Brent Montgomery taps A+E’s Sean Cohan for Wheelhouse

Brent Montgomery’s Wheelhouse Entertainment has hired 15-year veteran of A+E Networks Sean Cohan as its new president.

Cohan will work closely with Montgomery and Wheelhouse’s chief strategy officer Ed Simpson.

He will remain with A+E Networks through the end of 2018 to manage a smooth transition for the company and its global leadership team. He joins Wheelhouse officially in late January 2019.

In his new role, Cohan is set to oversee and drive content and marketing opportunities for Wheelhouse across multiple businesses and platforms, as well as talent, brand and other strategic, corporate partnerships for the company.

Cohan will also collaborate with the team at Wheelhouse’s in-house production label, Spoke Studios, which maintains a production partnership with ITV America, the company Montgomery departed in January.

As president of international and digital media at A+E Cohan oversaw the company’s brands, services, content and digital outside the US. He was also responsible for all US domestic digital activities including sites, apps, digital-first content studio, distribution and licensing.

Paul Buccieri, president at A+E Networks Group said: “Sean has been a vital part of the A+E family for 15 years. He has played an integral role in the international and digital expansion of some of the most respected brands. All of us at A+E are going to miss Sean and his vision, passion and leadership.”

Montgomery added: “At a time of seismic change in media and entertainment, to say that hiring Sean Cohan is a major win for us would be an understatement. From international business building to the rollout of a diverse range of creative worldwide, Sean’s expertise in growing businesses and forging innovative partnerships is matched only by his passion and character.”

Cohan’s appointment comes on the heels of Wheelhouse’s joint venture agreement made between Jimmy Kimmel, whose new production banner “Kimmelot” is set up under the Wheelhouse Entertainment umbrella, with Kimmel also becoming a partner in the larger Wheelhouse enterprise.