Industrial gains Momentum tie-up

Industrial Media, the LA-based production group behind ABC’s American Idol, has agreed an overall deal with fellow US prodco Momentum Content to develop and create new content.

Eli Holzman

Eli Holzman, Industrial Media’s CEO, and its president, Aaron Saidman, will work with Momentum Content CEO Christina Douglas and Anna Snead, the company’s head of development, on projects.

The deal follows Industrial Media’s first scripted show Dirty Thirty for HBO in the US, as well as the second season of the revived American Idol, which is being coproduced by Industrial’s 19 Entertainment in partnership with Fremantle.

“Aaron and I have always been impressed with Christina and Anna’s ability to create compelling ideas and now that they have harnessed that with top-notch producing acumen at Momentum, we are thrilled to be partnering with them,” said Holzman.

Douglas added: “[Holzman and Saidman] are dedicated to the craft of making fearless and compelling TV and have built a working culture grounded in integrity. These are crucial attributes as we think about our producing partners, and they align with what Momentum stands for. We’re excited to bring new projects to the marketplace with them.”

Douglas and Snead launched Momentum in December 2016, and before that both worked for Discovery Communications, among other firms.

Industrial was known as Core Media before rebranding last August, while Holzman was appointed CEO after the acquisition of his production company, The Intellectual Property Corp. Industrial includes companies such as 19 Entertainment, B-17 Entertainment, Thumb Candy and Sharp Entertainment.