Amazon cuts some Wondery podcast jobs as part of reorganization of audio business

Amazon is making significant changes to its Wondery podcast division, resulting in job losses and a leadership transition. As part of a larger reorganization within its audio business, the company announced that it will be consolidating some units of Wondery under its Audible audiobook and podcasting division. In a memo sent to staff on Monday, Steve Boom, Amazon's vice president of audio, Twitch, and games, confirmed that Wondery CEO Jen Sargent will also be stepping down. He emphasized that these strategic adjustments are intended to better align teams and optimize the company’s approach to future opportunities in the audio landscape. The restructuring will affect approximately 110 employees, as reported by Bloomberg, which first disclosed the layoffs. While Amazon did not comment on the total number of positions affected, the memo indicated that impacted employees had already been notified. This move comes almost five years after Amazon's acquisition of Wondery, a company renowned for popular podcasts like "Dirty John" and "Dr. Death." Recently, Wondery has secured lucrative licensing agreements with shows such as "New Heights" featuring Jason and Travis Kelce, as well as Dax Shepard’s "Armchair Expert." To enhance integration within the company, Boom outlined that Wondery’s narrative podcasts will now fall under Audible, while the development of creator-led shows will transition to a new division within Boom’s organization called "creator services." He acknowledged that the podcasting landscape has significantly evolved, particularly with the rise of video podcasts on platforms like YouTube, which require distinct strategies for discovery and monetization compared to traditional audio content. These changes highlight Amazon's commitment to adapting to the dynamic nature of podcasting and ensuring the best possible experience for creators, customers, and advertisers alike.