DreamWorks Animation has appointed two veteran producers, Bonnie Arnold and Mireille Soria, as co-presidents of its feature animation division. As part of this transition, current chief creative officer Bill Damaschke will step down.

In their new roles, Arnold and Soria (the lead producers behind the studio's How to Train Your Dragon and Madagascar franchises, respectively), will oversee creative development and production for DreamWorks Animation's theatrical releases. Between them, they have produced eight films at DreamWorks.

Arnold is a 12-year veteran of DreamWorks Animation with 31 years of filmmaking experience. She currently oversees the How to Train Your Dragon film franchise and also produced the 2006 DWA release Over the Hedge, the Disney blockbuster Tarzan and the history-making film Toy Story.

Soria also has 31 years of production leadership experience, including 15 at DreamWorks Animation where has overseen the Madagascar franchise. She also produced the Academy Award-nominated animated adventure Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron. Prior to joining DreamWorks Animation, Mireille held a deal at Fox Family Pictures, where she produced the romantic Cinderella story Ever After. She also previously held the post of vice president of production for Walt Disney Pictures where she oversaw the development and production of such projects as The Mighty Ducks and Cool Runnings.

"Mireille and Bonnie are two of the most accomplished and prolific filmmakers working in feature animation today," says Jeffrey Katzenberg, chief executive officer, DreamWorks Animation. "I am confident in their ability to marshal the extensive creative resources available at our studio and lead DreamWorks's vast ranks of artists and filmmakers as they produce the highest quality entertainment."