Former Disney Exec Mark Zoradi Appointed COO of DreamWorks Animation

GLENDALE: DreamWorks Animation has bolstered its executive team with the addition of former Disney exec Mark Zoradi as COO, while promoting Ann Daly to president and expanding the remit of Lew Coleman to include the post of vice chairman.

Zoradi was key in the start up of Walt Disney Home Entertainment and Disney Channel, and he previously served as the general manager of Buena Vista Television and president of Buena Vista International. Most recently, Zoradi was serving as president of Walt Disney Studios Motion Picture Group.

Daly, who has been serving as COO since 2004, moves up to president. Coleman, who has held the post of president since 2005, becomes vice chairman, in addition to his current responsibilities as CFO and acting chief accounting officer.

"As DreamWorks grows, we are focusing on creating a strong management structure that has the expertise and capacity to best serve the changing needs of our company," said Jeffrey Katzenberg, DreamWorks Animation's CEO. "Ann and I are thrilled to welcome Mark to the DreamWorks family, and to recognize the current team for their tremendous contributions to the company. With these new changes, coupled with our other incredibly accomplished recent senior hires—Michael Francis as chief global brand officer and Margie Cohn as head of television, I'm very excited about the stellar caliber of our overall executive leadership team."

"I am enthusiastic about the opportunity to join the talented DreamWorks team at a time of remarkable expansion and growth for the company," added Zoradi. "DreamWorks' family of beloved characters and stories are known around the world and I look forward to helping to build and expand their reach with new businesses and venues."