MUMBAI: DreamWorks Animation has appointed Katie O'Connell Marsh as head of global live-action television, a role in which she will oversee the expansion of DWA's television business into the live-action genre.
Marsh will be based at the company's Glendale headquarters and begin her duties in January 2016.
“Television has quickly grown into one of our most successful businesses and, as the demand for kids and co-viewing content continues to rise, extending the DreamWorks Animation brand to live-action TV in a strategic and financially disciplined way will spur even further growth. Katie's proven track record of developing hit live-action television programming, coupled with her success in quickly building television businesses from the ground up, makes her the perfect executive to lead us into this new genre,” said DreamWorks Animation CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg.
“Our move into live-action will enable DWA to further capitalize on the evolving television landscape by creating new opportunities on both traditional and emerging platforms for our branded series. Moreover, live action will give us yet another creative lens with which to explore our library of rich storytelling and memorable characters that have resonated with audiences for the past two decades,” added DreamWorks Animation president Ann Daly.
“When Jeffrey and Ann approached me, I was impressed by the endless possibilities and unique specificity of the opportunities that lie ahead, as I have always admired the iconic and global DreamWorks Animation brand The existing library of brands, coupled with a desire for original content, makes this opportunity incredibly special. I look forward to working with Jeffrey, Ann and everyone at DWA,” said Marsh.
Marsh joins DreamWorks Animation, having served since 2010 as the CEO of Gaumont International Television (GIT), a division of Gaumont SA she built from the ground up. Previously, she was an executive at NBC, where she first served as SVP of development in New York. Marsh was ultimately elevated to EVP of drama programming.
Prior to NBC, Marsh was EVP of development and current programming at Imagine Television, where she developed numerous comedy and drama projects.
