Ayanna Lonian

Ayanna Lonian is the head of WW Major Studio Licensing Strategy at Prime Video at Amazon. Previously, they were the senior director of national accounts for affiliate sales and marketing at Disney and ESPN Media Networks from January 2008 to October 2013. There, they negotiated multi-year, multi-billion dollar content licensing agreements with distributors on behalf of The Walt Disney Company that governed the US domestic distribution of ABC, Disney Channel and ESPN content on linear/Pay TV, on-demand and digital platforms.

Lonian developed and executed account-specific sales strategies for new products and services, including DEMN’s suite of authenticated “TV Everywhere” services (e.g., WatchESPN), as well as newly launched networks (e.g., Longhorn Network, Disney Junior, etc.). Additionally, they managed subordinate Account Executives who are accountable for achieving defined goals for B2B sales and distribution goals.

Prior to their work at Disney and ESPN Media Networks, Lonian was corporate development at The New York Times Company from January 2006 to December 2008. Ayanna started their career as an MBA intern in corporate development at Discovery Communications, Inc. from June 2005 to August 2005.

Ayanna Lonian attended Phillips Exeter Academy for their high school education. Ayanna then went on to attend Harvard University for their undergraduate degree. After working for a few years, they decided to pursue their MBA at the Northwestern University - Kellogg School of Management.

Ayanna Lonian reports to Mike Hopkins, SVP, Prime Video & Amazon Studios. Ayanna Lonian works with James Farrell - VP, International Originals, Amazon Studios, Andrew Bennett - Head of Global Distribution & Partner Marketing, Prime Video, and Kathy Payne - Head, Content Acquisition & Management, Prime Video Channels.