Brent Montgomery

Brent Montgomery is CEO of Wheelhouse Entertainment, a media group he launched in 2018,[1] which focuses on high-profile content and talent around which it creates and builds “360” businesses.[2] Under the Wheelhouse banner also is Spoke Studios,[3] the content arm of Wheelhouse Entertainment, which creates programming across a variety of platforms and genres. Wheelhouse Entertainment and Spoke Studios operate on both the East and West Coasts.[4]

In November 2018, Wheelhouse forged a partnership with comedian, writer and producer Jimmy Kimmel – host of Jimmy Kimmel Live! – forming the new entertainment and content company Kimmelot, which operates as part of Wheelhouse Entertainment.[5] Through the deal, Kimmel also became a partner in Wheelhouse Entertainment.[6] The first project announced from Kimmelot is the revival of the puppet comedy, Crank Yankers for Comedy Central.[7]

In January 2019, Wheelhouse Entertainment secured an investment and partnership deal with digital content studio Portal A,[8] through which they will offer their combined resources to traditional and new media platforms, and to brands, CMOs and ad agencies.[9]

Montgomery, who previously was CEO of ITV America, also currently serves as strategic advisor to ITV America, which maintains a production partnership with Spoke Studios; the companies work together on a range of series and projects produced by ITV America's in-house production team.[10]

Montgomery was named CEO of ITV America in 2015 following the 2014 acquisition of his company, Leftfield Entertainment, for $360 million by UK-based, multi-national media company ITV.[11] ITV America encompasses production companies including ITV Entertainment, Leftfield Pictures, Sirens Media, Outpost Entertainment, High Noon Entertainment and Thinkfactory Media.[12] Under Montgomery's leadership, in 2017 ITV America's revenue[13] increased by 33%.[14]

Career

Brent Montgomery began his television career working for Texas CBS affiliate KBTX, which subsequently paid for the majority of his tuition at Texas A&M.[15] He later moved to New York and landed positions on such series as The Bachelor, Wife Swap and Blind Date.[16] Montgomery started his first production company, Leftfield Pictures, in 2002 with $10,000.[17] Leftfield Pictures initially shot wedding videos while developing its entertainment content and clientele, and eventually sold its first series, The Principal’s Office, in 2008.[16]

Montgomery developed the concept for Leftfield Pictures’ flagship series Pawn Stars while in Las Vegas for a bachelor party.[18] Struck by the number of pawn shops in the city, Montgomery set out to locate a shop with the right setting and staff around which to build a television series.[19][20] Ultimately, Montgomery negotiated a deal with Gold & Silver Pawn Shop co-owner Rick Harrison, and pitched the show to the History Channel.[21] In 2009, Pawn Stars premiered on History as a top rated series for the network, highlighting the “hidden treasures” genre of programming.[22] Leveraging the success of the series, which was one of the highest-rated shows on cable television,[23][24] Montgomery grew Leftfield Pictures rapidly[25] with myriad series and hundreds of programming hours soon added to Leftfield's roster.[26] In addition to Pawn Stars, other Leftfield Pictures series and Montgomery credits include the award-winning Alone,[27] American Restoration and Counting Cars for History;[16] American Grit featuring host John Cena for Fox;[28] Bethenny & Fredrik for Bravo,[29] and National Geographic Channel’s specials Billy the Kid: The New Evidence (executive produced by Kevin Costner)[30] and Brain Surgery Live.[31]

In 2013 Montgomery established parent company Leftfield Entertainment (LFE), and assumed the role of CEO, in conjunction with acquiring production company Sirens Media (Real Housewives of New Jersey).[32] He then launched additional production companies under the LFE umbrella – Loud TV[33] and Outpost Entertainment[34] – before selling 80% of the company for $360 million to ITV in 2014.[35] At the end of 2015, Montgomery completed a deal through which ITV acquired all of the Leftfield Entertainment group. As part of that process, he became CEO of newly formed production group ITV America,[36] encompassing original Leftfield Entertainment companies Leftfield Pictures, Sirens Media, Outpost Entertainment, Loud TV; plus ITV Entertainment, Gurney Productions, High Noon Entertainment and Thinkfactory Media.[16] Collectively, they produce of a diverse range of series for broadcast, cable and OTT platforms, including FOX's The Four: Battle for Stardom[37] and Hell’s Kitchen; HGTV's Fixer Upper, Netflix's Queer Eye[38] and Girls Incarcerated,[39] A&E's Duck Dynasty and The First 48,[40] History's Pawn Stars, Alone and Forged in Fire;[41] Bravo's The Real Housewives of New Jersey,[42] and many others.[43]

During Montgomery's tenure as CEO of ITV America, the company struck numerous production and talent deals with TV personalities and celebrities including Michael Strahan,[44] WWE star John Cena,[45] Bethenny Frankel,[46] Good Morning America co-host Lara Spencer,[47] Grammy award-winner Timbaland and author/actress La La Anthony.[48]

In January 2018, Montgomery founded Wheelhouse Entertainment and its production company Spoke Studios.[49] He currently serves as CEO of Wheelhouse Entertainment.

Personal life

Brent married Courtney Napurano in September 2008.[50]

Honors & Affiliations

Montgomery was featured on the cover of The Hollywood Reporter on January 30, 2019, focusing on his new business, the Wheelhouse Group, and highlighting his contributions to reality TV.[51]

In June 2016, Montgomery was inducted into the Realscreen Hall of Fame as Producer Extraordinaire.[52]

In 2014 Montgomery became a founding member of the Non-Fiction Producers Association (NPA), the first professional body created to service the non-fiction TV business in the United States, and serves on its executive committee.[53] In 2017 the NPA merged with PactUS to create NPACT, on whose board and executive committee Montgomery also sits.[54] In 2018, he received NPACT's “Inspiration Award for Outstanding Achievement In Nonfiction[55]” as part of the organization's inaugural NPACT Impact Awards. And in 2019, Montgomery joined the Friends of the Saban Community Clinic board.

Montgomery is a member of Lincoln Center Corporate Fund's newly launched Media and Entertainment Council,[56] and a member of the Paley Media Council.[57]

References
  1. White, Peter (2018-01-29). "Former ITV America CEO Brent Montgomery Launches Wheelhouse Entertainment". Deadline. Retrieved 2018-05-15.
  2. Littleton, Cynthia (2018-01-29). "Producer Brent Montgomery Unveils Wheelhouse Entertainment, Spoke Studios Ventures". Variety. Retrieved 2018-05-15.
  3. "Leadership in Place for Brent Montgomery's Spoke Studios - TVUSA". TVUSA. 2018-03-28. Retrieved 2018-05-15.
  4. "Montgomery names Spoke's leadership team – TBI Vision". tbivision.com. Retrieved 2018-05-15.
  5. Andreeva, Nellie (2018-11-13). "Jimmy Kimmel Launches Kimmelot Production Company With Brent Montgomery". Deadline. Retrieved 2018-11-13.
  6. "Jimmy Kimmel Forms New Content Company, Kimmelot". TheWrap. 2018-11-13. Retrieved 2018-11-13.
  7. Petski, Denise (2019-02-12). "'Crank Yankers' Revival Series Ordered By Comedy Central — TCA". Deadline. Retrieved 2019-02-22.
  8. "Brent Montgomery's Wheelhouse Invests in Digital Studio Portal A (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2019-02-22.
  9. "Wheelhouse Entertainment Partners With Digital Content Powerhouse Portal A". Multichannel. Retrieved 2019-02-22.
  10. "Brent Montgomery sets Spoke Studios executive team". Retrieved 2018-05-15.
  11. Andreeva, Nellie (2015-12-03). "Brent Montgomery Named CEO of ITV America". Deadline. Retrieved 2018-05-15.
  12. "ITV America reshuffles Creative". C21media. Retrieved 2018-05-15.
  13. "ITV 2017 Profit Drops, New CEO Carolyn McCall Focuses on "Strategic Refresh"". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2018-05-15.
  14. White, Peter (2018-02-28). "ITV America Doubles Down On Digital Focus After Scoring 'Dark Web' Order For Netflix". Deadline. Retrieved 2018-05-15.
  15. "Broadcasting & Cable". www.broadcastingcable.com. Retrieved 2016-10-08.
  16. Barraclough, Leo (2015-10-28). "'Pawn Stars' Creator Brent Montgomery To Lead ITV Studios U.S. Group". Variety. Retrieved 2016-10-08.
  17. "RSL '14: Leftfield's Montgomery recounts route to the top". Retrieved 2016-10-08.
  18. "Brent Montgomery - San Antonio Magazine - January 2013 - San Antonio, TX". www.sanantoniomag.com. Retrieved 2016-10-08.
  19. "'Pawn Stars' creator eyeing S.A." San Antonio Express-News. Retrieved 2016-10-08.
  20. "RSL '14: Leftfield's Montgomery recounts route to the top". Retrieved 2016-10-08.
  21. "Banff World Media Festival: Pawn Stars creator Brent Montgomery says the key to great reality TV is the 'cast'". Calgary Herald. 2013-06-10. Retrieved 2016-10-08.
  22. Marechal, AJ (2012-10-17). "Leftfield Pictures expands to L.A." Variety. Retrieved 2016-10-08.
  23. Childers, Linda. "Rick Harrison of 'Pawn Stars' spills success secrets". CNNMoney. Retrieved 2019-02-22.
  24. "'Pawn Stars' Delivers 7 Million Viewers, An All-Time High for History". TV By The Numbers. 2011-01-25. Archived from the original on 2017-12-12. Retrieved 2019-02-22.
  25. "Brent Montgomery - Reality TV: THR's 50 Most Powerful List". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2016-10-08.
  26. Andreeva, Nellie (2015-12-03). "Brent Montgomery Named CEO of ITV America". Deadline. Retrieved 2016-10-08.
  27. Petski, Denise (2016-04-20). "'Alone' Survival Series Renewed For Season 3 By History". Deadline. Retrieved 2016-10-08.
  28. Holloway, Daniel (2016-07-29). "John Cena's 'American Grit' Renewed for Season 2 by Fox". Variety. Retrieved 2016-10-08.
  29. "Bravo Media tackles home renos in "Bethenny & Fredrik"". Retrieved 2018-05-15.
  30. "Kevin Costner to Take On Billy the Kid Mystery for National Geographic (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2016-10-08.
  31. "National Geographic to Air First Live Brain Surgery on TV (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2016-10-08.
  32. Andreeva, Nellie (2013-03-20). "Leftfield Pictures Acquires 'Real Housewives Of NJ' Producer Sirens Media". Deadline. Retrieved 2016-10-08.
  33. "Nick Rigg Partners With Brent Montgomery for Loud TV | Broadcasting & Cable". www.broadcastingcable.com. Retrieved 2016-10-08.
  34. "Leftfield, Jodi Flynn partner for Outpost Entertainment". Retrieved 2016-10-08.
  35. Andreeva, Nellie (2014-05-07). "ITV Studios Acquires 80% Of 'Pawn Stars' Producer Leftfield Entertainment For $360M". Deadline. Retrieved 2016-10-08.
  36. Andreeva, Nellie (2015-12-03). "Brent Montgomery Named CEO of ITV America". Deadline. Retrieved 2016-10-08.
  37. Pedersen, Erik (2018-04-16). "'The Four': Fox Brings Back Original Host & Judges For Season 2, Sans Charlie Walk; June Premiere Set". Deadline. Retrieved 2018-05-15.
  38. "'Queer Eye' Producers on How the Netflix Update Shifts Its Focus to Red State America". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2018-05-15.
  39. "Loud TV, Plum Pictures tackle teen incarceration for Netflix". Retrieved 2018-05-15.
  40. "Exclusive: ITV Entertainment options Armoza's "The Bubble"". Retrieved 2018-05-15.
  41. Petski, Denise (2015-04-27). "Bladesmiths Cut To The Chase In New Competition Series On History". Deadline. Retrieved 2018-05-15.
  42. Petski, Denise (2018-02-20). "Jessica Sebastian-Dayeh Named President Of ITV America's Sirens Media". Deadline. Retrieved 2018-05-15.
  43. "ITV America | An ITV Studios Company". itv-america.com. Retrieved 2018-05-15.
  44. Petski, Denise (2017-05-23). "Michael Strahan Inks Overall Deal With ITV America". Deadline. Retrieved 2018-05-15.
  45. Calvario, Liz. "John Cena Inks Deal With Leftfield Entertainment To Create TV Content | IndieWire". www.indiewire.com. Retrieved 2016-10-08.
  46. Wagmeister, Elizabeth (2015-12-01). "Bethenny Frankel Launches Production Company, Inks Deal with Leftfield Entertainment". Variety. Retrieved 2016-10-08.
  47. Wagmeister, Elizabeth (2016-06-01). "'Good Morning America's' Lara Spencer Inks Production Deal with Leftfield Entertainment". Variety. Retrieved 2016-10-08.
  48. Wagmeister, Elizabeth (2016-01-27). "Timbaland & La La Anthony Developing Hip Hop Docuseries". Variety. Retrieved 2016-10-08.
  49. "Brent Montgomery Launches Wheelhouse Entertainment". Broadcasting & Cable. Retrieved 2018-05-15.
  50. Cassuto, Christopher (2008-10-05). "NAPURANO, 28, AND MONTGOMERY, 33". New York Post. Retrieved 2016-10-08.
  51. "This Guy Made $360M in Reality TV — Now He Wants Real Money". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2019-02-22.
  52. "Brent Montgomery to enter Realscreen Awards Hall of Fame". Retrieved 2016-10-08.
  53. Robb, David (2016-10-06). "Nonfiction Producers Association Expands Membership & Exec Committee". Deadline. Retrieved 2016-10-08.
  54. Robb, David (2017-06-05). "Reality TV Trade Organizations Merge, Form NPACT". Deadline. Retrieved 2018-05-15.
  55. Turchiano, Danielle (2018-04-27). "NPACT Announces Inaugural NPACT Impact Awards, Books Bob Saget as Host (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 2018-05-15.
  56. "Lincoln Center Corporate Fund Members". www.lccorporatefund.org. Retrieved 2016-10-08.
  57. "Page 3 | The Paley Center for Media". The Paley Center for Media. Retrieved 2016-10-08.
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