James Burstall is CEO of Argonon, an independent production group based in London and New York that creates and distributes creative content across multiple platforms for the global marketplace. Founded by Burstall in 2011, with offices in Manchester, Glasgow and Vancouver,  Argonon encompasses twelve companies and businesses throughout the UK, the US and Canada. Under Burstall’s leadership, a spirit of independence propels the Argonon group, allowing highly talented, and experienced executives and producers to create innovative product that reflects their unique visions and expertise.

Currently under the Argonon umbrella is a raft of production companies including New York-based Leopard USA and Tough Cookie; London-based scripted producers Leopard Pictures and unscripted prodcos Transparent Television and Remedy Productions; Vancouver-based Remedy Canada; and joint ventures Britespark Films, Barefaced and Bandicoot operating across both UK and North American markets. The group includes distribution and format-sales arm Argonon International. Argonon has several strategic partnerships in place with brands, sales, distribution, and digital production entities.

Together, the Argonon group produces and distributes Emmy, BAFTA and RTS award-winning content across documentary, reality, lifestyle, gameshow and music programming, as well as arts programming, and scripted dramas.

Prior to forming Argonon, Burstall was CEO of Leopard Films. During his 10-year tenure, the company produced long-running series and formats including House Hunters International, Man Caves, and Cash in the Attic, which has aired in 167 countries, as well as award-winning documentary series and specials such as Crash Scene Investigators, Missing Live, Swan Lake in 3D, Leonardo Live, and the scripted drama An Englishman in New York, starring John Hurt and Cynthia Nixon. 

Before Leopard Films, Burstall worked for nearly a decade as an executive producer and producer-director for broadcasters all over the world. Notable projects include Secret History of Hacking (Channel 4/TLC); Cutting Edge (Channel 4); and ITV’s weekly investigative series The Big Story. He also was a founding producer for London’s Planet 24 (The Big Breakfast for Channel 4), and was a reporter and producer for the BBC.

Prior to his television career, Burstall was a journalist, working as a writer and editor in Paris, London and New York for such prestigious publications as Vanity Fair, Condé Nast Traveler, and The Daily Mail. 

Burstall was educated at the Universities of Bristol, Oxford and Stanford and speaks five languages.  He is learning Mandarin.

Speaking on: The Business of Unscripted: A Global View