EXCLUSIVE: Amazon Studios has made modifications to the US/World content material operations, with three executives in Laura Lancaster’s group, Kara Smith, Jon Wax and Andy Bourne, taking over new obligations. The announcement was simply made internally in a memo by Amazon Studios’ Head of Tv Vernon Sanders, Head of Worldwide Originals James Farrell, and Lancaster, Head of SVOD TV Growth & Collection, Co-Productions.
The memo (you possibly can learn it in full beneath), additionally shares some rankings info on scorching Prime Video collection The Summer time I Turned Fairly, noting that the Season 2 launch already has greater than doubled Season 1’s viewership in simply three days.
Kara Smith, most just lately Head of Restricted Collection, who labored on The Summer time I Turned Fairly, has been named Head of TV Growth, SVOD Co-Productions. She is going to proceed to report back to Lancaster.
Smith takes on the place at the moment held collectively by Jon Wax and Andy Bourne. Following that, Bourne will on the function of Head of Restricted Collection, reporting to Smith.
In the meantime, Wax has been named to the newly created place of Head of World Content material Synergy – TV, reporting to Sanders and Farrell.
“Jon’s new team will work with all of our global TV content groups to ensure our originals are developed with rich, relevant access points for our worldwide audience,” Sanders, Farrell and Lancaster mentioned. “This team will also sync directly with our Prime Video US and International partners to strategize at the earliest stages on how our upcoming pipeline can deliver for each region’s needs.”
Sanders set Amazon Studios’ present construction in November, establishing three inventive growth groups shepherding programming throughout SVOD, AVOD and FAST channels, led by Lancaster, Nick Pepper and Lauren Anderson.
Along with The Summer time I Turned Fairly, Smith additionally has labored on common Prime Video collection Reacher and The Terminal Listing in addition to the upcoming Cross, which has been getting robust buzz.
“She brings a wealth of creative development experience, and we have full confidence in her as she takes on this expanded role,” Sanders, Farrell and Lancaster mentioned of Smith.
Earlier than becoming a member of Amazon Studios in 2022, Bourne was SVP Growth at Fox 21 TV Studios the place he labored on such collection as The Outdated Man, Dopesick, and The Chi.
“We are grateful for the wealth of experience he will bring to our strategic and robust slate of premium original television,” Sanders, Farrell and Lancaster mentioned.
Former senior WGN America and YouTune senior scripted growth government Wax joined Amazon Studios as head of style drama in 2019.
“Jon’s experience at the forefront of many of our most successful and acquisitive series will be instrumental in this new position,” Sanders, Farrell and Lancaster mentioned. “We are all thrilled that Jon will lead this essential endeavor expanding and maximizing the impact and reach of all of our content.”
Right here is the total memo:
Good morning, TV Groups.
Before everything, congratulations to everybody on the profitable launch of the second season of The Summer time I Turned Fairly. It has been such an unbelievable launch that Season 2 has already greater than doubled Season 1’s viewership in simply three days. Unbelievable group effort, everybody.
Together with that excellent news, the three of us — Vernon Sanders, James Farrell, and Laura Lancaster —wish to share an replace on new roles for 3 of our treasured teammates.
Laura Lancaster is happy to announce that Kara Smith will tackle the place of Head of TV Growth, SVOD Co-Productions. Kara has beforehand shepherded a few of our largest bona fide hits, together with The Summer time I Turned Fairly, Reacher, The Terminal Listing, and our upcoming collection, Cross. She brings a wealth of inventive growth expertise, and we have now full confidence in her as she takes on this expanded function. Kara will proceed to report back to Laura Lancaster, Head of SVOD TV Growth & Collection, Co-Productions.
With this modification, Andy Bourne has agreed to take the function of Head of Restricted Collection, reporting to Kara. Andy brings an extended monitor document of award-winning, compelling occasion collection corresponding to The Outdated Man, Dopesick, and The Chi. We’re grateful for the wealth of expertise he’ll convey to our strategic and strong slate of premium unique tv.
As everyone knows, what distinguishes Amazon Studios’ content material on Prime Video is the huge attain our Originals have within the international market via Prime. We obsess on how to make sure that our collection interact our present prospects whereas bringing in new prospects around the globe. Our most beneficial collection are international hits.
With that in thoughts, James Farrell and Vernon Sanders are excited to announce a brand-new place inside our group, the Head of World Content material Synergy – TV. Jon Wax has graciously agreed to step into this very important function, reporting on to Vernon and James. Jon’s new group will work with all of our international TV content material teams to make sure our originals are developed with wealthy, related entry factors for our worldwide viewers. This group may also sync instantly with our Prime Video US and Worldwide companions to strategize on the earliest phases on how our upcoming pipeline can ship for every area’s wants. Jon’s expertise on the forefront of lots of our most profitable and acquisitive collection shall be instrumental on this new place. We’re all thrilled that Jon will lead this important endeavor increasing and maximizing the affect and attain of all of our content material.
Please be part of us in congratulating Kara, Andy, and Jon.Sincerely,
Vernon, James & Laura
