Amazon MGM Studios has tapped Matt Newman to serve as head of live-action for its new AI Studios division, TheWrap has learned.
Newman most recently served as head of original sports content, where he greenlit docuseries including “Kelce,” “Coach Prime,” “Federer: Twelve Final Days” and “Bye Bye Barry.” He also oversaw development of Prime Video’s scripted and unscripted slate of sports-themed film and TV content.
Before that, he served as co-head of movies, overseeing the acquisition of films such as “Borat Subsequent Moviefilm,” “Coming 2 America,” “Cinderella” and “Hotel Transylvania 4.” In that role, he worked alongside Julie Rapaport, who is now head of film, production and development, and Ted Hope, who left in May 2020.
The AI Studios division aims to “pursue a future where generative AI seamlessly collaborates with human-centered performance to empower storytellers and entertain audiences.”
The division is led by former Prime Video U.S. chief Albert Cheng, who oversees the team of creatives, business professionals and technologists who will empower creators to responsibly integrate GenAI into content production through proprietary tools and services and help expand their visions.
Cheng was tapped to lead the department’s strategic vision following a restructuring in the tech giant’s entertainment division in August. As part of that restructuring, global sports and advertising head Jay Marine took over Cheng’s oversight of the U.S. Prime Video business.
In addition to Newman, Ken Nakada will serve as the division’s principal and creative executive for live-action, while Jessica Fan will serve as head of animation and June Lee will be head of business development & operations.
Nakada, who has been with the tech giant since 2020, most recently as head of virtual production and creative innovation at Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios. Before that, he was an art director and immersive experience designer at Zen Haven Studios and creative director at Pixomondo.
Fan, who has been with the company since 2018, most recently served as head of new ventures for Prime Video. Before that, she led film at Amazon Freevee and film acquisition and strategy at Amazon MGM Studios. Prior to Amazon, she was an equity research analyst at Goldman Sachs covering media and entertainment.
Lee, who has been with the company since 2017, previously served as head of U.S. product marketing and merchandising at the streamer. Before that, she was head of product marketing at Amazon and a developer on Alexa and worked as a marketing lead for digital advertising and gaming for Amazon Web Services.
