‘Masked Singer U.K.’ Outfit Argonon Boosts U.S. Growth Plans With New Rose Rock Entertainment Creative Team (EXCLUSIVE)
Superindie Argonon is boosting its U.S. growth plans with a new hire and a promotion at Rose Rock Entertainment.
Spoke Studios director of development Darryl Cordova has been appointed senior director of development at Rose Rock replacing Travis Schoen who has been promoted to VP, production and development. Cordova reports into Joe Weinstock, Rose Rock’s CEO who last month was appointed in a newly created role as CEO of Argonon USA.
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Cordova will be based in Argonon USA’s West Coast HQ and will closely with Weinstock to build on Rose Rock’s recent network commission wins, and further expand the Oklahoma and Los Angeles-based label’s range of unscripted projects. Since launching last year, Rose Rock has created and developed a slate of original programming including two currently unannounced series in production for U.S. networks as well as two specials, and has several projects in funded development including lifestyle, docu-series and transformation formats.
At Spoke, Cordova was part of the team responsible for successes including “Secret Chef” (Hulu) developed in partnership with Majordomo and Vox Media, “Inn the Works” (Magnolia/Discovery+) and “Hype House” (Netflix).
Weinstock co-founded Rose Rock Entertainment in a joint venture with Argonon in 2022. The group continues to scale up operations with a core focus on the West Coast. Argonon’s global CEO James Burstall recently took on an additional role as executive chair, Argonon USA to accelerate Argonon’s U.S. growth strategy with Weinstock.
Argonon, a global production group headquartered in the U.K. and U.S., has a joint venture with Scottish indie production company Bandicoot, founded by Daniel Nettleton and Derek McLean, which makes the U.K. version of “The Masked Singer” as well as “The Masked Dancer.”
Weinstock said: “As green shoots emerge in the U.S. creative economy, we’re investing in exciting and ambitious new talent to position Rose Rock for continued future growth. Darryl is a brilliant creative with a track record of landing returning hit shows and Travis is a highly talented team member whose significant contribution is being recognised with a well-earned promotion. With a new senior creative team in place for Rose Rock, we will significantly expand our ideation and ramp up our creative slate as we capitalise on the opportunities ahead.”
Burstall added: “As we continue to build a world class hub on the West Coast, I am excited about the shift in the U.S. market as commissioning ramps up and our ambitious and talented teams continue to punch through with newly confirmed projects for US networks. Joe, Darryl and Travis make a formidable creative force and together they will build on Rose Rock’s stellar rise and take us to even greater heights.”
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