Eyeworks USA Rebranding as 3 Ball Entertainment

MANHATTAN BEACH: Indie producer Eyeworks USA, which was originally founded as 3 Ball Productions, is rebranding as 3 Ball Entertainment, putting in place a new corporate structure.

The name change follows Warner Bros.’ 2014 acquisition of the Eyeworks Group of 15 international production companies outside of the U.S.

Todd A. Nelson, co-founder and current CEO of Eyeworks, and Ross Weintraub, COO, will now serve as co-CEOs of 3 Ball Entertainment. Company co-founder JD Roth will exit his day-to-day CEO responsibilities to focus on creative, producing select projects for the company as well as orchestrating new initiatives. He will continue to produce and drive creative for 3 Ball’s current slate.
 
Additionally, Brant Pinvidic, company president, has been elevated to chief creative officer of 3 Ball Entertainment, in charge of the company’s current slate and development. Jeff Goldman, former co-managing director of Eyeworks Distribution, has been named chief business officer, in charge of business development, including oversight of business affairs and international.
 
Reinout Oerlemans, the original founder of Eyeworks Group worldwide, said, “In 3 Ball Entertainment we have seen the evolution of a great company. JD Roth and Todd Nelson, two gifted entrepreneurs with serious producing chops, were reality TV pioneers, creating game-changing series and helping to propel the industry. Now, as TV mobilizes for the future, our newly independent 3 Ball Entertainment is perfectly positioned for its next chapter of success and growth, including pushing into new arenas. I look forward to overseeing the expansion of our business across existing and new platforms and genres as we reaffirm our commitment to producing the highest quality content. I cannot imagine a more exciting time for all of us.”
 
Roth added, “3 Ball was born nearly 14 years ago out of my passion for storytelling and the power of transformation. Creating shows that brought to light universal struggles and desires, I took pride as a producer in being able to see in our cast members what they couldn’t see in themselves. That success propelled us into other areas of production, ultimately allowing 3 Ball and Eyeworks USA to become a major source of programming for a wide range of networks. I’m immensely proud of the work we did and the success of the company Todd and I created, whose legacy now comes full circle. Letting go of the operational leadership of 3 Ball was a difficult decision, but I’m elated to put my heart and soul back into the creative process.”
 
In a joint statement, co-CEOs Nelson and Weintraub said, “Over two decades, unscripted TV has evolved from a maverick industry to a complex content business encompassing myriad genres, platforms and business models. We are eager and enthusiastic to lead 3 Ball Entertainment into new realms while continuing to deliver to our partners and our audience the best in entertainment content.”