After almost a decade with the studio, Brian Robbins has officially set his departure from the role of co-CEO of Paramount Global, President & CEO of Paramount Pictures and of Nickelodeon. The outgoing exec issued a memo to staff reflecting on his time at the company and the “bittersweet” transition.
“At Paramount Pictures, we’ve continued to build on a legacy of great entertainment while pushing forward with fresh voices and ambitious ideas. You’ve helped bring to life stories that entertain, resonate, and endure, and reminded audiences why theatrical matters … At Nickelodeon, I’m especially proud of how we honored the iconic heritage of the brand while building new connections with today’s generation[.]”
— Brian Robbins
Robbins joined Paramount in 2017 and was appointed to President & CEO of Nickelodeon in October 2018. He was elevated to President & CEO of Paramount Pictures in September 2021, and then to co-CEO of Paramount Global in April 2024, where he was part of the team that got the studio’s Paramount+ platform up and running as a competitor in a crowded streaming landscape.
Over his time at Paramount Pictures the studio saw 17 No. 1 box-office releases, even as the cinema industry struggled to find its footing in a post-COVID world. He notably bolstered the studio’s franchises with big screen expansions, including animation-fueled favorites like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, PAW Patrol and Sonic the Hedgehog. He also made production deals with top filmmakers including Neal Moritz (Sonic the Hedgehog) and Oscar-nominated writer-director Jeff Rowe (The Mitchells vs. the Machines, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem). At Nickelodeon, Robbins saw the popular animated IPs SpongeBob SquarePants and Dora the Explorer through to their 25th anniversaries.
As Robbins departs, he leaves behind a number of animated big-screen launches and sequels for top IP. The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants is on its way to theaters in December, while his tenure also put The Legend of Aang: The Last Airbender, PAW Patrol: The Dino Movie, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem 2 for the future, as well as new live-action project from South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone.
Robbins’ exit memo to Paramount staff reads:
Team,
I’m writing today to share with you that I am departing as Co-CEO of Paramount Global, and President and CEO of Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon. As my time with the company comes to a close, I want to take a moment to express my sincere gratitude to all of you.
When I first walked onto the Paramount Pictures lot as a young filmmaker many years ago, I never imagined I’d one day be entrusted with leading this storied studio. It has been one of the greatest privileges of my life to work alongside such an extraordinary group of people – creators, executives, teams – whose passion and dedication continue to inspire me every day.
As I reflect on our time together, we’ve jointly experienced an incredible amount of change and transformation. Through global disruptions, shifting audience behaviors, and major industry evolution, your perseverance and creativity never wavered. You stayed focused, resilient, and committed to our shared mission: telling great stories that captivate audiences. With commitment and care, we brought new life to our studio’s franchises, expanded into new platforms, and strengthened our footprint across film, television, streaming, and consumer products.
At Paramount Pictures, we’ve continued to build on a legacy of great entertainment while pushing forward with fresh voices and ambitious ideas. You’ve helped bring to life stories that entertain, resonate, and endure, and reminded audiences why theatrical matters – why shared experiences in dark rooms still have the power to unite. We’ve reinvigorated beloved properties and expanded franchises, including Sonic the Hedgehog, Scream, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, A Quiet Place and Mission: Impossible. We championed bold new films like Smile and Bob Marley: One Love, and delivered new takes on classic films like Mean Girls and The Naked Gun – and of course – this team is behind the highest-grossing film in the studio’s history, Top Gun: Maverick. In the wake of Covid, we led the charge bringing audiences back to theaters at a time when the world longed for connection and community, leading to a record-breaking year in the studio’s history.
At Nickelodeon, I’m especially proud of how we honored the iconic heritage of the brand while building new connections with today’s generation through innovative content, smart digital strategy, and deep franchise expansion – from SpongeBob and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles to Dora to PAW Patrol and beyond. Also, our groundbreaking and Emmy Award-winning simulcasts of the NFL Playoff and Super Bowl games set the bar for massive engagement with a younger generation during these landmark sporting events. As a result, we expanded Nick’s standing as a creative wellspring and as the #1 kids’ entertainment brand.
This moment of transition is, of course, bittersweet. But I step away with deep pride in what we’ve built together, and with great confidence in the road ahead. The company is in exceptionally capable hands with David Ellison and the incoming team from Skydance, and I know you’ll continue to thrive and excel with your collective talents.
To everyone across the company, thank you. Thank you for staying the course in difficult moments, and for pushing boundaries with heart and determination. Most importantly, thank you for your friendship. It has been an honor to be on this journey with you. I’ll be cheering for you – always.
With gratitude,
Brian
[Source: Deadline]
