Jeff Blackburn, a 25-year Amazon veteran who has been a key architect of the company’s expansion into streaming, will retire in January. Amazon CEO Andrew Jassy and Blackburn made the announcement in an email to employees this morning, copies of which were obtained by Deadline.
After returning from his most recent sabbatical, Blackburn served as SVP of Global Media and Entertainment for the past 18 months, overseeing the entire entertainment business, including Prime Video and Amazon Studios, Music, Podcasts/Wondery, Audible, Games and Twitch.
Upon Blackburn’s retirement, he will report directly to Mike Hopkins, who will continue to lead Prime Video, Amazon Studios and MGM, and Steve Boom, who will add oversight of Audible, Twitch and Games to his current duties leading the Music and Podcasting teams. Jassy. Blackburn, who both have previously reported, will help with the transition, which will take place on January 1. Hopkins recently joined Amazon’s MGM and Thursday night football.
“Amazon would not be the same company without Jeff, and I would like to thank him for his many contributions to the company’s success thus far and into the future,” said Jassy. “Both Mike and Steve are excellent, deeply experienced leaders, and I look forward to working with them (and their teams) even more.”
Blackburn was a longtime member and closest associate of original Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos’ exclusive S-Team. He oversaw Amazon’s video streaming service for seven years before taking a year-long sabbatical in the summer of 2019.
“Amazon’s capabilities in media, entertainment and sports have never been greater. I look forward to an exciting time for you all,” said Blackburn. “Please know that I will forever be a fan, mentor, and ambassador for Amazon’s creative businesses.”
Jassy and Blackburn note:
Jassy’s memory:
I wanted to share the news that Jeff Blackburn has decided to retire from Amazon.
Jeff joined Amazon in 1998 after helping lead the company through its IPO at Deutsche Bank. He has done a lot of building work over two decades, including helping build our 3P marketplace, Advertising, Amazon Studios/Prime Video and Music businesses, as well as leading our A9/Search and CorpDev & BusDev organizations.
As you know, Jeff returned to Amazon last May to lead our media and entertainment businesses (Prime Video and Amazon Studios, Music, Podcasts/Wondery, Audible, Games and Twitch). Over the past year and a half, he has helped us achieve continued success in media and entertainment. It is enough to name a few successes in the first season. Rings of power It broke all previous Prime Video records for most viewers and drove more Prime sign-ups worldwide during its launch window than any other previous content; first season Thursday night football on Prime leads to higher viewership than last year’s linear TV results TNF, including the key 18-34 demographic, where viewers grew 20% over last season; and we recently closed and integrated the acquisition of MGM. Amazon would not be the same company without Jeff, and I would like to thank him for his many contributions to the company’s success so far and in the future.
We will take this time to make some changes in management. Mike Hopkins, who leads Prime Video, Amazon Studios and MGM, will continue to lead these teams and report directly to me. Steve Boom, who leads our Music and Podcasting teams, will now also oversee our Audible, Twitch and Games businesses and report to me. Both Mike and Steve are excellent, deeply experienced leaders, and I look forward to working with them (and their teams) even more.
The transition will take place on January 1, although Jeff will remain at Amazon until early 2023 to ensure a smooth transition.
Please feel free to share the news with your teams as you see fit.
Andy
Blackburn notes:
Team, some news today:
I plan to retire from Amazon in January after more than 25 years and work closely with the company since its 1997 IPO. The past 18 months have been exciting – working with you all at GME and launching our biggest, boldest projects yet in entertainment and sports. However, I decided to spend 2023 differently by spending more time with my family, and I strongly feel that this was the right decision for me. Andy and I are working on a transition plan and he will share those details soon, stay tuned.
Amazon’s reach in media, entertainment and sports has never been greater. I look forward to exciting times ahead for you all. Please know that I will always be there as a fan, mentor, and ambassador for Amazon’s creative businesses. I’m so grateful for all the close friendships over 25 years and all the teams, studios, streaming services and businesses we’ve been able to build together.
Thank you, beautiful Amazonians.
-jblack