Viacom has tapped AwesomenessTV co-founder Brian Robbins as the new president of Nickelodeon, the company announced on Monday.
Most recently president of Paramount Players, Robbins will now manage the creative and business operations at Nick. He replaces Cyma Zarghami, who left the company back in June after a 30-year tenure.
There is currently no replacement for Robbins in line at Paramount, though the company said it had begun a “comprehensive search” for a new head of Paramount Players. Paramount Pictures Motion Picture Group president Wyck Godfrey will oversee day-to-day operations in the interim, with support from Robbins during a transition period.
“Brian is a creative powerhouse who has spent his career on the frontlines of our industry, anticipating and driving changes in television, film and digital media,” Viacom president and CEO Bob Bakish said in a statement. “With his unmatched credentials in kids’ entertainment and his firsthand knowledge of Nickelodeon, I have asked Brian to drive the innovation and transformation that will ensure the brand remains the dominant force with young audiences.”
“Nickelodeon is one of the entertainment industry’s most vibrant and groundbreaking brands, with iconic properties, a deep culture of creativity and invention, and an incredibly talented team of kids’ entertainment professionals,” added Robbins. “I’m thrilled to return to Nickelodeon and draw on its many strengths – including its rich library and rapidly growing studio production business – to deliver must-see content to kids on every platform around the world. During this time of upheaval in big media, I can’t wait to disrupt the disrupters.”
A veteran producer, Robbins co-founded and served as CEO of the multi-platform media company AwesomenessTV, which was acquired by Viacom earlier this year. He also co-founded the production company Tollin/Robbins Productions and was the founder and president of Varsity Pictures.
Robbins has executive produced numerous television hits for teens and young audiences, including the popular Nickelodeon projects “Kenan and Kel,” “All That” and “Good Burger.” His other credits include “Blue Mountain State,” “Varsity Blues,” “Smallville,” “Arli$$,” “One Tree Hill” and Disney Channel’s “Sonny With a Chance.”