Spin Master Entertainment’s Jennifer Dodge has been named president of Paramount Animation.
Dodge will start on January 5th and will report to Paramount Pictures co-chairmen Dana Goldberg and Josh Greenstein. In his new role, Dodge will oversee all operations of the animation group from development to release.
She replaces Ramsay Naito, who stepped down from the top post amid a management shake-up surrounding the company’s $8 billion merger with Skydance. As part of the transition, Paramount’s new chairman and CEO, David Ellison, announced last week that the company will begin a series of layoffs, which will result in about 2,000 jobs being cut in the U.S., with additional cuts expected overseas.
“Jennifer is an extraordinary creative executive and producer with a proven track record of building series that connect with audiences around the world,” Goldberg and Greenstein said. “Her deep understanding of storytelling, world-building and brand development makes her the ideal leader to shape the next era of Paramount Animation. We are excited to welcome her to the team.”
Mr. Dodge most recently served as president of Spin Master Entertainment and Consumer Products, Inc., where he oversaw film and television growth, development, production and worldwide distribution for the toy company’s subsidiary best known for “Paw Patrol.” In 2021, she helped bring the children’s series to the big screen with the company’s first feature film, Paw Patrol: The Movie, and its 2023 sequel, Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie, both distributed by Paramount.
Mr. Dodge worked as vice president and executive producer at Spin Master Entertainment from 2009 to 2015, where he directed more than 200 episodes of animation, including “PAW Patrol” and “Little Charmers,” before returning as executive vice president in 2017. During that time, she was hired by Nickelodeon Preschool as Senior Vice President of Development, where she spearheaded the creation of original content.
As part of his new role at Paramount Animation, Dodge will lead the release of theatrical films, including The SpongeBob Movie: The Search for Squarepants, released this December, and PAW Patrol: The Dino in 2026. Future titles include “Movie”, “Legend of Aang: The Last Airbender”, and “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem” in 2027.
“I have always believed in the power of animation to inspire, entertain and unite audiences of all ages. Paramount has a rich heritage of bringing bold and imaginative stories to life,” said Dodge. “I’m honored to join Dana, Josh, and the entire team to expand that vision and create the next generation of unforgettable animated films.”
