Talent management company YMU has launched a books arm in the U.S., led by Aram Fox. Fox comes from Aram Fox Literary Scouting, which represented international publishers and US film companies. The U.S. opening follows that of a literary division in the UK, headed by global managing director, literary Amanda Harris, which “has grown exponentially over […]
Agency News
Private Equity Giant EQT Takes Major Stake In UTA
Swedish-based private equity firm EQT has become a large “strategic investor” in UTA, as the largest outside shareholder in the firm. They are buying out investment firm Investcorp’s full minority stake, and are also acquiring a “portion of existing stakes” from others shareholders including PSP Investments. In 2018, Investcorp and PSP Investments bought approximately 40 […]
CAA Closes Acquisition of ICM
Following an extended delay awaiting government review, CAA has completed their acquisition of ICM, first announced in September 2021. The deal is reported as valuing ICM at $750 million. (When ICM sold a minority one-third share in the agency to Crestview Partners in 2019, the price was reportedly approximately $150 million.) In the original announcement, […]
UTA to Acquire Curtis Brown UK
United Talent Agency (UTA) announced Monday that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Curtis Brown UK, which will continue to operate under its current name, still run by ceo Jonny Geller. The announcement proclaims, “This structure will allow both Curtis Brown Group and UTA to continue their fruitful and longstanding relationships with other […]
Agents Association Revises Canon of Ethics, Expands Membership Criteria
The Association of American Literary Agents (FKA the Association of Authors’ Representatives) announced a significant revision of their Canon of Ethics, which is the industry’s primary set of guidelines for ethical and appropriate practices in representation. It includes a variety of “clarifications and updates focused on modernizing” the rules, with the organization calling out new […]
McGuigan Sues Former Foundry Bookkeeper for Fraud
The recent non-binding mediation between former Foundry Media partners Yfat Reiss Gendell and Peter McGuigan failed to result in any resolution to their legal dispute, so their claims and counterclaims return to the court for litigation. (McGuigan originally sued Gendell, alleging criminal embezzlement from Foundry, and Gendell countersued, alleging defamation and unprofessional and abusive behavior.) […]