UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Michael Wright, President and Head of Programming, TNT, TBS and Turner Classic Movies, has been named CEO of DreamWorks Studios effective January 3, 2015, it was announced today by Steven Spielberg, Chairman. Stacey Snider will depart the company at the beginning of January 2015.
In his new role, Mr. Wright will report directly to Mr. Spielberg, and have responsibility for the creative aspects of the company's motion picture business. He will work closely with Ms. Bario and Ms. Macosko Krieger as well as Mr. Small. Amblin Television will continue to remain a separate company run by Darryl Frank and Justin Falvey.
In making the announcement, Mr. Spielberg said, "I have had the pleasure of working alongside Michael for many years and have come to know him as a talented executive whose creative vision, leadership, and passion are a perfect fit for our company. He has a keen understanding of storytelling and how to deliver those stories in every shape and size, regardless of platform. I am delighted to welcome him to DreamWorks Studios.”
He continued, “Stacey Snider has been an important part of my life for two decades and I want to acknowledge her many accomplishments at the company as well as her friendship and counsel which have been so important to me. I'd also like to express my appreciation for her guidance and support throughout the transition.”
Mr. Wright said, “The opportunity to join DreamWorks Studios and to work for Steven Spielberg, whose creative voice and vision have influenced me throughout my career, is truly a dream come true. Steven and I have worked together on numerous projects over the years, it has never been less than an exciting, enlightening, fulfilling experience, and it has always led to the telling of stories of which I was proud to be a part. This is an exceptional time of change in our industry with exciting new voices and storytelling platforms emerging all around us, and I am looking forward to positioning the company to thrive in this evolving environment.”
Mr. Spielberg continued, "I join with Michael in recognizing the strength and experience of our great senior executive team of Jeff, Holly and Kristie. Jeff’s superb business acumen combined with Holly's and Kristie's outstanding creative tastes and instincts have made our company a home to a diverse group of talent. With the addition of Michael to DreamWorks, I know we will enjoy continued growth and success well into the future."
Mr. Wright, whose tenure has spanned more than a decade at Turner, has been responsible for developing and premiering critically and commercially acclaimed original content on all three of the company's networks as well as its digital extensions. He has worked with Mr. Spielberg on such lauded programs as Into the West, Falling Skies, the upcoming Public Morals, and many others. Recently, under Mr. Wright’s leadership, TNT cemented its place as the summer's number one basic cable network, claiming six of the 10 original primetime series of the summer, including the top three, Rizzoli & Isles, Major Crimes and The Last Ship.
About DreamWorks Studios
DreamWorks Studios is a motion picture company formed in 2009 and led by Steven Spielberg in partnership with The Reliance Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group. The company’s recent releases include Spielberg's Lincoln, starring Daniel Day-Lewis, Sally Field and Tommy Lee Jones. The film has grossed over $180 million at the U.S. box office and was nominated for twelve Academy Awards® with Daniel Day-Lewis winning for Best Actor. Other releases include The Hundred-Foot Journey, starring Helen Mirren, Steven Spielberg’s War Horse, based on Michael Morpurgo’s award-winning book and was nominated for six Academy Awards® including Best Picture, and The Help, which resonated with audiences around the country and earned over $200 million at the box office and received four Academy Award® nominations with Octavia Spencer winning for Best Supporting Actress.
DreamWorks Studios can be found on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/DreamWorksStudios and on Twitter at http://twitter.com/dw_studios.