Some Rise ...

... while others step down.

DreamWorks Animation announced today that it has appointed two veteran producers, Bonnie Arnold and Mireille Soria, as co-presidents of feature animation. In their new roles, Arnold and Soria, respectively the lead producers behind the studio’s How to Train Your Dragon and Madagascar franchises, will oversee creative development and production for DreamWorks Animation’s theatrical releases. Between them, they have produced eight films at DreamWorks that have grossed more than $3.5 billion globally. As part of this transition, chief creative officer Bill Damaschke will step down from his position. ...

Left unsaid in the press release is whether Mr. Damaschke will remain with the company, but I would tend to think not. When you're the head creative person (not counting J. Katzenberg) and the recent slate of pictures has failed to perform up to expectations, someone must be slipped the axe ... and then, to demonstrate good form, that someone needs to exit quietly.

And that's usually the person at or near the top of the pyramid. I imagine, in due course, that Mr. Damschke will be announcing future plans.