Jennifer Salke Departs as Head of MGM Studios During Leadership Restructure
Salke transitions to a first-look producing deal as Amazon MGM eliminates her role, with Courtenay Valenti and Vernon Sanders now reporting directly to Mike Hopkins.
- Jennifer Salke steps down after seven years as head of Amazon MGM Studios, transitioning to a first-look deal for film and TV projects.
- Amazon MGM will not replace Salke, restructuring its leadership by having film head Courtenay Valenti and TV head Vernon Sanders report directly to Mike Hopkins.
- Salke's departure follows challenges managing key intellectual properties, including delays with the James Bond franchise, which Amazon recently secured creative control over for $1 billion.
- Courtenay Valenti, who played a pivotal role in the Bond deal, is positioned to lead Amazon MGM's expanded theatrical strategy, including plans to release 12-14 films annually.
- The move comes ahead of Amazon MGM's CinemaCon debut, where further details on its theatrical expansion are expected to be revealed.
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