Digital studio Portal A has hired Todd Barrish, a former senior exec at Endemol Shine, Disneys digital media group and Maker Studios, in a newly created position as head of revenue and growth.
At Portal A, Barrish is responsible for leading the overall growth strategy for the branded content and entertainment studio. His hire comes after Brent Montgomery and Jimmy Kimmels Wheelhouse Entertainment earlier this year inked a partnership deal with and acquired a minority stake in Portal A, marking the L.A.-based companys first outside investment.
Most recently, Barrish was co-founder of Polymath Group, a strategic advisory firm specializing in branded content, with clients including SoulCycle, Viacom, Omnicom, Pocket.watch and Realtor.com. Prior to that, he was EVP of creative partnerships for Endemol Shines digital arm.
He was previously SVP of strategic partnerships at multichannel network operator Maker Studios, acquired in 2014 by Disney. Barrish remained at Disney for two years post-acquisition in an executive capacity.
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“Weve built Portal A for a decade independently, and now, with Wheelhouse in our corner, were ready to throw fuel on the fire,” said Zach Blume, co-founder of Portal A, in announcing Barrishs hire. “Todd has an unequaled track record when it comes to supercharging businesses like ours — and were ready for the next chapter.”
Montgomery, founder and CEO of Wheelhouse, added, “We see Todd as an essential piece of Portal As ongoing growth, and someone who will be able to take their best-in-class capabilities in digital content and bring them to an entirely new set of brand partners.”
Portal A claims that it has been profitable each year since its founding in 2009, with 120% revenue growth over the last three years. One of its flagship projects has been producing the annual YouTube Rewind video.
Recent brand and original content initiatives at Portal A have included producing new YouTube channels and original series for talent including Odell Beckham Jr., Stephen Curry, Carmelo Original Article
