Mandy Schaffer and Craig Muhlrad Step into Key Roles at Amazon MGM Studios

Dan Scharf is set to depart his role as Head of Global Business Operations at Amazon MGM Studios, a transition announced internally by key studio executives including Courtenay Valenti, Head of Film; Peter Friedlander, Head of Global Television; and Nicole Clemens, Head of International Originals. In conjunction with this change, Valenti and Friedlander have revealed new appointments for Heads of Business Affairs within their respective divisions.

Mandy Schaffer, formerly with Netflix, has been appointed as Head of Business Affairs for Global TV, while Craig Muhlrad from Amazon takes on the role of Head of Film Business Affairs.

Schaffer represents another significant hire brought on by Friedlander since his arrival at Amazon MGM Studios last fall. She joins a team that includes Blair Fetter as Head of Worldbuilding & Genre Series and Jenn Levy as Head of Unscripted TV.

As reported earlier, Amazon MGM Studios is restructuring its Business Affairs teams, creating three distinct units that will be integrated within the Film, TV, and International Originals divisions.

The internal announcements regarding Schaffer and Muhlrad’s appointments highlight a shift in the studio’s Business Affairs strategy:

Note from Peter Friedlander:

Team,
Please see below a note from Courtenay, Nicole, and me outlining a new structure we will be utilizing for Business Affairs going forward – as well as the news that Dan Scharf will be departing Amazon. I wanted to take a moment to thank Dan for his partnership and contributions to our organization, and I know all of you will join me in wishing him well in his next chapter.
Per the other note, we will now have business affairs leaders embedded in our film, series, and international teams, and with that in mind I’m pleased to share that Mandy Schaffer is joining Amazon MGM Studios as Head of Business Affairs, Global TV, reporting to me, starting June 8th.
Mandy was one of the longest-serving Business Affairs executives at Netflix, having spent nearly 12 years building and leading the function. Most recently, she served as VP, Head of Series Business Affairs for the U.S. and Canada, overseeing teams across Scripted, Animated, Nonfiction, and Live Sports. She joined Netflix in 2014 as part of the team behind the streamer’s earliest originals — including Orange is the New Black and House of Cards — and developed deal strategy and structure for all Netflix UCAN Original Scripted Series. Her ability to operate at the intersection of creative ambition and business strategy makes her an ideal addition to our leadership team.
Until Mandy’s start date, Julia Shapiro will report directly to me and serve as the primary point of contact for all TV Business Affairs matters. I’m excited to welcome Mandy to the team and look forward to the speed and alignment this new structure will bring to our series organization.
Peter

Note from Courtenay Valenti:

Dear Team,
Please see the below note that Peter, Nicole and I sent out earlier today regarding a change in the structure of our business affairs group going forward.
First, I want to express my deep gratitude to Dan. For over a decade, he has brought clarity to complexity, steadiness in moments of uncertainty, and a deep commitment to doing right by our teams, our talent partners, and our business. He will be missed and I wish him well.
As the note below details, we will now have an embedded business affairs team dedicated to film, and I’m pleased to share that Craig Muhlrad will lead that group as Head of Film Business Affairs, reporting directly to me. Craig has been an invaluable partner to us and I look forward to partnering even more closely.
Additionally, Bob Bowen, Worldwide Head of Music, and Michelle Ow, Head of Studio Ops & Strategy, will both move to report to me directly. Krista James, Head of Music Business Affairs, will now report to Bob. These leaders are incredibly important to us across the studios and I’m excited to work more directly with them. Please reach out to me with any questions and I know you will all join me in congratulating Craig on this new role, and in thanking Dan for his years of service as we wish him the very best in his next chapter.
Best,
Courtenay