Nickelodeon/MTVN Kids and Family Group has named Brian Offutt to the new position of SVP of Creative Operations. Offutt will report to Russell Hicks, EVP and Exec Creative Director, Nickelodeon/MTVN Kids and Family Group, and Sarah Kirshbaum Levy, COO, Nickelodeon/MTVN Kids and Family Group.
"Brian's transition to Creative Resources comes at a time when our portfolio is growing and producing more and more opportunities for brand extensions," said Russell Hicks. "His familiarity with Nick, combined with his business savvy, will ensure that the creative process will operate smoothly throughout the company."
Offutt will be responsible for all of the operational, financial, technology and human resources processes for Nick's Creative Resources and On-Air departments. He will also manage key vendor relationships and outside partnerships, and will manage the delivery of creative services to key departments throughout the Kids and Family Group including: programming; marketing; consumer products; digital; and public affairs.
Formerly the SVP of Entertainment Products for Nickelodeon & Viacom Consumer Products, Offutt managed the home video/DVD, book publishing and social expressions businesses for Nickelodeon, Nick Jr., Noggin, The N, Nick at Nite, TV Land, Comedy Central and Spike TV. He was instrumental in consumer products growth and orchestrated relationships with key new partners including: the Hertz Corp. for Nick on the Go, a portable, pre-loaded, media player for vacationing families; and Shutterfly for photo books, adventure books, greeting cards, and photo cards with digitally uploaded personalized content. In addition, he was a member of the team that initiated Nick's partnership with Sony Music Label Group announced last summer. Offutt also managed the consumer products business for Paramount Pictures when this business was integrated into Nickelodeon & Viacom Consumer Products.
Before Nickelodeon, Offutt served as COO of Lorne Michaels' Broadway Video Ent., where he oversaw the day-to-day internal operations of the organization; drove strategic planning and new business development; and was directly responsible for the company's post-production business unit, whose clients included CBS Sports, Showtime and MTV Networks. Offutt helped drive the growth of the company's Broadway Video Enterprises division, focused on international programming sales and merchandising its intellectual property like SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE.
Offutt also served as President and COO of Interdimensions, an online technology and interactive solutions company; as a Director at Spencer Stuart where he recruited high-level executives for media companies; and as the SVP of Golden Books Entertainment Group and VP of its predecessor company, Broadway Video Ent., L.P. Previously, Offutt held business development roles at The New York Times Company and at IMG, the world's leading sports and event management agency, where he was key in developing and integrating IMG Publishing, the company's literary agency. He began his career as an investment banking analyst at JP Morgan.
Offutt holds a master's degree in business administration and a bachelor's degree in history from Harvard University. He is a member of the Board of Directors of ShermansTravel Media, LLC and The Visiting Nurse Service of New York.
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