Amazon's IMDb Appoints Nikki Santoro as First Woman CEO, Col Needham Becomes Executive Chair
Jan 21, 2025, 02:12 PM
IMDb, the Amazon-owned entertainment database, has announced a leadership transition. Founder Col Needham, who established the company in 1990, is stepping down as CEO after 35 years at the helm. He will transition to the role of executive chair, where he will provide strategic guidance and serve as a global ambassador for the company. Nikki Santoro, who has been the Chief Operating Officer since 2021, will succeed Needham as CEO, marking her as the second CEO in IMDb's history and the first woman to hold the position. Santoro joined IMDb in 2016 and has led strategic development across various sectors of the business. The leadership change coincides with IMDb's 35th anniversary, and the company plans to celebrate with an industry dinner during the Sundance Film Festival on January 27.
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