The Academy has officially gotten back into the content game, with the new initiative led by a familiar face. Jennifer Davidson, who has been at the organization since 2019, and been its communications chief since 2021, has been promoted to the newly expanded role of Chief Marketing, Communications, and Content Officer for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Part of her new responsibilities will be leading the newly established production arm, Academy Studios, which is responsible for organization-wide digital projects and initiatives — from member and industry interviews, videos, livestreams, and podcasts — “that embody the Academy’s mission, voice and cultural identity.”
This new development, shared by Academy CEO Bill Kramer, who Davidson will continue to report to, comes on the heels of the Academy announcing that the Oscars are moving to YouTube in 2029. That news came with the implication that the Academy would be expanding its presence on the platform, including giving audiences more access to its private events like the Governors Awards and Oscars Nominees Luncheon.
While this new Academy Studios initiative seems more focused on video, the Academy did recently try its hand at a formal content hub with the digital magazine A.frame, which shuttered in July 2024. Since then, the Academy has continued to produce and publish videos that were mostly distributed via its social channels instead.
In addition to calling the newly promoted Davidson “a dynamic, forward-thinking leader for the Academy,” Kramer, also speaking to the establishment of their new content studio, said that “as we evolve the Academy to reach a larger and more global audience, we are thrilled to elevate her to this vital new role. Jen’s creative vision, along with the development of our new Academy Studios production team, will allow us to celebrate filmmakers and filmmaking on a greater scale, discover new ways to showcase our talented members, and continue to promote the exceptional work of our Academy Museum and Academy Collection. Our goal is to highlight to the broadest worldwide audience everything we do year-round.”
“In this new role, I’m excited to adopt innovative strategies that can celebrate both our industry’s greatest storytellers and the remarkable work they’ve created across disciplines,” said Davidson, who 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. “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. I am thrilled about the opportunity to honor our past while elevating our future.”
