MIPJUNIOR KEYNOTE: RAMSEY NAITO, PRESIDENT OF ANIMATION FOR PARAMOUNT ANIMATION & NICKELODEON ANIMATION
Where: Grand Theatre
Date: Saturday, 14th Oct
Time: 12:00 - 12:45
Join Ramsey Naito, President of Paramount Animation/Nickelodeon Animation, for a deep dive into the world of animation to discuss navigating changes in the kids’ industry over the last few years, transforming challenges into opportunities while continuing to grow Nickelodeon’s animation business beyond linear, the power of creating and sustaining franchises for kids of all ages, authentic and diverse storytelling and leadership, how to reach kids globally across digital screens and platforms, advances in technology and the rise of AI, and more.
Since joining Nickelodeon, Ramsey has overseen a renaissance of animation content and production, growing the division in scale and creative vision, while launching hits on Paramount+. She has transformed Nickelodeon and Paramount’s Animation pipeline with new original series and movies, while fostering an environment of inclusivity and diversity.
As an artist herself, Ramsey continues to build a creator-driven culture at Nickelodeon and Paramount Animation. The studios are home to some of the biggest global franchises under her helm including, SpongeBob SquarePants, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Avatar, Dora the Explorer, PAW Patrol, and more. Ramsey continues to bring audiences new and fresh content featuring the characters they love, with an upcoming slate of theatricals and new series on the horizon.
Ramsey Naito
President of Animation, Paramount Animation and Nickelodeon Animation
Ramsey Naito is President of Animation for Paramount Animation and Nickelodeon Animation.
As President of Animation for Paramount Animation, a role which she assumed in September 2021, Naito oversees all of the animation group’s operations from development through theatrical release. Naito previously served as Executive Vice President of Paramount Animation in 2018 before assuming her role as Executive Vice President of Animation Production and Development at Nickelodeon Animation.
At Nickelodeon, Naito oversees animation content across all formats and platforms--spanning linear, digital, TV movies, theatrical motion pictures and SVOD. She has been a driving force at the network bringing new projects, top talent and key partnerships to Nickelodeon Animation, to further bolster its content pipeline across preschool, kids, theatrical and its studio business. Since joining the network in 2018, Naito has since overseen a renaissance at the studio of animation content and production in scale and creativity. Naito has transformed Nickelodeon’s Animation pipeline from 6 projects to over 70 series and movies, while emerging to launch hits on Paramount+, which have helped build the platform to the fastest growing streaming service in the US.
At Paramount Animation, Naito’s oversight includes developing and ushering upcoming Paramount film titles including some of the studio’s key franchises such as: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem, produced in partnership with award-winning Point Grey Pictures’ Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg and James Weaver and directed by Jeff Rowe, PAW Patrol: The Movie and its sequel PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie (September 29, 2023), in partnership with Spin Master Entertainment and directed by Cal Brunker; Untitled Transformers Animation as well as The Tiger’s Apprentice (set for release in 2024), starring Henry Golding and directed by Raman Hui and co-directed by Paul Watling & YongDuk Jhun; Untitled Smurfs Animated Musical and an Untitled Avatar Animation film focusing on Aang avatar (first of three Avatar animated theatricals).
Simultaneously, Naito manages the day-to-day operations of Nickelodeon’s current series and development slate, overseeing the network’s key franchises including: SpongeBob SquarePants, The Loud House, Big Nate, The Tiny Chef Show, Transformers: EarthSpark, The Casagrandes, Baby Shark, Blue’s Clues & You!, Blue’s Clues Movie, Bossy Bear, Santiago of the Seas, The Patrick Star Show, the Rugrats reboot, and the animated reboot of Dora the Explorer. New upcoming series include: Zokie of Planet Ruby, The Hamsters of Hamsterdale, Super Duper Bunny League and Hex Vet.
To continue growing Nickelodeon’s animation business beyond linear, in 2019, Naito oversaw the network’s multi-year output deal with Netflix to produce original animated feature films and television series, based both on the Nickelodeon library of characters as well as all-new IP for kids and families globally. This deal marked an expansion of the existing relationship between the companies, which has already brought several popular titles to Netflix, including movies based on Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and The Loud House, and animated specials Rocko's Modern Life: Static Cling and Invader Zim: Enter the Florpus.
Building an inclusive and diverse culture at the animation studio and developing emerging and homegrown talent has been a strong point in Naito’s mission throughout her time at Nickelodeon. Naito has brought in more than 1400 new employees across dozens of Nickelodeon and Paramount animation productions, and since employees began working remotely in March in 2020, over hundreds of new positions have been filled with studio productions operating virtually at 100%. Nickelodeon currently has over 70 animated shows in production across series, its studio business and movies. Under Naito’s leadership, Nickelodeon also held its first-ever virtual job fair this year, garnering nearly 6000 attendees
Anna Carugati Guise
Editor At Large, World Screen
Anna Carugati Editor at Large, World Screen Anna Carugati conducts the group's signature interviews with the industry's top executives, show creators and stars, and can be found moderating panels and keynotes at key industry events throughout the year. Anna has been a reporter throughout her professional life, having worked at CBS in Chicago and Mediaset in Italy, as well as for trade journals such as The Hollywood Reporter and Electronic Media. Fluent in English, French and Italian, Anna is also the recipient of an Emmy award for journalism, a duPont Columbia honorable mention and the Associated Press award for editorial excellence. She has been with World Screen since 1996.
Stream a Mountain of Entertainment, including your Nickelodeon favorites on Paramount+! Try it FREE at ParamountPlus.com!
Originally published: October 14, 2023.
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