Kids network Nickelodeon today promoted its vice president of preschool production, Anne Mullen, to senior vice president overseeing on-air creative strategy for the whole network -- from preschool programming to Nick at Nite. It's an intense promotion that puts Mullen in charge of all on-air promotion and brand communications, Nick's COO Russell Hicks said.

"Anne has been a talented and energetic leader within our organization for more than four years," Hicks said in a statement. "Her experience in creative strategic planning for top brands continually brings a fresh perspective to Nickelodeon."

In today's economy, a fresh look at partnerships with brands that keep your network alive with precious ad dollars is certainly important -- perhaps more important than ever. Additionally, Mullen is being charged with developing strategies that will bring Nickelodeon's kids and family TV channels, which include NOGGIN, The N and Nicktoons Network, and the company's Web sites under one Nickelodeon brand.

In her previous position, Mullen worked to develop promotions for "Dora the Explorer" shows, managed the creative team for the "Blue's Clues" tenth anniversary event and helped launch several preschool series. Before joining Nickelodeon she worked for the Sundance Channel and Razorfish.

A full release after the jump

Nickelodeon Elevates Anne Mullen to Senior Vice President, Nickelodeon On-Air Creative Strategy

NEW YORK–July 22, 2009–Nickelodeon has elevated Anne Mullen to Senior Vice President, Nickelodeon On-Air Creative Strategy. In this position, Mullen will be responsible for overseeing the on-air creative execution for Nickelodeon 24-hours a day, from pre-school to Nick at Nite. She will also oversee the conceptualization, development, and execution of all on-air promotion and brand communications in partnership with Nick's Programming, Brand Marketing and Digital teams to ensure that the on-air creative execution aligns with Nick's larger business objectives. The announcement was made today by Russell Hicks, Chief Creative Officer, Nickelodeon/MTVN Kids and Family Group, to whom Mullen will report in Nickelodeon's New York City headquarters.

"Anne has been a talented and energetic leader within our organization for more than four years," said Hicks. "Her experience in creative strategic planning for top brands continually brings a fresh perspective to Nickelodeon."

In her new role, Mullen will also work in tandem with Hicks and the Nickelodeon/MTVN Kids and Family senior creative team to develop and execute a strategy to unify the Kids and Family Group TV channels (NOGGIN, The N, Nicktoons Network) and websites (Nick.com, Neopets, and AddictingGames among others) under the single, globally recognized brand Nickelodeon.

Formerly Vice President, Preschool Production, Mullen served as the creative force behind the preschool on-air team, working to create on-air content such as promotional spots, interstitials and vignettes. Mullen was instrumental in creating NOGGIN's Emmy-nominated "If Life Were More Like Preschool" on-air campaign and promotional campaigns for Dora tent poles such "Dora Saves the Mermaids," "Dora Snow Princess" and Dora events like "Dance to the Rescue". Mullen also managed the creative team for Nick Jr.'s Blue's Clues 10th Anniversary event, working with her team to create on-air packaging as well as the Behind the Clues: 10 Years with Blue, an 11-minute documentary offering a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of Blue with commentary from various celebrities, and "Blue's Biggest Moments," a series of shorts highlighting Blue's Clues 10 years on the air. Mullen also helped launch several preschool series including, Go, Diego, Go!, Wonder Pets! and Ni Hao, Kai-Lan, creating interstitials to introduce preschoolers to the new shows.

Prior to joining Nickelodeon, Mullen served as Director, Original Programming and Production at Sundance Channel where she oversaw its creative strategy and supervised the production and creative teams for the channel’s content development. She managed projects including Tanner on Tanner, a scripted series directed by Robert Altman and starring Cynthia Nixon, and the Al Franken Show, among others.

Mullen also served as Entertainment and Media, Client Partner at Razorfish where she led the brand strategy team for various clients, including: Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and ARTE. Before Razorfish, Mullen worked in commercial and music video production working alongside directors including Mark Pellington, Marcus Nispel and Mark Seliger; and created content for Epoch Films, Chelsea Pictures and artists ranging from Bob Dylan to Courtney Love.

Mullen is a graduate of New York University, Tisch School of Arts where she received a Bachelor's Degree in Fine Arts.