Albie Back

Spike TV founder Albie Hecht left the channel in January, but he just couldn’t stay away. He’s resurfaced as an executive producer on Spike’s Video Game Awards 2005 (Dec. 10). Hecht’s producing the VGAs under the auspices of his independent production company Worldwide Biggies Inc., a shingle he launched prior to joining Viacom in 1993 as president of Nickelodeon. Incidentally, WW Biggies recently signed a two-year deal to create cartoons, live-action series, shorts and TV movies for Nick. It’s a decent bet for Nick. Hecht’s tenure there included developing mega hits SpongeBob Squarepants and Dora the Explorer. "I’ve always had a passion for family entertainment, for children’s programming and for children’s advocacy," he says. "I took the job at Spike because I thought I could exercise the over-13 part of my brain. Turns out it was just the same as the under-13 part…So I’m having a lot of fun working on all these different projects." That includes producing computer-generated, HD movies—Tricksters and Bigfoot and Gil—and developing programs for emerging digital platforms. "Where is the next SpongeBob, where is the next Dora?" Hecht asks. "Wherever kids and families are, whether it’s wireless or broadband or direct-to-DVD. In today’s digital world, character creation and franchise creation can take place anywhere." –Shirley Brady