Paramount Animation CEO Ramsey Naito is part of the layoffs

As Paramount begins to clean house under new CEO David Ellison, Paramount Animation president Ramsey Naito is the latest to step down from the company.

Previously president of Nickelodeon Animation, where she launched the largest animation slate in the network’s 40-plus year history with more than 70 projects at Nickelodeon Animation Studio, and handling top talent and creators, Naito added president of Paramount Animation to her title in September 2021. Naito takes over from Mireille Soria, who leads the motion picture studio’s animation arm.

In 2021 alone, Naito was promoted from Executive Vice President of Animation Production and Development for Nickelodeon Group to President of Nickelodeon Animation, where he oversaw the launch of global television and film franchises such as Paw Patrol: The Movie; Expand on SpongeBob SquarePants universe with The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Runaway and two original spin-offs, Camp Coral: SpongeBob’s Under Years and Patrick Starr Show; Baby Shark; Blue guides and you!; Santiago the sailor; The Loud House movie; and Rugrats.

While working at Paramount Animation, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles received new life under the leadership of Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhemwhich grossed approximately $182 million worldwide and $1 billion in retail sales in that calendar year for the brand. There was an attempt to take transformers In the featured animation space with Transformers oneHowever, it played to a much younger beta of an older fan base, grossing just $129 million at the global box office. There was also a SpinMaster version Paw patrol films in 2021 and 2023, which have grossed nearly $350 million combined. The third film in this franchise, Paw Patrol: The Dino Movieis scheduled to be released next year on August 14. It’s also outside of Naito’s division The Last Airbender: The Legend of Aang On October 9, 2026, Angry birds movie 3 On January 23, 2026 and another Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Motion picture scheduled for September 17, 2027.

It was reported in early August that Naito would stay on post-merger to lead Paramount Animation. Meanwhile, Skydance Animation, under the management of John Lasseter and Holly Edwards, was not merged with Paramount Animation, but rather kept separate, as that unit had a commitment to the Netflix production deal. Clearly, in the new regime of the group run by Ellison, he wants a new set of executives, such as global marketing and distribution president Mark Weinstock and head of domestic distribution — who were behind the success of the studio’s highest-grossing film; Top Gun: Maverick ($1.49 billion) – He left with the arrival of a new head of worldwide marketing and distribution, former Warner Bros and Universal vet Josh Goldstein.

Naito is part of 1,000 cuts happening today as the new Skydance-owned Paramount looks to realize $2 billion in savings. Deadline first learned about other motion picture directors today including President of International Music Randy Spendlove, SVP of Production Brian Oh, Executive VP of Production Jeff Steer, Executive VP of Home Entertainment Andres Alvarez, Executive VP of International Theatrical Marketing Rachel Caden, SVP of Multicultural Marketing Christine Benitez and SVP of Literary Affairs Phil Cohen.

Below is Naito’s note to staff this evening:

a 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 amazing team of talented storytellers, artists, and dreamers, and witnessing the magic you have woven from your imagination and dedication, has been one of the greatest joys of my career.

I’m very proud of the work the animation teams have done over the past 8+ years. I’m honored to give new life and love to the beloved characters and stories in Paramount and Nickelodeon’s vast libraries – from SpongeBob to PAW Patrol to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – and birth a whole new slate of originals for today’s generation.

Not only am I endlessly proud of what we’ve built, but also of the spirit behind it – the collaboration, creativity and kindness that defines this team. Even though I’m moving forward, I’ll always be rooting for you (and singing along to the PAW Patrol theme or humming the TMNT tune when I see your work lighting up screens everywhere).

Thank you to Josh, Dana, and the amazing leadership team who I know will continue to push our animation business to great heights.

With love and appreciation,
symbolic