Nickelodeon toon studio ups exec

Taylor named senior VP and general manager

By MICHAEL SCHNEIDER

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Mark Taylor has been named senior VP and general manager of Nickelodeon Animation Studio, heading up operations at the net's busy Burbank facility.

According to Nickelodeon, the channel's Burbank toon studio produces more TV animation than any other facility in the U.S.

In his expanded role, Taylor will now handle production oversight for all current Nicktoon series, such as "SpongeBob SquarePants," "The Fairly Oddparents," "Dora the Explorer" and "Ni Hao Kai-Lan." He'll also oversee upcoming Amy Poehler vehicle "The Mighty B."

Taylor reports to Nickelodeon Animation topper Brown Johnson, as well as to Alison Dexter, exec VP of production for Nick & MTVN Kids and Family Group.

Taylor has helped expand Nick's CG animation production. Net will produce 30 hours of CG content in 2008, including the DreamWorks co-production "The Penguins of Madagascar."

Taylor has spent 11 years at Nick, joining as VP-general manager in 1997. He helped build the Burbank animation facility and also launched in the channel's internal Nick University.