Brown Johnson, credited by Viacom as the driving force behind numerous kids’ favorites and the creative director of Noggin and Nickelodeon Preschool, has a newly created post—president of animation for Nickelodeon and MTVN Kids and Family Group. She will report to Cyma Zarghami, president of Nickelodeon and MTVN Kids and Family Group.

Johnson will spearhead development and production for all animated programming across Nickelodeon, the largest provider of television animation in the US, while continuing to oversee development and production for all preschool programming.

“Brown has been an innovator from the moment she joined our company and has a great track record for spotting great, creative properties that resonate in the pop culture,” Zarghami said. “She takes on our storied animation group at a time when exciting new programs are on the horizon and international production and distribution are ramping up in very exciting ways.”

Johnson, a 20-year Nickelodeon veteran, has been the force behind Nick Jr. and its preschool properties, Viacom said, including the recent hit “Yo Gabba Gabba!”

She will supervise creative executive teams on both coasts, managing the creative direction and coordination efforts between series production, on-air promotions, marketing and consumer products. She will be based in both Nickelodeon’s New York City headquarters and the Nick Animation Studio in Burbank, Calif.

Nickelodeon’s live action series and TV movie development and production will continue to be led by Executive Vice President Marjorie Cohn, who also will continue to report to Zarghami.