As Nickelodeon Group continues to grow its attractions and experiences portfolio around the globe, Gerald Raines has been upped from VP to SVP of recreation business development.

Raines’ newly expanded remit now includes leading global business development and the expansion of Viacom’s location-based leisure entertainment for brands like Nickelodeon, MTV and Comedy Central.

Continuing to manage key partnerships, Raines will lead a recreation team across six continents, managing the company’s hotel, theme park, cruise, restaurant, live tour, 4D films and touring exhibition operations.

Raines joined Nickelodeon in 2007 as senior director of theme parks and attractions. Prior to that he worked at Disney for more than six years, first as sports event manager of Wide World of Sports, then as senior manager of Alliance Development.

His appointment follows a recent slate of personnel moves at Nickelodeon, including David Katz stepping into an SVP of content relations role and Cathy Galeota moving up to SVP of preschool current series.