Ed Simpson, the longtime Wheelhouse executive best known as a close strategic adviser to founder Brent Montgomery, is stepping into a new lane: creator economy investing.
Simpson has exited Wheelhouse after a 15-year run with Montgomery and is now preparing to launch his own investment venture focused on creators, digital talent, and media businesses built around personality-led brands. The move comes as Hollywood dealmakers continue to chase the next generation of entertainment companies, many of which are being built outside the traditional studio system.
Ed Simpson Leaves Wheelhouse After 15 Years With Brent Montgomery
At Wheelhouse, Simpson served as chief strategy officer and played a key role in shaping the company’s broader business strategy. His tenure with Montgomery dates back well before Wheelhouse became a familiar name in unscripted entertainment and celebrity-driven production.
Montgomery, whose production résumé includes the hit factual franchise Pawn Stars, founded Wheelhouse as a multi-pronged media company spanning television, digital content, branded entertainment, and talent-backed ventures. Simpson was widely viewed as one of his most trusted behind-the-scenes operators.
Wheelhouse has been tied to projects including Calabasas Confidential, and the company has built its identity around packaging talent, brands, and entertainment IP in ways that appeal to both networks and digital audiences.
New Creator Economy Venture Targets Talent-Led Media Businesses
Simpson’s next chapter appears to be aimed squarely at the creator economy, one of the most competitive corners of entertainment investment. According to industry chatter, he is in discussions to back several creator-focused companies and talent-driven ventures.
That makes sense. The creator economy has moved well beyond short-form videos and influencer partnerships. Top creators now operate like media companies, with products, live events, podcasts, subscription communities, production banners, and direct relationships with fans. Investors are looking for businesses that can turn that reach into long-term value.
For Simpson, the appeal is clear: he has spent years connecting talent, production, brands, and financing. A venture built around creators gives him room to apply that Hollywood dealmaking experience to a market where the rules are still being written.
Why Hollywood Is Paying Attention to Creator Economy Investment
The timing is notable. Traditional entertainment companies are still navigating tighter budgets, shifting streaming economics, and a more cautious TV marketplace. Meanwhile, creators with loyal fan bases can launch projects quickly, test ideas in public, and build revenue streams without waiting for a greenlight from a network or studio.
That does not mean every creator can become a durable business. The challenge is turning online popularity into a company with structure, discipline, and repeatable revenue. That is exactly where experienced media executives can become valuable partners.
Simpson’s move also reflects a broader shift in entertainment power. The next breakout brand may not begin as a studio pitch or a cable series. It may begin with a creator who already has millions of followers, a sharp point of view, and a direct line to an audience that trusts them.
What This Means for Wheelhouse and the Digital Talent Market
Wheelhouse remains active in the talent and content space, but Simpson’s departure marks the end of a long executive partnership with Montgomery. For the wider market, it signals continued confidence in creator-led entertainment at a time when many media companies are reassessing where growth will actually come from.
Details on Simpson’s new venture, including its formal name, partners, funding structure, and first investments, have not yet been publicly announced. Still, the direction is easy to read: creator-owned businesses are no longer a side conversation in Hollywood. They are becoming a central part of the industry’s future.
If Simpson can match the right creators with smart capital and seasoned media strategy, his post-Wheelhouse venture could become one to watch closely.
Tags: #EdSimpson #Wheelhouse #CreatorEconomy #MediaInvestment #DigitalCreators