The US Academy continues to expand its outreach and is launching Academy Studios, a production arm that will encompass “organization-wide digital projects” embodying its “mission, voice and cultural identity”.
The Academy said on Thursday morning that the new arm’s output will encompass member and industry interviews, videos, livestreams, and podcasts.
It is understood the Academy harbours ambitious plans with regard to this initiative. Screen has asked the Academy for additional detail and at time of writing it was unclear when the first batch of content will be ready and whether it will reside solely on the Academy’s official channels or if there will be partnerships with third-party platforms.
The organisation recently announced an exclusive five-year deal with YouTube to stream the Academy Awards starting with the 101st Oscar ceremony in 2029 and running through the 2033 show. The platform will stream additional Academy calendar events that its global managing director Kim Larson told a NAPTE conference this week would “zhuzh-up” the Oscars.
The Academy’s Jennifer Davidson will oversee Academy Studios in her newly expanded role of chief marketing, communications and content officer, reporting to Kramer.
Davidson currently oversees marketing and audience development, communications, digital/social and creative brand strategy for all arms of the Academy including the Academy Foundation, the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures and the Oscars.
Kramer’s praised Davidson’s “creative vision” and added: “Our goal is to highlight to the broadest worldwide audience everything we do year-round.”
Davidson added, “The establishment of Academy Studios allows us to preserve film’s rich history for future generations, while creating fresh and exciting ways to engage new audiences around cinema.”
The executive has served as the Academy’s chief marketing and communications officer since May 2024 and, before that, as chief communications officer since December 2021.
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