While plans for the animation business at the post-merger Paramount Global are not perfectly clear just yet, more details on the new leadership structure are continuing to emerge.
As per a report from Deadline, Ramsey Naito is expected to continue in her role as head of Paramount Animation (Transformers One, Smurfs) following the completion of today’s merger transaction with Skydance Media.
But oversight of Nickelodeon Animation (Nickelodeon TV Studios) will no longer be a part of Naito’s remit, with her full focus now shifting to animated features. This is in line with what we know about the new executive structure for Paramount unveiled this week, with George Cheeks becoming chair of TV media (including Nickelodeon, among other assets), while the film business of Paramount Pictures will be headed up by co-chairs Dana Goldberg and Josh Greenstein.
There’s no word yet on who will succeed Naito to shepherd the Nick Animation unit, which is responsible for producing beloved TV toons like SpongeBob SquarePants, The Fairly OddParents and Avatar: The Last Airbender. Skydance and Nickelodeon did not respond to requests for comment.
Naito’s history with Nickelodeon goes all the way back to her time as VP of Nick Movies, from 1999 to 2006. She became EVP of Nickelodeon Animation and Paramount Animation in 2018, and was elevated to president of both organizations in 2020 and 2021, respectively.
Deadline is also reporting that there are currently no plans to merge Paramount Animation with Skydance Animation (Spellbound), which will continue operating under the leadership of John Lasseter (head of animation) and Holly Edwards (president).
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