ITV’s Montgomery steps down

ITV America is reshuffling its senior management team with president David George set to become CEO as incumbent Brent Montgomery steps down to launch his own company.

Brent Montgomery

Montgomery took up the CEO role in 2015, a year after the UK-based commercial broadcaster bought his prodco Leftfield Entertainment.

He is now leaving to launch an entertainment company that will focus on content and talent, according to ITV America, which has struck a production partnership with the fledgling firm.

The company will create a range of unscripted projects for multiple distribution platforms and markets to be produced by ITV America’s in-house production infrastructure.

Ed Simpson, who has served as exec VP of business development and international at ITV America, will also leave ITV America to join Montgomery in the new business.

George, meanwhile, assumes his new role immediately, while Montgomery will stay on for the next six months as strategic advisor to ITV America.

The division includes companies such as Leftfield, Sirens Media, Loud TV, Outpost Entertainment, High Noon Entertainment and Thinkfactory Media.

George, who has previously served as CEO of Leftfield Entertainment, was promoted to his role as president at ITV America early last year. Before that, he worked on the expansion of the Leftfield group, spearheading diversification initiatives and overseeing a broad roster of unscripted series, documentaries and live programming across cable, broadcast and OTT platforms.

Julian Bellamy, MD at ITV Studios, said: “I fully understand Brent’s decision; he’s an entrepreneur at heart and this move takes him back to what he loves doing most.

David George

“Brent hands over a business in great shape with an exceptionally strong team behind it. It’s a testament to his leadership that we are able to appoint a new CEO from within the group.”

Bellamy described George as “a brilliant creative and talented business leader, a true industry force who has a strong background on the network side as well as running a major production company.”

George added: “ITV America encompasses an amazing group of people, and we are focused on how we can reimagine what a production company can be. Creating content is a team sport, and together we will continue the legacy of this company, making bold moves and adapting to what comes.”

Montgomery said leaving ITV America had been the “most difficult decision” of his career.

“I couldn’t be more thankful and proud of our accomplishments, and am happy to be leaving the company in great hands, and with an incredible slate of cable, network and OTT shows heading into the new year,” he said.

Montgomery’s exit comes after ITV America reshuffled its creative team last year, appointing heads of programming for the east and west coasts of the US at its in-house production group.

Prior to that the UK commercial broadcaster moved its Leftfield Entertainment label under the ITV America umbrella. It also appointed George, the prodco’s former CEO, as president of the US division and retired the Leftfield Entertainment moniker.