Chief Oscars officer Teni Melidonian exits AMPAS role
Chief Oscars officer Teni Melidonian is stepping down from her full-time AMPAS role and will remain as a consultant for one year, CEO Bill Kramer told staff in an email. Awards production, special events, and talent relations now move under Jennifer Davidson as the Academy prepares for its 2029 move to YouTube.
Key Takeaways
- Teni Melidonian exits the chief Oscars officer post but will advise AMPAS as a consultant for the next 12 months.
- Jennifer Davidson's marketing and content team now oversees awards production, special events, and talent relations.
- Meredith Shea's membership team takes over member screenings and awards ticketing.
- The Oscars air on ABC through 2028 before shifting to YouTube, which holds exclusive global rights through 2033.
- Kramer framed the reshuffle around the Academy's 100th anniversary, its 100th ceremony, and a new Oscars venue.
Why Is Chief Oscars Officer Teni Melidonian Leaving AMPAS?
According to Variety, Melidonian is departing her full-time position as part of a broader organizational restructuring that AMPAS CEO Bill Kramer outlined to employees. The outlet cited sources familiar with Kramer's email to staff.
In that message, Kramer said Melidonian would leave her full-time role with the Academy while providing guidance as a consultant for the next year. The change arrives as the organization plans for major milestones, including its centennial year and the Oscars' planned transition to YouTube.
What Does the AMPAS Restructuring Mean for the Oscars?
Kramer wrote that awards production, special events, and talent relations would move immediately under Jen Davidson and the marketing, communications, and content team. Member screenings and awards ticketing would shift to Meredith Shea and the membership, impact, and industry team.
The CEO said the structure aligns teams around shared priorities, with marketing continuing to oversee external-facing programs while membership remains focused on global member and industry engagement. For viewers tracking awards-season shifts, more updates are available in our Streaming & TV Alerts coverage.
How Does the YouTube Move Factor Into This Leadership Change?
The Oscars will air on ABC for the last time in 2028 before moving to YouTube in 2029. YouTube holds exclusive global rights through 2033, a deal that reshapes how the Academy approaches its flagship broadcast.
Kramer tied the reorganization directly to that transition, writing that planning is already underway for the Academy's 100th year, its 100th Oscars ceremony, the YouTube move, and a new Oscars venue. Melidonian had served as the lead liaison between the Academy and Disney/ABC, making her exit especially notable ahead of the final ABC telecast.
Who Is Teni Melidonian and What Comes Next?
Melidonian previously served as executive vice president of Oscars strategy. She joined the Academy in 2005 as a publicist, later leading communications and publicity before heading the Oscars strategy team. Before AMPAS, she worked in Washington, D.C., including for the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia.
In his email, Kramer praised her two decades of work: "We are deeply grateful for Teni's remarkable contributions over the past two decades. Her dedication and partnership have helped shape countless Academy initiatives, and her impact on this organization will be felt for years to come." Variety noted that The Ankler first reported on the Academy changes.