Mentorn adds Argonon exec for unscripted

Tinopolis-owned UK production company Mentorn Media has hired an exec from fellow prodco Argonon as its head of unscripted.

Simon McKeown

Simon McKeown is joining the London-based firm in the newly created position and will focus on returnable factual entertainment and entertainment content for broadcasters in the UK and US.

McKeown joins Mentorn from Argonon-owned producer Leopard USA, where he was appointed chief creative officer in 2016 and executive produced shows including House Hunters International for HGTV and Big Beach Builds for DIY. He also developed The Mission for Facebook and worked on True Hawaii for Travel and Food Mafia for Food.

Prior to that, McKeown was senior VP of development for factual producer Eastern, where he was responsible for Bringing Up Ballers (Lifetime), Love & Hip Hop: The AfterParty Live (VH1) and Money, Power, Respect (WE). He has also held senior development roles at Nutopia and Love Productions.

Mentorn MD Celia Taylor said: “Simon has a fantastic track record in winning commissions across the factual and factual entertainment spectrum. He is a brilliant addition to our team and I’m thrilled he’s joining us at such an exciting time for Mentorn, with plenty of great projects already in the pipeline.”

McKeown added: “After four amazing years in the US, I’m excited to be coming home to join one of the best-known and most respected indies in the business.”

Mentorn’s current slate includes Channel 5’s Traffic Cops and BBC1’s flagship current affairs show Question Time.