Viacom Nickelodeon Consumer Products (VNCP) today announced the launch of its first branded ecommerce websites, SpongeBobshop.com and MTVshop.com. The sites – now live for US consumers – are part of VNCP’s forthcoming suite of online shops featuring products dedicated to Viacom’s iconic characters and brands. In addition to the ecommerce websites, VNCP plans to bolster its direct-to-consumer efforts with brick-and-mortar retail pop-up shops. The first-ever Nickelodeon Holiday Shop opened on November 16th at Westfield Century City in Los Angeles, Calif.

Pam Kaufman, President, VNCP said: “The vision for our ecommerce websites and pop-up retail spaces are to create unique, one-stop-shop destinations for fans in search of exciting and hard-to-find products. VNCP’s strategy is to serve consumers across all ages, and our direct-to-consumer business furthers our ability to directly connect with fans and deliver the best selection of product.”

To oversee VNCP’s DTC efforts, the division also announced it has hired Aaron Cunningham as Vice President, Direct-to-Consumer. Cunningham joins VNCP with 13 years of ecommerce experience at top retailers, including Amazon, Walmart, Nordstrom and Macy’s. In his new role, Cunningham will spearhead product sourcing and merchandising for each property website, as well as marketing, user acquisition and developing VNCP’s pipeline of future sites and brick-and-mortar pop-ups.

SpongeBobshop.com and MTVshop.com feature a mix of exclusive items, limited-edition collaborations and product sourced from VNCP’s license partners. VNCP plans to expand the  product offering with additional categories, signed memorabilia and exclusives. This direct channel to fans will also inform future product assortments, as visitors of the websites will be encouraged to share their feedback on desired products.

The product assortment for both SpongeBobshop.com and MTVshop.com will include personalized and print-on-demand items not found anywhere else.

Key products on SpongeBobshop.com will include:

• Exclusive collection of SpongeBob SquarePants 20th Anniversary items
• Limited-edition collaborations from visual artist and designer, Louis De Guzman, and Latin superstar, J Balvin, as well as international pop artist, Romero Britto
• Categories include: giftables, apparel, accessories and home goods

Key products on MTVshop.com will include apparel and accessories featuring the MTV brand, as well as popular MTV shows:

• Wild ‘N Out
• Yo! MTV Raps
• The Challenge
• Catfish
• Daria

In addition to VNCP’s ecommerce efforts, brick-and-mortar pop-up retail shops are an important part to its strategy. Nickelodeon’s first holiday retail experience is open at Westfield Century City from November 16th to December 31st. The immersive pop-up features product from PAW Patrol, SpongeBob SquarePants, JoJo Siwa, Nickelodeon Slime and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles alongside walk-around characters, giveaways and special activities throughout the holiday period.