Jeff Blackburn, who spearheaded Amazon’s push into video, has joined Roku’s board of directors.
The election of Blackburn at Roku’s annual shareholder meeting represents an expansion of Roku’s board, an upsizing signaled by the streaming company last April.
“Jeff’s extensive experience in digital media and technologies makes him a great addition to our board of directors,” Roku founder and CEO Anthony Wood said.
Blackburn said he was pleased to be joining the board “at such a pivotal time in the industry as more entertainment continues to move to TV streaming.”
Until February of this year, Blackburn was Amazon’s SVP of Global Media & Entertainment, overseeing Prime Video, Amazon Studios, MGM, Music, Audible, Games and Twitch. From 2012 to 2020, he was SVP of Worldwide Business Development, Advertising and Entertainment.
Prior to joining Amazon, Blackburn worked in investment banking at Morgan Stanley and Deutsche Bank.
Roku has...
The election of Blackburn at Roku’s annual shareholder meeting represents an expansion of Roku’s board, an upsizing signaled by the streaming company last April.
“Jeff’s extensive experience in digital media and technologies makes him a great addition to our board of directors,” Roku founder and CEO Anthony Wood said.
Blackburn said he was pleased to be joining the board “at such a pivotal time in the industry as more entertainment continues to move to TV streaming.”
Until February of this year, Blackburn was Amazon’s SVP of Global Media & Entertainment, overseeing Prime Video, Amazon Studios, MGM, Music, Audible, Games and Twitch. From 2012 to 2020, he was SVP of Worldwide Business Development, Advertising and Entertainment.
Prior to joining Amazon, Blackburn worked in investment banking at Morgan Stanley and Deutsche Bank.
Roku has...
- 6/8/2023
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
Roku has named Jeff Blackburn, the longtime Amazon executive who led the retail giant’s streaming and content business, to its board of directors.
Blackburn most recently served as Amazon’s svp for global media and entertainment, where his purview included Prime Video, Amazon Studios, Amazon Music, Audible and Twitch, among other divisions. The executive retired from Amazon earlier this year after more than two decades at the company, which he first joined in 1998 after helping Amazon with its IPO while working at Deutsche Bank.
Blackburn will join Anthony Wood, Ravi Ahuja, Mai Fyfield, Jeff Hastings, Laurie Simon Hodrick, Neil Hunt, Gina Luna and CEO Ray Rothrock on the board.
“I’m thrilled to be joining Roku’s Board of Directors at such a pivotal time in the industry as more entertainment continues to move to TV streaming,” Blackburn said in a statement on Thursday. “I look forward to working...
Blackburn most recently served as Amazon’s svp for global media and entertainment, where his purview included Prime Video, Amazon Studios, Amazon Music, Audible and Twitch, among other divisions. The executive retired from Amazon earlier this year after more than two decades at the company, which he first joined in 1998 after helping Amazon with its IPO while working at Deutsche Bank.
Blackburn will join Anthony Wood, Ravi Ahuja, Mai Fyfield, Jeff Hastings, Laurie Simon Hodrick, Neil Hunt, Gina Luna and CEO Ray Rothrock on the board.
“I’m thrilled to be joining Roku’s Board of Directors at such a pivotal time in the industry as more entertainment continues to move to TV streaming,” Blackburn said in a statement on Thursday. “I look forward to working...
- 6/8/2023
- by J. Clara Chan
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
“Bridgerton” Season 2 breakout Calam Lynch has joined “Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” cast, along with new additions Oliver Alvin-Wilson, Stuart Bowman, Gavi Singh Chera, William Chubb, Kevin
Eldon, Will Keen and Selina Lo.
The eight new members join previously announced Season 2 additions Gabriel Akuwudike, Yasen “Zates” Atour, Ben Daniels, Amelia Kenworthy, Nia Towle and Nicholas Woodeson.
Sam Hazeldine was also recently announced as a replacement for “Game of Thrones” alumnus Joseph Mawle as antagonist Adar.
As is custom for the series, character details for all are being kept under wraps.
Also Read:
‘Rings of Power’ Recasts Orc Villain Role Adar for Season 2 as Additional New Cast Members Revealed
Lynch broke out in Netflix’s second season of “Bridgerton” with the role of Theo Sharpe, a love interest of sorts to the stubborn Eloise (Claudia Jessie). Other television credits include Channel 4’s “Derry Girls” and BBC’s “Mrs. Wilson.
Eldon, Will Keen and Selina Lo.
The eight new members join previously announced Season 2 additions Gabriel Akuwudike, Yasen “Zates” Atour, Ben Daniels, Amelia Kenworthy, Nia Towle and Nicholas Woodeson.
Sam Hazeldine was also recently announced as a replacement for “Game of Thrones” alumnus Joseph Mawle as antagonist Adar.
As is custom for the series, character details for all are being kept under wraps.
Also Read:
‘Rings of Power’ Recasts Orc Villain Role Adar for Season 2 as Additional New Cast Members Revealed
Lynch broke out in Netflix’s second season of “Bridgerton” with the role of Theo Sharpe, a love interest of sorts to the stubborn Eloise (Claudia Jessie). Other television credits include Channel 4’s “Derry Girls” and BBC’s “Mrs. Wilson.
- 12/7/2022
- by Natalie Oganesyan
- The Wrap
Amazon’s future in streaming video has come into greater focus in 2022 with the acquisitions of Thursday Night Football and MGM and the debut of Lotr: The Rings Of Power. Now, the onetime bookseller is headed into 2023 without the original architect of its expansion into TV and film via Prime Video, Jeff Blackburn.
His retirement, announced on Friday, capped a month of a series of executive moves that laid out Amazon’s plans for the next stage of its evolution as an entertainment brand.
Blackburn, a 25-year Amazon veteran, most recently had served as SVP of Global Media & Entertainment, overseeing all entertainment businesses, including Prime Video and Amazon Studios, Music, Podcasts/Wondery, Audible, Games and Twitch, for the past 18 months. Blackburn, a well-liked executive within Amazon and in the Hollywood community, originally took what was supposed to be a one-year sabbatical in mid-2019. Some of his plans for travel...
His retirement, announced on Friday, capped a month of a series of executive moves that laid out Amazon’s plans for the next stage of its evolution as an entertainment brand.
Blackburn, a 25-year Amazon veteran, most recently had served as SVP of Global Media & Entertainment, overseeing all entertainment businesses, including Prime Video and Amazon Studios, Music, Podcasts/Wondery, Audible, Games and Twitch, for the past 18 months. Blackburn, a well-liked executive within Amazon and in the Hollywood community, originally took what was supposed to be a one-year sabbatical in mid-2019. Some of his plans for travel...
- 12/5/2022
- by Dade Hayes, Nellie Andreeva, Peter White and Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
San Francisco, Dec 3 (Ians) Jeff Blackburn, head of Amazon’s media and entertainment businesses, is retiring from the company for a second time, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy has announced.
Blackburn joined Amazon in 1998 after helping guide the company through its IPO at Deutsche Bank.
“He’s done a lot of building over two-plus decades, including helping build our 3P marketplace, Advertising, Amazon Studios/Prime Video, and Music businesses, as well as leading our A9/Search and CorpDev & BusDev orgs,” Jassy said in a message to Amazon employees.
Blackburn returned to Amazon in May of last year to lead its media and entertainment businesses.
With Blackburn’s departure, there will be some shifts in Amazon’s leadership.
Mike Hopkins, who leads Prime Video, Amazon Studios, and MGM, will continue to lead these teams and report to Jassy directly.
Steve Boom, who has been leading our Music and Podcasting teams, will also now oversee Audible,...
Blackburn joined Amazon in 1998 after helping guide the company through its IPO at Deutsche Bank.
“He’s done a lot of building over two-plus decades, including helping build our 3P marketplace, Advertising, Amazon Studios/Prime Video, and Music businesses, as well as leading our A9/Search and CorpDev & BusDev orgs,” Jassy said in a message to Amazon employees.
Blackburn returned to Amazon in May of last year to lead its media and entertainment businesses.
With Blackburn’s departure, there will be some shifts in Amazon’s leadership.
Mike Hopkins, who leads Prime Video, Amazon Studios, and MGM, will continue to lead these teams and report to Jassy directly.
Steve Boom, who has been leading our Music and Podcasting teams, will also now oversee Audible,...
- 12/3/2022
- by Glamsham Bureau
- GlamSham
After more than two decades at Amazon, top exec Jeff Blackburn has decided to retire from the ecommerce giant.
Blackburn, who joined Amazon in 1998 after advising on its IPO, left the company briefly in February 2021 to join Bessemer Venture Partners, but returned quickly that June as Amazon’s SVP of a new Global Media & Entertainment organization.
Amazon CEO Andy Jassy announced the news of Blackburn’s retirement via a memo to staff Friday, praising the accomplishments made by Prime Video and Amazon Studios SVP Mike Hopkins and his team under Blackburn’s watch.
“Over the past year and a half, he’s helped set us up for continued success in media and entertainment,” Jassy wrote. “Just to name a few successes, in its first season, ‘Rings of Power’ broke all previous Prime Video records for the most viewers, and has driven more Prime sign-ups worldwide during its launch window than...
Blackburn, who joined Amazon in 1998 after advising on its IPO, left the company briefly in February 2021 to join Bessemer Venture Partners, but returned quickly that June as Amazon’s SVP of a new Global Media & Entertainment organization.
Amazon CEO Andy Jassy announced the news of Blackburn’s retirement via a memo to staff Friday, praising the accomplishments made by Prime Video and Amazon Studios SVP Mike Hopkins and his team under Blackburn’s watch.
“Over the past year and a half, he’s helped set us up for continued success in media and entertainment,” Jassy wrote. “Just to name a few successes, in its first season, ‘Rings of Power’ broke all previous Prime Video records for the most viewers, and has driven more Prime sign-ups worldwide during its launch window than...
- 12/2/2022
- by Jennifer Maas
- Variety Film + TV
Jeff Blackburn, a 25-year Amazon veteran, who was the prime architect of the company’s expansion into streaming, will be retiring in January. Amazon CEO Andrew Jassy and Blackburn made the announcement in emails to staff this morning, copies of which were obtained by Deadline.
Blackburn most recently served as SVP of Global Media & Entertainment, overseeing all entertainment business, including Prime Video and Amazon Studios, Music, Podcasts/Wondery, Audible, Games and Twitch, for the past 18 months, since he returned from a sabbatical.
Following Blackburn’s retirement, Mike Hopkins, who will continue to lead Prime Video, Amazon Studios, and MGM, and Steve Boom, who will add oversight of Audible, Twitch and Games to his current duties leading the Music and Podcasting teams, will report directly to Jassy. Blackburn, to whom the two previously reported, will help with the transition, which will happen Jan. 1. Hopkins recently negotiated Amazon’s deals for MGM and Thursday Night Football.
Blackburn most recently served as SVP of Global Media & Entertainment, overseeing all entertainment business, including Prime Video and Amazon Studios, Music, Podcasts/Wondery, Audible, Games and Twitch, for the past 18 months, since he returned from a sabbatical.
Following Blackburn’s retirement, Mike Hopkins, who will continue to lead Prime Video, Amazon Studios, and MGM, and Steve Boom, who will add oversight of Audible, Twitch and Games to his current duties leading the Music and Podcasting teams, will report directly to Jassy. Blackburn, to whom the two previously reported, will help with the transition, which will happen Jan. 1. Hopkins recently negotiated Amazon’s deals for MGM and Thursday Night Football.
- 12/2/2022
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Click here to read the full article.
Jeff Blackburn is retiring.
The head of Amazon’s Global Entertainment Group will sign off from the company in January after more than two decades with the retail giant and streaming platform. The moves were announced Friday via internal memos from Amazon CEO Andy Jassy and Blackburn himself.
The news comes a year and a half after Blackburn returned from a yearlong sabbatical in a new role as head of the company’s global entertainment group that included combined oversight of music, audio entertainment, games and video for the company.
Blackburn’s decision to retire comes after a busy week at Amazon. The e-commerce giant this week fully integrated MGM into its exec ranks after its 8.5 billion purchase of the storied studio closed in May. Amazon Studios head Jennifer Salke was given oversight of MGM’s film and TV divisions, while senior vp...
Jeff Blackburn is retiring.
The head of Amazon’s Global Entertainment Group will sign off from the company in January after more than two decades with the retail giant and streaming platform. The moves were announced Friday via internal memos from Amazon CEO Andy Jassy and Blackburn himself.
The news comes a year and a half after Blackburn returned from a yearlong sabbatical in a new role as head of the company’s global entertainment group that included combined oversight of music, audio entertainment, games and video for the company.
Blackburn’s decision to retire comes after a busy week at Amazon. The e-commerce giant this week fully integrated MGM into its exec ranks after its 8.5 billion purchase of the storied studio closed in May. Amazon Studios head Jennifer Salke was given oversight of MGM’s film and TV divisions, while senior vp...
- 12/2/2022
- by Lesley Goldberg
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
On a picturesque evening in Culver City, California, as the sun began to set and temperatures settled on the perfect side of warm, the cast of “Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power,” stepped through golden framed archways and a small forest of wondrous ancient-looking trees of amber for the premiere of Amazon Prime Video’s big-budget gamble in the fantasy drama world.
But the big stars at the event were really Amazon’s top brass: executive chairman Jeff Bezos; president and CEO Andy Jassy; Jeff Blackburn, the senior vice president of media and entertainment; and SVP of Prime Video, MGM and Amazon Studios Mike Hopkins.
The presence of the the company’s biggest leaders joining Amazon Studios head Jennifer Salke, chief executive officer Albert Cheng and Vernon Sanders, the head of global TV for Amazon Studios, was a key indicator that Amazon is going “full guns blazing, all...
But the big stars at the event were really Amazon’s top brass: executive chairman Jeff Bezos; president and CEO Andy Jassy; Jeff Blackburn, the senior vice president of media and entertainment; and SVP of Prime Video, MGM and Amazon Studios Mike Hopkins.
The presence of the the company’s biggest leaders joining Amazon Studios head Jennifer Salke, chief executive officer Albert Cheng and Vernon Sanders, the head of global TV for Amazon Studios, was a key indicator that Amazon is going “full guns blazing, all...
- 8/30/2022
- by Jolie Lash
- The Wrap
Most of the giant cast of Amazon’s upcoming The Lord Of The Rings: The Rings Of Power series turned out tonight for the show’s Los Angeles premiere. They were joined on the red carpet by famous fans like Michael B. Jordan, Cynthia Erivo, Lena Waithe and Catherine Hardwicke.
Showrunners Patrick McKay and J.D. Payne also attended, along with members of Jrr Tolkien’s family and Amazon brass including Jennifer Salke, Jeff Blackburn, Andy Jassy and Jeff Bezos.
The premiere was held at the fabled Culver Studios.
Click on the photo above to see the gallery.
Launch Gallery: 'Lord Of The Rings: Rings Of Power' L.A. Premiere Photo Gallery...
Showrunners Patrick McKay and J.D. Payne also attended, along with members of Jrr Tolkien’s family and Amazon brass including Jennifer Salke, Jeff Blackburn, Andy Jassy and Jeff Bezos.
The premiere was held at the fabled Culver Studios.
Click on the photo above to see the gallery.
Launch Gallery: 'Lord Of The Rings: Rings Of Power' L.A. Premiere Photo Gallery...
- 8/16/2022
- by Tom Tapp
- Deadline Film + TV
Amazon and MGM said Thursday that their $8.5-billion deal has closed. The storied, nearly century-old studio — with more than 4,000 film titles, 17,000 TV episodes, 180 Academy Awards and 100 Emmy Awards — is now part of Amazon “and will complement Prime Video and Amazon Studios’ work in delivering a diverse offering of entertainment choices to customers,” Amazon said in its announcement.
Amazon Studios and streaming service Prime Video are led by Amazon’s Mike Hopkins. No news on management structure in terms of how the two studios will fit together; an Amazon spokesperson said the digital giant is planning to make offers and welcome all of MGM’s current employees.
It’s early days yet with the deal just closed this morning, but here’s what else could be gleaned about the new entity:
In terms of production, Amazon is excited by MGM’s slate and doesn’t anticipate changes in release dates or...
Amazon Studios and streaming service Prime Video are led by Amazon’s Mike Hopkins. No news on management structure in terms of how the two studios will fit together; an Amazon spokesperson said the digital giant is planning to make offers and welcome all of MGM’s current employees.
It’s early days yet with the deal just closed this morning, but here’s what else could be gleaned about the new entity:
In terms of production, Amazon is excited by MGM’s slate and doesn’t anticipate changes in release dates or...
- 3/17/2022
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
Amazon hired advertising creative veteran Remy Merriex, most recently at Facebook, as the newest member of the Prime Video marketing team.
Ukonwa Ojo, chief marketing officer of Prime Video and Amazon Studios, announced that Merriex will join Prime Video’s marketing team as global executive creative director. In the new role, he will oversee development of global creative campaigns across the Prime Video brand, content and originals marketing. Merriex will begin at Amazon on Aug. 9, reporting to Ojo, who was formerly CMO of Mac Cosmetics before she joined Amazon last year.
Merriex most recently served as global head of creative for Facebook’s Messenger group. Prior to that, he led creative on entertainment and brand marketing for Facebook Watch, Gaming, Live and Lasso (its now-defunct short-form video app).
“I believe deeply that the most powerful forms of media will soon be launched online first and that digital entertainment is about...
Ukonwa Ojo, chief marketing officer of Prime Video and Amazon Studios, announced that Merriex will join Prime Video’s marketing team as global executive creative director. In the new role, he will oversee development of global creative campaigns across the Prime Video brand, content and originals marketing. Merriex will begin at Amazon on Aug. 9, reporting to Ojo, who was formerly CMO of Mac Cosmetics before she joined Amazon last year.
Merriex most recently served as global head of creative for Facebook’s Messenger group. Prior to that, he led creative on entertainment and brand marketing for Facebook Watch, Gaming, Live and Lasso (its now-defunct short-form video app).
“I believe deeply that the most powerful forms of media will soon be launched online first and that digital entertainment is about...
- 8/3/2021
- by Todd Spangler
- Variety Film + TV
Hollywood has spent the past week trying to imagine how Amazon will integrate MGM after its $8.5 billion acquisition of the legendary studio is complete.
Did Amazon overpay? What is the fate of MGM film chief Michael De Luca? How much will MGM TV chief Mark Burnett pocket in the sale? (The answer: enough to bring his total haul from multiple sales of his production banner to nearly $1 billion.)
But the forward-looking question is how Amazon may change once MGM is brought into Jeff Bezos’ enormous tent of e-commerce, web-hosting services and media.
As the details of the MGM deal emerged, so too did speculation about Amazon’s long-term plans. Sources close to the situation say there have even been discussions about Amazon eventually spinning off the Prime Video and Amazon Studios units into a stand-alone entity; however, Amazon sources dispute this.
Jeff Blackburn’s return to Amazon earlier this month...
Did Amazon overpay? What is the fate of MGM film chief Michael De Luca? How much will MGM TV chief Mark Burnett pocket in the sale? (The answer: enough to bring his total haul from multiple sales of his production banner to nearly $1 billion.)
But the forward-looking question is how Amazon may change once MGM is brought into Jeff Bezos’ enormous tent of e-commerce, web-hosting services and media.
As the details of the MGM deal emerged, so too did speculation about Amazon’s long-term plans. Sources close to the situation say there have even been discussions about Amazon eventually spinning off the Prime Video and Amazon Studios units into a stand-alone entity; however, Amazon sources dispute this.
Jeff Blackburn’s return to Amazon earlier this month...
- 6/2/2021
- by Cynthia Littleton
- Variety Film + TV
Hello, and welcome to International Insider, I’m Jake Kanter. On the newsletter this week, your usual dose of the best international stories from Deadline. As always, I’m on jkanter@deadline.com if you want to send comments, feedback or stories. And to get this delivered directly to your inbox every Friday, sign up here.
Blow To Cannes UK Delegates
New rules: UK participation in the 2021 Cannes Film Festival is in major doubt after the French government imposed new quarantine regulations on travelers arriving from Brit shores. As of May 31, UK visitors will be required to have a “compelling reason” to enter France and will have to self-isolate for seven days upon arrival, a measure that will be largely prohibitive for festival delegates. The UK is the third biggest country in terms of Cannes attendance, so it would be a significant blow to the festival.
Why now? The French...
Blow To Cannes UK Delegates
New rules: UK participation in the 2021 Cannes Film Festival is in major doubt after the French government imposed new quarantine regulations on travelers arriving from Brit shores. As of May 31, UK visitors will be required to have a “compelling reason” to enter France and will have to self-isolate for seven days upon arrival, a measure that will be largely prohibitive for festival delegates. The UK is the third biggest country in terms of Cannes attendance, so it would be a significant blow to the festival.
Why now? The French...
- 5/28/2021
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
The $8.45 billion acquisition of MGM by Amazon assigns a rich valuation for the storied film and TV outfit, a multiple of about 37 times Ebitda.
Given the scale of the overall streaming machine the parent company has built, however, the price could end up looking reasonable. It will take time, of course — not just to process and close the second-largest acquisition in Amazon’s history but also to start to fully deploy MGM in the streaming realm. But the potential, most observers recognize, is vast.
Most initial reaction to the deal has centered on how MGM could help Amazon Studios deliver a jolt of energy to Prime Video. “We view the deal positively for Amazon, as it furthers their efforts to add new content to the Amazon Prime Video offering,” wrote Cowen & Co. analyst John Blackledge in a note to clients.
Amazon-mgm Deal: Deadline’s Complete Coverage
But consider the rest...
Given the scale of the overall streaming machine the parent company has built, however, the price could end up looking reasonable. It will take time, of course — not just to process and close the second-largest acquisition in Amazon’s history but also to start to fully deploy MGM in the streaming realm. But the potential, most observers recognize, is vast.
Most initial reaction to the deal has centered on how MGM could help Amazon Studios deliver a jolt of energy to Prime Video. “We view the deal positively for Amazon, as it furthers their efforts to add new content to the Amazon Prime Video offering,” wrote Cowen & Co. analyst John Blackledge in a note to clients.
Amazon-mgm Deal: Deadline’s Complete Coverage
But consider the rest...
- 5/26/2021
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
Michael De Luca may be the big winner from Wednesday’s blockbuster news that Amazon will purchase Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer for $8.45 billion.
Though insiders caution that no decisions have been made, there is speculation around Hollywood that De Luca will play a major role in helping the e-commerce giant monetize its new library of 4,000 MGM film titles. It’s an arsenal of intellectual property that includes “Robocop,” “The Silence of the Lambs,” “Rocky,” and, of course, James Bond. That list of heavy-hitting films and franchises is one that De Luca, who has held top jobs at New Line and Sony, may be best positioned to exploit.
As a producer, De Luca has shown a deft hand at juggling prestige fare such as “The Social Network” and “Captain Phillips” along with more broadly commercial offerings such as the “Fifty Shades of Grey” films — a sweet spot Amazon has been trying to reach in recent years.
Though insiders caution that no decisions have been made, there is speculation around Hollywood that De Luca will play a major role in helping the e-commerce giant monetize its new library of 4,000 MGM film titles. It’s an arsenal of intellectual property that includes “Robocop,” “The Silence of the Lambs,” “Rocky,” and, of course, James Bond. That list of heavy-hitting films and franchises is one that De Luca, who has held top jobs at New Line and Sony, may be best positioned to exploit.
As a producer, De Luca has shown a deft hand at juggling prestige fare such as “The Social Network” and “Captain Phillips” along with more broadly commercial offerings such as the “Fifty Shades of Grey” films — a sweet spot Amazon has been trying to reach in recent years.
- 5/26/2021
- by Brent Lang and Matt Donnelly
- Variety Film + TV
With the $8.75 billion Amazon-MGM deal wrapped, the question around Hollywood now is who will run it and whether MGM execs will cash big checks and head for the exits.
The acquisition announced Wednesday morning will give the tech giant a vast library to feed its Prime Video streaming service, which is a motor for Amazon Prime.
The e-commerce giant’s CEO Jeff Bezos, during his company’s annual meeting today, alluded to Amazon Studios management and MGM management working together “to re-imagine MGM’s IP for the 21st century.” But who and how is still to be announced, raising questions about the role among others of Amazon Studios chief Jennifer Salke; Mark Burnett, chairman of the MGM Worldwide Television Group; and MGM Motion Picture Group chairman Michael De Luca. There are rumors of every different scenario, including that Salke would oversee TV, De Luca film, with both reporting to Jeff Blackburn,...
The acquisition announced Wednesday morning will give the tech giant a vast library to feed its Prime Video streaming service, which is a motor for Amazon Prime.
The e-commerce giant’s CEO Jeff Bezos, during his company’s annual meeting today, alluded to Amazon Studios management and MGM management working together “to re-imagine MGM’s IP for the 21st century.” But who and how is still to be announced, raising questions about the role among others of Amazon Studios chief Jennifer Salke; Mark Burnett, chairman of the MGM Worldwide Television Group; and MGM Motion Picture Group chairman Michael De Luca. There are rumors of every different scenario, including that Salke would oversee TV, De Luca film, with both reporting to Jeff Blackburn,...
- 5/26/2021
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
Amazon founder, chairman and CEO Jeff Bezos said the ecommerce giant’s $8.45 billion bid for MGM was driven by a desire to obtain the storied studio’s intellectual property — and create new offshoots based on that.
“We’re looking forward to reimagining and developing the deep catalog of MGM,” said Bezos, speaking Wednesday at Amazon’s annual shareholders meeting.
He continued, “The acquisition’s thesis here is really very simple: MGM has a vast, deep catalog of much-loved intellectual property. With the talented people at MGM and Amazon Studios, we can reimagine and develop that IP for the 21s century… People who love stories are going to be the big beneficiaries.”
After weeks in negotiations, Amazon on Wednesday announced a definitive agreement to acquire MGM for $8.45 billion (including debt).
In his remarks, Bezos cited MGM films and franchises including “James Bond,” “Thelma and Louise,” “Raging Bull,” “Robocop” and “Tomb Raider,...
“We’re looking forward to reimagining and developing the deep catalog of MGM,” said Bezos, speaking Wednesday at Amazon’s annual shareholders meeting.
He continued, “The acquisition’s thesis here is really very simple: MGM has a vast, deep catalog of much-loved intellectual property. With the talented people at MGM and Amazon Studios, we can reimagine and develop that IP for the 21s century… People who love stories are going to be the big beneficiaries.”
After weeks in negotiations, Amazon on Wednesday announced a definitive agreement to acquire MGM for $8.45 billion (including debt).
In his remarks, Bezos cited MGM films and franchises including “James Bond,” “Thelma and Louise,” “Raging Bull,” “Robocop” and “Tomb Raider,...
- 5/26/2021
- by Todd Spangler
- Variety Film + TV
Amazon stock (Amzn on the Nasdaq) inched up a few bucks per share following news of its blockbuster plans to acquire the legacy Hollywood studio MGM for $8.45 billion. The stock movement was all pre-market, as Amazon closed Tuesday at $3,259.05 per share and opened Wednesday at $3,274.59.
That’s a $15 per share jump, but immaterial to the expensive stock on a percentage basis. Since an initial surge just after the announcement, shares have come back down about halfway.
Less than one hour before the stock markets officially opened on Wednesday, Amazon announced plans to buy MGM for $8.45 billion — significantly more than the $5 billion asking price that owners Anchorage Capital had been seeking late last year.
The 97-year-old studio has a rich library of 4,000 film titles and 17,000 hours of TV programming — which Amazon plans to use to beef up its Prime streaming service as rivals like Netflix, Disney and the soon-to-merge WarnerMedia-...
That’s a $15 per share jump, but immaterial to the expensive stock on a percentage basis. Since an initial surge just after the announcement, shares have come back down about halfway.
Less than one hour before the stock markets officially opened on Wednesday, Amazon announced plans to buy MGM for $8.45 billion — significantly more than the $5 billion asking price that owners Anchorage Capital had been seeking late last year.
The 97-year-old studio has a rich library of 4,000 film titles and 17,000 hours of TV programming — which Amazon plans to use to beef up its Prime streaming service as rivals like Netflix, Disney and the soon-to-merge WarnerMedia-...
- 5/26/2021
- by Tony Maglio
- The Wrap
MGM has a catalogue of more than 4,000 films including the James Bond franchise.
Amazon and MGM have announced that they have entered into a definitive merger agreement under which the tech giant will acquire one of Hollywood’s most famous studios for a purchase price of $8.45bn.
The deal means Amazon’s Prime streaming service will gain access to a back catalogue of more than 4,000 films, including the James Bond franchise, and 17,000 TV shows such as The Handmaid’s Tale and Fargo.
The agreement complements the work of Amazon Studios, which has primarily focused on producing TV series such as The Boys,...
Amazon and MGM have announced that they have entered into a definitive merger agreement under which the tech giant will acquire one of Hollywood’s most famous studios for a purchase price of $8.45bn.
The deal means Amazon’s Prime streaming service will gain access to a back catalogue of more than 4,000 films, including the James Bond franchise, and 17,000 TV shows such as The Handmaid’s Tale and Fargo.
The agreement complements the work of Amazon Studios, which has primarily focused on producing TV series such as The Boys,...
- 5/26/2021
- by Michael Rosser
- ScreenDaily
Amazon will acquire MGM for $8.45 billion, the companies announced Wednesday.
The deal represents tech giant Amazon’s biggest entry into the entertainment content business, as well as its second-largest acquisition behind its $13.7 billion deal to buy Whole Foods in 2017. The acquisition is subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.
The storied Hollywood studio boasts a library that includes 4,000 film titles and 17,000 hours of TV programming, catnip to a tech giant looking to feed its hungry streaming service with content as rivals like Netflix, Disney and the upcoming WarnerMedia/Discovery bulk up their offerings in the space.
“The real financial value behind this deal is the treasure trove of IP in the deep catalog that we plan to reimagine and develop together with MGM’s talented team. It’s very exciting and provides so many opportunities for high-quality storytelling,” Mike Hopkins, senior vice president of Prime Video and Amazon Studios,...
The deal represents tech giant Amazon’s biggest entry into the entertainment content business, as well as its second-largest acquisition behind its $13.7 billion deal to buy Whole Foods in 2017. The acquisition is subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.
The storied Hollywood studio boasts a library that includes 4,000 film titles and 17,000 hours of TV programming, catnip to a tech giant looking to feed its hungry streaming service with content as rivals like Netflix, Disney and the upcoming WarnerMedia/Discovery bulk up their offerings in the space.
“The real financial value behind this deal is the treasure trove of IP in the deep catalog that we plan to reimagine and develop together with MGM’s talented team. It’s very exciting and provides so many opportunities for high-quality storytelling,” Mike Hopkins, senior vice president of Prime Video and Amazon Studios,...
- 5/26/2021
- by Diane Haithman and Tony Maglio
- The Wrap
Acquisition would mark Amazon’s biggest acquisition yet of entertainment assets.
Amazon is reportedly in talks to acquire MGM in a deal that could fall in the $7bn-$10bn range.
Amazon’s courtship – first reported in The Information and followed up in a Variety report claiming the parties have been in talks for weeks – would mark the biggest acquisition yet of entertainment assets for the company founded by Jeff Bezos as it seeks to build up its film and TV offering to Prime subscribers.
The report comes on a significant day for big media after news of the WarnerMedia-Discovery merger,...
Amazon is reportedly in talks to acquire MGM in a deal that could fall in the $7bn-$10bn range.
Amazon’s courtship – first reported in The Information and followed up in a Variety report claiming the parties have been in talks for weeks – would mark the biggest acquisition yet of entertainment assets for the company founded by Jeff Bezos as it seeks to build up its film and TV offering to Prime subscribers.
The report comes on a significant day for big media after news of the WarnerMedia-Discovery merger,...
- 5/18/2021
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Amazon is weeks into negotiations on a deal to acquire MGM for about $9 billion, industry sources tell Variety.
Chatter that Amazon (and other tech and media giants) have been sniffing around MGM has circulated for some time. But sources indicated that Amazon’s interest in acquiring the studio has taken on a new tenor beyond the usual rumor mill. The deal is said to be being orchestrated by Mike Hopkins, senior VP of Amazon Studios and Prime Video, directly with MGM board chairman Kevin Ulrich, whose Anchorage Capital is a major MGM shareholder.
Reps for Amazon and MGM declined to comment.
MGM had already effectively nailed up a “for sale” sign: Variety confirmed in December that the company was looking for a buyer.
News of Amazon’s talks with MGM began to swirl this weekend. The Information reported Monday that Amazon was in talks about a potential deal for MGM,...
Chatter that Amazon (and other tech and media giants) have been sniffing around MGM has circulated for some time. But sources indicated that Amazon’s interest in acquiring the studio has taken on a new tenor beyond the usual rumor mill. The deal is said to be being orchestrated by Mike Hopkins, senior VP of Amazon Studios and Prime Video, directly with MGM board chairman Kevin Ulrich, whose Anchorage Capital is a major MGM shareholder.
Reps for Amazon and MGM declined to comment.
MGM had already effectively nailed up a “for sale” sign: Variety confirmed in December that the company was looking for a buyer.
News of Amazon’s talks with MGM began to swirl this weekend. The Information reported Monday that Amazon was in talks about a potential deal for MGM,...
- 5/17/2021
- by Todd Spangler, Joe Otterson and Cynthia Littleton
- Variety Film + TV
Jeff Blackburn, a former high-level Amazon exec who just recently left after more than two decades, is boomeranging right back — in a newly created role giving him oversight over the company’s consolidated media group.
The new appointment was announced internally Thursday by Andy Jassy, currently CEO of Amazon Web Services (Aws), who is set to succeed Jeff Bezos as Amazon CEO in the third quarter.
Blackburn “has decided to return to Amazon as SVP of a new Global Media & Entertainment organization,” Jassy wrote in a memo to senior managers. Blackburn’s oversight will include Prime Video and Amazon Studios, Amazon Music, Wondery and podcasts, Audible, games and Twitch.
Blackburn, who had departed in February to join Bessemer Venture Partners, will rejoin Amazon on June 7. He will report to Bezos until the CEO transition in Q3, and then he’ll report to Jassy.
The roles of Mike Hopkins, senior VP...
The new appointment was announced internally Thursday by Andy Jassy, currently CEO of Amazon Web Services (Aws), who is set to succeed Jeff Bezos as Amazon CEO in the third quarter.
Blackburn “has decided to return to Amazon as SVP of a new Global Media & Entertainment organization,” Jassy wrote in a memo to senior managers. Blackburn’s oversight will include Prime Video and Amazon Studios, Amazon Music, Wondery and podcasts, Audible, games and Twitch.
Blackburn, who had departed in February to join Bessemer Venture Partners, will rejoin Amazon on June 7. He will report to Bezos until the CEO transition in Q3, and then he’ll report to Jassy.
The roles of Mike Hopkins, senior VP...
- 5/13/2021
- by Todd Spangler
- Variety Film + TV
A long-time top Jeff Bezos lieutenant, Jeff Blackburn, is returning to Amazon in a new position, SVP of a new Global Media & Entertainment. He will oversee all entertainment business including Prime Video and Amazon Studios, Music, Podcasts/Wondery, Audible, Games, and Twitch.
Blackburn, who starts June 7, will report to Bezos until the transition in Q3, and then he’ll report to incoming CEO Andrew Jassy. Mike Hopkins, Steve Boom, Don Katz, Mike Frazzini, and Emmett Shear will now report into Blackburn.
Amazon veteran Blackburn originally joined Amazon in 1998 after helping guide the company through its IPO at Deutsche Bank. He did a lot of building over two-plus decades, including our 3P marketplace, Advertising, Amazon Studios/Prime Video, Music, A9/Search, and our Corp Dev org (M&a and BizDev teams).
“Jblack’s interest in returning to Amazon presented us with a good opportunity to combine our entertainment businesses in a...
Blackburn, who starts June 7, will report to Bezos until the transition in Q3, and then he’ll report to incoming CEO Andrew Jassy. Mike Hopkins, Steve Boom, Don Katz, Mike Frazzini, and Emmett Shear will now report into Blackburn.
Amazon veteran Blackburn originally joined Amazon in 1998 after helping guide the company through its IPO at Deutsche Bank. He did a lot of building over two-plus decades, including our 3P marketplace, Advertising, Amazon Studios/Prime Video, Music, A9/Search, and our Corp Dev org (M&a and BizDev teams).
“Jblack’s interest in returning to Amazon presented us with a good opportunity to combine our entertainment businesses in a...
- 5/13/2021
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Jeff Blackburn is returning to Amazon in a new role following his yearlong sabbatical.
The two-decade Amazon veteran will now lead a new global entertainment group that will combine oversight of music, audio entertainment, games and video for the company. The news was announced Thursday via an internal memo from Andrew Jassy and Mike Hopkins.
The new structure will see Blackburn lead a combined entertainment organization that covers Amazon Studios, Prime Video, Twitch, the company’s Games Studio, podcasts and more. He will report to Jeff Bezos until the CEO steps down form the role in the third quarter, at which point he ...
The two-decade Amazon veteran will now lead a new global entertainment group that will combine oversight of music, audio entertainment, games and video for the company. The news was announced Thursday via an internal memo from Andrew Jassy and Mike Hopkins.
The new structure will see Blackburn lead a combined entertainment organization that covers Amazon Studios, Prime Video, Twitch, the company’s Games Studio, podcasts and more. He will report to Jeff Bezos until the CEO steps down form the role in the third quarter, at which point he ...
- 5/13/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Jeff Blackburn is returning to Amazon in a new role following his yearlong sabbatical.
The two-decade Amazon veteran will now lead a new global entertainment group that will combine oversight of music, audio entertainment, games and video for the company. The news was announced Thursday via an internal memo from Andrew Jassy and Mike Hopkins.
The new structure will see Blackburn lead a combined entertainment organization that covers Amazon Studios, Prime Video, Twitch, the company’s Games Studio, podcasts and more. He will report to Jeff Bezos until the CEO steps down from the role in the third quarter, at which point he ...
The two-decade Amazon veteran will now lead a new global entertainment group that will combine oversight of music, audio entertainment, games and video for the company. The news was announced Thursday via an internal memo from Andrew Jassy and Mike Hopkins.
The new structure will see Blackburn lead a combined entertainment organization that covers Amazon Studios, Prime Video, Twitch, the company’s Games Studio, podcasts and more. He will report to Jeff Bezos until the CEO steps down from the role in the third quarter, at which point he ...
- 5/13/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Kid Candidate Review — Kid Candidate (2021) Film Review from the 28th Annual South By Southwest Film Festival, a movie directed by Jasmine Stodel, and featuring Hayden Pedigo, L’Hannah Pedigo, Jeff Blackburn, Ginger Nelson, David Lovejoy, Tim Heidecker, Agol Aloak, and Claudia Stravato. If there’s anything that coming of age on the [...]
Continue reading: Film Review: Kid Candidate: Irony Breeds Authenticity in a Tale of Modern Political Campaigning [SXSW 2021]...
Continue reading: Film Review: Kid Candidate: Irony Breeds Authenticity in a Tale of Modern Political Campaigning [SXSW 2021]...
- 3/17/2021
- by Jacob Mouradian
- Film-Book
Jeff Blackburn, whose 22-year run at Amazon culminated in a role overseeing the company’s streaming efforts, has wrapped up his one-year sabbatical and announced his exit from the company.
The news, which came via a memo posted the company’s intranet whose contents were first reported by GeekWire, was not unexpected. The executive, who has been a close advisor of Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos, announced his plan for a one-year sabbatical in the summer of 2019. The leave began in early 2020.
As SVP Business and Corporate Development, Blackburn steered Prime Video, Amazon Studios (which is now run by Jennifer Salke), and the company’s music, advertising and third-party businesses. In early 2020, former Hulu, Sony and Fox exec Mike Hopkins moved to Amazon in a senior role handling much of what was on Blackburn’s plate and reporting directly to Bezos.
In his memo to colleagues, Blackburn wrote, “I...
The news, which came via a memo posted the company’s intranet whose contents were first reported by GeekWire, was not unexpected. The executive, who has been a close advisor of Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos, announced his plan for a one-year sabbatical in the summer of 2019. The leave began in early 2020.
As SVP Business and Corporate Development, Blackburn steered Prime Video, Amazon Studios (which is now run by Jennifer Salke), and the company’s music, advertising and third-party businesses. In early 2020, former Hulu, Sony and Fox exec Mike Hopkins moved to Amazon in a senior role handling much of what was on Blackburn’s plate and reporting directly to Bezos.
In his memo to colleagues, Blackburn wrote, “I...
- 2/23/2021
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
The new film “Nomadland” has been universally praised for its sensitive, authentic portrayal of Americans living in the gig economy, traveling from place to place while working seasonal jobs in factories, farms and even at Amazon fulfillment centers.
And Amazon has a small supporting role, playing itself, in the movie. Cinematographer Joshua James credits the film’s star, Frances McDormand, with landing the online retail giant’s permission to allow his cameras inside. In the film, the Oscar-winning actress stars as Fern, a widow affected by the great economic collapse of 2008, who travels through the American West in her Ford Econoline van. And, yes, she takes on a temporary job packaging products on the Amazon assembly line.
“Fran wrote a nice letter to Amazon to ask them if we could do it, and they said yes,” Richards told TheWrap. “It’s great that we show Fern working in an actual Amazon packaging place.
And Amazon has a small supporting role, playing itself, in the movie. Cinematographer Joshua James credits the film’s star, Frances McDormand, with landing the online retail giant’s permission to allow his cameras inside. In the film, the Oscar-winning actress stars as Fern, a widow affected by the great economic collapse of 2008, who travels through the American West in her Ford Econoline van. And, yes, she takes on a temporary job packaging products on the Amazon assembly line.
“Fran wrote a nice letter to Amazon to ask them if we could do it, and they said yes,” Richards told TheWrap. “It’s great that we show Fern working in an actual Amazon packaging place.
- 2/2/2021
- by Joe McGovern
- The Wrap
In a sign that Amazon is enmeshing itself even further into the entertainment industry, Jeff Bezos is adding one of Hollywood’s own to his inner circle.
Mike Hopkins, Sony Pictures Television’s chairman of the past two and a half years, is decamping from the studio to become senior vice president of Prime Video and Amazon Studios on Feb. 24, reporting directly to Bezos, the chairman and CEO of the tech behemoth. Hopkins will effectively be the highest-ranked industry player at the company.
In hiring Hopkins, Amazon is telegraphing “that we are serious about this, we are investing in it — and we want the best players to come work with us,” says Peter Csathy, founder of consulting and investment firm Creatv Media. Hopkins is “a brand name in the streaming business, and that alone brings credibility.”
With a long career that includes four years as CEO of Hulu along with...
Mike Hopkins, Sony Pictures Television’s chairman of the past two and a half years, is decamping from the studio to become senior vice president of Prime Video and Amazon Studios on Feb. 24, reporting directly to Bezos, the chairman and CEO of the tech behemoth. Hopkins will effectively be the highest-ranked industry player at the company.
In hiring Hopkins, Amazon is telegraphing “that we are serious about this, we are investing in it — and we want the best players to come work with us,” says Peter Csathy, founder of consulting and investment firm Creatv Media. Hopkins is “a brand name in the streaming business, and that alone brings credibility.”
With a long career that includes four years as CEO of Hulu along with...
- 2/12/2020
- by Elaine Low and Todd Spangler
- Variety Film + TV
Amazon Studios and Prime Video has a new leader in Mike Hopkins, who is exiting Sony Pictures Television to oversee Amazon’s video entertainment business.
Hopkins, who helped make Hulu a powerhouse in the streaming industry long before its purchase by Disney, will take over the duties of Jeff Blackburn, a longtime Amazon executive who was instrumental in building the company’s entertainment ventures. Blackburn went on sabbatical earlier this year and though he was expected to return in 2021, it is unclear how Hopkins’ hiring would impact Blackburn’s duties. Hopkins will begin working at Amazon on February 24.
“Mike comes to us with over 20 years of industry experience at Fox, Hulu and Sony,” Blackburn said in an internal memo obtained by Variety. “He has an extensive track record as a global business leader in media, film and TV — negotiating landmark content and distribution agreements, running marketing operations, leading product/tech teams,...
Hopkins, who helped make Hulu a powerhouse in the streaming industry long before its purchase by Disney, will take over the duties of Jeff Blackburn, a longtime Amazon executive who was instrumental in building the company’s entertainment ventures. Blackburn went on sabbatical earlier this year and though he was expected to return in 2021, it is unclear how Hopkins’ hiring would impact Blackburn’s duties. Hopkins will begin working at Amazon on February 24.
“Mike comes to us with over 20 years of industry experience at Fox, Hulu and Sony,” Blackburn said in an internal memo obtained by Variety. “He has an extensive track record as a global business leader in media, film and TV — negotiating landmark content and distribution agreements, running marketing operations, leading product/tech teams,...
- 2/10/2020
- by Tyler Hersko
- Indiewire
Amazon Studios head Jennifer Slake will report to Hopkins.
Former Hulu chief and current Sony Pictures Television (Spt) chairman Mike Hopkins is joining Amazon to oversee the tech giant’s video entertainment businesses, including Amazon Studios.
Amazon Studios head Jennifer Slake will now report to Hopkins, as will Greg Hart, vice-president worldwide of Amazon Prime video. Hopkins, who headed pioneering streaming service Hulu for four years before doing his two-and-a-half year stint at Spt, will report direct to Amazon chairman and CEO Jeff Bezos.
Hopkins is taking over the Amazon duties of senior vice-president of business development Jeff Blackburn, to...
Former Hulu chief and current Sony Pictures Television (Spt) chairman Mike Hopkins is joining Amazon to oversee the tech giant’s video entertainment businesses, including Amazon Studios.
Amazon Studios head Jennifer Slake will now report to Hopkins, as will Greg Hart, vice-president worldwide of Amazon Prime video. Hopkins, who headed pioneering streaming service Hulu for four years before doing his two-and-a-half year stint at Spt, will report direct to Amazon chairman and CEO Jeff Bezos.
Hopkins is taking over the Amazon duties of senior vice-president of business development Jeff Blackburn, to...
- 2/10/2020
- by 31¦John Hazelton¦0¦
- ScreenDaily
Sony Pictures Television chairman Mike Hopkins will exit the studio and lead Amazon’s video entertainment business, including Amazon Studios.
Amazon Studios head Jen Salke will now report to Hopkins, who will report directly to Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos. Hopkins had been with Sony since 2017, following four years as the CEO of Hulu. He will begin his new role later this month.
The move to Amazon puts Hopkins back in the streaming game after a little more than two years on the studio side.
Also Read: Sony Pictures Profit Drops to $51 Million in Third Quarter
Hopkins takes over for Jeff Blackburn, who is in the middle of a year-long sabbatical from the company this year, with plans to return in 2021. He could return in another capacity, an individual with knowledge tells TheWrap. Blackburn, a senior vice president and one of Bezos’s closest advisers, was in charge of Amazon’s entertainment,...
Amazon Studios head Jen Salke will now report to Hopkins, who will report directly to Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos. Hopkins had been with Sony since 2017, following four years as the CEO of Hulu. He will begin his new role later this month.
The move to Amazon puts Hopkins back in the streaming game after a little more than two years on the studio side.
Also Read: Sony Pictures Profit Drops to $51 Million in Third Quarter
Hopkins takes over for Jeff Blackburn, who is in the middle of a year-long sabbatical from the company this year, with plans to return in 2021. He could return in another capacity, an individual with knowledge tells TheWrap. Blackburn, a senior vice president and one of Bezos’s closest advisers, was in charge of Amazon’s entertainment,...
- 2/10/2020
- by Tim Baysinger
- The Wrap
Former Hulu CEO Mike Hopkins is returning to the streaming world with a high-level job at Amazon. Hopkins will be stepping down from his current post as Chairman of Sony Pictures Television later this month to join Amazon where he will be overseeing Amazon’s video entertainment businesses – including Prime Video and Amazon Studios — reporting directly to Amazon Chairman and CEO Jeff Bezos.
Tony Vinciquerra, Chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures Entertainment, just made the announcement at the company’s quarterly senior leadership meeting.
Hopkins is not expected to be replaced — at least for the time being, — with Jeff Frost, President of U.S. Production, and Keith LeGoy, President of Worldwide Distribution, taking on additional responsibilities. They will now report directly to Vinciquerra, as will Sony TV’s International Production business, Silvergate, Gsn, the India networks business, and Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy! Vinciquerra laid out the senior leadership realignment in an internal memo.
Tony Vinciquerra, Chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures Entertainment, just made the announcement at the company’s quarterly senior leadership meeting.
Hopkins is not expected to be replaced — at least for the time being, — with Jeff Frost, President of U.S. Production, and Keith LeGoy, President of Worldwide Distribution, taking on additional responsibilities. They will now report directly to Vinciquerra, as will Sony TV’s International Production business, Silvergate, Gsn, the India networks business, and Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy! Vinciquerra laid out the senior leadership realignment in an internal memo.
- 2/10/2020
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Sony Pictures Television Chairman Mike Hopkins is departing his post at the industry’s largest independent TV studio later this month to oversee Amazon’s video entertainment operations, including Amazon Studios and Prime Video.
Current Amazon Studios head Jen Salke will report to Hopkins, who will report directly to Amazon chairman and CEO Jeff Bezos. Amazon’s senior vice president of business development and digital entertainment Jeff Blackburn, whom Salke currently reports to and who oversees the e-commerce giant’s streaming platform, is on sabbatical.
Salke, who joined Amazon in 2018, is expected to continue to engage with the creative community.
Hopkins boarded Sony’s TV studio in late 2017 after spending four years as CEO of Hulu. He is credited with fortifying and streamlining Sony Pictures TV’s operations, which in recent years has merged its media networks, television distribution and home entertainment businesses.
Sony Pictures Entertainment chairman Tony Vinciquerra announced...
Current Amazon Studios head Jen Salke will report to Hopkins, who will report directly to Amazon chairman and CEO Jeff Bezos. Amazon’s senior vice president of business development and digital entertainment Jeff Blackburn, whom Salke currently reports to and who oversees the e-commerce giant’s streaming platform, is on sabbatical.
Salke, who joined Amazon in 2018, is expected to continue to engage with the creative community.
Hopkins boarded Sony’s TV studio in late 2017 after spending four years as CEO of Hulu. He is credited with fortifying and streamlining Sony Pictures TV’s operations, which in recent years has merged its media networks, television distribution and home entertainment businesses.
Sony Pictures Entertainment chairman Tony Vinciquerra announced...
- 2/10/2020
- by Elaine Low
- Variety Film + TV
Jeff Blackburn, who as Amazon’s Svp Business and Corporate Development is the key executive overseeing the company’s streaming service and is seen as one of Jeff Bezos’ core advisers, is taking a one-year sabbatical beginning next year.
An Amazon spokesperson said the 21-year Amazon veteran, frequently on watchers’ shortlists as a potential successor to Bezos if the founder ever decide to leave, would begin his leave early next year, and that “we look forward to welcoming him back in 2021.”
Blackburn oversees Amazon’s business units including Prime Video, Amazon Studios now run by Jennifer Salke, Amazon Music, Amazon Advertising and the company’s third-party business.
We hear Salke, brought aboard to run the studio in February 2018 to re-orient Amazon’s original content business, sent out an email Wednesday reassuring staffers that it’s business as usual at Amazon Studios despite Blackburn’s departure. The company over the weekend...
An Amazon spokesperson said the 21-year Amazon veteran, frequently on watchers’ shortlists as a potential successor to Bezos if the founder ever decide to leave, would begin his leave early next year, and that “we look forward to welcoming him back in 2021.”
Blackburn oversees Amazon’s business units including Prime Video, Amazon Studios now run by Jennifer Salke, Amazon Music, Amazon Advertising and the company’s third-party business.
We hear Salke, brought aboard to run the studio in February 2018 to re-orient Amazon’s original content business, sent out an email Wednesday reassuring staffers that it’s business as usual at Amazon Studios despite Blackburn’s departure. The company over the weekend...
- 7/31/2019
- by Patrick Hipes and Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
Jeff Blackburn, a senior executive at Amazon, is taking a year-long leave of absence from the company. He will leave in early 2020 and be back by 2021.
“Jeff Blackburn has decided to take a one-year sabbatical with his wife and extended family following more than 21 years at Amazon, leading everything from our third-party business, to Prime Video, Amazon Studios, Amazon Music, and Amazon Advertising. Jeff’s sabbatical will begin in early 2020, and we look forward to welcoming him back in 2021,” Amazon’s spokesperson said.
Blackburn, a senior vice president and one of Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos’s closest advisers, is in charge of Amazon’s entertainment, business development and advertising businesses. He joined Amazon in 1998 just a few years after the company was founded, and worked on product development and operations.
Also Read: 11 WWE Superstars With Their Own TV Shows (Photos)
“It’s never easy to find a good time for...
“Jeff Blackburn has decided to take a one-year sabbatical with his wife and extended family following more than 21 years at Amazon, leading everything from our third-party business, to Prime Video, Amazon Studios, Amazon Music, and Amazon Advertising. Jeff’s sabbatical will begin in early 2020, and we look forward to welcoming him back in 2021,” Amazon’s spokesperson said.
Blackburn, a senior vice president and one of Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos’s closest advisers, is in charge of Amazon’s entertainment, business development and advertising businesses. He joined Amazon in 1998 just a few years after the company was founded, and worked on product development and operations.
Also Read: 11 WWE Superstars With Their Own TV Shows (Photos)
“It’s never easy to find a good time for...
- 7/31/2019
- by Tim Baysinger
- The Wrap
Jeff Blackburn, head of Amazon’s entertainment, business development and advertising businesses and a top advisor to Jeff Bezos, is taking a year off from work.
"Jeff Blackburn has decided to take a one-year sabbatical with his wife and extended family following more than 21 years at Amazon, leading everything from our third-party business to Prime Video, Amazon Studios, Amazon Music and Amazon Advertising," an Amazon spokesman on Wednesday told The Hollywood Reporter in a statement.
The one-year break will begin in early 2020, with Blackburn set to return in 2021.
In an internal email obtained by THR, the ...
"Jeff Blackburn has decided to take a one-year sabbatical with his wife and extended family following more than 21 years at Amazon, leading everything from our third-party business to Prime Video, Amazon Studios, Amazon Music and Amazon Advertising," an Amazon spokesman on Wednesday told The Hollywood Reporter in a statement.
The one-year break will begin in early 2020, with Blackburn set to return in 2021.
In an internal email obtained by THR, the ...
- 7/31/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Jeff Blackburn, head of Amazon’s entertainment, business development and advertising businesses and a top advisor to Jeff Bezos, is taking a year off from work.
"Jeff Blackburn has decided to take a one-year sabbatical with his wife and extended family following more than 21 years at Amazon, leading everything from our third-party business to Prime Video, Amazon Studios, Amazon Music and Amazon Advertising," an Amazon spokesman on Wednesday told The Hollywood Reporter in a statement.
The one-year break will begin in early 2020, with Blackburn set to return in 2021.
In an internal email obtained by THR, the ...
"Jeff Blackburn has decided to take a one-year sabbatical with his wife and extended family following more than 21 years at Amazon, leading everything from our third-party business to Prime Video, Amazon Studios, Amazon Music and Amazon Advertising," an Amazon spokesman on Wednesday told The Hollywood Reporter in a statement.
The one-year break will begin in early 2020, with Blackburn set to return in 2021.
In an internal email obtained by THR, the ...
- 7/31/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
It's better to burn out
Than to fade away
– My My Hey Hey (Out of the Blue), By Neil Young and Jeff Blackburn
Neil lied. His 1977 song was written after the drug-fueled deaths of bandmate Danny Whitten and rock's founding superstar, Elvis Presley. But Young himself never burned out. At 73, he's still making movies and music and noise. Not everyone burns out, though these days, it sometimes seems that way.
Burnout Is Now A Thing
His song came to mind this week, in part because the World Health Organization officially declared that job-related burnout is A Thing, a substantial work-related medical condition that merits serious attention. The Who declared it to be "a syndrome conceptualized as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed.” With all due respect to the Who, no duh.
This week also brought news that Game of Thrones star Kip Harrington checked into...
Than to fade away
– My My Hey Hey (Out of the Blue), By Neil Young and Jeff Blackburn
Neil lied. His 1977 song was written after the drug-fueled deaths of bandmate Danny Whitten and rock's founding superstar, Elvis Presley. But Young himself never burned out. At 73, he's still making movies and music and noise. Not everyone burns out, though these days, it sometimes seems that way.
Burnout Is Now A Thing
His song came to mind this week, in part because the World Health Organization officially declared that job-related burnout is A Thing, a substantial work-related medical condition that merits serious attention. The Who declared it to be "a syndrome conceptualized as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed.” With all due respect to the Who, no duh.
This week also brought news that Game of Thrones star Kip Harrington checked into...
- 5/31/2019
- by David Bloom
- Tubefilter.com
Amazon Studios head Jennifer Salke, who oversees film and TV series for the streaming service, isn’t shoveling dirt on broadcast TV.
“I don’t think that it’s on its deathbed,” said Salke, speaking today at the Gould School of Law’s Institute on Entertainment Law and Business, a media summit at USC. “I think it is evolving quickly. But I still believe, knowing the amount of people we were reaching at NBC, that there’s a huge audience that still comes.”
Driving that traffic is the quality of some broadcast offerings, Salke said. “It’s incredibly difficult, but there are really smart writers and producers working under contract with all these networks, and they shouldn’t be underestimated.”
Salke keynoted the event in a luncheon conversation with Bruce M. Ramer of the law firm Gang, Tyre, Ramer, Brown & Passman. During the conversation, she talked about her career...
“I don’t think that it’s on its deathbed,” said Salke, speaking today at the Gould School of Law’s Institute on Entertainment Law and Business, a media summit at USC. “I think it is evolving quickly. But I still believe, knowing the amount of people we were reaching at NBC, that there’s a huge audience that still comes.”
Driving that traffic is the quality of some broadcast offerings, Salke said. “It’s incredibly difficult, but there are really smart writers and producers working under contract with all these networks, and they shouldn’t be underestimated.”
Salke keynoted the event in a luncheon conversation with Bruce M. Ramer of the law firm Gang, Tyre, Ramer, Brown & Passman. During the conversation, she talked about her career...
- 10/21/2018
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
Despite her recent career choices, Jennifer Salke is still a believer in broadcast.
“I don’t think that it’s on its deathbed,” Salke, head of Amazon Studios, said at a USC summit. “I think it is evolving quickly. But I still believe, knowing the amount of people we were reaching at NBC, that there’s a huge audience that still comes” to broadcast.
Salke noted the competition that broadcast now faces from streaming services and the bevy of other entertainment options targeting the traditional broadcast viewer. “It’s incredibly difficult, but there are really smart writers and producers working under contract with all these networks, and they shouldn’t be underestimated,” she said.
The Amazon exec was the keynote Saturday at the Gould School of Law’s annual Institute on Entertainment Law and Business, where she was interviewed by Bruce M. Ramer of Gang, Tyre, Ramer, Brown & Passman. Ramer...
“I don’t think that it’s on its deathbed,” Salke, head of Amazon Studios, said at a USC summit. “I think it is evolving quickly. But I still believe, knowing the amount of people we were reaching at NBC, that there’s a huge audience that still comes” to broadcast.
Salke noted the competition that broadcast now faces from streaming services and the bevy of other entertainment options targeting the traditional broadcast viewer. “It’s incredibly difficult, but there are really smart writers and producers working under contract with all these networks, and they shouldn’t be underestimated,” she said.
The Amazon exec was the keynote Saturday at the Gould School of Law’s annual Institute on Entertainment Law and Business, where she was interviewed by Bruce M. Ramer of Gang, Tyre, Ramer, Brown & Passman. Ramer...
- 10/20/2018
- by Daniel Holloway
- Variety Film + TV
On Jennifer Salke’s first official day as head of Amazon Studios, she spent time wandering the company’s Santa Monica offices, introducing herself. She could see that people were surprised by the move.
“They were like ‘What are you doing? We’ve never seen that before,’ ” Salke said. “So I think very quickly I was able to establish that this is a very different kind of leadership style and communication style.”
Salke was named head of Amazon Studios in February, after spending the past six years as entertainment president at NBC. In an interview in her office at the Culver Studios campus that Amazon is converting into its Southern California base of operation, Salke spoke for the first time about the changes she has begun to implement to the entertainment division’s management structure and its programming strategy. She also provided new information on high-profile projects such as the...
“They were like ‘What are you doing? We’ve never seen that before,’ ” Salke said. “So I think very quickly I was able to establish that this is a very different kind of leadership style and communication style.”
Salke was named head of Amazon Studios in February, after spending the past six years as entertainment president at NBC. In an interview in her office at the Culver Studios campus that Amazon is converting into its Southern California base of operation, Salke spoke for the first time about the changes she has begun to implement to the entertainment division’s management structure and its programming strategy. She also provided new information on high-profile projects such as the...
- 6/11/2018
- by Daniel Holloway
- Variety Film + TV
Football fans with Amazon Prime will be able to stream Thursday Night Football during the 2018-2019 season.
The NFL and Amazon have renewed their partnership to deliver a live, digital stream of games on Thursday nights. Amazon Prime will stream 11 Thursday Night Football, presented by Bud Light, games broadcast by Fox. The streams will simultaneously cast on the NFL Network and Fox Deportes.
“Amazon was a tremendous partner for ‘Thursday Night Football’ in 2017 and as we continue our mission of delivering NFL games to fans whether they watch on television or on digital platforms, we are excited to work with them again for the next two seasons,” said chief media and business officer for the NFL Brian Rolapp.
Also Read: Amazon Doubles Q1 Earnings Predictions, Stock Jumps to All-Time High
“Having over 100 million Amazon Prime members provides a massive platform to distribute ‘Thursday Night Football’ digitally, not only to our fans in the United States but also around the world,” he added.
“Our customers love to stream football — last year, we successfully debuted NFL ‘Thursday Night Football’ on Prime Video in the U.S. and around the world,” said senior vice president of business development & entertainment at Amazon Jeff Blackburn. “We’re thrilled to continue our relationship with the NFL and offer Prime members another two seasons of ‘ThursdayNight Football.'”
The streaming giant partnered with the NFL for the first time in 2017.
Read original story Amazon and NFL Renew Thursday Night Football Streaming Partnership At TheWrap...
The NFL and Amazon have renewed their partnership to deliver a live, digital stream of games on Thursday nights. Amazon Prime will stream 11 Thursday Night Football, presented by Bud Light, games broadcast by Fox. The streams will simultaneously cast on the NFL Network and Fox Deportes.
“Amazon was a tremendous partner for ‘Thursday Night Football’ in 2017 and as we continue our mission of delivering NFL games to fans whether they watch on television or on digital platforms, we are excited to work with them again for the next two seasons,” said chief media and business officer for the NFL Brian Rolapp.
Also Read: Amazon Doubles Q1 Earnings Predictions, Stock Jumps to All-Time High
“Having over 100 million Amazon Prime members provides a massive platform to distribute ‘Thursday Night Football’ digitally, not only to our fans in the United States but also around the world,” he added.
“Our customers love to stream football — last year, we successfully debuted NFL ‘Thursday Night Football’ on Prime Video in the U.S. and around the world,” said senior vice president of business development & entertainment at Amazon Jeff Blackburn. “We’re thrilled to continue our relationship with the NFL and offer Prime members another two seasons of ‘ThursdayNight Football.'”
The streaming giant partnered with the NFL for the first time in 2017.
Read original story Amazon and NFL Renew Thursday Night Football Streaming Partnership At TheWrap...
- 4/26/2018
- by Ashley Boucher
- The Wrap
The NFL, which recently changed up its Thursday night broadcast plan by setting a new, long-term deal with Fox, has stuck with existing streaming partner Amazon for the prime-time games. The renewal is good for the 2018 and 2019 seasons.
Amazon Prime will stream the 11 Thursday Night Football games broadcast by Fox, which will also be simulcast on NFL Network and distributed in Spanish on Fox Deportes. The e-commerce behemoth, which said in February that its 11 games in 2017 drew a global audience of 18.4 million, beat out multiple other contenders for the streaming rights, including YouTube, Verizon, Twitter and others. NFL streaming has gone from a curiosity in 2015, when Yahoo Sports streamed a game from London in 2015, to a must-have feature of the sports rights landscape. Twitter handled streaming of Thursday night games in 2016. Verizon recently set a deal with the NFL for mobile streaming of games.
NFL ratings have drifted down over...
Amazon Prime will stream the 11 Thursday Night Football games broadcast by Fox, which will also be simulcast on NFL Network and distributed in Spanish on Fox Deportes. The e-commerce behemoth, which said in February that its 11 games in 2017 drew a global audience of 18.4 million, beat out multiple other contenders for the streaming rights, including YouTube, Verizon, Twitter and others. NFL streaming has gone from a curiosity in 2015, when Yahoo Sports streamed a game from London in 2015, to a must-have feature of the sports rights landscape. Twitter handled streaming of Thursday night games in 2016. Verizon recently set a deal with the NFL for mobile streaming of games.
NFL ratings have drifted down over...
- 4/26/2018
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
The National Football League renewed its pact with Amazon for two more years to deliver the league’s “Thursday Night Football” games package to the ecommerce giant’s 100 million Prime video members worldwide.
Financial terms weren’t disclosed. Amazon is paying the NFL $65 million per year under the pact, Reuters reported, citing unnamed sources. Amazon was widely reported to have paid $50 million for the 2017 “Tnf” package, but sources have said that number is inflated.
Amazon Prime will stream the 11 “Tnf” games broadcast by Fox on TV for each of the 2018 and 2019 seasons, available to customers in more than 200 countries and territories. In the U.S., the games will also be simulcast on NFL Network and distributed in Spanish on Fox Deportes.
One interesting new wrinkle: Amazon-owned Twitch will also live-stream the “Thursday Night Football” games, free to anyone to watch on the platform, according to a Twitch rep. The league...
Financial terms weren’t disclosed. Amazon is paying the NFL $65 million per year under the pact, Reuters reported, citing unnamed sources. Amazon was widely reported to have paid $50 million for the 2017 “Tnf” package, but sources have said that number is inflated.
Amazon Prime will stream the 11 “Tnf” games broadcast by Fox on TV for each of the 2018 and 2019 seasons, available to customers in more than 200 countries and territories. In the U.S., the games will also be simulcast on NFL Network and distributed in Spanish on Fox Deportes.
One interesting new wrinkle: Amazon-owned Twitch will also live-stream the “Thursday Night Football” games, free to anyone to watch on the platform, according to a Twitch rep. The league...
- 4/26/2018
- by Todd Spangler
- Variety Film + TV
Amazon Studios Head Jennifer Salke Makes Her First Big Executive Shuffles, Creating New TV Structure
A few weeks into her new gig as head of Amazon Studios, Jennifer Salke is putting the finishing touches on her new TV reporting structure. Amazon’s TV division had been in a holding pattern since last fall, when former Amazon Studios boss Roy Price left the company under a cloud of sexual harassment allegations.
Until Salke arrived, Albert Cheng had served as the acting head of the TV side at Amazon; now, the exec has been named to the newly created position of co-head of television. He’ll be paired with another executive in the coming months; rumored candidates include ABC Studios topper Patrick Moran.
Cheng will also continue to serve as COO for all of Amazon Studios. He has a business background, which is why he’ll be paired with someone with more of a creative history. Insiders note that Salke is looking to emulate the successful partnership...
Until Salke arrived, Albert Cheng had served as the acting head of the TV side at Amazon; now, the exec has been named to the newly created position of co-head of television. He’ll be paired with another executive in the coming months; rumored candidates include ABC Studios topper Patrick Moran.
Cheng will also continue to serve as COO for all of Amazon Studios. He has a business background, which is why he’ll be paired with someone with more of a creative history. Insiders note that Salke is looking to emulate the successful partnership...
- 4/10/2018
- by Michael Schneider
- Indiewire
The Anita Hill-led Commission on Eliminating Sexual Harassment and Advancing Equality in the Workplace is asking Hollywood to pony up millions of dollars to fund its mission over the next five years. All the major networks, studios, talent agencies and guilds are being asked to contribute to cover the cost of its work.
“Everybody’s being asked to pitch in,” a source on the commission told Deadline. “Each organization is being asked to make a financial contribution, at different levels. There are a lot of start-up costs. They have circulated a budget, and they’re trying to fund the budget.”
The source wouldn’t give specifics on the budget, other than to say it’s “over $1 million a year, but less than $5 million.”
The WGA West, for instance, recently was asked to contribute $500,000 in equal installments of $100,000 over each of the next five years. At a recent board meeting,...
“Everybody’s being asked to pitch in,” a source on the commission told Deadline. “Each organization is being asked to make a financial contribution, at different levels. There are a lot of start-up costs. They have circulated a budget, and they’re trying to fund the budget.”
The source wouldn’t give specifics on the budget, other than to say it’s “over $1 million a year, but less than $5 million.”
The WGA West, for instance, recently was asked to contribute $500,000 in equal installments of $100,000 over each of the next five years. At a recent board meeting,...
- 4/3/2018
- by David Robb
- Deadline Film + TV
Network TV executive replaces Roy Price.
Longtime network television executive Jennifer Salke has been named head of Amazon Studios, finally ending the search for a replacement for departed Amazon film and TV division chief Roy Price.
Price resigned from his post at Amazon last October after a sexual harassment scandal. Candidates to fill the role are said to have included Nancy Dubuc, president of A+E Networks, Fox TV Group chairman Dana Walden, and producer and former studio executive Amy Pascal.
Salke has been president of NBC Entertainment since 2011, with responsibility for comedy development, drama development, current programming, casting and diversity programming initiatives, as well as the operations of Universal Television.
Her relationships with creators and writers are credited with fostering series such as This Is Us, the multiple shows in producer Dick Wolf’s Chicago franchise, and The Blacklist.
In a statement, Jeff Blackburn, Amazon’s senior vice-president, business development and entertainment, said: “What stood out...
Longtime network television executive Jennifer Salke has been named head of Amazon Studios, finally ending the search for a replacement for departed Amazon film and TV division chief Roy Price.
Price resigned from his post at Amazon last October after a sexual harassment scandal. Candidates to fill the role are said to have included Nancy Dubuc, president of A+E Networks, Fox TV Group chairman Dana Walden, and producer and former studio executive Amy Pascal.
Salke has been president of NBC Entertainment since 2011, with responsibility for comedy development, drama development, current programming, casting and diversity programming initiatives, as well as the operations of Universal Television.
Her relationships with creators and writers are credited with fostering series such as This Is Us, the multiple shows in producer Dick Wolf’s Chicago franchise, and The Blacklist.
In a statement, Jeff Blackburn, Amazon’s senior vice-president, business development and entertainment, said: “What stood out...
- 2/9/2018
- by John Hazelton
- ScreenDaily
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