Unscripted chief to step down to exec producer role in latest rejig at US giant
Amazon MGM Studios’ ongoing reshuffle of its senior management ranks has continued with the exit of unscripted chief Barry Poznick.
The exec had been general manager of unscripted since 2022 following Amazon’s acquisition of MGM, and before that had been president of alternative for the Survivor producer for more than six years under Mark Burnett.
Poznick is moving onto a three-year exec producer deal at Amazon MGM Studios to work on select projects including US versions of The Voice and American Gladiators.
His exit comes less than two months after Peter Friedlander joined to become head of global TV at Amazon MGM Studios, a remit that spans scripted and unscripted.
Shortly before Friedlander’s appointment, Poznick’s MGM Alternative TV unit was moved into Amazon MGM Studios, directly into what would become Friedlander’s remit.
The former Netflix chief will now pick up direct oversight of execs including Kitty Gambel, senior vice president of unscripted and alternative, and Lucilla D’Agostino, who runs Real Housewives firm Evolution Media and On Patrol: Live label Big Fish Entertainment.
Former Channel 4 exec Dom Bird, who launched Amazon MGM Studios international division in 2019, reports into Gambel, as does US-based production exec Justin Dudek.
In a note to staff, Friedlander said Poznick had been “an integral part of the Amazon team” following the acquisition and pointed to his work on shows such as Real Housewives and 007: Road to a Million.
He added: “We are delighted that Barry will maintain his relationship with Amazon through a producer deal, allowing us to continue our prosperous partnership.”
Poznick’s exit comes less than a month since fellow Amazon MGM Studios unscripted exec Lauren Anderson shifted to a new brand-focused role at the retail giant.
She also passed her remit to Friedlander, who replaced Vernon Sanders in September. That followed studio chief Jen Salke’s shock departure in March.
Amazon MGM Studios recently installed its international originals chief, Nicole Clemens, who has responsibility for UK scripted series.
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