Amazon Prime Video Restructures Executive Team for Enhanced Advertising Push

Hold onto your remotes, folks, because the streaming wars are about to get a whole lot more… well, ad-supported. Amazon Prime Video, not one to shy away from a little corporate shake-up, is hitting the refresh button on its executive team. And this ain’t just some spring cleaning. This, my friends, is a full-on renovation project with one goal in mind: to transform Prime Video into an advertising powerhouse.

Word on the street is that Amazon’s recent, and let’s be honest, kinda splashy entrance into the advertising scene at the Upfronts has lit a fire under their streaming service. They’re not just dipping their toes in the ad-supported waters anymore; they’re diving headfirst with a brand-new strategy and a restructured team to match.

Lauren Anderson: The Queen of Brand and Content Innovation

First up on the Prime Video shuffleboard is Lauren Anderson, who’s trading in her old title of Head of AVOD Programming and Studios Unscripted for a shiny new one: Head, Brand and Content Innovation. Now, I don’t know about you, but that sounds pretty darn important. And it is.

Anderson’s basically been handed the keys to the brand integration kingdom. Her mission, should she choose to accept it (and let’s be real, who wouldn’t?), is to make brands feel all warm and fuzzy about cozying up with Amazon MGM Studios’ original content. Think product placements so seamless you barely notice them… until you suddenly have an overwhelming urge to buy that exact brand of coffee while binge-watching your favorite show.

But wait, there’s more! Not only will Anderson be leading a crack team of partnership gurus, but she’ll also keep her finger on the pulse of AVOD Originals. Basically, she’s running the show when it comes to all things ad-supported and brand-integrated content. You go, girl!

The Scripted Hybrid Team: Where Brands and Content Collide

Remember those brand-new, totally extra, limited-edition sneakers your fave influencer was rocking last week? Yeah, those might have been thanks to the magic of… the Scripted Hybrid Team! Okay, maybe not, but that’s the kind of behind-the-scenes brand integration wizardry this new team is all about.

Under the watchful eye of Christel Miller, who reports to the one and only Lauren Anderson, this team will be laser-focused on bringing together the worlds of scripted content and brand funding. We’re talking innovative content models, brand-supported projects, and maybe even a few product placements that are so subtle, they’re practically subliminal. (Okay, maybe not subliminal, but you get the idea.)

Unscripted Content: Still Keeping it Real (and Ad-Supported)

Don’t worry, reality TV junkies and documentary devotees, your favorite unscripted content isn’t going anywhere! Jenny Falkoff, the reigning queen of Reality Series, and Alysia Russo, the docuseries extraordinaire, are both staying put and continuing to report to Anderson. Because even in the wild world of ad-supported streaming, sometimes you just need a dose of good old-fashioned, unscripted entertainment.

Amazon Prime Video Restructures Executive Team for Enhanced Advertising Push

Hold onto your remotes, folks, because the streaming wars are about to get a whole lot more… well, ad-supported. Amazon Prime Video, not one to shy away from a little corporate shake-up, is hitting the refresh button on its executive team. And this ain’t just some spring cleaning. This, my friends, is a full-on renovation project with one goal in mind: to transform Prime Video into an advertising powerhouse.

Word on the street is that Amazon’s recent, and let’s be honest, kinda splashy entrance into the advertising scene at the Upfronts has lit a fire under their streaming service. They’re not just dipping their toes in the ad-supported waters anymore; they’re diving headfirst with a brand-new strategy and a restructured team to match.

Lauren Anderson: The Queen of Brand and Content Innovation

First up on the Prime Video shuffleboard is Lauren Anderson, who’s trading in her old title of Head of AVOD Programming and Studios Unscripted for a shiny new one: Head, Brand and Content Innovation. Now, I don’t know about you, but that sounds pretty darn important. And it is.

Anderson’s basically been handed the keys to the brand integration kingdom. Her mission, should she choose to accept it (and let’s be real, who wouldn’t?), is to make brands feel all warm and fuzzy about cozying up with Amazon MGM Studios’ original content. Think product placements so seamless you barely notice them… until you suddenly have an overwhelming urge to buy that exact brand of coffee while binge-watching your favorite show.

But wait, there’s more! Not only will Anderson be leading a crack team of partnership gurus, but she’ll also keep her finger on the pulse of AVOD Originals. Basically, she’s running the show when it comes to all things ad-supported and brand-integrated content. You go, girl!

The Scripted Hybrid Team: Where Brands and Content Collide

Remember those brand-new, totally extra, limited-edition sneakers your fave influencer was rocking last week? Yeah, those might have been thanks to the magic of… the Scripted Hybrid Team! Okay, maybe not, but that’s the kind of behind-the-scenes brand integration wizardry this new team is all about.

Under the watchful eye of Christel Miller, who reports to the one and only Lauren Anderson, this team will be laser-focused on bringing together the worlds of scripted content and brand funding. We’re talking innovative content models, brand-supported projects, and maybe even a few product placements that are so subtle, they’re practically subliminal. (Okay, maybe not subliminal, but you get the idea.)

Unscripted Content: Still Keeping it Real (and Ad-Supported)

Don’t worry, reality TV junkies and documentary devotees, your favorite unscripted content isn’t going anywhere! Jenny Falkoff, the reigning queen of Reality Series, and Alysia Russo, the docuseries extraordinaire, are both staying put and continuing to report to Anderson. Because even in the wild world of ad-supported streaming, sometimes you just need a dose of good old-fashioned, unscripted entertainment.

Benoit Landry Takes the Stage: Leading the Charge for Branded & Talk Content

Hold onto your hats, podcast enthusiasts and talk show aficionados, because Benoit Landry is about to shake things up as the head honcho of the newly minted Branded & Talk group. Reporting directly to (you guessed it!) Lauren Anderson, Landry’s mission is two-fold: craft original content that makes brands feel all warm and fuzzy inside, and guide creators on the art of seamless brand integration.

Think of it as a match made in ad-supported heaven: brands get to connect with their target audience in a more organic, engaging way, and viewers get to enjoy high-quality content that doesn’t feel like a blatant commercial. Everybody wins! Well, except maybe for those who secretly love those cheesy, over-the-top infomercials from the ’90s. Sorry, not sorry.

Behind the Scenes: Optimizing Ad Integration and Business Operations

While we all love a good dose of on-screen drama, let’s not forget about the unsung heroes working tirelessly behind the scenes to make this ad-supported dream a reality. Enter Justin Holt, the mastermind behind Creative Ad Operations, who’s tasked with ensuring those pesky ads are integrated seamlessly into the content, without interrupting your viewing experience (too much).

And lest we forget about the business side of things, Claudine Atout will continue to steer the ship as the head of Business Operations for the Brand and Content Innovation team. Think of her as the glue that holds everything together, facilitating communication and collaboration between Studios, Amazon Ads, and Prime Video Ads. It’s a tough job, but someone’s gotta do it.

FAST Channels and Targeted Content: Prime Video’s Winning Combo

In the ever-evolving landscape of streaming, content is king, and FAST channels (that’s Free Ad-Supported Television, for those not in the know) are the knights in shining armor. And guess who’s holding the reins of this powerful army? None other than Lauren Anderson, who’s adding yet another feather to her already impressive cap by overseeing Amazon MGM Studios’ FAST programming for both Prime Video and Freevee. Her goal? To curate a killer lineup of content that’s as enticing for advertisers as it is for viewers. Talk about a win-win!

Meanwhile, Traci Blackwell, the queen bee of Targeted Content, is making a strategic move, reporting directly to Kara Smith, Head of Co-Pro Development. This dynamic duo will be laser-focused on creating content that speaks directly to specific audiences, because who needs generic programming when you can have shows tailored to your unique tastes? It’s like having a personal streaming concierge, minus the hefty price tag.

Vernon Sanders’ Vision: A New Era for Amazon Prime Video

So, what’s the driving force behind this massive executive reshuffling? It all boils down to Vernon Sanders’ grand vision for the future of Amazon Prime Video. In a nutshell, he’s all about giving the people what they want: engaging content, a seamless viewing experience, and a whole lotta value for their hard-earned cash (or, you know, their Prime subscription fee).

Under Sanders’ leadership, Prime Video is on a mission to become the ultimate destination for both viewers and advertisers alike. We’re talking about a world-class experience for brand partners and agencies, with a focus on generating ad sponsorships, integrations, custom content, and brand-supported Originals across AVOD, FAST, and SVOD platforms. It’s a bold move, but if anyone can pull it off, it’s Amazon.

So there you have it, folks. The streaming wars just got a whole lot more interesting. And with this newly restructured executive team at the helm, Prime Video is poised to become a major player in the ad-supported arena. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have some binge-watching to do. And maybe a few strategically placed product placements to admire.