IMDb, the Web Film Database, is getting its first new CEO in its 35-year historical past. Col Needham, the corporate’s founder and its CEO for the web site’s total existence, is transitioning out of his position and can turn out to be the brand new Govt Chair for IMDb.
Nikki Santoro, who has been IMDb’s Chief Working Officer since 2021, is being elevated to the CEO position. She’s solely IMDB’s second-ever CEO and the primary lady to carry the place.
Needham has been with IMDb from the start in 1990 and seen it by its acquisition by Amazon in 1998, quite a few web site redesigns which have launched numerous new options for showtimes, streaming choices, and IMDbPro. Throughout his tenure there have additionally been coverage adjustments similar to permitting people to take away their age or given names from their database pages, and lots of extra adjustments which have made it one of the vital trafficked web sites on the complete web with 250 million month-to-month guests.
In his new position, Needham will nonetheless present strategic steerage to the corporate, seek the advice of on key initiatives, and function a worldwide ambassador for IMDb. Needham will nonetheless be based mostly in Bristol, England, and he’ll stay a board member with Into Movie and Movie Impartial, whereas serving as World Model Ambassador for the British Board of Movie Classification.
“After founding IMDb and serving as CEO for 35 years, I’ve chosen to transition into my new position as Founder & Govt Chair, passing the torch to Nikki Santoro as our new CEO,” Needham stated in a press release. “Nikki’s strategic imaginative and prescient, deep understanding of our clients and merchandise, and dedication to innovation have already delivered spectacular enterprise outcomes throughout her tenure as COO. Her observe file of driving development and enhancing our services and products makes her the perfect individual to information IMDb into a brand new period. I stay up for persevering with to work intently with Nikki and the proficient IMDb crew in my new position as we construct on IMDb’s legacy and form the way forward for leisure data.”
“Taking over the position of CEO at IMDb is each an amazing honor and an thrilling problem,” Santoro stated. “I’m dedicated to main our world crew as we proceed to raise IMDb because the world’s premier leisure useful resource, connecting world audiences with the content material they love and supporting trade professionals with unparalleled knowledge and insights, all powered by cutting-edge expertise and a passionate neighborhood. As we navigate the quickly evolving landscapes of expertise and leisure, IMDb might be on the forefront, delighting followers, empowering creators, and informing trade selections.”
Santoro joined IMDb in 2016 and was named COO in 2021. She’s led strategic growth for promoting, content material, product, expertise, and person expertise and helped IMDb increase its core database and enhance IMDbPro. Santoro has beforehand held management positions at Amazon, Microsoft, and The Climate Channel. Her objectives as CEO might be to proceed enhancing its core database, develop its promoting and Professional membership service, and its licensing companies.
IMDb will host an trade dinner in Park Metropolis on the Sundance Movie Competition on January 27, a non-public occasion designed to foster trade connections and progress within the digital leisure panorama.