Alec Botnick has been named president of Nickelodeon Animation Studios, according to a memo obtained by Variety from Paramount’s Chair of TV Media George Cheeks.
A longtime CBS exec, Botnick will lead the studio into its next chapter while continuing to serve in his current role as executive vice president of CBS Studios comedy development, alternative and animation.
As the head of Nickelodeon Animation Studios, Botnick will help the studio reinvent its approach to reaching preschoolers and evolve into a multi-platform brand. He’ll also take charge of Nickelodeon’s unscripted arm, which includes the Kids’ Choice Awards. Of course, he will also guide the development of new TV series while overseeing Nick’s most important franchises like “SpongeBob SquarePants” and “Paw Patrol.”
While at CBS, Botnick has helped develop scripted series including “Ghosts” and the upcoming vampire comedy “Eternally Yours,” as well as Paramount+’s Australian comedy “Colin From Accounts.” He will continue to develop scripted comedies and alternative titles for CBS Studios while maintaining oversight of animated development across the CBS, Comedy Central and MTV brands.
In more executive news, Ashley Kaplan, who previously served as Nickelodeon’s EVP of unscripted and digital franchises, will shift into a consulting role, supporting the TV Media division on special projects through the end of the year. And Jules Borkent, executive vice president of global commercial partnerships and operations, will continue to oversee the business and strategy of Nickelodeon Kids & Family.
Read the memo in its entirety below:
Team,
I’m excited to announce that Alec Botnick has been appointed President of Nickelodeon Animation Studios. Alec will lead Nickelodeon Animation Studios into its next chapter, while also continuing his current role as EVP of CBS Studios comedy development, alternative & animation. Similar to BET Studios, Nickelodeon Animation Studios will now operate as its own label for television within CBS Studios.
For Nickelodeon, Alec will oversee the animation studio and its evolution across digital, TV and streaming as we reimagine how we meet today’s kids and families. Alec’s leadership will be essential in shaping our next phase as Nickelodeon reinvents how we reach preschoolers, starting where discovery happens first and evolving into a true multi-platform brand. He also will lead Nickelodeon’s unscripted programming for television, including the Kids’ Choice Awards, while also guiding the development of new series and overseeing our long-running hits, ensuring Nickelodeon remains home to the world’s most iconic kids’ franchises like SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS, TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES, PAW PATROL and more.
Alec will continue to develop scripted comedies and alternative projects for CBS Studios, as well as maintain oversight of animated development across the CBS, Comedy Central and MTV brands for owned and third-party platforms. Series and projects Alec has helped develop include GHOSTS and ETERNALLY YOURS for CBS, the critically acclaimed Australian comedy COLIN FROM ACCOUNTS for Paramount+ and the animated series “Odd Jobs” for Prime Video.
I also want to share that Ashley Kaplan will transition to a consulting role beginning Monday. In this capacity, she will support the TV Media division on special projects through the end of the year. We are grateful to Ashley for her years of leadership and appreciate her continued partnership.
Jules Borkent, executive vice president of global commercial partnerships and operations, will continue to oversee Nickelodeon Kids & Family’s business and strategy, working in partnership with Alec and other key stakeholders to maximize the Nick brand.
Please join me in congratulating Alec on this well-deserved role. I’m excited for what’s ahead as we continue building the next chapter of Nickelodeon.
All the best,
George
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