Col Needham Steps Down as IMDb CEO After 35 Years

Col Needham, the founder of IMDb, has stepped down as CEO after nearly 35 years, with Nikki Santoro, the former Chief Operating Officer, taking over as his successor. Santoro becomes the first woman to lead the company, which was founded in 1990 and acquired by Amazon in 1998. Needham will continue to serve as Executive Chair, providing strategic guidance while maintaining his presence in the UK office. Santoro, who has been with IMDb since 2016 and has experience at Amazon and Microsoft, is expected to drive the company forward with her vision and innovation. Under her leadership, IMDb aims to enhance its products and expand its database, amidst ongoing criticism regarding user experience and content integrity. Needham expressed confidence in Santoro's capabilities, highlighting her successful track record in her previous role.