Grenzbach out at Nickelodeon

Nickelodeon’s vice president for international video games, Arwed-Ralf Grenzbach, has departed the kids’ content firm, MCV can confirm.

Grenzbach joined the firm in August 2007 following a successful stint as managing director for Take-Two Germany. He has also worked for media giants Disney and Sony Music.

MCV understands that Nickelodeon has no plans to hire a replacement for Grenzbach.

Arwed has decided to leave Nickelodeon and Viacom Consumer Products International to pursue new opportunities within the international entertainment industry,” said a spokesperson for MTV Networks International.

We wish much success and all the best in his new pursuits.”

Grenzbach added: "I am thankful about the descision that I made within the last four months to explore a new venture within the Industry, ex Viacom.
"It has been an amazing time which was opening new horizons and business
strategies for the future."

During his time at Nickelodeon, Grenzbach signed publishing deals with the likes of Take-Two’s 2K Play label and was also involved in a licensing deal with Activision over Nickelodeon’s hugely successful iCarly TV show.

The TV giant also has a long-standing publishing deal with THQ for games based on the lucrative SpongeBob SquarePants licence.

The next SpongeBob is due for release on DS and Wii on March 26th.

Nickelodeon owns a range of top kids IP, and recently acquired the rights to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles for 5.9 million from The Mirage Group. Ubisoft currently holds the game rights TMNT.