Amazon Prime Video restructures int’l business & plans ‘Wytches’ adaptation

Wytches

Amazon’s Prime Video has handed expanded regional remits to execs Barry Furlong and Gaurav Gandhi in a restructure of its international business under Kelly Day.

Furlong, who currently serves as VP of Prime Video Europe, is adding Africa and the Middle East to his role to oversee EMEA.

Gandhi, meanwhile, takes on a new role as lead for APAC, adding Japan and Southeast Asia to his current remit looking after India. Sushant Sreeram, director of SVOD business, will step into the role of Prime Video country director for India to replace Gandhi.

Kari Roe will remain in her current role overseeing the Americas, Australia and New Zealand, while Josh McIvor, director of international expansion, will continue to oversee “priority international Prime Video initiatives that sit outside a regional remit.”

In a memo to staff, Day wrote that the new structure is “designed to enable us to reach our ambitious goals for global growth while remaining the most local of the global streaming services. It will also expand the career development options for Prime Video International team members.

“Our plans are designed to create global consistency in our ways of working, simplify decision-making across our increasing number of priority countries and regions, and allow us to quickly scale Prime Video globally while retaining our focus on delivering for local customers.”

These latest changes, which will take place in April follow the Amazon Studios restructure in November, which saw Laura Lancaster promoted to head of US SVOD TV development and series – co-productions and Nick Pepper upped to head of US SVOD TV development and series – wholly owned.

In related news, Prime Video has commissioned an animated adaptation of Scott Snyder and Jock’s horror comic book series Wytches from Plan B Entertainment, Project 51 Productions and Amazon Studios.

The six issue comic tells the story of teenager Sailor Rooks, who moves to a remote New England town where horrific creatures lurk in the nearby woods.

“Driven by the pairing of Scott and Jock along with our partners at Plan B and Project 51 Productions, Wytches fuses nail biting horror and evocative drama while unearthing the dark lore surrounding an ancient burrow of witches,” said Melissa Wolfe, head of animation, Amazon Studios.