FEBRUARY 17, 2020 LOS ANGELES BUSINESS JOURNAL 19
for rich paydays — “overscale” compensation — though collective bargaining agreements are Creative Differences: The Writer’s Guild of America has important in setting a base. Dispute Between Agencies, been embroiled in conflict with talent agencies since April. Another wrinkle is that much of Holly- wood’s top talent also works as producers — which are employers. That means the likes Writers Likely to Continue of Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks and other Standoff is separate from other labor contracts multi-hyphenates (particularly writer-produc- ers) can have economic stakes on both sides of The labor dispute over talent agency packaging fees is boiling the triple-witching negotiating table. over, but it sits outside of Hollywood’s triple-witching contracts. Co-chairing the DGA in negotiations are directors Jon Avnet and Todd Holland. Avnet In April, the Writer’s Guild of America instructed its members produced “Risky Business,” launching the act- to fire their agents — and most did though not all, according to ing career of Tom Cruise. Emmy-winner Hol- news accounts — igniting a static trench warfare that is ongoing. land directed episodes of ABC’s “Black-ish.” In a boost to the WGA, some small and medium-size talent The DGA went first in earlier triple witch- agencies recently signed franchise agreements with the union, ing contract-negotiation cycles, in part because breaking ranks with the Association of Talent Agents, an directors have a reputation for reaching deals industry trade group. without resorting to strikes. The DGA only WGA efforts to abolish the packaging practice date to the stopped work once, in 1987, resulting in a short 1970s, when talent agencies began taking their fees directly walkout. The first deal from any of these three from producers for movies and TV projects that were often built unions typically sets a pattern that is adopted by the other two. around scripts penned by their writer clients. While the outcome of contract negotiations When talent agencies package projects, they don’t collect the is uncertain, Hollywood routinely prepares for normal 10% fee on earnings from their clients in the packaged worst-case scenarios. Movie and TV program project, which agencies assert is a benefit for talent. shooting schedules stop and start around For TV shows, the agency packaging fee is typically 3% of a contract expirations. That way if a strike does TV network’s license fee plus a slice of profits, which can run erupt, productions are not shut down mid- $30,000-$100,000 per episode for multi-season TV series. Over stream. the decades, packaging fees became a pillar of agency economics. Also, producers stockpile scripts so execu- The WGA counters that the practice moves talent agencies tives can tinker with projects during stoppages into roles akin to employers and eats into the economics of film and be able to quickly resume production once and television to the detriment of talent. It wants to align inter- strikes end. Any stoppage this summer would wreak ests by having agencies compensated only when clients get paid. havoc with physical productions of TV series Also, the WGA wants the talent agencies to abandon a bud- scheduled for the traditional fall TV premiere ding trend of creating boutique, in-house Hollywood production season — hourlong dramas for fall premieres companies. usually start filming in mid- to late June. — Robert Marich Streamers are less impacted because they post new TV shows on a more year-round basis. RINGO H.W. CHIU/LABJ
TALENT AGENCIES NEXT WEEK
SPENCER WEINER/GETTY IMAGES THE LIST Ranked by number of L.A. County agents Securities Brokerage Firms
Rank Agency Agents Notable Clients Profile Top Executive • name • L.A. County (partial list) • year • name • address founded • title • website • phone
Creative Artists Agency 430 George Clooney, Cristiano Ronaldo, Bradley Cooper, Lady Gaga, Reese Witherspoon, 1975 Richard Lovett 1 2000 Avenue of the Stars Steven Spielberg, Will Smith, Brad Pitt, Katy Perry President Los Angeles 90067; caa.com (424) 288-2000
United Talent Agency 260 Harrison Ford, Chris Pratt, Judd Apatow, Kate Beckinsale, Greta Gerwig, Will Ferrell, 1991 Jeremy Zimmer 2 9336 Civic Center Drive Kristen Wiig, Post Malone, Ewan McGregor, Kate McKinnon, James Franco, Susan CEO Beverly Hills 90210; unitedtalent.com Sarandon, Anna Faris, Benedict Cumberbatch, James McAvoy, Pitbull, Jay Ellis, 21 (310) 273-6700 Savage, Queen Latifah, Delta Air Lines, Coca-Cola, Chance the Rapper, The Jonas Brothers, Guns N' Roses, Lyft, Procter & Gamble, CoverGirl
WME 232 Alfonso Cuarón, Amy Adams, Angelina Jolie, Brie Larson, Bruno Mars, Charlize Theron, 2009 Ariel Emanuel 3 9601 Wilshire Blvd. Damien Chazelle, Russo Brothers, Quentin Tarantino, David Beckham, Denzel CEO, Endeavor Beverly Hills 90210; wmeagency.com Washington, Donald Glover, Drake, Dwayne Johnson, Elisabeth Moss, Emma Stone, (310) 285-9000 Hans Zimmer, Gwen Stefani, Justin Timberlake, LeBron James, Martin Scorsese, Matt Damon, Matthew McConaughey, Michael Bay, Oprah Winfrey
ICM Partners 210 Beyoncé, John Cena, Ellen DeGeneres, Jeff Daniels, Vince Gilligan, J. Cole, Samuel L. 1975 Chris Silbermann 4 10250 Constellation Blvd. Jackson, Khalid, Regina King, Spike Lee, Shonda Rhimes, Chris Rock, Jerry Seinfeld, Managing Director Los Angeles 90067; icmpartners.com Christoph Waltz (310) 550-4000
APA 208 Gary Oldman, Mary J. Blige, James Earl Jones, Tyrese Gibson, Cole Hauser, Lili Taylor, 1962 James Gosnell Jr. 5 405 S. Beverly Drive Francois Arnaud, T.I., John Carpenter, Derek Kolstad, Lee Child, Charlaine Harris, Noelle CEO, President Beverly Hills 90212; apa-agency.com Stevenson, Smokey Robinson, Eddie Izzard, Ronnie Chieng, Ms. Pat, Fran Drescher, (310) 888-4200 Tom Papa, 50 Cent, Brand New, Criss Angel, Bryce Vine, David Gilmour, Blondie, Brian Wilson Gersh Agency 125 Dave Chappelle, Werner Herzog, Tom McCarthy, J.K. Simmons, Adam Driver, Patricia 1949 Bob Gersh 6 9465 Wilshire Blvd., Sixth Floor Arquette, John Goodman, Debra Messing, Allison Janney, Sam Rockwell, John Oliver, David Gersh Beverly Hills 90212; gersh.com John Irving, Tony Kushner, Mandy Moore Co-Presidents (310) 274-6611 Paradigm Talent Agency 89 Antonio Banderas, Coldplay, Laurence Fishburne, Billie Eilish, Ed Sheeran, Henry 1993 Sam Gores 7 8942 Wilshire Blvd. Golding, Shawn Mendes CEO, Chairman Beverly Hills 90211; (310) 288-8000 paradigmagency.com
Innovative Artists Talent & Literary 43 NA 1982 Scott Harris 8 Agency President 1505 10th St. (310) 656-0400 Santa Monica 90401; innovativeartists.com company letterhead to the Research Department, Los Angeles Business Journal, 11150 Santa Monica Blvd., Suite 350, NA - Not Available Note: Information on this list was provided by representatives of the agencies. To the best of our Los Angeles 90025. ©2020 Los Angeles Business Journal. This list may not be reprinted in whole or in part without knowledge, this information is accurate as of press time. While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy and prior written permission from the editor. Reprints are available from Wright’s Media (877) 652-5295. thoroughness of the list, omissions and typographical errors sometimes occur. Please send corrections or additions on Researched by Joshua Niv EMMA MCINTYRE/GETTY IMAGES Continued on page 20
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TALENT AGENCIES Continued from page 19
Rank Agency Agents Notable Clients Profile Top Executive • name • L.A. County (partial list) • year • name • address founded • title • website • phone
Abrams Artists Agency 35 NA 1977 Brian Cho 9 750 N. San Vicente Blvd., Red Building, President 11th Floor (310) 859-0625 Los Angeles 90069; abramsartistsagency.com
Z Group 25 NA 2011 Zachary Solov 10 NA CEO, President Beverly Hills 90210; zgroupla.com (424) 777-0537 Kazarian/Measures/Ruskin & 16 NA 1957 Mark Measures 11 Associates President 5200 Lankershim Blvd., Suite 820 (818) 769-9111 Studio City 91604; kmrtalent.com
Don Buchwald & Associates Inc. 151 Juliette Lewis, Joss Stone, Howard Stern, Norman Reedus 1977 Julia Buchwald 12 5900 Wilshire Blvd., 31st Floor President Los Angeles 90036; buchwald.com (323) 655-7400
CESD Talent Agency 15 NA 1967 Paul Doherty 10635 Santa Monica Blvd., Suite 130 Co-Owner, Head of L.A. Los Angeles 90025; cesdtalent.com Office (310) 475-2111
Clear Talent Group 14 NA 2003 Tim O'Brien 14 10950 Ventura Blvd. President Studio City 91604; cleartalentgroup.com (818) 509-0121
Brady Brannon & Rich Talent 12 NA 1981 Stuart Robinson 15 5670 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 820 CEO Los Angeles 90036; (323) 852-9559 bbrtalentagency.com
Mavrick Artists Agency 10 NA 2011 Brad Diffley 16 8447 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 301 CEO Beverly Hills 90211; mavrickartists.com (323) 931-5555
Coast To Coast Talent Group 10 NA 1987 Jeremiah Doryon 3350 Barham Blvd. Elyah Doryon Los Angeles 90068; ctctalent.com Principals (323) 845-9200 AKA Talent Agency 9 NA 1999 Doug Ely 18 4525 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 280 Mike Abrams Los Angeles 90010; akatalent.com Pamela Porter Owners, Agents (323) 965-5600 Amsel Eisenstadt Frazier & Hinojosa 9 Fred Willard, Danny Trejo, Dee Wallace, Joe Piscopo, Micky Dolenz 1992 Michael Eisenstadt Inc. President 5055 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 865 (323) 939-1188 Los Angeles 90036; aefhtalent.com
Sutton Barth & Vennari 8 NA 1978 Rita Vennari 20 5900 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 700 President Los Angeles 90036; sbvtalent.com (323) 938-6000
Commercial Talent 8 NA 1998 Neil Kreppel 12711 Ventura Blvd., Suite 285 CEO Studio City 91604; Sheila Di Marco commercialtalentagency.com President (818) 505-1431 Talentworks 81 William Shatner, Pam Grier, Josh Brener, Luke Perry, Roger Daltrey, Tracey Gold, Betsy 1982 Harry Gold 3500 W. Olive Ave., Suite 1400 Brandt, Jesse Plemons President Burbank 91505; talentworksla.com (818) 972-4300
Osbrink Agency 81 NA 1993 Cindy Osbrink 2222 W. Olive Ave. Scott Wine Burbank 91506; osbrinkagency.com Owners (818) 760-2488
Dattner Dispoto and Associates 7 NA 1987 Bill Dispoto 24 304 S. Broadway Suite 405 President Los Angeles 90013; ddatalent.com (310) 474-4585
McDonald/Selznick Associates 7 Kenny Ortega, Jamie King, Amy Tinkham, Brian Burke, Napoleon and Tabitha Dumo, 2000 Julie McDonald 3575 Cahuenga West, Suite 390 Autumn Miller, Bryan Tanaka, Tessandra Chavez, George Chakiris, Shannon Holtzapffel, Tony Selznick Los Angeles 90068; msaagency.com Daniel Ezralow, Jerry Mitchell, Chase Boden, Toni Basil Owners, Senior Agents (323) 957-6680
1 Business Journal estimate. company letterhead to the Research Department, Los Angeles Business Journal, 11150 Santa Monica Blvd., Suite 350, NA - Not Available Note: Information on this list was provided by representatives of the agencies. To the best of our Los Angeles 90025. ©2020 Los Angeles Business Journal. This list may not be reprinted in whole or in part without knowledge, this information is accurate as of press time. While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy and prior written permission from the editor. Reprints are available from Wright’s Media (877) 652-5295. thoroughness of the list, omissions and typographical errors sometimes occur. Please send corrections or additions on Researched by Joshua Niv
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