María José Rodríguez, a pivotal figure behind Prime Video’s success in Spain, has resigned from her position as Amazon Studios’ head of Spanish originals. The announcement was made on Monday by Nicole Morganti, Amazon Studios’ head of local originals for Southern Europe. Rodríguez’s departure comes shortly after Prime Video showcased its 2024 slate in Madrid, celebrating what it described as a highly successful first semester.
During her tenure, Rodríguez greenlit several notable projects, including “Reina Roja” (“Red Queen”), which quickly became one of the platform’s Top 10 most-watched titles internationally upon its release. She also brought the singing competition show “Operación Triunfo” to Amazon Studios, which became the most acquired Spanish Original in Prime Video’s history in Spain.
“María José’s impact on Prime Video has been significant,” Morganti stated. “There is no greater demonstration of her vision than bringing the Culpables trilogy to life for customers, beginning with ‘Culpa Mia,’ Prime Video’s most successful international original movie of all time, and looking ahead to ‘Culpa Tuya,’ coming later this year.”
Rodríguez also oversaw the production of the sci-fi thriller “Awareness” and “Los Farad,” a sophisticated family saga about arms trafficking directed by Mariano Barroso. These projects exemplify Amazon Spain’s focus on genre-blending action thrillers, romantic teen dramas, and non-fiction content.
In a recent interview with Variety, Rodríguez, alongside Ricardo Carbonero, director of Prime Video in Spain and Portugal, announced that select Amazon movie originals in Spain would receive theatrical releases. This initiative will begin with “La Virgen Roja,” which is set to premiere as a special screening at September’s San Sebastian Festival.
“María José has been a powerful voice for Amazon MGM Studios in Spain’s TV and film industry, launching the CIMA10 initiative, our educational program designed to encourage more women into our industry,” Morganti added. “She has been a driving force in the enormous success that we have seen for Prime Video Spain, and we are grateful for her passion and dedication in making Prime Video Spain a true home for talent.”
Rodríguez’s departure marks the end of a significant chapter for Amazon Studios in Spain. Her leadership and vision have been instrumental in shaping the platform’s content strategy and driving its success in the region. Her contributions have not only elevated Prime Video’s profile in Spain but have also set a high standard for original content production.
Rodríguez’s career in the entertainment industry spans several decades. Before joining Amazon in 2020, she held various roles at Globomedia from 1997 to 2007, where she worked on popular shows such as “Noche Hache,” “The Comedy Club,” and “Disney Club.” She also served as the director of original production at Discovery Max and worked at Movistar+ channel #0.
Following her resignation from Amazon, Rodríguez has been appointed as the managing director of Globomedia, a Spanish-based content producer run by The Mediapro Studio. In her new role, she will oversee Globomedia’s content strategy and production operations, reporting directly to Mediapro Studio CEO Laura Fernández Espeso. Rodríguez will begin her new position on September 1.
“Globomedia is a pivotal brand for the studio, playing a crucial role in our overall strategy,” Espeso said. “With her extensive experience and impressive track record, María José brings invaluable expertise in both fiction and non-fiction content production. She is a respected and well-regarded professional within the industry. We are delighted to welcome her to our team, where she will lead such an important brand for us.”
Rodríguez’s move to Globomedia comes at a time when the company is expanding its reach and influence in the global content market. Globomedia’s film and TV productions are currently available in either their original or adapted versions in more than 140 countries. Some of its notable titles include series such as “Paraíso,” “Nasdrovia,” “Locked Up,” “Estoy Vivo,” “The Boarding School,” “Aída,” “Los Serrano,” “Red Eagle,” “7 Vidas,” “The Boat,” “Un Paso Adelante,” and “Paco’s Men.”
Globomedia has also achieved success with its entertainment programs, including the long-running “El Intermedio” and “Zapeando” on Spain’s LaSexta, “Atrápame si Puedes,” and “The Musical of your Life” on Mediaset.
Rodríguez’s appointment as managing director of Globomedia is expected to bring a fresh perspective and innovative approach to the company’s content production strategy. Her extensive experience and proven track record in the industry make her a valuable addition to the Globomedia team.
As Rodríguez transitions to her new role, the industry will be watching closely to see how she leverages her expertise to drive Globomedia’s growth and success. Her departure from Amazon Studios marks the end of an era, but her new position at Globomedia signals the beginning of an exciting new chapter in her illustrious career.
Source: Variety, Deadline
