Nickelodeon and seven of its Rugrats licensing partners are teaming up for an early April sweepstakes promotion to tout the Thanksgiving 2000 theatrical release of Rugrats in Paris. The campaign will be supported for a two-week period on Nickelodeon channels around the world, on nick.com, in Nickelodeon Magazine and through entry forms appearing on product packaging. The first prize winner will be awarded two trips to Los Angeles: One to record the voice spot, and a second to attend the film’s premiere.

‘This is almost a sneak-peek, and a way of letting our kids become aware of it before it is totally out of the bag-kind of a tease about the upcoming movie,’ says Leigh Anne Brodsky, senior VP, Nickelodeon consumer products.

Rugrats in Paris product will hit retail in early February and will reflect the new richer, more dimensional look that the characters developed after the first movie. According to Brodsky, new product will reflect themes that may not necessarily stem directly from the film. ‘We are going more fashion-oriented with what we are doing with Angelica, we are incorporating some sports themes, and things which you may not even see on the show-but which are important in a kid’s life,’ she says.

Participating licensees include Simon & Schuster, Mattel Media, Pagoda/

Buster Brown Shoes, SWAT/Fame, Giant Merchandising, Flying Colors and Freeze. The new merch will serve as prizes for the sweeps.