MUMBAI: Brown Johnson - formerly EVP, creative director, Nickelodeon Preschool and GM of Noggin, and the driving force behind Nick Jr‘s "play to learn" philosophy and signature animated hits Blue‘s Clues and Dora the Explorer - has been promoted to the newly created position of president, animation, Nickelodeon and MTVN Kids and Family Group.
The announcement was made by Cyma Zarghami, president, Nickelodeon and MTVN Kids and Family Group, to whom Johnson will continue to report.
Johnson will be based in both Nickelodeon‘s New York City headquarters and the Nick Animation Studio in Burbank, California.
In this newly created position, Johnson will spearhead development and production for all animated programming across Nickelodeon, while continuing to oversee development and production for all preschool programming. Nickelodeon‘s top-rated live action series and TV movie development and production will continue to be led by EVP Marjorie Cohn, who also will continue to report to Zarghami.
"Brown has been an innovator from the moment she joined our company and has a great track record for spotting great, creative properties that resonate in the pop culture," Zarghami said.
"She takes on our storied animation group at a time when exciting new programmes are on the horizon, and international production and distribution are ramping up in very exciting ways. This marks a great day for the present and future of Nickelodeon," added Zarghami.
Johnson, a 20-year Nickelodeon veteran, has been the driving force behind Nick Jr and its groundbreaking preschool properties, including Blue‘s Clues, Dora the Explorer, Go, Diego, Go!, The Wonder Pets!, The Backyardigans and Yo Gabba Gabba!, among many others.
In her new role, Johnson will also oversee the development and production of all animated programming on Nickelodeon, which will include more than 225 new episodes of Nicktoon series in 2008. In addition to supervising the creative direction of contemporary classics such as SpongeBob Squarepants, The Fairly OddParents and Nick‘s latest hit Back At The Barnyard, Johnson will also shepherd upcoming Nicktoon series The Mighty B starring Amy Poehler and The Penguins of Madagascar in partnership with DreamWorks SKG.
Additionally, she will supervise creative executive teams on both the East and West Coasts, managing the creative direction and coordination efforts between series production, on-air promotions, marketing and consumer products.
