EXCLUSIVE — Jennifer Salke, the high-profile head of Amazon MGM Studios, is officially stepping down from her executive post to launch her own production entity. The new venture will operate under a first-look deal with Amazon, covering both film and television projects.
Salke, who joined Amazon in 2018 after a successful tenure as President of NBC Entertainment, helped shape the identity of Prime Video as a major player in original content. Her leadership oversaw tentpole projects like The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, the highly anticipated Fallout series, and the upcoming reality show Beast Games featuring YouTube giant MrBeast.
A Legacy of Big Bets and Bold Moves
Salke was instrumental in expanding Amazon’s content footprint, positioning the studio as a competitive force against streaming heavyweights like Netflix, Disney+, and HBO Max.
“Jennifer’s creative vision helped elevate Prime Video into a global destination for original storytelling,” said an Amazon insider. “Her next chapter is one we’re proud to support.”
Her departure marks a significant shift as Amazon continues to consolidate and evolve its entertainment strategy post its $8.5 billion acquisition of MGM.
Behind the Scenes: Bond-Related Tensions and Leadership Changes
Sources close to the studio point to creative friction surrounding the James Bond franchise as one contributing factor to the timing of Salke’s exit. After Amazon acquired MGM in 2021, Salke assumed the delicate task of managing relations with long-time Bond producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson.
Reportedly, differing creative visions led to escalating tensions, eventually resulting in Broccoli and Wilson relinquishing some creative control to Amazon MGM Studios. To stabilize the franchise, the studio recently brought on heavyweight producers Amy Pascal and David Heyman to spearhead the future of Bond.
Leadership Restructure: No Direct Replacement
Amazon has confirmed that it will not name a direct successor to Salke. Instead, the company is streamlining its executive hierarchy.
- Courtenay Valenti, head of film, and
- Vernon Sanders, head of television,
will now report directly to Mike Hopkins, Head of Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios. The move reflects Amazon’s push for more agile decision-making amid a rapidly changing entertainment landscape.
What’s Next for Salke
While no specific projects from her new production label have been announced yet, industry insiders expect Salke to leverage her vast creative network and development experience to build prestige projects with global reach—many of which could still land on Prime Video under the first-look deal.
“Salke isn’t leaving the building entirely,” noted one executive familiar with the deal. “She’s just stepping into a new role—one where she’ll still shape what audiences see on Prime Video, just from the other side of the table.”
