Ex-Nick Exec Rich Magallanes Rebounds At Saban Brands

Longtime Nickelodeon Animation exec Rich Magallanes, who was laid off a few months ago as part of an executive reshuffling, has been named senior vice president of development and production at Saban Brands.

Magallanes, who has been recognized as one of the “Most Powerful and Influential Latinos in Entertainment” by the Imagen Foundation, will focus on developing Saban’s current slate of properties, as well as conceiving new projects and acquiring new properties.

At Nickelodeon Animation, Magallanes oversaw production of the studio’s animated series, including SpongeBob SquarePants, The Fairly OddParents, Sanjay and Craig, and Breadwinners. He also co-developed Nick’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series and Tuff Puppy, helped spearhead the international co-production of Rabbids Invasion, and was the creative executive who worked with DreamWorks on transforming Penguins of Madagascar, Kung Fu Panda, and Monsters vs. Aliens into TV series.

In his new role, Magallanes will immediately deal with Saban’s current slate of properties, which includes a reboot of the Eighties fad Popples, set to launch on Netflix:

Emojiville, a multi-platform property that follows the “hilarious antics” of five emoji friends:

…and the Cirque du Soleil collaboration Luna Petunia, that was also recently announced as a Netflix acquisition:

Saban’s current svp of development and production, Brian Casentini, will shift to the “enhanced and highly focused position” of senior vice president, Power Rangers franchise, where he’ll serve as a producer on the upcoming Power Rangers live-action feature with Lionsgate, and exec produce the series’ 22nd season, now airing on Nickelodeon.

This month, Saban also named Janet Hsu, a Sanrio exec, as its new CEO, after founding president Elie Dekel stepped down from the role.