Amazon’s Wondery Undergoes Major Restructuring: CEO Departure and Video Push

Wondery CEO Jen Sargent is stepping down from her position as the podcast company implements significant organizational changes and strengthens its focus on video content. This restructuring comes as part of broader changes following Amazon’s 2021 acquisition of the company.

Key Organizational Changes at Wondery

The restructuring includes several major shifts in Wondery’s operations:

• Wondery’s narrative podcast studio, home to hit shows like Dr. Death, American Scandal, and Business Wars, will transition to Audible
• Chief Content Officer Marshall Lewy will join Audible’s content team
• Creator-led, video-focused shows such as New Heights and Armchair Expert will become part of Amazon’s new Creator Services organization
• Approximately 110 employees were affected by the reorganization

New Focus on Creator Services and Video Integration

The newly formed Creator Services team will continue operating under the Wondery brand, focusing on collaborating with top creators to expand listenership and develop broader relationships across Amazon’s ecosystem. Matt Sandler will lead this initiative.

LeBron James Partnership: A New Model

The company points to LeBron James’s podcast Mind the Game as their blueprint for future creator partnerships. The show demonstrates successful multi-platform distribution across Prime Video, Amazon Music, Fire TV Channels, and Echo devices, while leveraging James’s involvement in broader Amazon initiatives like Prime Day.

Evolution of the Podcast Landscape

Amazon acknowledges the significant changes in podcast consumption, particularly noting that video-integrated shows require different strategies for discovery, growth, and monetization compared to traditional audio-first content. This shift has transformed the definition of podcast creation and consumption.

New Leadership and Advertising Structure

The restructuring includes the formation of a new sponsorship advertising team across Wondery and Amazon Music, led by Angie More. Amy Grabisch’s team, specializing in Amazon Music’s live programming monetization, will join this new initiative.

Recent Changes in Show Portfolio

This reorganization follows the departure of two major Wondery shows, Morbid and SmartLess, to SiriusXM, highlighting the increasingly competitive nature of the podcast industry.

As Wondery continues its integration with Amazon, these changes aim to streamline operations, enhance creator support, and simplify advertising processes while making content more accessible across multiple platforms.