On November 7, Maria Sanchez, Miami-based head of Prime Video Direct Latin America at Amazon, spoke about her 25-year career in the television distribution industry with members of the Media Management Association. Growing up in Spain, Sanchez always knew that her calling was to work in the entertainment business. After completing her bachelor’s degree in film and television from Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Sanchez moved to Los Angeles where she worked for several companies for nearly nine years.
“When I worked for the small companies, they took me to other productions to work for the clients where I discovered my love for the job,” Sanchez said.
Her career in distribution started at MTM International where she spent three years as a sales manager in television distribution for Latin America. Her next position was at Alliance Atlantis as director of sales television distribution for Latin America, followed by the role of managing director of international television distribution for Europe where her responsibilities included licensing Alliance Atlantis programs in major European markets.
In the mid-2000s, she moved back to Spain and began working for NBCUniversal International Television Distribution in various executive roles, followed by almost five years as senior vice president of international TV distribution Latin America in the Miami office. In November of 2018, she began working at Amazon Prime Video.
“Dealing with other major companies, and working with other people in high positions is a privilege. It got me to where I am today, working with Amazon,” Sanchez said.
At Amazon, Sanchez mainly focuses on streaming services, communicating with Amazon Prime Video offices in other countries to ensure all are working cohesively.
In the spring, Sanchez will teach JMM 434/634, Media Distribution for Film and Television, on Tuesday at 6:35 p.m. as an adjunct faculty in the Department of Journalism and Media Management.
