Leftfield names new co-presidents

A pair of Leftfield Pictures producers has been upped to co-presidents at the ITV America (ITVA)-owned company.

Gretchen Palek (right) and Shawn Witt (below left) have been handed the roles, and will report to ITVA president David George, the former CEO of Leftfield Entertainment.

Palek was previously senior VP of talent and casting at Alone prodco Leftfield, while Witt was SVP of programming.

Additionally, Joe Weinstock has been promoted to VP of development, and will report to Palek and Witt. He was previously head of West Coast development, and will now lead development on both sides of the States.

Current SVP of development Will Nothacker, is taking on “an expanded role” at ITVA.

This comes after George was promoted to ITVA president in February as the Leftfield Entertainment banner was dropped. Subsidiary Leftfield Pictures remains in operation.

George, in turn, reports to ITV CEO Brent Montgomery, who founded Leftfield Entertainment in 2007 and sold it to the international arm of UK broadcaster ITV in 2014.

“In Gretchen, Shawn and Joe we are bringing together a stellar team of executives, each with specific skill sets to lead Leftfield into a constantly evolving marketplace,” said George.

“Their knowledge of each aspect of the market and their previous work at various networks, along with their understanding of the network business model and how it is changing, will enable us to evolve and adapt alongside our business partners.”

Reality-focused Leftfield programmes include Fox’s American Grit, which features WWE wrestler John Cena; History’s Pawn Stars and Alone, Netflix’s reboot of Queer Eye, and OWN’s Book of John Gray.