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Senior Execs Exit Nickelodeon’s Preschool, Animation Divisions

Part of Viacom’s restructuring efforts, company layoffs include three senior animation executives and two senior-level preschool execs.

As part of parent company Viacom’s restructuring efforts, a wave of executive layoffs has hit Nickelodeon’s preschool and animation divisions, Deadline reports, with three senior animation executives and two senior-level preschool execs leaving the company.

On the animation front, three senior-level animation executives have left Nickelodeon Animation Studio. Rich Magallanes, SVP of current series, Jenna Boyd, SVP of animation development, and Jill Sanford, VP of animation development, have each been let go.

An 18-year Nickelodeon veteran, Magallanes started at the company as a story consultant for TV shows like Rugrats, The Wild Thornberrys and Angry Beavers, working his way up to executive director of animated and live-action series, and most recently VP of animated current series.

Also an 18-year Nickelodeon veteran, Boyd became SVP of animation development in 2012, overseeing animated series and Nickelodeon’s comedy shorts program. Former Disney exec Sanford joined Nickelodeon in 2012, and was responsible for all areas of series development, from concept to pilot.

On the preschool side, Nickelodeon’s EVP of preschool programming Teri Weiss, and Kay Wilson Stallings, SVP of production and development for Nickelodeon Preschool, Nick Jr. and NickMom, have left the company.

Sixteen-year Nickelodeon veteran Weiss helped Nickelodeon develop numerous preschool hits, including Team Umizoomi, Bubble Guppies, Go Diego, Go!, The Wonder Pets! and Olivia.

Wilson Stallings oversaw the production of current Nickelodeon series Bubble Guppies, Blaze and the Monster Machines, Fresh Beat Band and Zack and Quack. She also helped develop preschool mainstays such as Backyardigans, Yo Gabba Gabba!, Wow! Wow! Wubbzy!, Lazytown and Peter Rabbit.

The layoffs are part of a corporate overhaul at Viacom, which is expected to help save the company $250 million a year, according to Viacom CEO Philippe Dauman. Layoffs have already hit other divisions of the company, including MTV, VH1 and TV Land. 

Jennifer Wolfe's picture

Formerly Editor-in-Chief of Animation World Network, Jennifer Wolfe has worked in the Media & Entertainment industry as a writer and PR professional since 2003.