The recent Nicole Clemens (to oversee international television productions) hire by Amazon represents another big step towards the firing of co-head of television-Vernon Sanders…and the ‘soon to be dumped after that’ Mike Hopkins.
Head of Prime Video/Film/Television,Mike Hopkins (former head of HULU streaming and Sony Pictures Television), whom everyone in the film and television divisions at Amazon still technically reports to, has had no idea how to run anything other than himself since coming aboard in 2020 and surrounding himself with unqualified hires to run these various divisions.
For starters, he left in place the sole head of television and film, Jennifer Salke (and Vernon Sanders), even though she had zero experience in the film world and hired/promoted people who had neither the relationships nor the gravitas to transform the film and tv divisions into juggernauts, overpaid for Sundance indie films she naively thought would appeal to two hundred million prime members around the world, overpaid for and could not get under control financially spiraling event films (CITADEL), and botched the creative direction of the most important IP in television–Lord of the Rings.
Add in Mike Hopkins’ penchant for a Dr. Seuss hierarchical structure where Salke made hires and Hopkins made hires. Some of the hires reported to him or to her or to both of them. It was done for ass covering purposes and not for efficiency.
Enter Andy Jassey in July 2021 who replaced Jeff Bezos to clean up the mess.
Smart enough to quickly recognize dysfunction, the parent in the room (Jassey) went outside the company to consult agencies like CAA on how to properly build and stock a studio with the right groceries…leaving Mike Hopkins on the sidelines with a bag of popcorn. We know this because the hires were based on merit and not self-interested ass covering.
Long-time head of Warner Bros marketing, Sue Kroll, was brought onboard to oversee film marketing. High level Warner Bros executive, Courtnay Valenti, was hired to run the film division. Three experienced executives were brought in ‘to work under’ Vernon Sanders. Former head of Netflix films, Scott Stuber (CAA’s favorite son) took over United Artists…Former Sony head, Amy Pascal (CAA’s (specifically Bryan Lourd’s) favorite daughter) and A-list producer of the Harry Potter franchise, David Heyman, came in to run the Bond franchise…
…and now Nicole Clemens has taken more control out of Vernon Sanders’ grip so she can make lemonade out of lemons aka Amazon’s international television programming.
And finally, the recent announcement by Mike Hopkins about splitting film and tv into separate units was also not his own doing because it makes logical sense not to mix peanut butter in a jelly recipe. Thanks to Andy ‘parent in the room’ Jassey for righting this ship.
Bottom line: We can expect another shakeup at Amazon this year. Do not be surprised if Vernon Sanders downshifts into a producing deal and don’t expect Mike Hopkins to survive either.
Who will replace Mike Hopkins? Someone internally? Externally? Not at all? That is the $6million question.
Stay tuned.