DisneyToon Studios (DTS) is being restructured and will now operate as a separate unit under the supervision of Walt Disney Animation Studios, it was announced recently by Dick Cook, Chairman of The Walt Disney Studios.
John Lasseter, Chief Creative Officer for Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios and Ed Catmull, President of Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios will immediately assume responsibilities of DTS. Sharon Morrill, a fifteen-year Disney veteran who has served as president of DTS since 2004, will assume new duties within the Studio, which will include working on a variety of special projects.
Commenting on the announcement, Cook said, “Sharon has been an amazing leader and has done a tremendous job. DisneyToon Studios has always been an integral part of the Studio and we are pleased that John and Ed will bring their vision in creating exciting original DVD premieres. They already have some very ambitious and innovative projects on the drawing boards.”
Catmull added, “John and I are truly excited to be working with the talented team at DisneyToon Studios in developing and producing original stories for the home entertainment audience. The first project includes Tinker Bell and a whole new cast of Fairy characters that have all the ingredients of wonder, magic and enchantment that our audiences expect.
With DisneyToon Studios now part of Walt Disney Animation Studios, we hope to explore a wide variety of fun and original story ideas and projects.”
Alan Bergman, President of The Walt Disney Studios and to whom Morrill reports, added, “We are grateful to Sharon for the important role she played in shaping this division, and for building it into the undisputed industry leader. Her leadership resulted in some of the biggest video and DVD successes of all-time, and we look forward to working with Sharon on special projects.”