Chaos Partners with Nickelodeon

Contact: Beth Cochran
cochran@whatsuppr.com
406.579.7909

SKI TOPS USA/CHAOS PARTNER WITH NICKELODEON TO PRODUCE EXCLUSIVE LINE OF CO-BRANDED HATS
Dora The Explorer and SpongeBob SquarePants Head To Ski Slopes Nationwide
Steamboat Springs, Colorado-Montreal, Canada-November 20, 2006 –. SKI TOPS Inc., distributor of Chaos Headwear, and Nickelodeon, the number-one entertainment brand for kids have partnered with Nickelodeon to release an exclusive line of ski hats for sale at American Skiing Company (ASC) resorts nationwide. The new line of kids skiwear will feature two of the most popular Nickelodeon and Nick Jr. children’s characters, Dora The Explorer and SpongeBob SquarePants in embroidered poses alongside the Chaos label.
The licensing partnership was created to accompany the recently launched partnership between Rossignol, ASC, and Nickelodeon to bring a new ‘turn key’ Nickelodeon character branded ski and sno-board rental program to ASC resorts including: Killington-VT, Steamboat Springs-CO, SugarLoaf, VT, and The Canyons UT.
“This is a fantastic program for SKI TOPS. We have had our own children’s sales initiative and this partnership with Nickelodeon will expand Chaos’ youth retail relationships. Our nationwide sales force is excited to bring the new Dora and SpongeBob co-branded products to their territories,” said Gary Supple, US National Sales Director.
Distribution will follow all sporting goods, specialty chains and independent shops, as well as selected department stores. The Nickelodeon label will be co-branded with the popular US brand CHAOS headwear.
What does this mean for new markets? It means additional distribution in markets we were just re-entering. In fact, Dogree Fashions, the parent company to SKITOP’S, first opened their doors in 1951 with the popularity of the Daniel Boone, Racoon hat for kids. “Kids and women’s fashion is our heritage,” added David Tock, Vice President in charge of design and production for Ski Tops Corporation, “With partners like Nickelodeon, Dora The Explorer and SpongeBob SquarePants, retailers will be excited to see how these new products connect with kids and parents. We look forward to this dynamic program enlivening our children’s collection, and the retail relationships that follow,” said Tock.
Although a specialty retailer does not at first think of carrying a “TV” mass branded product, the difference is that these are all high-end products tastefully co-branded. This allows the smaller retailer to compete with the big box TV branded items that are less quality and low price. Here a local shop can offer a quality branded item that the kids are demanding, and the smaller retailer can compete in the current popularity game.
There will be some definite coordination among the partners, for example, SKI TOPS will make certain the headwear styles/colors match with the apparel color collections and direction launched by Obermeyer. SKI TOPS is no stranger to meeting client’s special needs. SKI TOPS also services a number of high-end leading brands, for private label in snowboard, surf, skate, ski and outdoor markets. For these brands, as well as mountain resort accounts, they regularly match color and customization to ensure each client has a unique specialty product.
“Everyone at SKI TOPS is very excited. We see a lot of potential, in that the kids market is a tougher and unique market of its own, this will help us learn a great deal. It is the start of something special. There are not a lot of licensees, in the higher end products with character licensee, this is an ideal opportunity for all the partners involved,” explains Tock.
Brand Summary-Chaos and Moon Shadow, Threads for Heads
SKI TOPS’ competitive edge is quality, responsiveness and a vast array of headgear possibilities. As a vertical manufacturer, SKI TOPS/operated by Do-Gree Fashions in Montreal, Canada is able to respond quickly to both customer requests as well as fast-paced market trends, translating to unparalleled service. SKI TOPS has a seemingly infinite selection of styles and blended knits over 1500 SKUS. Designs from both CHAOS and MOON SHADOW vary from winter to 4 season, urban to alpine, casual to high-end silk-cashmere all of which supply the men’s, women’s and youth’s markets. Materials include: merino wool, mohair, acrylic blends, cottons, angora, fleece, and technical fabrics from the New CTR-Chaos Thermal Regulation, FitsALL 4X® , Polartech®, Windbloc®, Thermolite® and Outlast®.
Nickelodeon & Viacom Consumer Products manages the third largest licensing business in the world and represents such properties as SpongeBob SquarePants and Dora the Explorer. The department handles the merchandising for Nick Jr., Nickelodeon, Paramount Pictures, Comedy Central, MTVN International, and Spike TV.

Nickelodeon, in its 27th year, is the number-one entertainment brand for kids. It has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does. The company includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, online, recreation, books, magazines and feature films. Nickelodeon’s U.S. television network is seen in almost 92 million households and has been the number-one-rated basic cable network for more than eleven consecutive years. Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom Inc. (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B).