Jen Salke, the head of Amazon MGM Studios since 2018, will step down from her role to launch a new production entity under a first-look deal with Amazon, as announced by Prime Video & Amazon MGM Studios head Mike Hopkins in a staff memo obtained by Variety. Salke, instrumental in transforming the studio into a global powerhouse behind hits like The Rings of Power, Fallout, and Saltburn, will not be replaced. Instead, Amazon is flattening its leadership structure, with Courtenay Valenti (Head of Film) and Vernon Sanders (Head of TV) now reporting directly to Hopkins, alongside Sue Kroll, who continues leading global marketing for both divisions.
“Since joining Amazon in 2018, Jen Salke has been a driving force in Amazon MGM Studios’ evolution into what it is today: a world-class producer of award-winning films and series viewed by hundreds of millions,” Hopkins wrote, crediting her with fueling Prime Video’s growth into a leading entertainment platform. Salke’s tenure saw the studio expand internationally, build a robust film division, and deliver cultural touchstones like Reacher, Red One, and The Idea of You, with 18 months of hits amassing 1.2 billion global viewing hours (Amazon, Q4 2024). “Having accomplished so much as an executive, Jen has decided that her next challenge will be on the production side,” Hopkins added, noting her new venture will keep her on Amazon’s lot, fostering talent and stories under the first-look pact.
Salke reflected, “We set out together to create a new type of global studio that fostered an environment for the world’s most creative talent… I realized now is that moment to step away, with our teams and slate set for even more success.” Her exit follows Amazon’s recent streamlining efforts—echoed in moves like Spectrum’s Peacock inclusion today—to accelerate decision-making. Hopkins emphasized the studio’s momentum, citing a slate of upcoming originals and a strategic plan positioning Amazon MGM for further growth, with Prime Video’s 200 million monthly viewers (Amazon, 2024) as a backdrop.
The leadership shift comes amid industry flux: Taylor Tomlinson left After Midnight today, and streaming dominates 43.5% of U.S. TV (February 2025). X users noted, “Salke built a beast at Amazon MGM—smart to keep her close.” Valenti, behind films like Red One, and Sanders, who oversaw Fallout, inherit a robust pipeline—The Rings of Power Season 2 drew 55 million viewers (Amazon, 2024)—but face pressure to maintain momentum without a studio head. Salke’s pivot to production—staying in Amazon’s orbit—signals a new chapter for both her and the studio she shaped. Hopkins promised more structural updates soon, but for now, Amazon MGM’s film and TV arms stand poised to drive Prime Video’s next wave.
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