Amazon Poaches Netflix's Top Film Executive for its Entertainment Business - DJ

Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN) is looking to hire a top movie-studio executive to lead its entertainment unit, the Wall Street Journal reports.

Several senior executives have been interviewed, including Netflix’s (NASDAQ: NFLX) head of original films, Scott Stuber. The report added that it is yet unknown if Amazon and Stuber are still talking but he is one of several candidates who did discuss joining Amazon.

Jennifer Salke, Head of Amazon Studios, and senior vice president Mike Hopkins are in charge of the talks, the report added. Stuber also met with Jeff Blackburn, Amazon’s senior vice president of global media and entertainment.

Stuber is considered to be one of the most powerful executives at Netflix. He joined the streaming giant in 2017 with an aim to grow the company’s original film initiative. Before Netflix, Stuber founded and ran Bluegrass Films, which produced Ted, Central Intelligence, and Safe House.

“Scott is well known and respected in the film industry. His innovative work and strong talent relationships should help accelerate the Netflix original film initiative,” Netflix Chief Content Officer, Ted Sarandos, said at that time.

At Netflix, Stuber led the film unit that came up with hits like Martin Scorsese’s Mob drama “The Irishman” and “The Gray Man.”

Besides Stuber, Amazon also interviewed Emma Watts, the former Paramount Pictures executive.

Earlier this year, Amazon closed a $6.5 billion acquisition of MGM.

By Senad Karaahmetovic

You May Also Be Interested In

• 3 internet stocks to own for Q1 earnings season
• Midday movers: PepsiCo, JetBlue fall; GM, Danaher and UPS rise
• UK CMA Seeks Views on Microsoft and Amazon's AI Partnerships - Bloomberg