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* Stephen Hillenburg stated in an interview that there was a proposal for ''WesternAnimation/SpongeBobSquarePants'' fish sticks, which is odd considering the show takes place in the ocean. They were never sold after.
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* Stephen Hillenburg stated in an interview that there was a proposal for ''WesternAnimation/SpongeBobSquarePants'' fish sticks, which is odd considering the show takes place in the ocean. They were never sold after.after.
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Deleted line(s) 4 (click to see context) :
* A Tennessee mall held an event featuring a meet and greet with the characters as part of a pirate-themed anti-bullying initiative. This may seem like an innocent choice for a meet and greet, until you realize that some episodes do contain bullying in them.
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Changed line(s) 1 (click to see context) from:
Being a huge CashCowFranchise and one of the biggest properties for [[Creator/ViacomCBS Paramount]], ''WesternAnimation/SpongeBobSquarePants'' has fallen into this trope way too many times, especially when it comes to merchandising aimed at children younger than its 6-to-12-year-old target demographic. It doesn't help that it's often the first thing Nickelodeon airs once their ''Creator/NickJr'' block ends, thus creating a sizable PeripheryDemographic of children 5 and under.
to:
Being a huge CashCowFranchise and one of the biggest properties for [[Creator/ViacomCBS Paramount]], Creator/{{Paramount|Global}}, ''WesternAnimation/SpongeBobSquarePants'' has fallen into this trope way too many times, especially when it comes to merchandising aimed at children younger than its 6-to-12-year-old target demographic. It doesn't help that it's often the first thing Nickelodeon airs once their ''Creator/NickJr'' block ends, thus creating a sizable PeripheryDemographic of children 5 and under.
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Changed line(s) 9 (click to see context) from:
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43e9MTgTHrw [=SpongeBob=] promotes Old Spice]]. Keep in mind that while the show does have a fairly large PeripheryDemographic, most people who would be seeing ''WesternAnimation/TheSpongeBobMovieSpongeOnTheRun'' and who would be drawn to its' merchandising and marketing are children.
to:
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43e9MTgTHrw [=SpongeBob=] promotes Old Spice]]. Keep in mind that while the show does have a fairly large PeripheryDemographic, PeripheryDemographic and the ad is most likely targeted towards said demographic, most people who would be seeing ''WesternAnimation/TheSpongeBobMovieSpongeOnTheRun'' and who would be drawn to its' its merchandising and marketing are children.
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On the complaining cleanup thread
we decided that marketing Sponge Bob to babies was a nonissue and that this page was exaggerating.
we decided that marketing Sponge Bob to babies was a nonissue and that this page was exaggerating.Deleted line(s) 3,4 (click to see context) :
* There are ''[=SpongeBob SquarePants=]'' products aimed towards babies and toddlers, like this [[http://www.pottytrainingconcepts.com/Soft-Potty-Seat-SB.html potty training seat]] and this [[http://www.tvstoreonline.com/spongebob-squarepants-face-light-yellow-infant-baby-onesie-romper.html?SIZE=18-24%20Months&gclid=CMbN_MGfzrECFcne4Aodr18Axw baby romper.]] Mind you, ''[=SpongeBob=]'' is rated TV-Y7, meaning it contains elements that may be considered inappropriate for very little kids. Not to mention that ''[=SpongeBob=]'' [[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-kleeman/spongebob-vs-caillou-both_b_960407.html might harm a preschooler's brain!]] And yet the products still sell: [[http://www.amazon.com/review/R18SJ0RHLYDJAV/ref=cm_cr_dp_cmt?ie=UTF8&channel=rw-dp&ASIN=B0000DEW94&nodeID=165796011&store=baby-products#wasThisHelpful this review]] states that their 2-year-old son thinks that ''[=SpongeBob=]'' is better than [[Series/ElmosWorld Elmo]] because ''Elmo'''s a "baby show".
* At one point, [[http://www.animationmagazine.net/licensing/nickelodeon-consumer-introduces-spongebob-infant-line/ Nickelodeon planned to make an entire line of ''[=SpongeBob=]'' merchandise for babies]], but cancelled it for unexplained reasons.
* At one point, [[http://www.animationmagazine.net/licensing/nickelodeon-consumer-introduces-spongebob-infant-line/ Nickelodeon planned to make an entire line of ''[=SpongeBob=]'' merchandise for babies]], but cancelled it for unexplained reasons.
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* As with all Nickelodeon networks, promos for the show air on Creator/NickJr in between shows, which means a show Nickelodeon admits is not for kids under 7 has promos that air on a '''preschool channel'''.
* Even with Nick's insistence, new toddler merchandise still gets made. Fisher-Price's Imaginext line and Franchise/LeapFrog make ''[=SpongeBob=]'' toys and games that are for children ages 4-7 and are placed next to ''WesternAnimation/DoraTheExplorer'' and ''WesternAnimation/ThomasAndFriends'' toys at toy stores. One such piece of merch is a card for children celebrating their '''fourth birthday'''.
* Even crazier is that Mattel produced ''[=SpongeBob=]'' toys under the Fisher-Price name in the mid-2000's. Because of this, some retailers [[http://www.carebearsforever.net/images/KB-Toys-Circular-from-January-2003_CA39/KBtoysAdJan2003.jpg advertised the toys as being for preschoolers]].
* An ad for a car when the show first came out on DVD shows two kids watching the show. Whilst one kid is in ''[=SpongeBob=]''[='=]s target audience, the kid who wants the DVD put in is no older than four years old.
* Even with Nick's insistence, new toddler merchandise still gets made. Fisher-Price's Imaginext line and Franchise/LeapFrog make ''[=SpongeBob=]'' toys and games that are for children ages 4-7 and are placed next to ''WesternAnimation/DoraTheExplorer'' and ''WesternAnimation/ThomasAndFriends'' toys at toy stores. One such piece of merch is a card for children celebrating their '''fourth birthday'''.
* Even crazier is that Mattel produced ''[=SpongeBob=]'' toys under the Fisher-Price name in the mid-2000's. Because of this, some retailers [[http://www.carebearsforever.net/images/KB-Toys-Circular-from-January-2003_CA39/KBtoysAdJan2003.jpg advertised the toys as being for preschoolers]].
* An ad for a car when the show first came out on DVD shows two kids watching the show. Whilst one kid is in ''[=SpongeBob=]''[='=]s target audience, the kid who wants the DVD put in is no older than four years old.
Deleted line(s) 11 (click to see context) :
* [[http://media2.popsugar-assets.com/files/2016/02/11/861/n/1922398/9ed9c2ecae21cce9_DRB46_SpongeBob_THOMAS_03kVOd3Z.xxxlarge_2x/i/Thomas-Friends-SpongeBob-SquarePants-Mash-Up-Minis.jpg A SpongeBob SquarePants-themed Thomas the Tank Engine train]]. The combination of a preschool show with something that isn't for preschoolers seems weird.
Deleted line(s) 13 (click to see context) :
* There are [[https://www.amazon.com/Learn-Spongebob-Phonics-Reading-Program/dp/0545149142 SpongeBob phonics books for toddlers]], being one of the earliest products made for that demographic, with the first version of such program coming out at the same time as the Fisher-Price toys.
Deleted line(s) 18 (click to see context) :
* Another example of marketing the show to preschoolers was when Japanese magazines Baby Book and Mebae featured the show among preschool series like ''Series/InaiInaiBaa'', ''Literature/{{Anpanman}}'', and ''WesternAnimation/ThomasAndFriends'', simply because it aired on NHK[[note]] This is not the first time they had done such a thing: the same magazines contain ''Manga/CrayonShinChan'' stories despite the show being aimed at an older audience[[/note]]. Luckily, this stopped when Nickelodeon launched [[WesternAnimation/PAWPatrol one of its' newer preschool properties]] in Japan.
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* Stephen Hillenburg stated in an interview that there was a proposal for ''WesternAnimation/SpongeBobSquarePants'' fish sticks, which is odd considering the show takes place in the ocean. They were never sold after.
* Way back in 2004, Fisher-Price released the [=InteracTV=], an educational toy that used primitive touch screen/DVD remote technology so preschoolers could quite literally ''interact'' with their favorite shows. For whatever reason, the pack in compilation DVD that came with the toy included an episode of [=SpongeBob=] [[note]]specifically, the season 2 episode "[[Recap/SpongeBobSquarePantsS2E19JellyfishHunterTheFryCookGames Jellyfish Hunter]]"[[/note]]...right alongside episodes of ''WesternAnimation/DoraTheExplorer'' and ''Series/SesameStreet''. Both of which are aimed at a much, ''much'' younger demographic than the absorbent yellow sponge. However, this is somewhat lessened by them making extra discs and touch screen inserts based on [[WesternAnimation/TheFairlyOddParents Nickelodeon's other]] [[WesternAnimation/TheAdventuresOfJimmyNeutronBoyGenius hottest cartoons]] at the time.
* Way back in 2004, Fisher-Price released the [=InteracTV=], an educational toy that used primitive touch screen/DVD remote technology so preschoolers could quite literally ''interact'' with their favorite shows. For whatever reason, the pack in compilation DVD that came with the toy included an episode of [=SpongeBob=] [[note]]specifically, the season 2 episode "[[Recap/SpongeBobSquarePantsS2E19JellyfishHunterTheFryCookGames Jellyfish Hunter]]"[[/note]]...right alongside episodes of ''WesternAnimation/DoraTheExplorer'' and ''Series/SesameStreet''. Both of which are aimed at a much, ''much'' younger demographic than the absorbent yellow sponge. However, this is somewhat lessened by them making extra discs and touch screen inserts based on [[WesternAnimation/TheFairlyOddParents Nickelodeon's other]] [[WesternAnimation/TheAdventuresOfJimmyNeutronBoyGenius hottest cartoons]] at the time.
to:
* Stephen Hillenburg stated in an interview that there was a proposal for ''WesternAnimation/SpongeBobSquarePants'' fish sticks, which is odd considering the show takes place in the ocean. They were never sold after.
* Way back in 2004, Fisher-Price released the [=InteracTV=], an educational toy that used primitive touch screen/DVD remote technology so preschoolers could quite literally ''interact'' with their favorite shows. For whatever reason, the pack in compilation DVD that came with the toy included an episode of [=SpongeBob=] [[note]]specifically, the season 2 episode "[[Recap/SpongeBobSquarePantsS2E19JellyfishHunterTheFryCookGames Jellyfish Hunter]]"[[/note]]...right alongside episodes of ''WesternAnimation/DoraTheExplorer'' and ''Series/SesameStreet''. Both of which are aimed at a much, ''much'' younger demographic than the absorbent yellow sponge. However, this is somewhat lessened by them making extra discs and touch screen inserts based on [[WesternAnimation/TheFairlyOddParents Nickelodeon's other]] [[WesternAnimation/TheAdventuresOfJimmyNeutronBoyGenius hottest cartoons]] at the time.after.
* Way back in 2004, Fisher-Price released the [=InteracTV=], an educational toy that used primitive touch screen/DVD remote technology so preschoolers could quite literally ''interact'' with their favorite shows. For whatever reason, the pack in compilation DVD that came with the toy included an episode of [=SpongeBob=] [[note]]specifically, the season 2 episode "[[Recap/SpongeBobSquarePantsS2E19JellyfishHunterTheFryCookGames Jellyfish Hunter]]"[[/note]]...right alongside episodes of ''WesternAnimation/DoraTheExplorer'' and ''Series/SesameStreet''. Both of which are aimed at a much, ''much'' younger demographic than the absorbent yellow sponge. However, this is somewhat lessened by them making extra discs and touch screen inserts based on [[WesternAnimation/TheFairlyOddParents Nickelodeon's other]] [[WesternAnimation/TheAdventuresOfJimmyNeutronBoyGenius hottest cartoons]] at the time.
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Changed line(s) 1 (click to see context) from:
Being a huge CashCowFranchise and one of the biggest properties for [[Creator/ViacomCBS Viacom]], ''WesternAnimation/SpongeBobSquarePants'' has fallen into this trope way too many times, especially when it comes to merchandising aimed at children younger than its 6-to-12-year-old target demographic. It doesn't help that it's often the first thing Nickelodeon airs once their ''Creator/NickJr'' block ends, thus creating a sizable PeripheryDemographic of children 5 and under.
to:
Being a huge CashCowFranchise and one of the biggest properties for [[Creator/ViacomCBS Viacom]], Paramount]], ''WesternAnimation/SpongeBobSquarePants'' has fallen into this trope way too many times, especially when it comes to merchandising aimed at children younger than its 6-to-12-year-old target demographic. It doesn't help that it's often the first thing Nickelodeon airs once their ''Creator/NickJr'' block ends, thus creating a sizable PeripheryDemographic of children 5 and under.
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Changed line(s) 21 (click to see context) from:
* Way back in 2004, Fisher-Price released the [=InteracTV=], an educational toy that used primitive touch screen/DVD remote technology so preschoolers could quite literally ''interact'' with their favorite shows. For whatever reason, the pack in compilation DVD that came with the toy included an episode of [=SpongeBob=] [[note]]Specifically the episode ''Jellyfish Hunter'' from season 2.[[/note]]...right alongside episodes of ''WesternAnimation/DoraTheExplorer'' and ''Series/SesameStreet''. Both of which are aimed at a much, ''much'' younger demographic than the absorbent yellow sponge. However, this is somewhat lessened by them making extra discs and touch screen inserts based on [[WesternAnimation/TheFairlyOddParents Nickelodeon's other]] [[WesternAnimation/TheAdventuresOfJimmyNeutronBoyGenius hottest cartoons]] at the time.
to:
* Way back in 2004, Fisher-Price released the [=InteracTV=], an educational toy that used primitive touch screen/DVD remote technology so preschoolers could quite literally ''interact'' with their favorite shows. For whatever reason, the pack in compilation DVD that came with the toy included an episode of [=SpongeBob=] [[note]]Specifically [[note]]specifically, the season 2 episode ''Jellyfish Hunter'' from season 2.[[/note]]..."[[Recap/SpongeBobSquarePantsS2E19JellyfishHunterTheFryCookGames Jellyfish Hunter]]"[[/note]]...right alongside episodes of ''WesternAnimation/DoraTheExplorer'' and ''Series/SesameStreet''. Both of which are aimed at a much, ''much'' younger demographic than the absorbent yellow sponge. However, this is somewhat lessened by them making extra discs and touch screen inserts based on [[WesternAnimation/TheFairlyOddParents Nickelodeon's other]] [[WesternAnimation/TheAdventuresOfJimmyNeutronBoyGenius hottest cartoons]] at the time.
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Changed line(s) 21 (click to see context) from:
* Way back in 2004, Fisher-Price released the [=InteracTV=], an educational toy that used primitive touch screen/DVD remote technology so preschoolers could quite literally ''interact'' with their favorite shows. For whatever reason, the pack in compilation DVD that came with the toy included an episode of [=SpongeBob=]...right alongside episodes of ''WesternAnimation/DoraTheExplorer'' and ''Series/SesameStreet''. Both of which are aimed at a much, ''much'' younger demographic than the absorbent yellow sponge. However, this is somewhat lessened by them making extra discs and touch screen inserts based on [[WesternAnimation/TheFairlyOddParents Nickelodeon's other]] [[WesternAnimation/TheAdventuresOfJimmyNeutronBoyGenius hottest cartoons]] at the time.
to:
* Way back in 2004, Fisher-Price released the [=InteracTV=], an educational toy that used primitive touch screen/DVD remote technology so preschoolers could quite literally ''interact'' with their favorite shows. For whatever reason, the pack in compilation DVD that came with the toy included an episode of [=SpongeBob=]...[=SpongeBob=] [[note]]Specifically the episode ''Jellyfish Hunter'' from season 2.[[/note]]...right alongside episodes of ''WesternAnimation/DoraTheExplorer'' and ''Series/SesameStreet''. Both of which are aimed at a much, ''much'' younger demographic than the absorbent yellow sponge. However, this is somewhat lessened by them making extra discs and touch screen inserts based on [[WesternAnimation/TheFairlyOddParents Nickelodeon's other]] [[WesternAnimation/TheAdventuresOfJimmyNeutronBoyGenius hottest cartoons]] at the time.
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Changed line(s) 21 (click to see context) from:
* Way back in 2004, Fisher-Price released the [=InteracTV=], an educational toy that used primitive touch screen/DVD remote technology so preschoolers could quite literally ''interact'' with their favorite shows. For whatever reason, the pack in compilation DVD that came with the toy included an episode of [=SpongeBob=]...right alongside episodes of ''WesternAnimation/DoraTheExplorer'' and ''Series/SesameStreet''. Both of which are aimed at a much, ''much'' younger demographic than the absorbent yellow sponge. However, this is somewhat lessened by them making extra discs and touch screen inserts based on [[WesternAnimation/TheFairlyOddParents Nickelodeon's other]] [[WesternAnimation/TheAdventuresOfJimmyNeutronBoyGenius hottest cartoons]].
to:
* Way back in 2004, Fisher-Price released the [=InteracTV=], an educational toy that used primitive touch screen/DVD remote technology so preschoolers could quite literally ''interact'' with their favorite shows. For whatever reason, the pack in compilation DVD that came with the toy included an episode of [=SpongeBob=]...right alongside episodes of ''WesternAnimation/DoraTheExplorer'' and ''Series/SesameStreet''. Both of which are aimed at a much, ''much'' younger demographic than the absorbent yellow sponge. However, this is somewhat lessened by them making extra discs and touch screen inserts based on [[WesternAnimation/TheFairlyOddParents Nickelodeon's other]] [[WesternAnimation/TheAdventuresOfJimmyNeutronBoyGenius hottest cartoons]].cartoons]] at the time.
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* Another example of marketing the show to preschoolers was when Japanese magazines Baby Book and Mebae featured the show among preschool series like ''Series/InaiInaiBaa'', ''Literature/{{Anpanman}}'' and ''WesternAnimation/ThomasAndFriends'', simply because it aired on NHK[[note]] This is not the first time they had done such a thing: the same magazines contain ''Manga/CrayonShinChan'' stories despite the show being aimed at an older audience[[/note]]. Luckily, this stopped when Nickelodeon launched [[WesternAnimation/PAWPatrol one of its' newer preschool properties]] in Japan.
to:
* Another example of marketing the show to preschoolers was when Japanese magazines Baby Book and Mebae featured the show among preschool series like ''Series/InaiInaiBaa'', ''Literature/{{Anpanman}}'' ''Literature/{{Anpanman}}'', and ''WesternAnimation/ThomasAndFriends'', simply because it aired on NHK[[note]] This is not the first time they had done such a thing: the same magazines contain ''Manga/CrayonShinChan'' stories despite the show being aimed at an older audience[[/note]]. Luckily, this stopped when Nickelodeon launched [[WesternAnimation/PAWPatrol one of its' newer preschool properties]] in Japan.
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Changed line(s) 1 (click to see context) from:
Being a huge CashCowFranchise and one of the biggest properties for [[Creator/ViacomCBS Viacom]], ''WesternAnimation/SpongeBobSquarePants'' has fallen into this trope way too many times, especially when it comes to merchandising aimed at children younger than its 6-to-12-year-old target demographic. It doesn't help that it's often the first thing Nickelodeon airs once their ''Creator/NickJr'' block ends.
to:
Being a huge CashCowFranchise and one of the biggest properties for [[Creator/ViacomCBS Viacom]], ''WesternAnimation/SpongeBobSquarePants'' has fallen into this trope way too many times, especially when it comes to merchandising aimed at children younger than its 6-to-12-year-old target demographic. It doesn't help that it's often the first thing Nickelodeon airs once their ''Creator/NickJr'' block ends.ends, thus creating a sizable PeripheryDemographic of children 5 and under.
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* Way back in 2004, Fisher-Price released the [=InteracTV=], an educational toy that used primitive touch screen/DVD remote technology so preschoolers could quite literally ''interact'' with their favorite shows. For whatever reason, the pack in compilation DVD that came with the toy included an episode of [=SpongeBob=]...right alongside episodes of ''WesternAnimation/DoraTheExplorer'' and ''Series/SesameStreet''. Both of which are aimed at a much, ''much'' younger demographic than the absorbent yellow sponge.
to:
* Way back in 2004, Fisher-Price released the [=InteracTV=], an educational toy that used primitive touch screen/DVD remote technology so preschoolers could quite literally ''interact'' with their favorite shows. For whatever reason, the pack in compilation DVD that came with the toy included an episode of [=SpongeBob=]...right alongside episodes of ''WesternAnimation/DoraTheExplorer'' and ''Series/SesameStreet''. Both of which are aimed at a much, ''much'' younger demographic than the absorbent yellow sponge. However, this is somewhat lessened by them making extra discs and touch screen inserts based on [[WesternAnimation/TheFairlyOddParents Nickelodeon's other]] [[WesternAnimation/TheAdventuresOfJimmyNeutronBoyGenius hottest cartoons]].
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* Way back in 2004, Fisher-Price released the InteracTV, an educational toy that used primitive touch screen/DVD remote technology so preschoolers could quite literally ''interact'' with their favorite shows. For whatever reason, the pack in compilation DVD that came with the toy included an episode of [=SpongeBob=]...right alongside episodes of ''WesternAnimation/DoraTheExplorer'' and ''Series/SesameStreet''. Both of which are aimed at a much, ''much'' younger demographic than the absorbent yellow sponge.
to:
* Way back in 2004, Fisher-Price released the InteracTV, [=InteracTV=], an educational toy that used primitive touch screen/DVD remote technology so preschoolers could quite literally ''interact'' with their favorite shows. For whatever reason, the pack in compilation DVD that came with the toy included an episode of [=SpongeBob=]...right alongside episodes of ''WesternAnimation/DoraTheExplorer'' and ''Series/SesameStreet''. Both of which are aimed at a much, ''much'' younger demographic than the absorbent yellow sponge.
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Changed line(s) 20 (click to see context) from:
* Stephen Hillenburg stated in an interview that there was a proposal for ''WesternAnimation/SpongeBobSquarePants'' fish sticks, which is odd considering the show takes place in the ocean. They were never sold after.
to:
* Stephen Hillenburg stated in an interview that there was a proposal for ''WesternAnimation/SpongeBobSquarePants'' fish sticks, which is odd considering the show takes place in the ocean. They were never sold after.after.
* Way back in 2004, Fisher-Price released the InteracTV, an educational toy that used primitive touch screen/DVD remote technology so preschoolers could quite literally ''interact'' with their favorite shows. For whatever reason, the pack in compilation DVD that came with the toy included an episode of [=SpongeBob=]...right alongside episodes of ''WesternAnimation/DoraTheExplorer'' and ''Series/SesameStreet''. Both of which are aimed at a much, ''much'' younger demographic than the absorbent yellow sponge.
* Way back in 2004, Fisher-Price released the InteracTV, an educational toy that used primitive touch screen/DVD remote technology so preschoolers could quite literally ''interact'' with their favorite shows. For whatever reason, the pack in compilation DVD that came with the toy included an episode of [=SpongeBob=]...right alongside episodes of ''WesternAnimation/DoraTheExplorer'' and ''Series/SesameStreet''. Both of which are aimed at a much, ''much'' younger demographic than the absorbent yellow sponge.
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Changed line(s) 18 (click to see context) from:
* Another example of marketing the show to preschoolers was when Japanese magazines Baby Book and Mebae featured the show among preschool series like ''Series/InaiInaiBaa'', ''Franchise/{{Anpanman}}'' and ''WesternAnimation/ThomasAndFriends'', simply because it aired on NHK[[note]] This is not the first time they had done such a thing: the same magazines contain ''Manga/CrayonShinChan'' stories despite the show being aimed at an older audience[[/note]]. Luckily, this stopped when Nickelodeon launched [[WesternAnimation/PAWPatrol one of its' newer preschool properties]] in Japan.
to:
* Another example of marketing the show to preschoolers was when Japanese magazines Baby Book and Mebae featured the show among preschool series like ''Series/InaiInaiBaa'', ''Franchise/{{Anpanman}}'' ''Literature/{{Anpanman}}'' and ''WesternAnimation/ThomasAndFriends'', simply because it aired on NHK[[note]] This is not the first time they had done such a thing: the same magazines contain ''Manga/CrayonShinChan'' stories despite the show being aimed at an older audience[[/note]]. Luckily, this stopped when Nickelodeon launched [[WesternAnimation/PAWPatrol one of its' newer preschool properties]] in Japan.
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* Even with Nick's insistence, new toddler merchandise still gets made. Fisher-Price's Imaginext line and Franchise/LeapFrog make ''[=SpongeBob=]'' toys and games that are for children ages 4-7 and are placed next to ''WesternAnimation/DoraTheExplorer'' and ''WesternAnimation/ThomasTheTankEngine'' toys at toy stores. One such piece of merch is a card for children celebrating their '''fourth birthday'''.
to:
* Even with Nick's insistence, new toddler merchandise still gets made. Fisher-Price's Imaginext line and Franchise/LeapFrog make ''[=SpongeBob=]'' toys and games that are for children ages 4-7 and are placed next to ''WesternAnimation/DoraTheExplorer'' and ''WesternAnimation/ThomasTheTankEngine'' ''WesternAnimation/ThomasAndFriends'' toys at toy stores. One such piece of merch is a card for children celebrating their '''fourth birthday'''.
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Changed line(s) 1 (click to see context) from:
Being a huge CashCowFranchise and one of the biggest properties for Viacom, ''WesternAnimation/SpongeBobSquarePants'' has fallen into this trope way too many times, especially when it comes to merchandising aimed at children younger than its 6-to-12-year-old target demographic. It doesn't help that it's often the first thing Nickelodeon airs once their ''Creator/NickJr'' block ends.
to:
Being a huge CashCowFranchise and one of the biggest properties for Viacom, [[Creator/ViacomCBS Viacom]], ''WesternAnimation/SpongeBobSquarePants'' has fallen into this trope way too many times, especially when it comes to merchandising aimed at children younger than its 6-to-12-year-old target demographic. It doesn't help that it's often the first thing Nickelodeon airs once their ''Creator/NickJr'' block ends.
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* An ad for a car when the show first came out on DVD shows two kids watching the show. Whilst one kid is in Spongebob's target audience, the kid who wants the DVD put in is no older than four years old.
to:
* An ad for a car when the show first came out on DVD shows two kids watching the show. Whilst one kid is in Spongebob's ''[=SpongeBob=]''[='=]s target audience, the kid who wants the DVD put in is no older than four years old.
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* There are [[https://www.amazon.com/Learn-Spongebob-Phonics-Reading-Program/dp/0545149142 SpongeBob phonics books for toddlers]], being one of the earliest products made for that demographic, with the first version of such program coming out at the same time as the Fisher Price toys.
to:
* There are [[https://www.amazon.com/Learn-Spongebob-Phonics-Reading-Program/dp/0545149142 SpongeBob phonics books for toddlers]], being one of the earliest products made for that demographic, with the first version of such program coming out at the same time as the Fisher Price Fisher-Price toys.
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* It's more than a little ironic that officially licensed Spongebob fishing poles exist. Yo ho, yo ho, near the hooks I'll never go?
to:
* It's more than a little ironic that officially licensed Spongebob ''[=SpongeBob=]'' fishing poles exist. Yo ho, yo ho, near the hooks I'll never go?
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Added DiffLines:
Being a huge CashCowFranchise and one of the biggest properties for Viacom, ''WesternAnimation/SpongeBobSquarePants'' has fallen into this trope way too many times, especially when it comes to merchandising aimed at children younger than its 6-to-12-year-old target demographic. It doesn't help that it's often the first thing Nickelodeon airs once their ''Creator/NickJr'' block ends.
* In 2009, Burger King advertised kids' meals based on the show with a commercial featuring... a "[[Music/SirMixALot Baby Got Back]]" parody music video: girls in hot pants with square appliances on their backsides shaking their booties to "I like square butts and I cannot lie!" to hawk fast food and cheap toys to 6-year-olds, with Advertising/TheBurgerKing standing around them. While this actually fits pretty well with ''[=SpongeBob=]'', the marketing itself is undeniably Misaimed.
* There are ''[=SpongeBob SquarePants=]'' products aimed towards babies and toddlers, like this [[http://www.pottytrainingconcepts.com/Soft-Potty-Seat-SB.html potty training seat]] and this [[http://www.tvstoreonline.com/spongebob-squarepants-face-light-yellow-infant-baby-onesie-romper.html?SIZE=18-24%20Months&gclid=CMbN_MGfzrECFcne4Aodr18Axw baby romper.]] Mind you, ''[=SpongeBob=]'' is rated TV-Y7, meaning it contains elements that may be considered inappropriate for very little kids. Not to mention that ''[=SpongeBob=]'' [[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-kleeman/spongebob-vs-caillou-both_b_960407.html might harm a preschooler's brain!]] And yet the products still sell: [[http://www.amazon.com/review/R18SJ0RHLYDJAV/ref=cm_cr_dp_cmt?ie=UTF8&channel=rw-dp&ASIN=B0000DEW94&nodeID=165796011&store=baby-products#wasThisHelpful this review]] states that their 2-year-old son thinks that ''[=SpongeBob=]'' is better than [[Series/ElmosWorld Elmo]] because ''Elmo'''s a "baby show".
* At one point, [[http://www.animationmagazine.net/licensing/nickelodeon-consumer-introduces-spongebob-infant-line/ Nickelodeon planned to make an entire line of ''[=SpongeBob=]'' merchandise for babies]], but cancelled it for unexplained reasons.
* There are ''[=SpongeBob=]'' baby wipes and rectal thermometers on the market.
* As with all Nickelodeon networks, promos for the show air on Creator/NickJr in between shows, which means a show Nickelodeon admits is not for kids under 7 has promos that air on a '''preschool channel'''.
* Even with Nick's insistence, new toddler merchandise still gets made. Fisher-Price's Imaginext line and Franchise/LeapFrog make ''[=SpongeBob=]'' toys and games that are for children ages 4-7 and are placed next to ''WesternAnimation/DoraTheExplorer'' and ''WesternAnimation/ThomasTheTankEngine'' toys at toy stores. One such piece of merch is a card for children celebrating their '''fourth birthday'''.
* Even crazier is that Mattel produced ''[=SpongeBob=]'' toys under the Fisher-Price name in the mid-2000's. Because of this, some retailers [[http://www.carebearsforever.net/images/KB-Toys-Circular-from-January-2003_CA39/KBtoysAdJan2003.jpg advertised the toys as being for preschoolers]].
* An ad for a car when the show first came out on DVD shows two kids watching the show. Whilst one kid is in Spongebob's target audience, the kid who wants the DVD put in is no older than four years old.
* A Tennessee mall held an event featuring a meet and greet with the characters as part of a pirate-themed anti-bullying initiative. This may seem like an innocent choice for a meet and greet, until you realize that some episodes do contain bullying in them.
* [[http://media2.popsugar-assets.com/files/2016/02/11/861/n/1922398/9ed9c2ecae21cce9_DRB46_SpongeBob_THOMAS_03kVOd3Z.xxxlarge_2x/i/Thomas-Friends-SpongeBob-SquarePants-Mash-Up-Minis.jpg A SpongeBob SquarePants-themed Thomas the Tank Engine train]]. The combination of a preschool show with something that isn't for preschoolers seems weird.
* Downplayed example: In 2012, UsefulNotes/McDonalds did a ''[=SpongeBob=]'' Happy Meal tying in for the UsefulNotes/OlympicGames in London, which is an odd choice for a collaboration, since the show is not British.
* There are [[https://www.amazon.com/Learn-Spongebob-Phonics-Reading-Program/dp/0545149142 SpongeBob phonics books for toddlers]], being one of the earliest products made for that demographic, with the first version of such program coming out at the same time as the Fisher Price toys.
* Perhaps the most mind-baffling example of this trope is the [=SpongeBob=] [[https://www.amazon.com/Squatty-Potty-Spongebob-Squarepants-Toilet/dp/B00HSR1DFO/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?keywords=squatty+potty+spongebob&qid=1581979494&sprefix=squatty+potty+sponge&sr=8-3 Squatty Potty Stool]].
* There's also a [=SpongeBob=] [[https://splashe.com/products/sponge-bob-screen-daddy-3-ct phone-cleaning sponge]].
* It's more than a little ironic that officially licensed Spongebob fishing poles exist. Yo ho, yo ho, near the hooks I'll never go?
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43e9MTgTHrw [=SpongeBob=] promotes Old Spice]]. Keep in mind that while the show does have a fairly large PeripheryDemographic, most people who would be seeing ''WesternAnimation/TheSpongeBobMovieSpongeOnTheRun'' and who would be drawn to its' merchandising and marketing are children.
* Another example of marketing the show to preschoolers was when Japanese magazines Baby Book and Mebae featured the show among preschool series like ''Series/InaiInaiBaa'', ''Franchise/{{Anpanman}}'' and ''WesternAnimation/ThomasAndFriends'', simply because it aired on NHK[[note]] This is not the first time they had done such a thing: the same magazines contain ''Manga/CrayonShinChan'' stories despite the show being aimed at an older audience[[/note]]. Luckily, this stopped when Nickelodeon launched [[WesternAnimation/PAWPatrol one of its' newer preschool properties]] in Japan.
* A [=SpongeBob=] makeup sponge exists. And it's shaped like [=SpongeBob=], too!
* Stephen Hillenburg stated in an interview that there was a proposal for ''WesternAnimation/SpongeBobSquarePants'' fish sticks, which is odd considering the show takes place in the ocean. They were never sold after.
* In 2009, Burger King advertised kids' meals based on the show with a commercial featuring... a "[[Music/SirMixALot Baby Got Back]]" parody music video: girls in hot pants with square appliances on their backsides shaking their booties to "I like square butts and I cannot lie!" to hawk fast food and cheap toys to 6-year-olds, with Advertising/TheBurgerKing standing around them. While this actually fits pretty well with ''[=SpongeBob=]'', the marketing itself is undeniably Misaimed.
* There are ''[=SpongeBob SquarePants=]'' products aimed towards babies and toddlers, like this [[http://www.pottytrainingconcepts.com/Soft-Potty-Seat-SB.html potty training seat]] and this [[http://www.tvstoreonline.com/spongebob-squarepants-face-light-yellow-infant-baby-onesie-romper.html?SIZE=18-24%20Months&gclid=CMbN_MGfzrECFcne4Aodr18Axw baby romper.]] Mind you, ''[=SpongeBob=]'' is rated TV-Y7, meaning it contains elements that may be considered inappropriate for very little kids. Not to mention that ''[=SpongeBob=]'' [[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-kleeman/spongebob-vs-caillou-both_b_960407.html might harm a preschooler's brain!]] And yet the products still sell: [[http://www.amazon.com/review/R18SJ0RHLYDJAV/ref=cm_cr_dp_cmt?ie=UTF8&channel=rw-dp&ASIN=B0000DEW94&nodeID=165796011&store=baby-products#wasThisHelpful this review]] states that their 2-year-old son thinks that ''[=SpongeBob=]'' is better than [[Series/ElmosWorld Elmo]] because ''Elmo'''s a "baby show".
* At one point, [[http://www.animationmagazine.net/licensing/nickelodeon-consumer-introduces-spongebob-infant-line/ Nickelodeon planned to make an entire line of ''[=SpongeBob=]'' merchandise for babies]], but cancelled it for unexplained reasons.
* There are ''[=SpongeBob=]'' baby wipes and rectal thermometers on the market.
* As with all Nickelodeon networks, promos for the show air on Creator/NickJr in between shows, which means a show Nickelodeon admits is not for kids under 7 has promos that air on a '''preschool channel'''.
* Even with Nick's insistence, new toddler merchandise still gets made. Fisher-Price's Imaginext line and Franchise/LeapFrog make ''[=SpongeBob=]'' toys and games that are for children ages 4-7 and are placed next to ''WesternAnimation/DoraTheExplorer'' and ''WesternAnimation/ThomasTheTankEngine'' toys at toy stores. One such piece of merch is a card for children celebrating their '''fourth birthday'''.
* Even crazier is that Mattel produced ''[=SpongeBob=]'' toys under the Fisher-Price name in the mid-2000's. Because of this, some retailers [[http://www.carebearsforever.net/images/KB-Toys-Circular-from-January-2003_CA39/KBtoysAdJan2003.jpg advertised the toys as being for preschoolers]].
* An ad for a car when the show first came out on DVD shows two kids watching the show. Whilst one kid is in Spongebob's target audience, the kid who wants the DVD put in is no older than four years old.
* A Tennessee mall held an event featuring a meet and greet with the characters as part of a pirate-themed anti-bullying initiative. This may seem like an innocent choice for a meet and greet, until you realize that some episodes do contain bullying in them.
* [[http://media2.popsugar-assets.com/files/2016/02/11/861/n/1922398/9ed9c2ecae21cce9_DRB46_SpongeBob_THOMAS_03kVOd3Z.xxxlarge_2x/i/Thomas-Friends-SpongeBob-SquarePants-Mash-Up-Minis.jpg A SpongeBob SquarePants-themed Thomas the Tank Engine train]]. The combination of a preschool show with something that isn't for preschoolers seems weird.
* Downplayed example: In 2012, UsefulNotes/McDonalds did a ''[=SpongeBob=]'' Happy Meal tying in for the UsefulNotes/OlympicGames in London, which is an odd choice for a collaboration, since the show is not British.
* There are [[https://www.amazon.com/Learn-Spongebob-Phonics-Reading-Program/dp/0545149142 SpongeBob phonics books for toddlers]], being one of the earliest products made for that demographic, with the first version of such program coming out at the same time as the Fisher Price toys.
* Perhaps the most mind-baffling example of this trope is the [=SpongeBob=] [[https://www.amazon.com/Squatty-Potty-Spongebob-Squarepants-Toilet/dp/B00HSR1DFO/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?keywords=squatty+potty+spongebob&qid=1581979494&sprefix=squatty+potty+sponge&sr=8-3 Squatty Potty Stool]].
* There's also a [=SpongeBob=] [[https://splashe.com/products/sponge-bob-screen-daddy-3-ct phone-cleaning sponge]].
* It's more than a little ironic that officially licensed Spongebob fishing poles exist. Yo ho, yo ho, near the hooks I'll never go?
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43e9MTgTHrw [=SpongeBob=] promotes Old Spice]]. Keep in mind that while the show does have a fairly large PeripheryDemographic, most people who would be seeing ''WesternAnimation/TheSpongeBobMovieSpongeOnTheRun'' and who would be drawn to its' merchandising and marketing are children.
* Another example of marketing the show to preschoolers was when Japanese magazines Baby Book and Mebae featured the show among preschool series like ''Series/InaiInaiBaa'', ''Franchise/{{Anpanman}}'' and ''WesternAnimation/ThomasAndFriends'', simply because it aired on NHK[[note]] This is not the first time they had done such a thing: the same magazines contain ''Manga/CrayonShinChan'' stories despite the show being aimed at an older audience[[/note]]. Luckily, this stopped when Nickelodeon launched [[WesternAnimation/PAWPatrol one of its' newer preschool properties]] in Japan.
* A [=SpongeBob=] makeup sponge exists. And it's shaped like [=SpongeBob=], too!
* Stephen Hillenburg stated in an interview that there was a proposal for ''WesternAnimation/SpongeBobSquarePants'' fish sticks, which is odd considering the show takes place in the ocean. They were never sold after.
