He joins from his role as corporate development manager at Channel 4, which he left last month, and replaces David Jenkins, who has gone back to the production sector.
During a six-year career at C4, Saunders played a significant role in the broadcaster's acquisition of a 50% stake in music TV broadcaster Box Television from Emap.
In his new role at Nickelodeon, he will be responsible for advertising sales, channel distribution agreements and overseeing Nickelodeon's moves into digital media platforms.
Saunders said: "I am looking at expanding revenues with a new digital strategy and taking content into new areas. We are using new cross-platform properties such as iCarly to reach out to viewers."
It remains unclear how C4 will replace Saunders, although a C4 spokesman said some "minor chan-ges" were expected in the new team.
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