Michelle Raimo Kouyate, production president of Sony Pictures Animation (SPA), is vacating the slot and transitioning to a first-look producing deal with the studio.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the deal encompasses both animation and live action parts of Sony’s slate. One of her first key roles will be coming on board as a producer on SPA’s Medusa – an animated comedy being developed by My Little Pony director Lauren Faust.
A new head for the animation division is yet to be named but a search is in progress. Meanwhile, Raimo Kouyate will oversee the transition.
Under Raimo Kouyate, SPA launched Hotel Transylvania, with a second movie being released later this year and also brought to light hits like The Smurfs 2 and Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2.
Working on Medusa was a catalyst for her decision to step down. She applauded the talented artists and creative people working at SPA and is confident that great things will continue to come out of the studio.
Kouyate joined SPA in 2010 and previously held development and production roles at DreamWorks Animation (she was an executive producer on Puss In Boots), Miramax Films, Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies.
Among her live action credits is acting as an exec producer on the Oscar-winning hit Silver Linings Playbook and other credits including co-executive producer of Chocolat, associate producer of The Shipping News and executive producer of An Unfinished Life.
