William Morris Endeavor

WME-IMG
Private partnership
Industry Talent and literary agencies
Founded 2009 (in Beverly Hills)
Headquarters Beverly Hills, California, United States
Key people
 Ari Emanuel, Co-CEO
Patrick Whitesell, Co-CEO
Owner Silver Lake Partners (51%)
Subsidiaries IMG
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Professional Bull Riders
Miss Universe
Website wmeentertainment.com

William Morris Endeavor Entertainment, LLC, also known as William Morris Endeavor, WME or WME-IMG, is an American talent agency with offices in Beverly Hills. The company was founded in April 2009, after the merger of the William Morris Agency and the Endeavor Agency. WME represents artists across all media platforms, specifically movies, television, music, theatre, digital and publishing.[1] It also represents the NFL and NHL.[2] WME also owns the Ultimate Fighting Championship[3] and Miss Universe. The company is run by Co-CEOs Ari Emanuel and Patrick Whitesell.

History

Beginnings

As the entertainment industry evolved, so did WMA, which soon expanded into television, film, literature and music representation.[4]

The Endeavor Talent Agency launched in 1995, nearly 100 years after WMA, and rapidly grew to include clients from every facet of the entertainment industry.[5] By 2009, Endeavor was one of the fastest-growing Hollywood talent agencies, with the New York Times singling out its reputation for "quick thinking, ferocity and barely bridled ambition.[6]"

WME Merger

On April 27, 2009, WMA and the Endeavor Talent Agency announced that they were forming William Morris Endeavor, or WME.[7] Endeavor executives Ari Emanuel and Patrick Whitesell were widely seen as the architects of the merger and quickly became the Co-CEOs of WME.[8]

In 2011, Emanuel was quoted in a Financial Times profile about the company, saying "We built a culture where people are rewarded for taking risks."[9] Emanuel and Whitesell have implemented several leadership strategies to boost the productivity of their agents, most notably, the "Farmhouse" training program.[10]

Following the merger, WME moved its headquarters into the offices of Endeavor.[11] The company now takes up several floors at 9601 Wilshire Boulevard in the heart of Beverly Hills. Additionally, WME has offices in New York, London, Miami, and Nashville.

Company Expansion

Since the merger, WME has grown to include several subsidiary companies and expanded divisions. Fortune named Co-CEOs Ari Emanuel and Patrick Whitesell to their 2010 "Businessperson of the Year" list, acknowledging their corporate growth strategies.[12] Emanuel had previously been recognized as a 21st-century "super agent" by both The Wall Street Journal and The Guardian, as well as an Advertising Age "Influencer."[13][14][15]

Shortly after the merger, WME helped launch the investment group Raine,[16] which aligned the company with properties like Vice Media and Zumba Fitness. In 2010 WME partnered with RED Interactive,[17] giving clients access to an award-winning digital advertising agency. Two years later, they formed an alliance with the social media management firm TheAudience,[18] partnering with digital entrepreneur Sean Parker and executing social campaigns for properties like the Seth MacFarlane motion picture Ted and the Coachella Music Festival.[19] 2013 brought a strategic partnership between WME and creative music agency Jingle Punks, which creates, publishes and licenses music. WME is also an investor in the e-commerce platform OpenSky, which was named one of America's "Most Promising Companies" by Forbes.[20] In 2013, Whitesell and Emanuel were profiled in Fast Company, highlighting the company's digital growth.[21]

In July 2013, WME acquired a minority stake in the global creative agency Droga5. The partnership combines the companies’ advertising and entertainment resources, creating new opportunities for their collective clients in the branded content and marketing space. Founded by David Droga, Droga5 was named Adweek’s 2012 Agency of the Year[22] and oversees accounts for Coca-Cola, Motorola and Spotify.

Describing the partnership, The New York Times wrote, “As consumers increasingly ignore traditional advertising and are bombarded with a constant stream of content, both online and offline, advertisers have been forced to find more compelling ways to get their attention. WME could help provide the answer given its substantial reach in television, publishing, music, film and theater.[23]"

On December 18, 2013, WME and Silver Lake announced the acquisition of IMG for $2.4 billion.[24] WME’s Ari Emanuel and Patrick Whitesell will serve as co-CEOs.

On January 21, 2015, it was announced that WME had acquired Global eSports Management (GEM), an international agency representing various esports and professional video game players and personalities.[25]

On September 14, 2015, WME acquired from Donald Trump the Miss Universe Organization, which produces the Miss Universe, Miss USA and Miss Teen USA beauty pageants and related content. The organization sells television rights to the pageants in other countries. Financial details were not disclosed.[26] On September 23 it was announced that WME/IMG would be partnering with Turner Broadcasting to create a televised Counter-Strike: Global Offensive esports league that be broadcast on TBS in 2016.[27]

On July 11, 2016, mixed martial arts organization the Ultimate Fighting Championship, announced that WME had purchased the company from Zuffa for $4 billion.[28]On August 22, 2016, it acquired well-regarded tastemaker boutique lit Rabineau Wachter Sanford & Gillett, with the founders to become head of a newly-formed book to film/tv division[29]

WME and Silver Lake

On May 2, 2012, WME and Silver Lake, a technology-focused private equity firm based in Silicon Valley, signed an agreement for Silver Lake to acquire a 31% minority stake in the agency.[30] A new executive committee, consisting of Co-CEOs Ari Emanuel and Patrick Whitesell and Silver Lake Partners Managing Director Egon Durban, leads the company's growth strategy and investment activities.[31][32] The Silver Lake deal drew the attention of several leading financial publications, including Forbes, The Financial Times, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal.[33][34][35][36] Silver Lake increased their stake in WME to 51% following the acquisition of IMG Worldwide.[37]

Departments

WME's agents specialize in a broad variety of entertainment sectors. Company divisions include Talent, Motion Pictures, Scripted Television, Non-Scripted Television, Music, Literary, Theatre, Commercials, Speakers, and Branded Lifestyle.

Motion Pictures

WME's motion picture clients represent a diverse mix of filmmakers, actors, writers and directors.

Music

WME represents music artists across nearly every genre, including rock, pop, urban, country, electronic, Christian, Latin and adult contemporary. WME's artists have had a huge impact on the live touring industry, leading Billboard to name the company "Top Touring Agency" of 2012.[38]

Department head Marc Geiger was ranked 9th on Billboard's 2013 "Power 100 List"[39] and company partners Sara Newkirk Simon and Samantha Kirby Yohwere featured in Billboard's 2013 "Women In Music" issue.[40] Sara Newkirk Simon was also featured in Billboard’s 2013 “40 Under 40” list along with Todd Jacobs. WME's Kirk Sommer was named "Most Influential Agent" by Paper Magazine in 2012[41] and agents Joel Zimmerman and Samantha Kirby Yoh were named in the "50 Most Influential People in EDM" list by In The Mix.[42]

WME's Electronic Music division represents some of the most prominent DJ's in the music business.[43] The EMD agents were largely credited as the architects of the Las Vegas DJ residency business model.[44]

Television

WME represents artists from the scripted and non-scripted television space.

Literary

WME's Literary Department is co-headed by Suzanne Gluck, Eric Simonoff, and WME board member Jennifer Rudolph Walsh. In 2013, client Sheryl Sandberg released her debut book, Lean In, which topped multiple bestseller lists and sold 140,000 copies its first week of publication.[45] The company's Literary Department also helps authors branch out into mediums like television and film, negotiating deals for book-to-screen adaptations. WME's UK Literary Department is headed by Simon Trewin.

Theatre

WME's Theatre Department represents actors, directors, writers and choreographers. They also bring motion picture and television talent to the stage. Additionally, the department transitions theatre clients into new mediums, helping to break out TV and film talent and expand productions into new formats.

Speakers

WME's Speakers Division represents a selection of speakers from a wide variety of fields, including national and global affairs, media relations, business and economics, health and science, humor, and sports and motivation. The Lectures Department also handles speaking opportunities for clients across all WME divisions.

Commercials

WME's Commercials Division helps partner clients with notable brands like AT&T, Apple, Dior, Samsung, Gucci, Mercedes, Pepsi and Absolut Vodka.[46][47][48][49][50][51][52][53] It covers commercials, animation, non-performing public appearances, direct marketing, home shopping and tour sponsorships. The department is also involved in client voiceover opportunities for commercials, animation and video games.

Branded Lifestyle

In 2007, WME Board Member Jon Rosen launched the agency's Branded Lifestyle Group, which aims to build multiplatform businesses for personalities and brands in all areas of lifestyle entertainment. Clients are able to successfully utilize cross multiple mediums, including television, fashion, literature and consumer products.[54][55]

Digital

WME Digital represents talent and properties in the digital space. WME Digital also leads the agency's start-up investing practice.[56]

Philanthropy

In 2009, the partners of William Morris Endeavor formed the WME Foundation, which promotes arts and education to disadvantaged children. Clients whose charities have benefitted from the Foundation's services include Charlize Theron, Hank Azaria, Usher, and Alicia Keys.[57] In 2011, the company created Camp Summer Eagle and Camp Summer Lion, which provide donations and activities for schoolchildren in Compton, California and New York City.[58]

WME retreat

Dubbed a "brain spa" by The Wall Street Journal,[59] WME has hosted an annual retreat for its agents.

References

  1. ↑ Garrahan, Matthew (December 6, 2011). "Rewriting the Hollywood script". Financial Times. Retrieved December 29, 2011.
  2. ↑ "What Talent-Agency Merger Could Mean for Brands". Ad Age. April 28, 2009.
  3. ↑ Merced, Michael J. De La (2016-07-11). "U.F.C. Sells Itself for $4 Billion". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2016-07-11.
  4. ↑ Weisbord, Merrily (1991). Our future selves : love, life, sex, and aging. Berkeley, Calif.: North Atlantic Books. p. 157. ISBN 978-1556431456.
  5. ↑ Galloway, Stephen (2013-03-05). "Jeff Berg Speaks: Plans for New Agency, What Really Happened at ICM (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter.
  6. ↑ Cieply, Michael. "Agents Replaying a Hollywood Drama". The New York Times.
  7. ↑ Littleton, Cynthia (2009-04-27). "WMA, Endeavor approve merger". Variety.
  8. ↑ "It's A Takeover, Not A Merger". LA Weekly. May 28, 2009.
  9. ↑ Garrahan, Matthew (December 6, 2011). "Rewriting the Hollywood script". Financial Times. Retrieved April 30, 2012.
  10. ↑ Lashinsky, Adam (May 23, 2013). "Hi, It's Ari @#$%ing Emanuel, and I plan to shake up Hollywood". Fortune. Retrieved 23 May 2013.
  11. ↑ Finke, Nikki (2009-10-09). "WME Will Stay In Endeavor Headquarters Instead Of Moving To New Morris Building". Deadline.
  12. ↑ P.N. (November 19, 2010). "Businessperson of the Year". Fortune. Retrieved April 30, 2012.
  13. ↑ Sabbagh, Dan (2011-03-16). "Natalie Portman sparks Hollywood battle". The Guardian.
  14. ↑ Hampp, Andrew (2011-01-03). "Influencer: Ari Emanuel, William Morris Endeavor Agency". Advertising Age.
  15. ↑ Karmin, Craig (2012-01-27). "How a Parking Garage Stymied Hollywood's Super Agent". Wall Street Journal.
  16. ↑ Lattman, Peter (September 19, 2010). "Ex-Bankers Start Fund to Invest in Media". The New York Times. Retrieved March 29, 2011.
  17. ↑ "RED Interactive Agency". Retrieved March 29, 2011.
  18. ↑ Empson, Rip. "TheAudience: A Stealthy, Celeb-Driven Startup Co-founded By Sean Parker, Ari Emanuel & Oliver Luckett". Tech Crunch. Retrieved July 26, 2012.
  19. ↑ Barnes, Brooks. "A-Listers, Meet Your Online Megaphone". New York Times. Retrieved November 10, 2012.
  20. ↑ "America's Most Promising Companies". Forbes. Retrieved 2013. Check date values in: |access-date= (help)
  21. ↑ Laporte, Nicole (2013-03-18). "WME's Agent Provocateurs Ari Emanuel And Patrick Whitesell". Fast Company.
  22. ↑ Beltrone, Gabriel (2012-12-10). "Droga's Delicious World". AdWeek.
  23. ↑ Vega, Tanzina (2013-07-11). "William Morris to Invest in Droga5, an Ad Agency". New York Times.
  24. ↑ Patten, Dominic (7 May 2014). "UPDATE: WME Brass Welcome IMG Staffers As Acquisition Deal Closes". Retrieved 17 November 2016.
  25. ↑ Zumberge, Marianne (January 21, 2015). "WME–IMG Acquires Global eSports Management Gaming Agency". Variety. Retrieved February 13, 2015.
  26. ↑ Littleton, Cynthia (14 September 2015). "WME/IMG Acquires Miss Universe Organization From Donald Trump". Retrieved 17 November 2016.
  27. ↑ Spangler, Todd (September 23, 2015). "Turner, WME/IMG Form E-Sports League, With TBS to Air Live Events". Variety. Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved November 13, 2015.
  28. ↑ "Dana White on $4 billion UFC sale: 'Sport is going to the next level'". ESPN.com.
  29. ↑ Jr, Mike Fleming (22 August 2016). "WME Buys Tastemaker Lit Agency Rabineau Wachter Sanford & Gillett". Retrieved 17 November 2016.
  30. ↑ "William Morris Endeavor Entertainment and Silver Lake Announce Strategic Partnership". PR Newswire. Retrieved May 27, 2012.
  31. ↑ Chon, Gina (May 2, 2012). "Silver Lake Buys Stake in WME Agency". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved May 8, 2012.
  32. ↑ "William Morris Endeavor Entertainment and Silver Lake Announce Strategic Partnership". PR Newswire. May 2, 2012. Retrieved May 8, 2012.
  33. ↑ "Silver Lake takes stake in talent agency". Financial Times. Retrieved May 2, 2012.
  34. ↑ Savitz, Eric (May 6, 2012). "Silver Lake Agrees To Take Stake In William Morris". Forbes. Retrieved December 29, 2011.
  35. ↑ de la Merced, Michael (May 2, 2012). "Silver Lake Takes Stake in William Morris Endeavor". New York Times. Retrieved December 29, 2011.
  36. ↑ "Silver Lake Takes Stake in William Morris Endeavor". Wall Street Journal. May 2, 2012. Retrieved May 2, 2012.
  37. ↑
  38. ↑ Staff. "Billboard Touring Awards: U2, Journey, Jason Aldean Win Big". Billboard. Retrieved November 10, 2011.
  39. ↑ Staff. "Billboard Power 100". Billboard. Retrieved February 3, 2013.
  40. ↑ Staff. "Women In Music 2012". Billboard. Retrieved November 28, 2012.
  41. ↑ Pini, Gary. "The Music Industry's 5 Most Influential Booking Agents". Paper Magazine. Retrieved April 13, 2012.
  42. ↑ Staff. "The 50 Most Powerful People In EDM 2013". In The Mix. Retrieved March 25, 2013.
  43. ↑ "William Morris Agency Forms Electronic Division". Billboard.
  44. ↑ Mason, Kerri (March 21, 2012). "Exclusive: Skrillex, David Guetta, Diplo, Many More Added to Wynn Resident-DJ Roster". Billboard.
  45. ↑ Italie, Hillel (2013-03-13). "'Lean In' Book Sales Are Big Win For Sheryl Sandberg". Huffington Post.
  46. ↑ "Ready Set 'Go' for Visa".
  47. ↑ Elliott, Stuart (October 28, 2004). "When Wireless Networks Merge, So Do Their Promotional Campaigns". The New York Times.
  48. ↑ "Trident Gum's Fake TV Show". The Wall Street Journal.
  49. ↑ "Samsung Propel "Ozzy"". Adweek. November 13, 2008. Retrieved April 13, 2012.
  50. ↑ "Marketplace Roundup".
  51. ↑ "Gucci Taps Rihanna for Ads on UNICEF Collaboration".
  52. ↑ "Josh Brolin Stars in AMV Campaign for Mercedes".
  53. ↑ "Absolut Vodka and Kanye West think it's easy to be Yeezy".
  54. ↑ Salkin, Allen (April 19, 2009). "He's the Man Who Sets the Table". The New York Times. Retrieved March 29, 2011.
  55. ↑ "JHRTS-NY Recap: A Conversation with Doug Herzog". HRTS.org.
  56. ↑ Bierly, Mandi (March 23, 2012). "'Burning Love' comes to E!". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved January 28, 2013.
  57. ↑ Ponzar, Amanda. "Idea Seeds: How to make business-cause partnerships a win-win". Retrieved August 25, 2011.
  58. ↑ Littleton, Cynthia. "Campers get star treatment from WME". Retrieved July 18, 2011.
  59. ↑ Orden, Erica (2012-02-16). "Ari Emanuel Hosts a Brain Spa for His Agents". The Wall Street Journal.

External links

Further reading

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