Longtime Amazon exec Jeff Blackburn to retire after brief return leading entertainment unit – GeekWire

Jeff Blackburn, a longtime Amazon government who very first joined the firm after functioning on its 1997 IPO, is retiring — once again.

Amazon posted memos (underneath) from CEO Andy Jassy and Blackburn sharing the information.

Blackburn formerly declared a retirement in February 2021, prior to proceeding to land a gig at storied venture cash firm Bessemer Venture Companions. But it was a small stint. He returned to Amazon in May 2021 to lead the Global Media & Enjoyment group that incorporated Prime Movie and Amazon Studios, Music, Podcasts/Wondery, Audible, Game titles, and Twitch.

“The previous 18 months have been a thrill — working with all of you in GME and launching some of our most significant, boldest initiatives at any time in amusement and sports,” Blackburn explained in his memo. “But I’ve decided to expend 2023 in a different way, offering additional time to family, and really feel strongly this is the suitable selection for me.”

Blackburn, who attended Dartmouth and Stanford, started his association with Amazon in 1997 when he was a junior investment banker at Deutsche Bank, assigned to operate on the Amazon IPO. Throughout his extra than two many years of active operate at the organization, Blackburn led critical businesses which include Amazon’s 3rd-get together income, Primary Online video, Amazon Tunes and Amazon Advertising and marketing, doing the job along with Bezos on crucial business enterprise initiatives.

In his memo, Jassy praised Blackburn for successes these types of as the “Rings of Power” streaming Tv set collection on Key Online video the 1st year of “Thursday Night Football” on Primary and the acquisition of Hollywood studio MGM.

“Amazon would not be the identical firm without having Jeff, and I’d like to thank him for his many contributions to the company’s accomplishment consequently considerably and in the long term,” Jassy wrote.

Jassy announced some management improvements as part of the Blackburn retirement. Mike Hopkins, who qualified prospects Prime Video, Amazon Studios, and MGM, will continue to direct all those groups and report to Jassy. Steve Boom, who has been main Music and Podcasting teams, will also now oversee Audible, Twitch, and Game titles companies — and report to Jassy as properly.

Blackburn stated he would be leaving the firm in January.

Memo from Andy Jassy:

I needed to share the news that Jeff Blackburn has made a decision to retire from Amazon.

Jeff joined Amazon in 1998 right after aiding guidebook the company through its IPO at Deutsche Lender. He’s carried out a ton of constructing over two-furthermore decades, such as assisting establish our 3P marketplace, Advertising, Amazon Studios/Key Online video, and Songs firms, as properly as top our A9/Lookup and CorpDev & BusDev orgs.

As you know, Jeff returned to Amazon in May well of final yr to guide our media and amusement organizations (Prime Video clip and Amazon Studios, Tunes, Podcasts/Wondery, Audible, Online games, and Twitch). In excess of the past yr and a half, he’s helped set us up for continued achievement in media and entertainment. Just to title a couple successes, in its initial year, Rings of Energy broke all preceding Primary Online video information for the most viewers, and has driven far more Primary signal-ups throughout the world during its launch window than any other preceding content material the initially season of Thursday Night time Soccer on Prime is driving increased viewership across the board than very last year’s linear Television outcomes for TNF, like with the vital 18-34 age demographic where viewership has grown 20% about very last period and we recently closed and built-in the acquisition of MGM. Amazon would not be the similar firm with out Jeff, and I’d like to thank him for his quite a few contributions to the company’s achievement so far and in the future.

We’re likely to acquire this time to make some management alterations. Mike Hopkins, who potential customers Primary Online video, Amazon Studios, and MGM, will go on to lead these groups and report to me right. Steve Growth, who has been foremost our Songs and Podcasting teams, will also now oversee our Audible, Twitch, and Games businesses—and report into me as very well. Both of those Mike and Steve are exceptional, deeply expert leaders, and I look ahead to doing the job additional with them each (and their teams).

This changeover will take place efficient January 1st, though Jeff will remain at Amazon by way of early 2023 to help be certain a sleek transition.

Be sure to really feel absolutely free to share the news with your teams as you want.

Andy

Memo from Jeff Blackburn:

Team, some information today:  

I’m setting up on retiring from Amazon in January, soon after a lot more than 25 a long time and performing intently with the firm due to the fact its 1997 IPO.  The past 18 months have been a thrill – working with all of you in GME and launching some of our biggest, boldest initiatives ever in enjoyment and sports.  But I’ve made a decision to shell out 2023 in different ways, providing additional time to relatives, and come to feel strongly this is the ideal final decision for me.  Andy & I have been functioning by a transition strategy and he’ll be sharing people particulars shortly, continue to be tuned.  

Amazon’s prospects in media, entertainment and sporting activities have under no circumstances been even larger.  I see exciting occasions ahead for you all.  Be sure to know that I’ll continue being close … as a lover, mentor, and ambassador for Amazon’s resourceful businesses – forever.  I’m very grateful for all the shut friendships, throughout all the 25 a long time, and all of the teams, studios, streaming expert services and firms that we were able to make together.  

Thank you, wonderful Amazonians.  –jblack