Two Senior Nickelodeon Executives Exit
Deadline reports that Paula Kaplan, a senior executive who has been with Nickelodeon for two decades, is now exiting the network.
Ms. Kaplan built its Los Angeles Talent Department, which she started in 1996. She has been the driving force behind raising Nickelodeon’s corporate profile within the Hollywood talent community and building Nickelodeon’s Kids’ Choice Awards into a premiere event, attracting such international superstars as Justin Timberlake, Mike Myers, Cameron Diaz, Jack Black, Will Smith and Tom Cruise. Ms. Kaplan is also co-executive producer of the show. Under Ms. Kaplan’s leadership, the network has cast and mentored some of today’s hottest young stars including Jamie Lynn Spears, Emma Roberts, Drake Bell, Josh Peck, Miranda Cosgrove, Victoria Justice, and Ariana Grande.
Last year, her title changed from E.V.P., Talent/West Coast General Manager to E.V.P., Current Series.
Deadline is also reporting Sal Maniaci, who served as S.V.P. of Event and Original Programming (Kids’ Choice Awards, TeenNick HALO Awards, Worldwide Day of Play) is also leaving the network.
The announcements of these exits come just months before Nickelodeon airs its annual “Kids’ Choice Awards” event.