Disney-Pixar president Ed Catmull has announced that Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Andrew Millstein and Pixar Animation Studio’s Jim Morris have both been promoted to President. The execs will continue to oversee business operations and production at their respective studios.
“We’re fortunate and proud to have an abundance of strong creative leadership at Disney, and Andrew and Jim are two incredible talents that embody the perfect blend of business and artistic focus,” said Catmull. “Not only have they done so much to ensure each of their studios is operating at peak condition, they continually push their teams to new heights of creativity, storytelling and innovation.”
As EVP and general manager for Disney Animation, Millstein has guided the division through a triumphant creative resurgence, overseeing the release of highest-grossing-ever animated film Frozen as well as the acclaimed Tangled, Wreck-It Ralph and Big Hero 6. Millstein joined Disney in 1997 as a production executive in the Motion Pictures Group. He previously worked as GM of Dreamquest Images and The Secret Lab, Disney Animation’s digital division.
Morris had been GM and EVP of production for Pixar, overseeing features, shorts, DVD content and theme park activities in addition to Pixar’s Studio Tools, Systems, Development and Human Resources. The studio has enjoyed an unprecedented run of success, achieving 14 straight No. 1 openings at the domestic box office. In addition to overseeing operations, Morris produced the Oscar-winning WALL-E. Prior to joining the studio, Morris was president of Lucas Digital, managing Skywalker Sound and Industrial Light & Magic.
