Lauren Anderson
Head of AVOD Original Content and Programming
Amazon Studios
Lauren Anderson is the head of AVOD Original content and programming for Amazon Studios, overseeing all programming, including creative development, production, licensing, scheduling, research, and strategy for Amazon Freevee and Prime Video’s ad-supported FAST linear channels. Additionally, Anderson recently assumed responsibility for the unscripted programming strategy across all of Studios, including SVOD and AVOD programming. She joined Amazon Studios in 2019 as the head of strategic content, managing such series as the Savage X Fenty Show for Prime Video. In 2020, she became co-head of content and programming for IMDb TV (now Freevee). Early accomplishments for Freevee included bringing the iconic Judge Judy Sheindlin to a streaming audience, shepherding Amazon’s first partnership with prolific creator Dick Wolf—his only half-hour crime procedural—and developing the AVOD spinoff of Prime Video’s longest-running series, Bosch. In 2020, Anderson was named to Next TV’s “The Watch List” as well as Business Insider’s “AVOD Industry Leaders,” and, in 2021, was named as one of Broadcast & Cable’s “Wonder Women.”
Before joining Amazon, Anderson was the chief content officer (CCO) for Indigo Development and Entertainment Arts, the joint venture studio between NBCUniversal and Snapchat. As CCO, she was responsible for all aspects of the studio’s business and creative development. During her tenure, Anderson helped launch Snap Originals on the Discover platform, making key contributions to the inaugural slate of programming, including the Webby-nominated The Dead Girls Detective Agency.
Previously, Anderson was senior vice president of primetime programming at NBC Entertainment. It was this work that saw her named by Variety as one of “Hollywood's New Leaders.” During Anderson’s time at NBC, she worked at both the studio and network, developing and/or shepherding series including The Office, The Good Place, A.P. Bio, Parks and Recreation, The Carmichael Show, and the musical drama Smash. Her work at NBC also included oversight of several nontraditional offerings, including a multi-season live scripted series. Anderson began her career at NBCUniversal as an entertainment associate.
Along with her more traditional professional role, Anderson is passionate about bringing new voices into the creative ranks and the entertainment community. In addition to being the first executive to manage the NBC Directing Fellowship, she oversaw the entire cycle of NBC Playground, the network's nationwide grassroots effort to discover untapped creative talent, as well as launched "Before the Camera Rolls: Secrets to a Successful Pitch,” a co-sponsored event targeting up-and-coming writers and directors.
Prior to joining NBC, Anderson served as an executive at the National Basketball Association in New York City. Anderson began working at the NBA as a summer intern while earning her Bachelor of Arts degree from Columbia University. Anderson currently sits on the board of the Barnsdall Art Park Foundation. Barnsdall is home to the first UNESCO World Heritage Site in Los Angeles (only the third in California) and the Art Park remains committed to being “a vibrant, inclusive space for creativity, cultural expression, civic conversation, and social empowerment.” Passionate about both her Midwestern roots and secondary education, Anderson remains actively involved with her high school as a former chair and current member of the Board of Visitors. Although based in Los Angeles, Anderson will always call Ohio home.
Before joining Amazon, Anderson was the chief content officer (CCO) for Indigo Development and Entertainment Arts, the joint venture studio between NBCUniversal and Snapchat. As CCO, she was responsible for all aspects of the studio’s business and creative development. During her tenure, Anderson helped launch Snap Originals on the Discover platform, making key contributions to the inaugural slate of programming, including the Webby-nominated The Dead Girls Detective Agency.
Previously, Anderson was senior vice president of primetime programming at NBC Entertainment. It was this work that saw her named by Variety as one of “Hollywood's New Leaders.” During Anderson’s time at NBC, she worked at both the studio and network, developing and/or shepherding series including The Office, The Good Place, A.P. Bio, Parks and Recreation, The Carmichael Show, and the musical drama Smash. Her work at NBC also included oversight of several nontraditional offerings, including a multi-season live scripted series. Anderson began her career at NBCUniversal as an entertainment associate.
Along with her more traditional professional role, Anderson is passionate about bringing new voices into the creative ranks and the entertainment community. In addition to being the first executive to manage the NBC Directing Fellowship, she oversaw the entire cycle of NBC Playground, the network's nationwide grassroots effort to discover untapped creative talent, as well as launched "Before the Camera Rolls: Secrets to a Successful Pitch,” a co-sponsored event targeting up-and-coming writers and directors.
Prior to joining NBC, Anderson served as an executive at the National Basketball Association in New York City. Anderson began working at the NBA as a summer intern while earning her Bachelor of Arts degree from Columbia University. Anderson currently sits on the board of the Barnsdall Art Park Foundation. Barnsdall is home to the first UNESCO World Heritage Site in Los Angeles (only the third in California) and the Art Park remains committed to being “a vibrant, inclusive space for creativity, cultural expression, civic conversation, and social empowerment.” Passionate about both her Midwestern roots and secondary education, Anderson remains actively involved with her high school as a former chair and current member of the Board of Visitors. Although based in Los Angeles, Anderson will always call Ohio home.
