Howie Kitrosser

Chief Business Development Officer

About

Founder-operator and corporate development executive with 20+ years of experience building, scaling, and integrating media, sports, hospitality, and IP-driven businesses. I have led organizations through moments of inflection—launching new ventures, revitalizing underperforming assets, and guiding creative enterprises into scalable operating models. My work is grounded in pattern recognition: identifying undervalued opportunities, aligning talent and capital, and designing operating systems that unlock growth without eroding creative edge. My background spans deal sourcing, transaction execution, diligence oversight, capital structuring, governance, and post-close integration in support of roll-up and platform strategies. I am recognized as a strategic connector who builds high-quality acquisition pipelines and trusted relationships with founders, institutional investors, and strategic partners—translating strategic vision into disciplined execution, operational leverage, and long-term enterprise value creation. Today, I am focused on building a next-generation sports and media organization that combines creative excellence with operational discipline. The strategy is designed to assemble and scale high-potential, founder-led companies across talent management, IP ownership, creator-driven media, and emerging sports—areas where the middle market is rich with durable but under-monetized assets. By uniting these businesses under a shared operating architecture—while preserving founder control and creative independence—we create scale, expand monetization pathways, and build franchise-level companies with long-term durability. I have sourced and evaluated hundreds of acquisition and partnership opportunities and work closely with founders, investors, and operators to move ideas from concept to execution. If you are building, investing in, or acquiring assets across sports, media, or IP, I am always open to thoughtful conversation.

Country

City

United States

Industry

Entertainment

Skill

Business Integration & Scaling, Media & Content Strategy, Sports & Entertainment Business, Talent Management Strategy, Founder & Operator Partnerships, IP Monetization & Ownership, Platform Building, Deal Sourcing & Evaluation, Capital Strategy & Structuring, Roll-Up Strategy, Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Corporate Development

Experience

Chief Business Development Officer

Stealth Sports & Media Platform | Private Company

2023-10 - Present · 3 yrs

• Senior operating executive leading formation of a multi-vertical sports and media platform focused on acquiring and scaling profitable, founder-led businesses across talent management, IP, emerging sports, and creator-driven media. • Built and executed corporate development and business development strategy supporting a $50M+ forward revenue platform, including acquisition sourcing, evaluation, and integration architecture. • Sourced, screened, and evaluated 250+ acquisition and partnership opportunities, advancing high-fit targets through diligence based on scalability, operational readiness, and strategic alignment. • Structured investment frameworks, capitalization strategies, and governance models to align founder incentives, investor requirements, and long-term enterprise value creation. • Advanced transactions from concept through diligence and execution in partnership with founders, investors, and legal advisors. • Generated institutional interest including a $145M PE proposal and a $240M SPAC transaction; declined both to preserve creative alignment and long-term operating strategy.

Executive Vice President

Oak Room Media

2020-2 - 2023-9 · 3 yrs 8 mos

• Led development, packaging, and sale of premium unscripted content to major broadcast networks and global streaming platforms. • Built and managed a diversified development slate of 12 projects, sustaining consistent network engagement and repeat buyer relationships. • Advanced projects from option through greenlight by leading third-party producer relationships and commercial deal execution. • Negotiated production, talent, and distribution agreements in coordination with outside counsel, keeping active projects compliant and on schedule. • Collaborated with Amazon, Cineflix Media, Litton Entertainment, and Critical Content to expand distribution and partnership reach. • Secured international format and IP option agreements with Spin Master, CJ ENM, and Nippon Television, expanding IP monetization opportunities.

Executive Vice President

Smoke and Mirrors Creative

2010-12 - 2019-11 · 9 yrs

• Oversaw development and production across both unscripted and scripted television projects. • Executive produced unscripted series for Fox (Mobbed with Howie Mandel) and Facebook Watch (Fuzz Balls). • Developed and packaged pilots for Syfy, GSN, and The CW, advancing projects from concept to network consideration. • Led talent packaging, format acquisition, and commercial negotiations, aligning creative strategy with buyer demand. • Oversaw business and legal affairs including contract drafting, rights allocation, and deal structuring. • Developed original scripted projects with top-tier talent—including Bob Saget, Ludacris, Ron Shelton, and David Permut—expanding the creative portfolio and long-term IP value.

Senior Vice President - Development & Production

Brian Graden Media

2015-2 - 2019-4 · 4 yrs 3 mos

• Senior leader across creative development, production oversight, and IP strategy. • Originated and sold unscripted television concepts to BET, Food Network, HGTV, and WE tv, sustaining network relationships and deal flow. • Led format scouting, IP evaluation, and deal structuring to support portfolio strategy. • Aligned creative output with network mandates, audience positioning, and commercial objectives. • Structured exclusive international sourcing relationship with Workpoint Entertainment, Thailand’s largest production company, to option formats for U.S. adaptation.