Russell Hicks has been promoted to the newly created position of president, content development and production for the Nickelodeon Group. 

The 14-year Nickelodeon veteran has served as chief creative officer since 2008.

The new position will establish centralized, West Coast leadership of all of Nickelodeon's content teams as the network coordinates the largest and most diverse development slate in its history.

In his new role, Hicks will lead the company's live-action, animation development and production teams for all of Nickelodeon's content platforms.

Prior to working at Nickelodeon, Hicks was vice president of marketing, Cartoon Network/Turner brands for Warner Brothers, where he was responsible for the marketing and creative that turned Scooby Doo and the Power Puff Girls into cultural icons. Hicks started his career as an animator where he worked on Teddy Ruxpin. It is this combination of both animation and consumer products that has given Hicks his extensive knowledge of the children's entertainment world.

"Russell has been one of the driving forces behind the Nickelodeon brand," says Cyma Zarghami, president, Nickelodeon Group. "As we continue our ambitious evolution of Nickelodeon, Russell will ensure that our rich and diversified development slate, as well as our new and established producing partners, will all serve our creative vision for the network and deliver for our audiences. As the new development season begins, this is the perfect moment for Russell to take the helm."

Nickelodeon's recently announced development slate includes more than a dozen new live-action, animation and TV movie projects.