Argonon hires Jupiter alum Steve McGovern as COO in the US, as Leopard’s Shirley Escott exits

Steven McGovern

Argonon has appointed former Jupiter Entertainment EVP Steve McGovern as its COO in the US, with Leopard USA COO Shirley Escott stepping down.

McGovern will be based in LA and starts in April, with a remit across the group’s US businesses including Leopard USA and Rose Rock Entertainment, the joint venture that launched last year.

He reports to Argonon CEO James Burstall and Laura Bessell, Argonon’s global COO. McGovern will also work closely with Leopard USA’s chief creative officer Lindsay Schwartz, as well as Rose Rock’s MD Joe Weinstock.

Escott, meanwhile, is relocating to London to pursue other projects after five years in the post and said she was “looking forward to my next adventures.”

McGovern was previously EVP of production & operations at Jupiter, where he worked on shows including Snapped for Oxygen and In Pursuit With John Walsh for ID, as well as docs such as Peacock’s Who Killed Robert Wone.

Argonon CEO James Burstall said the appointment “underscores our ambition and appetite to expand our breadth of content, platforms and partners through our West Coast HQ, a major strategic focus for the group.”

Argonon’s US slate includes House Hunters International and Snapchat’s La’Ron In A Million, while “several” unscripted projects are in development with US networks and streamers, Burstall said.

He added: “I wish to thank our wonderful former Leopard USA COO Shirley Escott, who has been the heartbeat of our New York operations for many years, for her huge contribution to the group and wish her well with her re-location and pursuit of other projects.”