Variety: Prime Video Taps Nicole Clemens to Lead International Originals

Story from Variety:

Prime Video has named Nicole Clemens as VP and head of international originals for Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios, effective July 7.

The appointment was announced by Kelly Day, VP of Prime Video International.

Clemens joins Prime Video from Paramount Television Studios, where she most recently served as president. In that capacity, she oversaw the development and production of several high-profile series that have found homes on Prime Video, including “Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan,” “Reacher,” and “Cross.” Her tenure at Paramount also included a dual role as president of original scripted series for Paramount+, where she helped formulate the programming strategy for the streamer’s launch.

“Nicole is a highly respected and experienced media executive,” Day said in an internal announcement to Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios teams, seen by Variety. “I’m delighted to share that she will be joining us to lead our international original teams, which will continue building on the incredible success we’ve seen with global audiences.”

In her new role, Clemens will oversee the development and production of original movies and series across more than 20 territories worldwide, serving Prime Video’s global audience of more than 200 million Prime members. She will manage teams across Europe, Latin America and Asia Pacific.

The appointment comes at a pivotal time for Prime Video’s international content strategy. According to Day’s announcement, the platform produced more than 140 international original series and movies across more than 20 territories last year, marking their biggest year to date.

Clemens will initially onboard at Amazon MGM Studios’ Culver City headquarters before relocating to Prime Video’s London office. The international originals leadership team will report directly to her, including Javiera Balmaceda (head of international originals, Latin America, Canada & Australia), Tara Erer (head of international originals, Northern Europe), Nicole Morganti (head of international originals, Southern Europe), and John Holmes (director of international originals production and post).

Nikhil Madhok (head of international originals, India) will continue reporting to Gaurav Gandhi (VP, Prime Video APAC and MENA) while remaining part of Clemens’ leadership team. Marc Hausmaninger (head of content strategy, international originals) and Sam Semon (head of international business affairs) will also support the division.

Prior to Paramount, Clemens built an extensive career in television development and production. She served as executive VP and Head of Series Development for FX Networks for five years, overseeing original series including “Snowfall,” “Atlanta,” “Better Things,” “You’re the Worst,” “Man Seeking Woman,” “Married,” “Baskets,” “Tyrant,” “Mayans M.C.,” and “The Strain.”

Earlier in her career, Clemens was a partner and head of the Motion Picture Literary Department at ICM Partners for 16 years, and held executive positions at Rod Holcomb Productions and Spelling Television. She currently serves on the board of directors of the Motion Picture Television Fund and has been recognized on industry power lists including the Variety Woman’s Impact Report, and the Variety 500 list in 2023.

Under Clemens’ leadership at Paramount Television Studios, the company produced numerous critically acclaimed series including “Station Eleven” for HBO Max (which received seven Emmy nominations), “The Offer” for Paramount+, Chris Evans’ “Defending Jacob,” “Home Before Dark” and “Shantaram” for Apple TV+, “The Haunting” anthology series for Netflix, and George Clooney’s “Catch-22” for Hulu. She also shepherded global franchises for Paramount+ including “Halo” and the “Star Trek” series “Strange New Worlds,” “Picard,” and “Discovery,” as well as “SEAL Team,” “Evil,” “The Good Fight,” “Rabbit Hole,” and “Criminal Minds: Evolution.”

Prime Video’s international slate includes the third installment in Mercedes Ron’s Culpables trilogy (“Culpa Nuestra” from Spain), returning seasons of hit series including “Maxton Hall” (Germany), “Red Queen” (Spain), and “Betty La Fea” (Colombia), along with “Newtopia” (Korea), “Superboys of Malegaon” (India), “Graduation Trip: Mallorca” (Spain), and “Costiera” (Italy).