Copyright Deadline
Jennifer Dodge has been hired to head up Paramount Animation as President, Deadline can confirm. Dodge starts at Paramount on January 5th, joining after nearly nine years at PAW Patrol franchise producer Spin Master. She takes over the role following Ramsey Naito’s recent exit and will now oversee all operations of the animation group, from development through release, guiding the studio’s creative and strategic vision across its animated film slate. She reports to Paramount Pictures Co-Chairs Dana Goldberg and Josh Greenstein, who stated, “Jennifer is an exceptional creative executive and producer with a proven track record of building franchises that connect with global audiences. Her deep understanding of storytelling, world-building, and brand development make her the ideal leader to shape the next era of Paramount Animation. We’re thrilled to welcome her to the team.” With more than two decades in children’s and family entertainment, Dodge was most recently President of Spin Master Entertainment and Consumer Products, where she oversaw the company’s global entertainment and franchise businesses, including content creation, production, distribution, and consumer products. During her tenure, she spearheaded the development and expansion of globally recognized brands such as PAW Patrol and Unicorn Academy, serving as executive producer across all Spin Master series and as producer on Spin Master, Paramount Animation, and Nickelodeon Movies’ PAW Patrol features — the first two of which earned nearly $350M combined at the worldwide box office, with a third installment, PAW Patrol: The Dino Movie, slated for 2026. Prior to Spin Master, Dodge served as Senior Vice President of Development for Nickelodeon Preschool, developing original content and nurturing emerging creative talent. “I’ve always believed in the power of animation to inspire, entertain, and unite audiences of all ages,” she said this morning. “Paramount has a rich legacy of bringing bold, imaginative stories to life, and I’m honored to join Dana, Josh, and the entire team as we expand that vision and create the next generation of unforgettable animated films.” Dodge’s appointment comes at a time of sweeping change for Paramount, post-Skydance merger, with thousands laid off. Under the new leadership of David Ellison, the studio has recently committed to releasing at least 15 films in 2026, while plotting a “significant expansion” of its TV output. Upcoming Paramount Animation titles include The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants, releasing December 19th; PAW Patrol: The Dino Movie and The Legend of Aang: The Last Airbender in 2026; and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem 2 in 2027.
