Superindie, Argonon, has unveiled its “biggest leadership changes since Argonon was founded in 2011.”
The changes see the group confirm a newly appointed President and Global CEO, Global CFO and Executive Chairman, forming Argonon’s new senior executive team.
As the group “expands its focus on creating and commercialising IP across all platforms”, Amanda Goddard, previously Chief Commercial and Legal Officer for Argonon, takes on a new leadership role as President and Global CEO with a worldwide strategic remit across Argonon and its seven production companies.
Argonon founder James Burstall, who has held the role of CEO for 15 years since launching the group, becomes Executive Chairman across the group. Matt Widmayer, formerly CFO for Argonon USA takes on a new role as Global CFO for Argonon splitting his time between the UK and US, and Hasham Khan of ABP Advisory becomes Board Consultant.
James Burstall, Executive Chairman, Argonon, said: “Our sector is changing at breakneck pace; a restless state of constant evolution is the single most important mindset in a creative business. As platform agnostic storytellers whose content reaches millions of people across the world, we must be fearless, experimental, risk-taking and open to radical change to keep us at the cutting edge. Today’s announcement of a brand-new world class leadership team lays the foundations for an exciting future.”
The senior leadership team changes coincide with several new strategic initiatives across Argonon. The group is actively investing in digital and self-publishing content to build new IP and reach new audiences, exploring partnerships across the Nations and Regions, investing in its New York hubs, developing new high tech post facilities to support its London labels, and accelerating its AI capabilities. The group is also developing new innovative funding models to support IP creation and investment in content with global appeal, across all genres.
Goddard’s appointment builds on her achievements overseeing Argonon’s legal and business affairs team, most recently in an expanded role as Chief Commercial and Legal Officer. Alongside leading the group’s global legal operation, she has helped drive the group’s diversification strategy, using Argonon’s IP library of over 5,800 hours of content to create and grow commercial revenues across brand partnerships, sponsorship, FAST, digital and podcasts. She has pioneered and introduced new content funding and co-funding strategies, and her knowledge of the global broadcaster ecosystem, copyright law and regulatory framework has seen her call for a more supportive UK tax environment for producers, She also overseen and developed Argonon’s AI strategy and policies.
James Burstall, Executive Chairman and founder, Argonon commented: “After 15 years leading Argonon’s operations across the UK and US, I am excited to hand over the CEO reins to Amanda, who has demonstrated astute commercial acumen, strong leadership and emotional intelligence since joining Argonon in 2019. Her reputation, industry knowledge and strategic vision make her the natural choice to lead Argonon into its next chapter, and I will continue to work closely with her as Executive Chairman.”
Argonon’s President and Global CEO Amanda Goddard said: “I am proud and excited to step into this new role, working with visionary leaders and talented teams across our global business. Argonon was founded to create an independent platform for talent to be agile and brave, both creatively and commercially, and that enduring spirit is embedded in our culture today. Our world class production companies produce diverse, platform-agnostic content that reaches audiences across the UK and in more than 160 countries, creating employment, economic value and social impact. As we enter our next chapter amid seismic structural change, our entrepreneurial independence, adaptability and creativity will enable us to move quickly, deepen our partnerships and create content that connects and inspires audiences worldwide.”
Also announced today, Matt Widmayer, formerly CFO of Argonon USA, becomes Global CFO with responsibility across Argonon’s operations, based in both the UK and US. his previous remit spanned Argonon’s US headquarters including Los Angeles, New York and Oklahoma, and both American production companies Leopard USA and Rose Rock Entertainment. He will report into Goddard.
James Burstall added: “Matt has been instrumental to the growth of our American business, offering intelligence, strategic insight and a calm, measured perspective to our financial operations. We are delighted to expand Matt’s remit to cover the group’s global footprint, and I am confident he will add enormous value to the group and our seven world class labels.”
Hasham Khan, CEO and founder of ABP Advisory, joins as Board Consultant, advising James and Amanda, to support Argonon’s corporate strategy.
James Burstall added: “Hasham is an experienced and talented partner whose insights, extensive market knowledge and brilliant strategic input will be hugely valuable to the group.”
Argonon spans all the genres and is home to several production companies, fully owned or launched as joint ventures, producing around 200 hours of content annually across all genres. Key shows include The Masked Singer UK (joint venture Bandicoot Scotland for ITV); Lost Treasures of Egypt (Windfall Films for Nat Geo), House Hunters International (Leopard USA for HGTV/Discovery), The Mother Flip (joint venture Rose Rock Entertainment for A&E), Twisted Twins (Like A Shot for ITV), Dispatches (BriteSpark Films for Channel 4), Hard Cell (Leopard Pictures for Netflix) and Worzel Gummidge (Leopard Pictures for BBC).
Jon Creamer
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