Yen salsahead on Amazon MGM Studiosresigns from its role and will focus on starting a new production unit, said Prime Video Head Mike Hopkins in an internal memo sent to the staff and obtained by IndieWire.
Salke has been the main voice of Amazon MGM since he joined in 2018 and has been behind the development and acquisition of shows and films such as “Mr. and Mrs Smith,” “Saltburn”, “The Rings of Power”, “Fallout”, “Reacher”, “Red One” and many more.
No successor has been appointed to the role yet. Hopkins in his memo said the team will take “a few weeks” to talk to SALKE’s direct reports and determine the long -term structure of the studio. Film Chief Courtenay Valenti and TV The manager Vernon Sanders will report to Hopkins in the meantime, and Marketing Manager Sue Kroll will continue in his role.
Salke’s new production unit will still be centered on Amazon MGM Studios Lot, and she will have an overall first look for television and film.
“Since I joined in 2018, we went to create a new type of global studio that promoted an environment for the world’s most creative talent to do its very best work,” Salke added in a statement. “Along the way we expanded internationally, expanded a film industry and hired and developed an incredible team. When I have considered my next chapter, I have always been looking for the moment where I was positive that our work had set up Amazon MGM Studios for even more success in the long term. When I look at the law, I have now.
The news comes just as Amazon MGM completed an agreement with Barbara Broccoli where Broccoli would end control of the James Bond franchise to Amazon MGM, open the door for producers Amy Pascal and David Heyman to step in and control the direction of what is the Studio’s largest IP. No follow -up film has been produced since Amazon acquired MGM for $ 8.5 billion in 2022.
Salke, former NBC Entertainment President, Took over 2018 For Roy Price after he was pulled out for allegations of sexual harassment.
Read the full memo below:
More to come …
Dear Team,
Since joining Amazon 2018, Jen Salke has been a driving force in Amazon MGM Studio’s development to what it is today: a world -class award -winning films and series that are seen by hundreds of millions of our customers around the world. Original films and series served as the basis for Prime Videos growth for one of the world’s leading entertainment destinations, and Jen’s leadership is an undisputed driving force for the success we have had in this space over the years.
After accomplishing as much as an CEO, Jen has decided that her next challenge and chapter will be on the production side, in order to get even closer to the global creative society – in which she has been such an important member during her career. As a result, Jen will resign from his role as head of Amazon MGM Studios to start a new production unit, and we are so pleased that she will continue to make her home here at our party via an overall first series of both film and television.
According to Jen’s words:
“Since I joined in 2018, we went out to create a new type of Global Studio that promoted an environment for the world’s most creative talent to do its very best work. On the road we expanded internationally, expanded a film company and hired and developed an incredible team. When I was thinking about my next chapter. After the moment where I was positive that we had a surprised Amazon. We have sat in place, our fantastic leaders and the incredible slate of movies and shows that we have received in the pipeline, I realized that now is the moment.
I can’t say enough to thank Jen for her partnership. From my personal day 1 2020, her vision, creativity and industry relationships (and are) were so obvious that I had no doubt our work together could be transformative not only to Amazon, but also for the industry as a whole. Ringenes of Power, Fallout, Reacher, Red One, Maxton Hall, The Idea of You, Mr. & Mrs. Smith, Saltburn, Road House, Beast Games, Culpa Mia/Tuya and others speak to hits under her leadership that has touched cultural conversation and delivered incredible stories to global audiences … and the list that only looks in the last 18 months. In addition, her leadership is proven by the senior team that she has hired and developed … A team that I know will rise in a large way to come.
Speaking of that team, we will take a couple of weeks to have thought-provoking conversations with Jen’s directions and others to complete the perfect long-term structure of the Amazon MGM Studios organization as a whole, and we will have more to share that work soon.
One thing I wanted to call out is the fact that – after Jen’s decision to go away – we have decided to flatten our leadership structure a bit and not fill our heads for the studios role. In line with Amazon’s latest work to streamline reporting lines and accelerate decision -making, we felt that this was the best direction for our studio, which will now serve as distinct film and TV studios. For this purpose, Courtenay Valenti (film manager) and Vernon Sanders (Head of TV) will now report directly to me, while Sue Kroll will also continue in their role leading global marketing over both film and television.
I am extremely proud of the momentum that our team at Studios has built over the past 12-18 months, implemented against our strategic plan and develops a fantastic slate with original shows and films that position us for even more success ahead.
Go with me again and thank Jen and wish her the best on this next adventure … Thankfully she is not far away and we still have a lot to do together.
-Microphone
