Eric Coleman is on the move from Bikini Bottom to the House of Mouse as the new SVP of development for Walt Disney Television Animation.

With a mandate to lead Disney’s TV toon development , Coleman will spearhead work on animated short-form and long-form series for Disney Channel, Toon Disney and Jetix platforms, which are currently carried in more than 219 million homes worldwide.

In addition, he will provide development guidance and leadership for global Disney Channel and Walt Disney Television Animation partners are engaged in creating original animation in the UK, China, Japan and India.

Coleman is credited as the exec who championed the development and production of Nickelodeon mega toon SpongeBob SquarePants and fan fave Avatar.

At the same time, Disney ABC Cable Networks Group has tapped Eric Shain as its new VP of production finance. In his new role, Shain will oversee both the internal and external financial aspects of development and production for short-form and long-form original programming at Disney Channel, Toon Disney, Jetix, SOAPnet and ABC Family.