Wilmer Valderrama’s Allied Management Group Signs a Slew of Latino Writers

Wilmer Valderrama is giving up-and-coming Latino writers their big break…

The 44-year-old Venezuelan & Colombian American actor’s Allied Management Group, which he set up with John Pollak, has signed a number of Latino writers to its roster.

Wilmer ValderramaThe company has signed Luisa Leschin, Raphael Draccon & Carolina Munhóz, The Original Content Society’s Raúl Campos and Felix de Valdivia, and Daniel and Diego Ayala López.

The goal is for Allied to bring these Latino writers to networks, streamers and studios in the U.S English-language market.

Leschin has worked on nearly 500 episodes of television including Netflix’s Gentefied, where she was a co-exec producer on its second season, Max’s Head of the Class, where she was a co-EP and Hulu’s East Los High. She has also worked on series including Everybody Hates Chris and The George Lopez Show.

Draccon and Munhóz are a husband-and-wife writing team who showran The Chosen One and Invisible City for Netflix and have a first-look deal with Warner Bros. Discovery LatAm to work with Max. They have also written comic books for both Marvel and DC

Campos and de Valdivia are brothers, born in Mexico, who run The Original Content Society. They created, wrote, directed and produced the first YouTube Original sitcom in Latin America – Sobrevivi – as well as Spotify’s first original comedy series, El Grupo, and are co-exec producers for the third and fourth seasons of Amazon’s LOL starring Eugenio Derbez. In addition to producing and directing 24 Netflix comedy specials, they have a first look deal with ITV America, where they are developing an international comedy series called Güerita.

Daniel and Diego Ayala López, born in Colombia were behind Amazon series Manes, which was the most-watched series for Amazon Colombia, and Los BillisThey have worked with Colombia’s Caracol and are currently developing a number of projects with U.S. studios and production companies.

“These writers are currently helping to define the future of Latino story telling by creating universal stories that aren’t defined by borders or language, but instead reflect the modern content experience- groundbreaking storytelling that can be consumed by viewers in a global market,” said Pollak and Valderrama.  “As the need for fresh stories and unique points of view continue to be the priority for Hollywood, these writers will lead the charge and redefine how premium content is created and Allied Mgmt Group is honored to be working alongside them.”

Wilmer Valderrama Partners with John Pollak to Launch Latino Talent Agency ‘Allied Management Group’

Wilmer Valderrama is hoping to expand Latino voices in Hollywood.

The 42-year-old Venezuelan and Colombian American actor, producer and activist has joined forces with former NBCUniversal executive John Pollak to launch Allied Management Group.

Wilmer Valderrama The company is focused on partnering with, collaborating, and representing new and existing Latino voices across traditional and digital media.

Pollak and Valderrama are co-founders and co-owners of L.A.-based AMG.

After two decades in the entertainment business as both a global distribution head and producer, Pollak will oversee day-to-day operations.

Clients include Dhana Media, the company led by producers Mari Urdaneta and Liliana Moyano who are behind Amazon’s scripted series Maradona: Blessed Dream and Univision’s The Jenni Rivera Story, Tuti Loor, showrunner of CNN’s Searching for Mexico with Eva Longoriaand L Word writer Maria Renee Prudencio.

Valderrama is the latest actor to make the move into management; last year, Kenan Thompson launched Artists for Artists and formed a joint venture with McKeon/Myones Entertainment.

“Latino talent has traditionally been relegated to the Latin American arm of major Hollywood companies but thanks to an exciting industry shift bolstered by the rise of global streaming platforms, they are now a major part of the general US market. Our mission will be to champion current talent and discover new voices who can help create content that is relatable to all audiences including the 200% demographic – consumers who see themselves as both 100% American and 100% Latino,” Pollak told Deadline.

Added Valderrama, “As a community, it is vital that we see ourselves on screen – it shapes both how we see ourselves and how others see us. However, the reality is that there’s an undeniable void of authentic stories being told by Latino voices and through the perspective of our creators. I am so excited to partner with John and the rest of the AMG team. Together we will discover and cultivate new voices, and help our talent deliver fresh, authentic Latino storytelling to audiences in the US and around the globe.

AMG’s roster of clients includes the following Latino creators:

Dhana Media (Maradona: Blessed Dream/Amazon; The Jenni Rivera Story/Univision), led by producers Mari Urdaneta and Liliana Moyano;
Crea84U (Borrego/Paramount), led by producers Monica Gil-Rodriguez and Julie and Phantoms’ Jaime Aymerich;
TDO (Rebelde/Netflix; Corazón Contento/Amazon) led by producer Paulette Bensussen;
Writer Maria Renee Prudencio (L Word/Showtime);
Writer Ricardo Avilez Mozota (Las Vocales/Vix; Fake/Netflix; El Galan/Disney);
Writer/Director Marcelo Tobar (Ana/Pantaya; Amarres/HBO Max; and
upcoming No Culpes al Karma/Netflix);
Director Alejandro Hartmann (Carmel: Who Killed Maria Marta?/Netflix);
Showrunner Tuti Loor (Searching for Mexico with Eva Longoria/CNN; Now and
Then/Apple TV);
Showrunner Moira Noriega (Ultimate BeastMaster/Netflix; Essential Heroes: A Momento
Latino Event/CBS Special; Treasure Truck/Nickelodeon);
Author Andrew Paxman (Jenkins of MexicoEl Tigre: Emilio Azcárraga y su imperio
Televisa with co-author Claudia Fernández)

New projects and clients will be announced in the coming weeks.