After leaving Nickelodeon Online in 1996 for a position with Disney, David Vogler has returned to his old stomping ground. The former executive producer of Nickelodeon Online has come back to the kids net to fill the role of VP, creative for its on-line efforts.

A graduate of New York’s Pratt School of Design, Vogler started his career with Nickelodeon as a designer in the consumer products division. He was responsible for numerous signature items, including the popular ‘Gak’.

When the network decided to expand into cyberspace, Vogler spearheaded the development of Nickelodeon Online and helmed the October 1995 launch of the network’s Web site-an effort which included providing creative direction for Nick at Nite on America Online and its World Wide Web site.

Shortly after, Vogler joined Disney Online as VP of kids content, where he focused on creative development of interactive programming for kids. ‘Disney focuses more on families, while Nickelodeon is devoted to kids,’ he says. ‘I’ve had a chance to practise the craft with two different brands and that’s been a great experience.’

Now, two and a half years later, Vogler hopes to take what he’s learned and improve his firstborn on-line environment. He will oversee both the creative content and development of the network’s Internet presence (Nick.com, NickJr.com, Nick-at-Nite.com, Teachers.nick.com).

‘I’ve had a longtime passion for the (Internet) medium,’ he says. ‘I’d be a creative guy by day and an on-line guy at night, so it’s cool when your hobby becomes your job.’