’ names above.
If you choose to use custom/original music, you must fill out and submit our Music Release Form. If you obtain music from third-party catalog providers, you must purchase the appropriate license at your own expense and submit it with your license purchase receipt when you turn in your video paperwork.
ASSET DELIVERY REQUIREMENTS: You must also provide all project files, editing sequences and a 1080p .mov master file, using a ProRes, Animation, or Uncompressed Codec in order to submit final payment. You are responsible for the costs associated the hard drive and shipping.
For Tongal’s file delivery specs and any other questions you may have about post production, please click here.