Rachel Ghiazza Latest Celebrity News & Gossip

Cynthia Littleton Business Editor Audible Inc. has pacted with its sibling Amazon MGM Studios unit to develop TV series based on a slew of podcasts and other original audio-only content featuring such notables as Kerry Washington, author James Patterson, “Suits” creator Aaron Korsh and more.

Jaden Thompson DJ Drama, the Grammy-winning “King of the Mixtape,” is known for his “Gangsta Grillz” series, which has featured a myriad of prominent hip-hop artists over the years from Lil Wayne to Tyler the Creator. On the new Audible original “DJ Drama’s Gangsta Grillz Podcast,” presented by Kenya Barris‘ Khalabo Ink Society, Drama sits down with some of the notable musicians he’s worked with to unpack his iconic mixtape series. “He was arrested in a sting for mixtapes.

EXCLUSIVE: Fresh Produce Media, the podcast company behind Jon Hamm and Kate Mara-fronted scripted series The Big Lie, has renewed its first-look deal with Audible.

EXCLUSIVE: Zola Mashariki, the former Fox Searchlight and BET exec who has headed up Audible Studios for the last two years, is leaving the Amazon-owned company.

Todd Spangler NY Digital Editor Jeff Daniels’ musical, audio-only memoir “Alive and Well Enough” — blending spoken word, storytelling, original music and performance — is coming exclusively to Audible. All episodes of the 12-episode first season will drop Sept. 7, 2023, exclusively on Audible at this link.

Todd Spangler NY Digital Editor Audible announced Rachel Ghiazza has been appointed chief content officer, effective immediately. The four-year veteran of the audiobook and podcast platform most recently served as EVP and head of U.S. content. In the expanded role at Audible, Ghiazza will oversee all aspects of content including development, production, operations and business affairs, as well as talent, publisher and partner relations. She will lead the continued globalization of Audible originals as well as grow the company’s library of podcasts and audiobooks. Ghiazza will continue to report to CEO Bob Carrigan. Ghiazza joined Audible in April 2019 as senior vice president of content acquisition and development and was named head of U.S. content in 2020. Prior to Audible, she spent more than five years at Spotify, where she held a variety of roles including leading the global content experiences team. Ghiazza also held senior roles on content teams at Viacom and Yahoo.

Angelique Jackson Producer, author and motivational speaker DeVon Franklin has partnered with Audible for the new audiobook “It Takes a Woman.”The Audible Original’s title refers to the African proverb that says “It takes a village to raise a child.” But Franklin’s take introduces audiences to the women — his mother Paulette and his five living great-aunts (Aunt Nuna, Aunt Ida, Aunt Enis, Aunt Sondra and Aunt Donna) — he lovingly refers to as his “village of love,” as he celebrates and honors their sacrifices as experienced through the eyes of a Black man.“Partnering with Audible for my first Audible Original, ‘It Takes a Woman,’ has been incredible and cathartic,” Franklin said, announcing the project. “They have given me an opportunity, for the first time publicly, to share the story of how the village of women in my family stepped in to successfully raise me and my two brothers after my father tragically died of a heart attack at the age of 36.

EXCLUSIVE: Audible is plotting to bolster its content marketing.

Todd Spangler NY Digital EditorAudible has been in the audio-content biz for more than 20 years. Now, amid the recent podcast explosion, the Amazon-owned premium audio storytelling platform is aggressively investing in original and exclusive content — including a burgeoning slate from high-profile Hollywood talent.On the latest episode of Variety’s “Strictly Business” podcast — it’s a meta podcast about podcasts! — Rachel Ghiazza, EVP, and head of U.S.

Zola Mashariki, a veteran of Fox Searchlight Pictures and BET Networks, has been named head of Amazon-owned Audible Studios. In her new role, Mashariki will oversee the creation of all original content and will manage the entire studio operation, including the development and implementation of content strategy.

Todd Spangler NY Digital EditorZola Mashariki, former senior exec at Fox Searchlight and BET, is the new head of Audible Studios.In the role at the Amazon-owned audio content platform, Mashariki will lead the creation of all original programming from concept to release, overseeing the entire studio operation including the development and implementation of content strategy.Based in Los Angeles, Mashariki reports to Rachel Ghiazza, executive VP and head of U.S.

Zola Mashariki, who spent 15 years at Fox Searchlight and also had stints at BET and Just Mercy production company One Community, has been named head of Audible Studios.

William Earl Variety, in partnership with Audible, will host a conversation with the team behind “When You Finish Saving the World” in the Variety Streaming Room on January 28 at 5 p.m. PT.Variety’s Angelique Jackson will moderate the conversation with creator and performer Jesse Eisenberg, actor and musician Finn Wolfhard and Audible’s EVP and Head of Content Rachel Ghiazza.

Elaine Low Senior TV WriterAudible, the Amazon-owned audiobook and audio entertainment company, has tapped Twitch and Spotify veteran Pat Shah to become its vice president of content acquisition.Shah will steer Audible’s content acquisition strategy, shepherding its content deal operations and talent relations teams. He will report to Audible head of U.S.