Toronto-based Guru Studios has promoted Rachel Marcus to VP of creative development.

Marcus, who joined the animation studio as a development exec in 2015, will report to Guru’s president and executive creative director Frank Falcone. As VP of creative development, her role will expand to include leading Guru’s development of new original IP and overseeing the company’s creative partnerships, coproductions and features.

Most recently, Marcus co-created Guru’s preschool series Pikwik, which was picked up by Disney Junior for the U.S, Australia, New Zealand, Korea and India in July. She also played a pivotal role with Guru’s animated underwater adventure series Big Blue. Greenlit by CBC/Radio-Canada this July, the show follows Lemo and Lettie as they explore and protect an ocean-covered planet.

Prior to joining Guru, Marcus was a digital content development producer for U.S. kids network Nickeloden. In her position, she developed short-form linear content for interactive web experiences on Nick.com and Nick Jr.