Universal sets DreamWorks Animation leadership team
Universal Filmed Entertainment Group has solidified the leadership structure for DreamWorks Animation, a day after NBCUniversal completed its $3.8-billion acquisition of the Glendale studio.
DreamWorks Animation’s film group, known for movie franchises like “Kung Fu Panda” and “Shrek,” will continue to be run by feature animation co-Presidents Bonnie Arnold and Mireille Soria. The executives will report to Universal Pictures Chairman Donna Langley, the company said Tuesday.
As part of the new structure, Ann Daly, longtime DreamWorks Animation president and ally of former Chief Executive Jeffrey Katzenberg, is stepping down. She will serve as an advisor during the transition, the company said.
Tuesday’s announcement comes after Katzenberg officially segued into a consultant role at Universal’s parent, Comcast Corp. As part of the acquisition announced earlier this year, Katzenberg will oversee DreamWorks’ new media properties, including its ownership stake in the YouTube teen channel Awesomeness TV.
Universal’s announcement clarifies the management structure for the company as it transitions to new ownership and is a something of a surprise.
Many had speculated that Chris Meledandri, head of Universal’s Illumination Entertainment animation arm, would have creative oversight at DreamWorks given the success of his studio. People close to DreamWorks, however, said NBCUniversal wanted Meledandri to focus on the continued success of Illumination, which does much of its animation out of a studio in Paris. Arnold and Soria also have been credited with improving DreamWorks’ track record since they took over in a management shake-up in January 2015.
Meledandri, whose company is preparing to premiere its upcoming animation release “Sing” at the Toronto International Film Festival, is expected to have a role at DreamWorks, but that job has not yet been defined, according to a Universal Pictures spokesman.
Illumination is known for making hits like “Despicable Me” and “Minions” at a relatively low price for computer animation. The company recently released the $75-million summer hit “The Secret Life of Pets,” which has grossed $674 million worldwide at the box office.
“Now that the deal has closed we will be working with Chris to determine the most effective path forward for Illumination and DreamWorks Animation,” a Universal Pictures spokesman said in a statement.
As part of the recent shuffle, DreamWorks’ Margie Cohn will now serve as head of DreamWorks and Universal’s combined television animation business, reporting to Universal Filmed Entertainment Group Chairman Jeff Shell.
NBCUniversal brand development President Vince Klaseus will lead Universal and DreamWorks Animation’s games, digital and consumer products organization, reporting to Shell.
Katzenberg exits the studio he founded with a significant payday. The mogul held 10.2 million shares of DreamWorks stock, which combined were worth roughly $391.6 million, according to a regulatory filing.
With its purchase of DreamWorks Animation, NBCUniversal hopes to profit from the studio’s popular characters across businesses including film, television, consumer products and theme parks.
DreamWorks in recent years has struggled to live up to its once-dominant position in the animation industry, but has rebounded with movies like “Home’ and “Kung Fu Panda 3.”
Arnold and Soria took over as heads of DreamWorks Feature Animation early in 2015 after a shake-up that included the exit of longtime executive Bill Damaschke.
See the most-read stories in Entertainment this hour »
Follow Ryan Faughnder on Twitter for more entertainment business coverage: @rfaughnder
From the Oscars to the Emmys.
Get the Envelope newsletter for exclusive awards season coverage, behind-the-scenes stories from the Envelope podcast and columnist Glenn Whipp’s must-read analysis.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
