MUSIC EXECUTIVE PHIL MCINTYRE SIGNS ON AS EXECUTIVE PRODUCER, AND MUSIC PRODUCER AND MULTI-INSTRUMENTALIST KRISTOPHER POOLEY JOINS AS MUSIC DIRECTOR FOR ABC'S 'AMERICAN IDOL'

Phil McIntyre, founder and CEO of Philymack, the entertainment and music management company for multiplatinum artists Demi Lovato, Nick Jonas, Joe Jonas/DNCE, and most recently The Band Perry and Iggy Azalea, has signed on as executive producer, representing CORE Media on the production of "American Idol" on ABC. Drawing on his extensive musical background, he will focus on developing the contestants' artistic vision, preparing them for a successful career after the show, along with liaising with guest artists and the online distribution of the music performed.

Additionally, music producer, live music director, and multi-instrumentalist Kristopher Pooley has joined the series as music director. In this role, he will be responsible for working with the contestants to create song arrangements, leading the live band, and helping to guide and advise the contestants on their journey to become the next superstar. Pooley's career has kept him busy producing music for television, including the Super Bowl Halftime show, "The Glee Project," "American Horror Story," "American Bible Challenge," and "Glee," among others. As a veteran live music director, Pooley has worked around the world arranging and music directing shows for Katy Perry, Kesha, Gwen Stefani, Adam Lambert, DNCE, Dixie Chicks, Miguel, Tegan and Sara, Niall Horan, Demi Lovato, Rita Ora; and as a multi-instrumentalist for Melissa Etheridge, Morrissey, Smashing Pumpkins, Jane's Addiction, Siouxsie Sioux and many more.

"American Idol," the iconic series that revolutionized the television landscape by pioneering the music competition genre, will return to airwaves on SUNDAY, MARCH 11 (8:00-10:00 p.m. EDT), at its new home on The ABC Television Network. Helping to determine who America will ultimately vote for to become the next singing sensation, are music industry forces and superstar judges, Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie. Emmy(R) Award-winning host and producer Ryan Seacrest will return as host of the beloved series.

"American Idol" is produced by FremantleMedia North America and 19 Entertainment, a division of CORE Media Group. Executive producers include FremantleMedia North America's Trish Kinane and Jennifer Mullin, along with co-executive producer, Megan Wolflick. FremantleMedia International distributes the series worldwide.

About ABC Entertainment

ABC Entertainment airs compelling programming across all day parts, with new shows including fall's No. 1 new drama, "The Good Doctor," and "Kevin (Probably) Saves the World"; and current hits such as groundbreaking dramas "Designated Survivor," "Quantico," "Scandal" "How to Get Away with Murder," "Grey's Anatomy," "Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." and "Once Upon a Time." The ABC Television Network is also home to the Emmy Award-winning "Modern Family" and trailblazing comedy favorites "black-ish," "American Housewife," "Fresh Off the Boat," "The Goldbergs," "The Middle" and "Speechless"; hit game shows "$100,000 Pyramid," "Celebrity Family Feud," "Match Game" and "To Tell the Truth"; reality phenomenon "Shark Tank," iconic "The Bachelor" franchise, long-running hits "Dancing with the Stars" and "America's Funniest Home Videos," and the return of "American Idol"; "General Hospital," which has aired for over 50 years on the network, along with daytime talk show "The Chew"; and late-night talk show "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" The network also boasts some of television's most prestigious awards shows, including "The Oscars(R)," "The CMA Awards" and "The American Music Awards."

About FremantleMedia North America

FremantleMedia North America (FMNA) is the U.S. arm of global media giant FremantleMedia, which includes a distribution arm, FremantleMedia International, a digital and branded entertainment division and a kids and family entertainment business. As one of the world's largest and most successful creators, producers and distributors of TV brands in the world, FremantleMedia's comprehensive global network has operations in 31 countries, creating over 10,000 hours of programming a year, rolling out more than 45 formats and managing over 350 individual titles. The company also distributes more than 20,000 hours of content in over 200 territories. For more information follow us @FMNATV and visit our Facebook page.

About CORE Media Group

CORE Media Group (CMG) is a leading independent media and entertainment company that creates premium content for linear television and digital platforms. Through partnerships with well-established industry leaders including Sharp Entertainment, as well as B17 Entertainment and its newly formed digital studio Thumb Candy, the company creates additional multi-platform programming of various genres for audiences nationwide. Through CMG's 19 Entertainment, it also co-produces "American Idol," the gold standard of music competition programs, with FremantleMedia, and the enduring franchise "So You Think You Can Dance" with dick clark productions.