Amazon Prime Video reshuffles Australian leadership team
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The news: Amazon has appointed Hwei Loke to head of Prime Video in Australia and New Zealand as part of a leadership shakeup that across the region and in Canada.
The context: Hushidar Kharas, who has served as Prime Video’s local boss since it entered the market in 2019, will move into a globally-focused role as part of the changes, Amazon announced in a statement on Tuesday.
Kharas has been appointed global head of Prime Video’s brand and social strategy and will be based in the US for the new role.
Loke joined Prime Video in 2020 and most recently served as the streamer’s local head of creative. She has held roles at The Walt Disney Company and SBS.
The changes form one component of a broader organisational restructure at the streamer’s operations in Australia, New Zealand and Canada.
As part of the reshuffle, Mark Shopiro was appointed the new head of Prime Video Canada. Dan Slepak, meanwhile, will take the newly created role of head of marketplace, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Amazon Prime Video grew its Australian subscriber base by 7% over the last year to estimated 4.8 million, according to research firm Telsyte, and in recent years has established a renewed focus on Australian content, including sport.
What they said: "It’s such an exciting time for the business and I couldn’t be more pleased to work alongside such a passionate and hardworking team. My journey with Amazon started four years ago but as we say, it’s always Day 1," Loke said in a post on LinkedIn.
"A big thank you to Hushidar Kharas who has led our business in Australia from literal Day 1 and who has also been an incredible mentor to me. It's big shoes to fill!"
The sources: Amazon press release, LinkedIn
