In a major move that reshapes the top of Amazon MGM Studios, longtime executive Jen Salke is officially stepping down from her role as studio head to launch her own production company under a first-look deal with Amazon. The decision, confirmed by Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios head Mike Hopkins, marks the end of a transformative era for Salke, who joined Amazon in 2018 and helped steer the streamer into the modern studio it is today.
Salke won’t be replaced. Instead, Amazon is streamlining its leadership: Head of Film Courtenay Valenti and Head of TV Vernon Sanders will now report directly to Hopkins. Sue Kroll will continue leading global marketing across both divisions.
“As I’ve been considering my next chapter, I’ve always been searching for that moment where I was positive that our work had set up Amazon MGM Studios for even more success in the long term,” Salke said in a statement. “When I look at the teams we’ve put in place, our amazing leaders, and the incredible slate of films and shows we’ve got in the pipeline, I realized now is that moment.”
From NBC Powerhouse to Amazon Trailblazer
Salke’s Hollywood résumé is packed with hits. Before joining Amazon, she ran NBC Entertainment, developing critical and commercial successes like This Is Us and the Chicago franchise. Before that, she was a key creative force at 20th Century Fox TV, overseeing Modern Family, Glee, and Prison Break. But it was at Amazon where she took her biggest swing yet—helping evolve the tech giant’s entertainment wing from a niche platform into a global content powerhouse.
Under her leadership, Amazon scored with genre hits like The Boys and its spinoffs, the romantic action series Mr. & Mrs. Smith, and high-profile adaptations like Fallout, from Westworld creators Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy. Most recently, Reacher topped Nielsen’s streaming ratings, making it the No. 1 show in the U.S. for the week of Feb. 24 to March 2.
“Original films and series served as the foundation of Prime Video’s growth into one of the world’s leading entertainment destinations,” Hopkins wrote in a memo to staff. “Jen’s leadership is an undisputed driver of the success we’ve had in this space.”
A Strategic Shift: Leaner Leadership, Bigger Ambitions
Amazon’s decision not to fill Salke’s role reflects a broader corporate push to flatten hierarchies and accelerate decision-making.
“We’ve decided to flatten our leadership structure… In line with Amazon’s recent work to streamline reporting lines and accelerate decision making, we felt this was the best direction for our studio,” Hopkins explained.
The company will now operate with distinct film and television studios under the Amazon MGM umbrella, overseen by Valenti and Sanders, respectively. This move also signals a more focused strategy as Amazon continues investing billions in theatrical films while keeping streaming content robust.
Meanwhile, Sue Kroll—who joined alongside Salke—will remain a central player, running global marketing for both sides of the studio.
Salke’s Hits—and Misses
Salke’s tenure saw massive swings. On the movie front, Amazon released buzzy titles like Red, White & Royal Blue, Saltburn, and the remake of Road House, which has a sequel in the works. Rom-com The Idea of You, starring Anne Hathaway, is also generating strong pre-release buzz.
Yet, not every project struck gold. Big-budget gambles like The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (reportedly $700 million), the Russo Brothers’ Citadel ($250 million), and Dwayne Johnson’s Red One (also $250 million) earned mixed results. That has prompted internal debate over spending, and Amazon may pivot to more selective, high-impact programming.
Still, there’s no denying Salke left a mark.
“The Rings of Power, Fallout, Reacher, Red One, Saltburn, Road House… speak to the hits under her leadership that have stirred cultural conversation and delivered incredible storytelling,” Hopkins wrote.
What’s Next for Jen Salke?
While Salke may be stepping down from the executive suite, she’s far from leaving the lot. As part of her exit, she’s launching a new production company with a first-look deal across both TV and film under the Amazon MGM Studios banner.
“I’m looking forward to continuing doing what I love—cultivating talent, supporting their vision, and bringing compelling stories to audiences around the world,” Salke said.
Her new venture puts her back in the trenches of creative development, collaborating directly with filmmakers, writers, and showrunners—a full-circle moment for an executive who has long championed talent-first storytelling.
Bond, Box Office & Big Bets
Salke’s departure also comes at a pivotal moment for Amazon’s film ambitions. The studio recently took creative control of the James Bond franchise, previously guarded by longtime stewards Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson. Just this week, Amy Pascal and David Heyman were tapped to produce the next Bond film—an unmistakable sign that Amazon wants to play in the big leagues.
It’s a long way from the platform’s early Sundance-style acquisitions like Late Night and Brittany Runs a Marathon. Under Salke, Amazon shifted toward star-driven spectacles like Being the Ricardos and The Tomorrow War, and eventually transitioned again post-MGM acquisition to legacy franchises like Creed, Legally Blonde, and The Thomas Crown Affair.
With Salke’s exit, the weight of those properties—and the billions pledged to theatrical releases—now falls on Warner Bros. alums Courtenay Valenti and Sue Kroll. Valenti, in particular, is poised to lead Amazon’s charge into theaters with a deep bench of experience and industry cred.
Hollywood’s Eyes Are Watching
In a town where executive shakeups are common, Salke’s departure is more than just a baton pass—it’s a symbol of how tech companies like Amazon are evolving their approach to content. As streaming matures and the lines between theatrical and digital blur, studios are being forced to adapt, and leaders like Salke are often the architects of those transitions.
“Having accomplished so much as an executive, Jen has decided that her next challenge and chapter will be on the production side, with the aim of getting even closer to the global creative community,” Hopkins noted.
Whether as a studio chief or producer, Jen Salke remains one of the most influential figures shaping what we watch—and how we watch it.