Think Globally, Produce Locally: Jennifer Salke on Content Strategy and How ’Rings of Power‘ Reflects ’Heartbeat’ of Amazon

Dan Scharf — the VP and global head of business affairs at Amazon Studios — will now oversee production, studio operations, casting, and studios music. Jennifer Salke, head of Amazon Studios, made the internal announcement Wednesday.

In the near future, it’s pretty simple what the new Warner Bros Discovery will zero in on: “We’re going to have a real focus on franchises,” President and CEO David Zaslav said on this afternoon’s Q3 earnings call.

As we told you last week, former Warner Bros Global Marketing Chief Sue Kroll was bound to be named Amazon Studios’ new Head of Marketing. On Monday, the company confirmed the news.

Kroll will report directly to Amazon Studios chief Jennifer Salke and will oversee marketing campaigns for all of Amazon’s films and TV series that will be released both in theaters and on Amazon’s Prime Video streaming service. Kroll, who launched her own production company Kroll & Co.

EXCLUSIVE: Grantham Coleman is joining the Starz family.

Amazon Studios’ is shaking up the leadership of its TV programming operations under Head of Television Vernan Sanders, I have learned. Marc Resteghini is stepping down as US/Global Head of Development, sources said. He is negotiating a producing deal with Amazon Studios. Nick Pepper, Head of Studio Creative Content, and Laura Lancaster, Head of Series, are expected to divvy up Resteghini’s responsibilities and co-run development and production of TV content, reporting to Sanders. MGM TV’s operations remain separate and do not factor into the current executive changes. A rep for Amazon Studios declined comment.

Rebecca Rubin Film and Media Reporter Opening statements began on Wednesday in a civil trial against Oscar-winning filmmaker Paul Haggis, who has been accused of raping a publicist nearly a decade ago.  Haleigh Breest, who filed a lawsuit against Haggis in 2017, alleges that the screenwriter and director forced her to perform oral sex and then raped her after she reluctantly agreed to have a drink at his Soho apartment following a movie premiere. Her attorneys asserted to jurors that the director used his fame and position in Hollywood to pressure Breest, who was 26 at the time. “The defendant, Paul Haggis, is a famous movie director and screenwriter. He’s won two Oscars. He’s talented. He’s powerful. He’s also manipulative,” the plaintiff’s lawyer Zoe Salzman told the jurors in a Lower Manhattan courtroom. “The evidence in this case will show Mr. Haggis used his storytelling skills and fame to prey on, manipulate and attack vulnerable young women in the film industry.”

Olly Murs is known for his clever pranks, and on Tuesday he pulled an incredible one as he convinced his fiancée Amelia Tank that he had her name tattooed under his left eye.MORE: Olly Murs reveals shock split from fiancée Amelia Tank: DetailsThe singer revealed the prank on Tuesday, sharing a video taken during the "reveal".WATCH: Olly shocks fiancée Amelia with face tattooIn the clip, Amelia can be seen taking out the clear bandage from the tattoo, with Olly telling her to be "careful" and pretending that it's sore.SEE: Olly Murs' rustic mansion breaks the Essex mold - see insideREAD: Olly Murs talks about marriage and kids with bodybuilder Amelia Tank"Why does it look sore?" Amelia worryingly asks Olly, to which he replies: "I told you, it's real. Babe, I promise you now, this is a real tattoo." Olly and Amelia `became engaged earlier this year"It better not be," Amelia quickly tells him, before the video cuts off."Tattooed your name, under my eye," Olly cheekily captioned the clip.Friends and fans rushed to comment, many finding the funny side to the prank.

Amazon’s The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season one has had a “halo effect” on the streamer’s other tentpoles such as The Boys and Wheel of Time, according to Studios boss Jennifer Salke.

2022 Children’s Hospital Los Angeles Gala Barker Hangar, Santa MonicaJustin Timberlake and Jessica Biel (clad in a feathery Giambattista Valli Haute Couture gown) led the charge at the 2022 Children’s Hospital Los Angeles Gala, helping to raise a record-breaking $5.5 million for that medical center dedicated to healing children. Timberlake put on a show that had the whole place up and dancing, as Chris and Robert Pine served as hosts of the party held at the Barker Hangar, which is a perfectly mutable space with plenty of parking, making it a favorite of the charity gala crowd.

Cynthia Littleton Business Editor Rick Caruso is confident that he’s going to be the next mayor of Los Angeles.  “I’m getting the job,” he says with a grin before sitting down to detail his vision for the future of the entertainment industry in Los Angeles in an interview with Variety‘s “Strictly Business.”  The real estate developer who is behind such retail destinations as the Grove and Glendale’s the Americana is vying against Congresswoman Karen Bass for the job of leading the nation’s second largest city at a time when L.A. is beset with crises — most acutely, the growing ranks of the unhoused.

Cynthia Littleton Business Editor “Blonde” producer Plan B Entertainment is looking for a new blueprint. The production banner run by Brad Pitt and Dede Gardner has tapped Moelis & Co. to shop for a buyer or potential investors. The company has a first-look deal for TV with Amazon Studios and a pact with MGM Studios for film. Reps for Moelis & Co. declined comment. Reps for Plan B could not immediately be reached for comment. Plan B was hatched in late 2001 as a partnership between Pitt and actor Jennifer Aniston, about four months after the two were married in July 2001. Pitt eventually took over the venture after the pair split in 2005.

EXCLUSIVE: Shout! Factory has promoted Julie Dansker to SVP of Streaming and Content Strategy. She had been Head of New Content Sales at the multi-platform film and TV distribution, development and production company.

When we created this list six years ago, we were determined to recognize the new faces of storytellers, executives and entrepreneurs who were reinventing New York. A lot has changed since then, but the city’s can-do spirit is as potent as ever.

Paul Schrader always knew that “Master Gardener” would be controversial.

Jennifer Lopez looks – you know, that signature JLo glow – and we found one of her beauty secrets on sale for Amazon Prime Day.RELATED: Jennifer Lopez has been using this moisturizer for over a decadeThe Hustlers star has revealed some of her go-to beauty products over the years, including eye cream from StriVectin, known to be a fave of fellow stars like Charlize Theron, and you can shop it for less right now.MORE: Jennifer Lopez's trainer reveals her workout routine - this is what you'll need to do it at homeSHOP: As seen on JLo: Jennifer Lopez's favorite shoes are up to 60% off at DSW StriVectin Advanced Retinol Eye Treatment, was $75 / £68 now $53.43 / £40.80, AmazonOn October 11 and 12, you can shop StriVectin Advanced Retinol Eye Treatment, which tackles puffiness and dark circles, and also minimises crow's feet and wrinkles, at a reduced price on Amazon.You can also get the StriVectinTighten & Lift Peptight 360 Degree Eye Serum, a newer multi-tasking version of the best-selling formula. StriVectinTighten & Lift Peptight 360 Degree Eye Serum was $72 / £58 now $54 / £41, AmazonThis skin tightening serum is a triple threat just like JLo! It tackles wrinkles, under eye bags and puffiness all at once.

Millie Gibson was all smiles as she reunited with her Corrie bestie for an afternoon pampering session in Manchester city centre. The glam soap stars were seen leaving House of Evelyn together, looking the picture of autumnal chic and a far cry from the famous soap cobbles.