Amazon Reorganizes Audio Divisions, Shuttering Wondery Studio And Laying Off 100-Plus Staffers

Group 1 - Amazon has reorganized its audio divisions, resulting in layoffs of over 100 workers and the closure of its Wondery studio [1] - Wondery CEO Jen Sargent is among those leaving, while some staff, including Marshall Lewy, will transition to Audible [1][2] - Narrative podcasts from Wondery will be integrated into Audible, while personality-driven shows will be managed by a new "creator services" team [2] Group 2 - Despite securing high-profile podcast names, Wondery faces intense competition from Spotify and YouTube in the podcasting space [3] - The Wondery brand will still be associated with select podcasts, including "New Heights" and "Armchair Expert" [3] - Podcast advertising revenue is projected to reach $2.5 billion in 2023 and exceed $3 billion by 2028, highlighting the growth potential in the audio advertising market [4] Group 3 - Amazon acquired Wondery in 2020, following its earlier acquisition of Audible in 2008, which initially focused on audiobooks before expanding into podcasts [5]