IMDb, the Amazon-owned online database that provides information about movies, TV shows and celebrities, announced Tuesday that founder Col Needham will step down as CEO. Nikki Santoro, who has served as chief operating officer since 2021, has been appointed as his successor.
Santoro’s appointment is significant as she is the first woman to serve as CEO and only the second person to hold the position. Needham founded IMDb in 1990 at the age of 23 and led the company to become a powerhouse in the entertainment industry. After 35 years, he will move into a new role as Executive Chairman.
Needham said Santoro’s ascension is well-deserved. “Nikki’s strategic vision, deep understanding of our customers and products, and commitment to innovation have already resulted in impressive results during her tenure as COO, driving growth and strengthening our products and services. “Her track record makes her the ideal person to lead IMDb into a new era,” he said in a statement.
Mr. Santoro has been with the company since 2016 and has led the company in growing its database and improving IMDbPro membership. She previously held leadership positions at Amazon, Microsoft, and The Weather Channel.