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I've learned the fates of the following agents (refresh for continous updates). And let's not forget all the assistants, floaters, and other support staff who also lost their jobs. Meanwhile, no wholesale firings at Endeavor -- yet:
WMA LAYOFF -- John Mass (Corporate Consulting), Erwin More (TV), Renee Kurtz (TV Lit), Alan Gasmer (MP Lit), Aaron Hart (MP Lit), Ben Rowe (MP Lit), Diego Arialdi (Talent, recently promoted), Todd Maginn (Talent, recently promoted), Mike Palank (Talent, recently promoted), Roya Weiner (Talent), Joanne Wiles (Talent), Sara Bottfeld (MP Lit), Wayne Kabak (Admin, TV, Books) Brian Dubin (Commercials), Jason Fox (TV), Fred Hashigan (TV), Betsy Berg (Lectures), David Hiller (Business Affairs) Susan Brooks (Business Affairs), Neil Strum (Business Affairs), Aron Baumel (Business Affairs), Cody Alexander (head of Videogames), Derek Douglas (Videogames), Ashley Josephson (Talent), Bruce Gersh (Intellectual Property), John Reding (Research), Steven Selikoff (TV), Peter Franklin (head of Theater), Elana Barry (TV Lit), Evan Levy (Sports), Lon Rosen (Sports), Ava Greenfield (MP Lit).
WMA SAFE -- Cori Wellins (TV Lit), Blake Fronstin (TV Lit), Mike Simpson (MP Lit), George Freeman (Talent), Danny Greenberg (MP Lit), Kim Bialek (MP Lit), Gaby Morgerman (Talent), Thor Bradwell (Talent), Esther Chang (Talent), Michael Cooper (Talent), Brian de Persia (Talent), Philip Grenz (Talent), Brad Slater (Talent), Phil Sun (Talent), Troy Zien (Talent), Bonnie Liedtke (Talent), Craig Kestel (MP Lit), David Lubliner (MP Lit), Cara Stein (TV), Ed Limato (Talent), Jeff Gorin (MP Lit), Cliff Roberts (MP Lit), Mike Eisner (MP Lit), Scott Henderson (Talent), Jill Smoller (Commercials, Sports), Mike Esola (MP Lit), Rob Carlson (MP Lit), most of Book Department, most of Music Department, most of Personal Appearances, most of London Office, most of Nashville Office.
(FYI: I am posting names because 1) it is news, and 2) I've been told repeatedly that it helps those who've been laid off get jobs much quicker because prospective employers know who's out there looking for work.)
UPDATE: The reason today's layoff announcements could take place is because William Morris and Endeavor heard from the U.S. government there would be no holdup of their merger. I'm told that news came through on Friday, but the Federal Trade Commission put out the notice today. John Eggerton of Broadcasting & Cable is reporting that the FTC granted early termination. He explains, "The deal was required to be submitted for Justice and FTC approval per a Hart-Scott-Rodino antitrust review for potential anti-competitive harms. There is a set waiting period before the transaction can proceed, but the parties can request that the waiting period be terminated early. The FTC's granting of that request signals that neither it nor Justice plans to take any antitrust enforcement action against the sale."
10:15 AM: I'm hearing that the William Morris Agency told 100 people they will be let go, primarily in Los Angeles and New York, even though WMA and Endeavor have not yet received government approvals to merge into WME Entertainment. The firings represent less than 15% of the worldwide William Morris Agency's personnel. I don't have names yet because it's still in the process. I'm assured it's all being done in person, and everyone is getting outplacement services and "above-average" severances, and they can use their office and assistants through May 31st.
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Hope I don’t need to call over there today. Yikes.
Sorry to hear that, but sounds like they are being treated better than most with the improved severance and services. How does that compare with how many let go from Endeavor?
So, if they’re jumping the gun, either the government is in their pocket and the “approval process” is window dressing (as usual), or they’re using the merger as an excuse to fire people they’ve been wanting to fire.
sad
Any predictions for the Endeavor side?
Think of the assistants, people. Kids probably busted their asses for the recently ousted.
Government approval is just a formality, no danger of this not going through. Too bad for those that are getting the axe, unfortunately most will be support and administrative personnel whose severance packages won’t be very generous, but who cares right Ari? The rich get richer…
It sounds all lovely – and I have no info to suggest otherwise. But “above average” is such a vague and nebulous term that suggests there is an “average” severance package for agents and/or support staff.
But is there really? And if so, what is it? Is it 2 months’ salary? 3 months’? Or is it just more than security walking them out the door?
I’d love to see some specific numbers befoere committing to the idea that everything’s hunky-dory.
I hope my boy still has a job………
WOW! I certainly hope that all those who will be let go due to downsizing/reduction in force will be able to secure employment or that the WMA will find them a slot with another reputable agency. Happy to hear that they have severance and services to provide them to help out in any way that they can.
WMA’s New York theater (legit) office is being decimated. Drop in the bucket, tho.
Why would they ever get rid of Gasmer. He’s the best agent they have.
Well, at least they have the good sense to keep Liedtke and Bradwell. Best thing they ever did was bring those two in!
Gasmer? I’m stunned!
What about Endeavor firings? Will there be any or will Ari protect his troops?
Working internally, I understand some choices being made here, but what is incomprehensible is that Kimberly Bialek and Gaby Morgerman are still safe. Kim, who is probably one of the most incompetent people to deal with, had previously been given notice and was safed. There are other people, who are way more competent and actually really care about clients than either of those two agents. Sad times!
Let go a great people in New York who are not listed
Gasmer???
what about the support staff like valets and janitors?
Who’s gone on the NY side?
i hope these people didn’t hear about it here. there are no jobs in town. and none of us have marketable skills. so i wish all of these people good luck and the support of friends. this is a reminder to us all that it’s a business nothing else.
Gasmer is a gentleman, loyal and a damn great agent. They don’t get any smarter or more considerate. Wherever he lands, he’ll kick ass for his clients. A terrific combination of great agent and great guy. Endeavor is stupid for letting him go – and someone else will be very fortunate to have him.
Nikki,
Are there more firings coming, or is this it?
diego was/ is a rising star and will be great wherever he lands.
Good for DePersia! I had been routing for him to be safe… the guy is the last of the good agents, in my book. Really a perfect transition agent for the new WME image.
The people in NY let go are ALL very very good people. It is such a sign that those people who are doing the firings are the most despicable, hateful bunch. Even worse, the people who have remained (in ny) are laughable… truly laughable… This is so much worse than the AOL / TW merger… I don’t think we will see 5 years from now what a mess this is- we will see it 5 months from now.
This list seems strangely.. intrusive. How would any of us feel to see our names published on a blog after being fired? Maybe some of these people haven’t told their significant others or families yet, and they have to find out about it on some blog? Doesn’t seem right.
There was a time in the 90s that Alan Gasmer was THE spec guy. Boy, have things changed.
Gasmer is the best – he’ll land somewhere great.
……….wow. Rougher than I expected. The ny’ers, not so much.
There are some real clients being punted with their reps here. didn’t foresee that.
Hear, hear regarding Diego! Honestly, some moves make sense, others do not, but dumping recently promoted agents who’ve worked years to get promoted, cost you nothing, and are willing to do all the dirty, studio coverage, grunt work . . . that’s bullshit.
interesting that the trades have not reported on this yet… lots of useless Cannes update but nada on this… lame
It was nothing personal in most cases, just business.
Aaron Hart is one the hardest working young agent’s in town. He’s such good people, has great taste, and whoever gives him a new home will be more than lucky to have him.
I have always found Alan Gasmer to be one of the “good” guys, a class act, and a terrific agent. Sad that WMA cut him but I”m sure he’ll land on his feet and make some other agency lots of $$.
so typically pound foolish to fire three recently promoted agents. these guys busted ass for YEARS, were the “beneficiaries” of much training, did well – enough to be promoted in a really tough environment – don’t cost much in the grand scheme of things, and so…of course, let’s fire them.
They could’ve fired someone vastly overpriced like Gaby and saved half the people on that list.
shame. someone should scoop up airaldi, even in this environment.
This hurts. Some good people. Some people who just got promoted! Worked their asses off. Were loyal. Phuckin sucks.
This is not a merger… it’s a takeover.
I’m shocked. Aaron Hart is the best young lit agent in town. He’s a great covering agent who has very strong studio and talent relationships. He also has a very good list of clients who are all working. It’s shocking that he would be let go, given some of the other people listed as safe. WM made a big mistake and their loss will be another agency’s gain.
Glad Blake’s gonna still be in. He’s a good guy.
What is the breakdown of their race and religion, for those who have been fired. Hmmmm.
Gasmer is the classiest agent in town. Smart, works hard for his clients and will land at another solid job very soon. Hearing that other agencies are calling him now!!
WMA, the end is near. b list from now on.
I completely agree with Josh K. As someone with no connection to William Morris or Endeavor, I think it’s incredibly tasteless to publish a list like this.And equally tasteless are the people who post on this site disparaging others by name, without having the guts to identify themselves.
It’s because Gasmer only cared about his clients and didn’t blow smoke. If you want to blow smoke up Wiatt or Wirchshafter’s butt’s you’ll only get the back of Fogelman’s head.
Sorry to hear about Erwin More…he was one of the good ones.
Alan Gasmer is a good agent. I’m rooting for him.
I’m also surprised about Gasmer. And I wouldn’t feel bad if they got rid of the backstabbing Lubliner.
Of course, if there really was a God, Cassian Elwes would’ve been shown the door years ago. He deserves to be Director of Development for his pal Avi Lerner. Ugh!
i am so surprised that aaron was let go. the guy has so much integrity, is a pleasure to do business with, and really shows up for his clients and their interests. he’s an advocate for great material and busts his ass to do good work. a gentleman and a workhorse. tough times.
Nikki. Before you state that the compensation is “above average,” you should note that in layoffs of this size, the minimum compensation is regulated under CA Labor Law. So if they just give that, there is no way it can be considered “above average.”
Any word on the people in unscripted? That’s a pretty strong group and they’d be stupid to let anyone go from that department.
what’s with all the gasmer love? He checked out years ago. Yes, he was a strong agent in his day, but he’s got his money and he’s been resting on laurels for sometime now. He’ll either retire or start a management/production company no doubt.
WTF – Gaby Morgerman? How about Commercials? Consulting? Sports? TV? Admin?
May they form a new agency with awesome clients. We’ll all drink to the silver lining.
Holy shit
Poor Palank and Rowe. They’ve worked their asses off to get promoted, and they’ve done with integrity. The other recently promoted “rising star,” those aren’t really the words I would use to describe him.
I am curious. Why do they have to have the permission of the goverment? To me that is weird.
Way to go nikki, you’ve brought back the black list. Ever hear the phrase “salt on the wound?” pass the shadenfreude you’re bogarting it all for yourself.
Alan Gasmer has repped me since ‘05. He got me my first gig as a professional writer and has consistently been a stand up guy who’s always done what he said. He’s one of the few truly class acts in this town.
I was having a conversation with a producer at a cocktail party a while back. When I told him I was at William Morris, he snickered. When I told him Alan Gasmer was my agent, his face lit up. “Gaz is your guy?! I love him!”
The next day I had a meeting and by the end of the week, I got the job.
It kills me to see the people who were laid off in NY. What a great bunch of people with great depths of integrity and class. The years of experience between them is utterly incredible.
Liedeke is a great agent. she will mesh well. Bradwell, well thats another story.. Time will tell
Gasmer. Bright guy. Honest. Smart. Short replies. Always spot on. Stupid mistake.
So lovely that yet again our government is expeditious and attentive when it comes to helping business.
If only government were that orderly and responsive when individuals seek assistance.
any news on the Endeavor side?
any more firings over there? I can’t imagine they are finished.
How did most of WMA’s talent “Talent” agents make it? That was one of the main reasons for their downfall? How about that idiot Irv Weintraub? Consulting? Intellectual Property? Sports? Commercials?
Yayyy I get to keep my shitty job!!!! Maybe I should quit and join forces with these cats who got fired and open a smaller agency in the valley..
Faith!
@Anonymous 3:06 pm:
Given your comment, it’s ironic you signed your comment anonymously.
To those complaining about listing who was fired: it’s actually a service to others in the industry to know who was canned today. For example, clients of the laid off agents might not hear about this for a while otherwise, and it’s pretty relevant to their lives. This isn’t just gossip to some of us. And, to be honest, most of the agents on that list are probably perfectly happy they don’t have to make dozens of calls letting others know they were axed.
Two months ago, the WGA had lay offs of 15 hard working, loyal staff for the first time in it’s history and not a peep in the press about it. But when super rich agents get laid off, we expect to hear violins. Why no thought for the blue collar folks?
What about agents in the NYC WMA office? Any news/names of those who got let go and/or safe out East?
While I realize being laid off can be an embarrassing experience, I support Ms. Finke’s listing. As a WMA client, I’m checking the posts regularly to see what (if anything) is going on with my agents.
We’re in a very public business and these layoffs affect many people — not simply the person laid off.
That being said, I hope everyone lands somewhere equal to their talents (whatever they may be).
Josh and Anonymous and anyone else complaining about the list:
You know how many of these agents actually call clients they’ve signed? There was once an agent at WMA in NY who said he thought of himself as a surgeon (he had a client’s life in his hands). Very few agents can say that now – even fewer in the WMA building on El Camino. They hip pocket, promise, blow smoke and do nothing – and sometimes work against their clients IF IT BENEFITS THEM.
It’s become a business about agents and not about talent, or movies.
Those with talent will weather any shit storm in WMA.
Post their names – because odds are they didn’t call their clients to tell them they were being fired.
Their clients will find out with everyone else on Nikki Finke.
Wow. Sad for those left from the old WMA.
**
“Hey, remember William Morris?”
*drags on a cigarette*
We’ll be hearing that soon enough.
Wonder how long before the whole place impodes following what has been the directionless and visionless Wiatt/Wirtschafter management (could you even call it that?) years. And imagine, they’re getting paid for this. What a grandiose charade.
How did WMA let this happen? Who let this happen?
WMA leftovers must continue to suffer through the rancid stench and taste of this ongoing Red Death. As victimized family members they must march on giving them time to reminisce but still struggling to survive the pandemic which will go on. FOR YEARS. Only the soulless, under 40ish, robots need not be afraid. For now.
And what’s to become of the man who opened the door to the Death?
No question. History will surely write Jim Wiatt as a guy who was all about money who brought down a historic company. A Trojan horse guy who was also little more than a aimless character with a big red nose, orange fluffy hair and red floppy shoes. Who saw himself a Spartan as he birthed and fed the cancer. Brilliant and altogether pitiful.
And if you’re a survivor (agent or client) of this first little glimpse at carnage?
You’ll ponder each and every morning, In the shower. In a meeting as you stare across the room. Each time you walk into the building or in or out of an office. You’ll ask yourself questions as the 49th guy on the totem poll.
“How is this MY life?” “Who’s next?”
“I’m getting older.”
“How am I in business with these guys?”
**
Or worse, maybe you won’t. It’s Hollywood.
What happened in the music dept? Who was fired in LA, Nashville and NY? I hear there are big shakeups coming in LA and Nashville. Isn’t this why the merger even happened, for music?
Good to see Lubliner made the cut. He was my agent a decade ago but we parted ways as he couldn’t protect me and my partner during a culling of clients. Never held it against him. A class act.
I agree 100% with “bummer.” Aaron Hart is THE best young lit agent in town – great young clients, great relationships around town, great taste, and is all around “good people.” Any agency would be lucky to have him.
I completely agree with Josh K. As someone with no connection to William Morris or Endeavor, I think it’s incredibly tasteless to publish a list like this.And equally tasteless are the people who post on this site disparaging others by name, without having the guts to identify themselves.
Comment by Anonymous — May 18, 2009 @ 3:06 pm
I’m sorry, who posted this?
Pot, or Kettle?
Steven Selikoff was let go (which is a shame – he was one of the good guys)
I have heard from several managers that music is mostly safe. LA is looking at who they can fire or replace, and try to get younger. Word is nashville is safe, though a few top agents are not under contract. I heard nothing was done in NY in music
Alan Gasmer is a great agent and class act in a business where there are few of both. He’ll do great.
speaking as a buyer — gasmer is one of the best agents in town. big mistake letting him go, but no doubt he’ll come out swinging.
@e, A-Z: I posted without using my name because I value my anonymity. But I would never hide behind that while calling out someone else by name. That was the point I was trying to make.
@ Yablonski.
Sounds like you got that gig yourself…
you didn’t mention the Miami office. It’s relatively small but I hear they are really on the forefront of the global business.
@ WME client.
You’re right – I got the gig. But it was his relationship with Alan that got me in the door, not WMA. When I said I was at William Morris, he rolled his eyes, then I mentioned Alan and we had a conversation. That’s what got me the meeting.
What the fuck? Not my friend Ava Greenfield? The only black female agent at WMA? Hello, she’s hard working, fearless and suffered as long as she did with all you disphits. Talking to you Gaby. I’d like to give her a rpround of applause for being optimistic about surviving in that pit of hell. Ava was there for me whenthe going got tough, as a friend and she did it for her clients. Its unbelievable what has happened here and I hope its worth it. I cannot believe how badly I wanted to be an agent, and now I am ashamed to have e ver walked those halls.
Miami is small, but I have heard they do a great job. London does ok, and nashville is kind of a secret inside wma.
Who are the agents in nashville? I see rob light has finished putting a the caa tournament. I bet he is waiting for all this t go down today.
aaron hart is one of the best young agents in town. unreal some of the people that skate by in this biz
When I used to be production exec and my brief time dealing with Gasmer, I can tell you he really fought for his clients.
speaking as an agent — gasmer is one of the best agents in town. big mistake letting him go, but no doubt he’ll come out swinging.
Does anyone know what will happen to Rena Ronson or her counterpart, Casean Elways?
@ jonesy
You have no idea what you’re talking about. Anyone who works in film or television knows that Thor does all of Bonnie’s work. She sits around while he works for all their clients. Even Thor’s assistant is more constructive than Bonnie. If you don’t like the guy just say so, but he’s one of the hardest working agents I’ve ever known.
All day my stomach has been turning. Gasmer? Really?! All the newly minted agents? Sad that they worked all these years and the dangled carrot is now doing other objectionable things to them. And Erwin More??? Wasn’t he listed as one of the “safe” people on THR? Erwin is a great guy, fantastic agent who is sincere and that is not lost on his connections or his clients for that matter. I truly hope WME didn’t spend all that Marishka Hargitay money yet or their Jenny McCarthy money; shes the next action figure in Oprah’s cha-ching empire and WME just effed that one up.
Gassmer and Hart two class acts WMA will miss. Prediction: both will have great futures—it will be interesting to see where they will land.
Jill Smoller safe? Maybe the reason is that she is never in the office, no, never in LA. They probably couldn’t fire her because they couldn’t find her. Way to go Jill.
What about Nicole David, Rena Ronson, and the lovely book-film department, Alicia Gordon and Anna Deroy?
interesting that some of these people voted FOR the merger
This list is hardly 30 people. There has to be more, doesn’t there?
Also, Nikki, you need to start numbering the comments. Every other hour there are 20 more comments and I can’t find where I left off.
Jackson Pollack –
Bonnie is amazing and has proven herself thru years of success in this business. Her eye is legendary and her reputation is stellar.
Aaron Hart has excellent taste. Excellent. What a mistake.
2 weeks pay is not an “above average” severance pay.