Ramsey Naito Exits As Paramount Animation President Amid Skydance Merger Shakeup

Following Skydance’s recent acquisition of Paramount, Ramsey Naito, one of the top studio animation executives working in the industry today and number nine on our  2024 U.S. animation power list, is stepping down from her role as president of Paramount Animation, marking the end of an eight-year run that included positions at both Nickelodeon and Paramount’s animation units.

In a memo to staff shared online by Variety, Naito wrote, “I want to share with you that I am leaving the company and closing this very special chapter with all of you. Leading this incredible team of talented storytellers, artists, and dreamers, and watching the magic that you’ve spun from your imagination and dedication, has been one of the great joys of my career.”

Naito’s departure comes amid a major restructuring at Paramount Global following its merger with Skydance Media. The combined company, led by David Ellison, a favorite to purchase Warner Bros. Discovery as well, is undergoing large-scale layoffs expected to impact roughly 2,000 U.S. workers, with additional international cuts anticipated.

Ellison told staff earlier in the day that the restructuring is aimed at “addressing redundancies” and “realigning priorities” to strengthen the company’s focus on long-term growth.

An Oscar-nominated producer for DreamWorks Animation’s The Boss Baby (2017), Naito began her career at Nickelodeon before holding key roles at Blue Sky Studios and Cartoon Network. She returned to Nickelodeon in 2018, revitalizing its animation pipeline, and was promoted to president of Nickelodeon Animation in 2020. In 2021, her purview expanded to include Paramount Animation, where she oversaw both TV and theatrical content across the studio’s major franchises.

During her tenure, Naito helped shepherd new chapters for some of Paramount’s most valuable properties, including Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem, PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie, Smurfs, and Transformers animated projects. She had previously revitalized Nickelodeon’s slate with series like The Patrick Star Show, Kamp Koral, and the rebooted Dora the Explorer.

“I am so proud of the work the animation teams and I have done for the last eight-plus years,” Naito said in her note. “I am honored to have given new life and love to the beloved characters and stories within the vast Paramount and Nickelodeon libraries — from SpongeBob to PAW Patrol to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles — and the birth of a whole new slate of originals for today’s generation.”

Naito concluded her message to staff on a characteristically warm note: “Though I’m moving on, I’ll always be cheering you on (and singing along to the PAW Patrol theme or humming the TMNT riff when I see your work lighting up screens everywhere).”

Here’s Naito’s full letter announcing her departure:

Team,

I want to share with you that I am leaving the company and closing this very special chapter with all of you. Leading this incredible team of talented storytellers, artists and dreamers, and watching the magic that you’ve spun from your imagination and dedication, has been one of the great joys of my career.

I am so proud of the work the animation teams and I have done for the last 8+ years. I am honored to have given new life and love to the beloved characters and stories within the vast Paramount and Nickelodeon libraries—from SpongeBob to PAW Patrol to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles—and the birth of a whole new slate of originals for today’s generation.

Not only am I endlessly proud of what we’ve built, but even more so the spirit behind it — the collaboration, creativity, and kindness that define this team. Though I’m moving on, I’ll always be cheering you on (and singing along to the PAW Patrol theme or humming the TMNT riff when I see your work lighting up screens everywhere).

Thank you to Josh, Dana and the fantastic leadership team who I know will keep propelling our animation business to great heights.

With love and appreciation,

Ramsey