Amazon Studios is launching Amazon MGM Studios Distribution.
The distribution division will see Amazon originals and MGM library titles, which number 4,000 film titles, 17,000 TV episodes, including 180 Academy Awards winners and 100 Emmy Awards winners.
Chris Ottinger, who’s led the distribution team at MGM will lead the unit, reporting to Brad Beale, VP Worldwide Licensing & Distribution, Amazon and MGM Studios, who in turn reports to Jen Salke, Head of Amazon and MGM Studios.
He told Deadline the unit would focus primarily on “flexible bundles,” which will allow his team to offer buyers handpicked content and not tie them to shows and films they might not want as part of rigid packages.
At launch the division will offer sells Amazon Originals including 7500, All the Old Knives, Bliss, Borat Subsequent Moviefilm, Coming 2 America, I Want You Back, The Tender Bar, The Tomorrow War, The Voyeurs, and Without Remorse. Television titles include Goliath, Hunters, and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.
It will also handle sales of the James Bond, Rocky and Creed franchises and series The Handmaid’s Tale, Vikings, Fargo and the upcoming Hotel Cocaine from MGM+.
“Pioneering the distribution of Amazon Originals for Amazon Studios is an exciting opportunity to bring fresh, never-before available quality content to audiences around the globe. In doing so, we will break through the current sales mold by creating custom packages that will fulfill our client’s individual content needs,” said Ottinger.
Amazon Studios says licensing these properties “generates significant third-party licensing and transactional revenue for the studio.”
Differentiating themselves in the marketplace, the Amazon MGM Studios Distribution team will offer clients the flexibility to create bundles that will work in their territory. Sales of the new content will launch out of LA Screenings. MGM will hold presentations Friday, May 19 and Monday, May 22 at Amazon Studios’ home in Culver City.
“The launch of Amazon MGM Studios Distribution reinforces our commitment to bringing the very best content to audiences everywhere worldwide,” said Salke. “With the integration of MGM, we wanted to take advantage of the existing team to expand our business in ways that will greatly benefit our customers around the world.”
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