Arthur Smith, CEO of A. Smith & Co., has been working in the entertainment industry his entire life. As a youth, he acted in feature films, television sitcoms and television commercials, and hosted a
video show. On an academic scholarship, Smith studied communications at Ryerson Polytechnic Institute in Toronto, where he excelled in his studies. While at Ryerson, Smith won numerous awards for his inventive productions and graduated first in his class. Upon graduation in 1982, Smith began a successful career at CBC Network Sports, where he produced and directed major sporting events around the world, such as Executive Producing three Olympic Games for which he won numerous awards, ncluding two prestigious Gemini Awards. At the age of 28, Smith was named head of CBC Sports. Smith's approach to sports coverage was an entertainment format filled with stylized graphics, driving music, high profile features, and technological innovations.
Smith's drive for excellence did not go unnoticed by the entertainment industry, as top entertainment firms in New York and Los Angeles wooed him. In 1990, Dick Clark lured Smith to Los Angeles to be Senior Vice President of Dick Clark Productions, where he created a mélange of comedy, reality, game, talk and music programming for network, cable and syndicated television. Smith's accomplishments at Dick Clark Productions included: Producing and Executive Producing the USA Music Challenge, Battle of the Bands, the Jim Thorpe Pro Sports Awards, and The Great 18 Golf Championship for ABC.
Smith also created and produced When Stars Were Kids, Caught in the Act, and Universal Studios Summer Blast for NBC.In January 1995, after being pursued by MCA Universal for some time, Smith agreed to join the company as Senior Vice President of the MCA Television Group. Once again Smith delivered. Only months after he arrived, MCA Television had commitments for shows from ABC, NBC, FOX and CBS. Smith rejuvenated MCA's first run division with a number of projects and acquisitions that he developed for syndication. Smith’s stint at MCA Television Group was a short one, as the entertainment industry clamored to persuade him to join their forces, aware of his ability to create innovative programming that excited target demographics.
Intrigued by a new Fox venture, Smith joined Fox as the Executive Vice President of Programming, Production and News and launched Fox into the cable sports business. While at Fox Sports Net, Smith oversaw what would become the fastest growing TV sports network. Smith's responsibilities included supervising production, development, scheduling, and acquisition of all programming, nationally and
regionally. Smith acted as Executive Producer on over 4500 events and thousands of original hours of programming each year. Smith also created and implemented the network's slick on-air look and style.
In November of 2000 Arthur joined forces with longtime friend Kent Weed to form A. Smith & Co. Productions. From its inception, the company hit the ground running, securing numerous commitments from broadcast networks, cable networks and syndication. In its brief history A. Smith & Co has worked with 20 different networks. Smith serves as Executive Producer on all A. Smith & Co. productions. Some of the company's highlights include Fox Prime Time hits, Hells Kitchen, The Swan, Skating With Celebrities, Paradise Hotel and Celebrity Duets; CBS Hero's Welcome, UPN's I'm Still Alive, Fox Sports Net's You Gotta See This, The History Channel's Come Home Alive, Sci Fi's Mad Mad House, Direct TV's Championship Gaming Series, and Versus' Holy B@#%*! to name a few. Coming in 2007, Hells Kitchen 3, a new Network series, 3 new cable series and the debut of the Rocket Racing League. Smith serves also as head writer on many of the company’s series. He is also a leading consultant to major media companies and sport entities including clients such as Paul Allen and Gemstar, as well as, serving on the boards of several sports organizations.
