Amazon MGM Studios hires Netflix exec

Amazon MGM Studios has hired long-serving Netflix exec Mandy Schaffer as part of a restructuring of its business affairs operation.

Schaffer becomes global head of business affairs for TV, following the exit of Dan Scharf, who had been head of global business operations for the streamer’s entire operation.

That role has now been split, with Schaffer taking the TV remit and Amazon exec Craig Mulrad taking the head of film business affairs position. An international exec is yet to be named.

The rejig was unveiled by Netflix alum Peter Friedlander - who joined as Amazon MGM Studios’ head of global TV late last year.- alongside international originals chief Nicole Clemens and film boss Courtenay Valenti.

Schaffer had been with Netflix for more than a decade, working on the streamer’s early originals such as House of Cards and Orange is the New Black.

She was most recently overseeing business affairs for scripted, animated, nonfiction and live sports in North America, and reports into her former Netflix colleague Friedlander at Amazon. He recently hired another former netflix exec, Jenn Levy, to lead unscripted output at Amazon.

In a note to staff, Friedlander said Schaffer’s “ability to operate at the intersection of creative ambition and business strategy makes her an ideal addition to our leadership team.”

Friedlander, Valenti and Clemens also released a separate note thanking Scharf, who had been with Amazon since the studio division’s launch in 2014.

The trio added that the move came “in line” with changes across the studio to create three distinct operational units, with teams embedded within film, TV and international originals.

“The three of us are confident it will streamline our dealmaking, reduce some layers, and more closely align our BA teams with the divisions they serve.”