New Paramount president and CEO Brian Robbins announced that Nickelodeon’s Ramsey Naito will succeed Mireille Soria to lead the film studio’s animation division in addition to her current duties as President of Nickelodeon Animation.
Naito will be the new president of animation and development for Paramount Animation and Nickelodeon Animation and the former Paramount Animation president Soria is leaving.
Robbins said, “Ramsey is one of the savviest executives and creative minds in our industry, during her time at Nick, she has transformed and reinvigorated the Animation Studio division with her sharp business instincts, a deep stable of relationships and unique eye for great storytelling, and I’m thrilled to have her bring her talents to this expanded role where she can further elevate our overall animation business.”
He also added, “Mireille has been a driving force in building out a new, dynamic and modern chapter of Paramount Animation. We thank her for her many contributions to the organization and wish her the best in her future endeavors.”
Under the leadership of Naito, Nickelodeon launched the largest animation slate in the network’s 40+ year history with over 70 projects at the Nickelodeon Animation Studio and deals with top talent and creators.
Naito’s leadership has overseen the launches of many global television and film franchises as PAW Patrol: The Movie; the expansion of the SpongeBob SquarePants universe with The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run and two original spinoffs, Kamp Koral: SpongeBob’s Under Years and The Patrick Star Show; Baby Shark; Blue’s Clues & You!; Santiago of the Seas; The Loud House Movie; and Rugrats.
Soria took charge as Paramount Animation head in 2017. According to reports, her exit follows the departure of former Paramount chairman-CEO Jim Gianopulos and motion picture group president Emma Watts.
