Vernon Sanders, the head of TV for Amazon MGM Studios, is exiting the company.
Sanders shared his decision in a note to staff Wednesday.
“Throughout my tenure, the company has repeatedly entrusted me with expanded responsibilities and new challenges,” Sanders wrote to staff. “While I have been deeply honored by that growth in scope, I’ve found myself increasingly distant from what originally drew me to this industry – the day-to-day creative process of making television. Earlier this summer, I made the decision to return to those creative roots.”
Sanders joined Amazon Studios in 2018 from NBC, reuniting with his former colleague Jen Salke, who had been tapped to lead the tech giant’s entertainment division. Salke exited Amazon MGM Studios earlier this year, launching a new production company with a first-look deal with the studio.
Sanders’ exit also comes after Mike Hopkins, who leads Amazon’s entertainment businesses, shook up Prime Video, promoting sports and ads chief Jay Marine to oversee the product in the U.S., with Albert Cheng shifting to a new role overseeing AI tools and services for the division.
“On both a personal and professional level, Vernon will be missed by everyone here at Amazon, and I can’t thank him enough for his work, while also wishing him the very best on whatever he chooses to explore next in his career,” Hopkins wrote in a note to staff. “Thankfully, he’s agreed to stay on during a transition period as we work to bring on a new leader for this team.”
You can read Sanders’ note, below.
Dear Colleagues,
After a little over seven years at Amazon MGM Studios, I am writing to share my decision to step down as Head of Global Television. Looking back to those early days, two things struck me immediately about Amazon: the exceptionally smart people and the vast, endless horizon of what’s possible within this company. Seven years later, those same attributes continue to thrive here.
Throughout my tenure, the company has repeatedly entrusted me with expanded responsibilities and new challenges. While I have been deeply honored by that growth in scope, I’ve found myself increasingly distant from what originally drew me to this industry – the day-to-day creative process of making television. Earlier this summer, I made the decision to return to those creative roots.
I want to express my deepest gratitude to Jennifer Salke for inviting me to this company and being a role model for how to be bold, take risks and be human. To Mike Hopkins, your steadfast leadership has been instrumental in shaping Prime Video’s new vision and success. Thank you for your personal guidance and support, throughout this past year.
By nature, I’ve always been a people person, and the extraordinary talent here has made every day remarkable. The brilliant minds, the creative spirits, and the collaborative energy have been truly inspiring. Together, we’ve pushed boundaries and created something truly special.
We are all indebted to our incredible creators, talented actors, and tireless crews who bring our shows to life – they are the heart and soul of everything we do.
I leave with a profound sense of accomplishment and immense gratitude. The successes we’ve achieved together make me incredibly proud. I have absolute confidence in this team’s continued success and the exciting journey ahead. 2026 will be our best year yet! I have committed to ensuring a seamless transition over the next few weeks as he works through succession plans.
Thank you all for being part of this amazing chapter.
As my mom would say, it’s been a great ride.
With gratitude and appreciation,
Vernon