Jen Salke Steps Down as Amazon MGM Studios Boss

Jen Salke, who has led Amazon MGM Studios since 2018, is officially stepping down to start her own production entity, according to an internal memo from Prime Video and MGM Studios head Mike Hopkins. During her tenure, Salke helped shape Amazon’s film and TV divisions, steering major projects like “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” “Reacher,” and “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.” The executive played a key role in Amazon’s growing status as a serious contender in Hollywood, notably through the $8.45 billion acquisition of MGM in 2021.

With Salke’s exit, Amazon will not replace her role but instead move toward a flatter structure that separates film and television into distinct divisions. Courtenay Valenti (Head of Film) and Vernon Sanders (Head of TV) will now report directly to Hopkins, while global marketing remains under Sue Kroll. The reorganization aims to streamline decision-making and accelerate content creation, reflecting Amazon’s broader shift toward more efficient leadership models.

Although leaving her position, Salke has signed a first-look producing deal with Amazon and will remain closely connected to the studio she helped expand. The transition arrives at a pivotal time for Amazon’s entertainment arm, as the company continues to invest heavily in new shows, big-budget movies, and the creative control of major franchises like James Bond.