Justin Wilkes named Imagine creative chief

Brian Grazer and Ron Howard’s US prodco Imagine Television has promoted documentaries president Justin Wilkes to chief creative officer.

Justin Wilkes

Wilkes will now be responsible for the creative output and artistic strategy of the company under the direction of Grazer and Howard, while also continuing to lead the documentary division he started with exec VP Sara Bernstein.

He will work closely with the film, TV, docs, branded entertainment, kids and family and international division heads to create, enable and foster creative opportunities across the company. He will also collaborate with Jax Media and Alex Gibney’s Jigsaw Productions, in which Imagine invested last summer.

Wilkes joined Imagine in 2018. As president of documentaries, he has developed and produced titles including Once Were Brothers: Robbie Robertson & The Band (Magnolia), Rebuilding Paradise (Nat Geo), D Wade: Life Unexpected (ESPN), DADS (Apple TV+), On Pointe (Disney+) and forthcoming Netflix series We Are: The Brooklyn Saints.

Prior to that, Wilkes oversaw entertainment at Radical Media, where he produced and executive produced shows including What Happened, Miss Simone, Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory and My Next Guest Needs No Introduction with David Letterman.

In a joint statement, Grazer and Howard said: “Over the years, Justin has shown he is creatively ambitious, has a keen eye for talent and story, and has the ability to masterfully execute his productions.

“He is a powerful producer and collaborator, and incredibly talent-friendly, engaging with storytellers in a way that allows them to actualise their vision and maximise their abilities. We are excited for him to work across all of our divisions to further the creative ambitions of the company.”