Dreamworks Builds TV Team

DreamWorks Animation has named former Nickelodeon executive Marjorie Cohn as its first-ever head of television as the studio significantly expands its TV efforts.

Joining Cohn as head of television production is Mark Taylor, who was most recently at the helm of Nickelodeon Animation Studio and Peter Gal, the DreamWorks Animation executive who oversees creative on “DreamWorks Dragons: Riders of Berk” and “Turbo F.A.S.T.,” who will now serve as head of television development.

Together, this trio of executives will oversee the production and development for DreamWorks Animation's expanding television portfolio. The focus on expansion into TV began with the 2012 acquisition of Classic Media's property portfolio, which includes The Lone Ranger, Lassie and Where’s Waldo?. Earlier this year, DreamWorks also signed landmark production and distribution agreements with Netflix and Germany's Super RTL.

Cohn and her team will now be responsible for the development and production of 1,200 new original episodes over the next five years that will feature TV series based on DreamWorks' current franchises, future films and the most popular heritage properties from Classic Media.

A 26-year veteran of Nickelodeon, Cohn most recently held the role of president, content development, during which she was engaged in the development, creation and production of some of the most successful children's programs in television history including “SpongeBob Squarepants,” “Rugrats,” and the “Kids' Choice Awards.”

"Having Margie join us to oversee our television efforts is an incredible coup for DreamWorks Animation. She is uniquely suited with the experience, skill and creativity to immediately dive in and oversee our aggressive expansion into this space," says Ann Daly, chief operating officer, DWA. "Margie has tremendous instincts when it comes to kids' programming, and we can't wait to unleash her creative force on DreamWorks' vast IP to bring exciting new content to families across the world."