Nickelodeon President Russell Hicks Stepping Down After 18 Years at Network

Nickelodeon president Russell Hicks is departing the Viacom-owned kids’ network, after 18 years with the cabler, Variety has confirmed.

“Russell Hicks has decided to step down from his position effective immediately,” a Nickelodeon spokesperson confirmed to Variety on Tuesday evening.

There are no plans to replace him at this time.

Hicks’ exit is expected to be announced internally at Nickelodeon tomorrow with a memo being sent around to staff, according to a person familiar with the situation.

Hicks was named president in 2012. Prior, he was the net’s chief creative officer. As president of content development and production for the Nickelodeon Group, he oversaw development for live-action and animation, plus production teams for all of Nickelodeon’s channels, which include Nickelodeon, Nick at Nite, Nick Jr., TeenNick and Nicktoons.

Before joining Nickelodeon, Hicks was vice president of marketing at Cartoon Network/Turner brands.

Hicks’ departure is one of many high-up executive exits at Viacom recently, following shakeups at MTV, VH1, TV Land and most recently, Comedy Central.

Deadline was first to report the news.

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