Pixar Import

Pixar's former head of publicity becomes DWA's current head of publicity.

Robin Chandler, former head of publicity for Pixar Animation Studios, is joining DreamWorks Animation as head of theatrical publicity, the Burbank-based studio announced Tuesday. Chandler will lead worldwide publicity efforts to boost the studio’s feature films, beginning with the Jan. 29, 2016, release of “Kung Fu Panda 3.” ...

Chandler left Emeryville-based Pixar as head of worldwide publicity. There, she oversaw not only feature films but in-home, television, theme parks, live entertainment and consumer products. She helped plot the strategy for Pixar releases and awards campaigns, including on “WALL•E,” “Up,” “Toy Story 3,” “Cars 2,” “Brave” and “Monsters University.” ...

DWA is going for experience and a known quantity here. They're not going for an outside-the-corral pick of the kind that the Mouse did a few years ago:

After more than a year and half in the job, ... MT Carney is officially out as President of Worldwide Marketing at Walt Disney Studios. ... The 42-year-old Carney was handplucked by studio chief Rich Ross despite her having no movie biz experience. (Instead she had experienced in promoting packaged goods. “But a movie is not like a Honda,” one marketing guru reminds me just now.) ...

The Nikkster knew whereof she spoke. Mr. Ross went with a "fresh, new" executive, and it didn't work out for either of them. I think DreamWorks is smart hiring somebody who knows how to promote animated features. THey need s practiced hand on that particular wheel, and now they've got one.