Academy Vet Teni Melidonian Exits Role Ahead of Oscars’ Move to YouTube

Teni Melidonian in 2025. Stefanie Keenan/Oscars/Getty Images for Academy Museum of Motion Pictures

Ahead of some big changes coming the Oscars‘ way, the Academy is shaking up its structure.

The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed that the organization’s CEO, Bill Kramer, announced to members on Wednesday that Teni Melidonian would be leaving her full-time role as chief Oscars officer effective immediately, while continuing on for the next year as a consultant.

Melidonian worked as the primary link between AMPAS and Disney, which has long held broadcasting rights to the Oscars via ABC. Accordingly, Melidonian’s departure is described as a result of a larger personnel restructuring in advance of the Oscars’ highly anticipated 100th ceremony in 2028 and planned move from ABC to YouTube — and from Hollywood to Downtown Los Angeles — the next year, in 2029.

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“It is critical that we align our teams in a way that supports both our immediate priorities and our long-term vision,” Kramer wrote. “Planning for these milestones is already well underway, and we believe now is the right time to bring related functions more closely together to strengthen collaboration, efficiency and strategic alignment.”

The reorganization will now see member screenings and awards ticketing move under Meredith Shea and her Membership, Impact and Industry team, while awards production/special events and talent relations will fall under the umbrella of Jennifer Davidson and her Marketing, Communications and Content team. Per Kramer, “This structure aligns teams around shared priorities, functions and expertise.”

Shea rejoined AMPAS in 2023 in the newly created role of Chief Membership, Impact & Industry Officer, while Davidson, who has been with the organization since 2019, was most recently put in charge of the newly created digital-forward Academy Studios.

Melidonian first joined AMPAS more than 20 years ago before stepping into her most recent role in 2024. “We are deeply grateful for Teni’s remarkable contributions over the past two decades,” Kramer wrote. “Her dedication and partnership have helped shape countless Academy initiatives, and her impact on this organization will be felt for years to come.”

The Ankler was the first to report the news.