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 agency partners in the UK and US,” though that is ultimately up to those other agencies who use UTA and Curtis Brown as a sub-agent. Curtis Brown UK has over 240 employees across all divisions, including its production arms, and “is expected to continue to […]
Agency News
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 “parameters…to allow AALA members to take on paid editorial work for non-client authors while maintaining the organization’s rigorous commitment to the highest standards of ethical representation.” That new standard indicates that “members may provide editorial services in exchange for a fee to authors who are […]
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.) The most recently revised schedule called for discovery to end June 13, with motions for summary judgment due by July 26. Separately, on Tuesday McGuigan filed a new civil suit on behalf of both himself and Foundry Literary + Media, expanding his original allegations to […]
Andrew Nurnberg Associates Adds New Managing Directors
Andrew Nurnberg Associates announced a number of moves: Jenny Savill will become managing director of ANA and Doug Wallace will become managing director of Andrew Nurnberg Associates International. Founder Andrew Nurnberg has stepped down as managing director, and will continue to represent his own clients and serve as chair of the board. Sarah Nundy will step back as deputy managing director but remains executive director, overseeing the transition. In the London office, Savill will lead a new management committee, comprising Wallace, senior agents Sabine Pfannenstiel, Barbara Barbieri, Marei Pittner, and Michael Dean, and head of finance Siobhan Kelly.
Transatlantic Agency Adds Film and TV Division
The Transatlantic Agency has formed a Media & TV Film division. The agency is “developing a boutique client list of screenwriters,” including many of their current authors, some of whom are adapting their own books. Agent Laura Cameron will now “co-agent book-to-TV/film and select screenwriting properties with other Transatlantic agents.” Other agents can also work directly with producers and out-of-house co-agents.
CAA-ICM Merger Postponed Amid Justice Inquiry
CAA’s acquisition of ICM, originally planned to be completed by the end of 2021, has been delayed as the Department of Justice’s antitrust division questions the deal’s “impact on the entertainment industry,” according to the Hollywood Reporter. They cite “multiple sources familiar with the matter.” The parties now hope to close the merger in Q2 2022.