Beverly Hills, California, United States
The William Morris Agency (WMA), the world's largest and most diversified talent and literary agency, is expanding its international music operation, Chief Executive Officer Jim Wiatt and Worldwide Head of Music Peter Grosslight announced on Monday.
"I am delighted to announce a significant expansion of the William Morris Agency in London, which underscores our commitment to the importance of the international marketplace and gives the agency global depth and breadth," said Wiatt.
Ed Bicknell - former manager of Dire Straits, Mark Knopfler, Bryan Ferry, Gerry Rafferty and The Blue Nile - will serve as Worldwide Head of WMA's International Music division. Bicknell will be joined by David Levy, from I.T.B.; as well as Adele Slater and Russell Warby, from The Agency Group; Nick Cave, Steve Hogan, and Solomon Parker from Concorde International Artists; Diana Richardson, from Sensible Events; and Hamish Crombie, who was already at William Morris.
"Under the leadership of music industry veteran, Ed Bicknell, WMA is now poised to provide an all-encompassing range of services to managers, artists, and promoters around the globe," said Grosslight. "London was the one major music center where we were not present; this new group will be fully integrated with our Los Angeles based international music agents -- Brian Cohen, Tony Goldring, Rob Markus, and Akiko Rogers -- as well as the music division as a whole," he continued.
"I did not think it was possible to top what I've already done and over the last few years, I've turned down many offers," said Bicknell, "but the opportunity to work with great people, at a company I consider number one in the world, was irresistible," he continued.
The new music agents will work alongside WMA's existing literary and television agents in the agency's London office, which is overseen by Managing Director Caroline Michel.
About the William Morris Agency
Founded in 1898, the William Morris Agency is the largest and most diversified talent and literary agency in the world, with principal offices in New York, Beverly Hills, Nashville, London, Miami Beach and Shanghai. The Agency represents clients in all segments of the entertainment industry, including Motion Pictures, Television, Music and Personal Appearances, Broadway Theatre and Theatrical Touring, Book Publishing, Commercial Endorsements, Sports Marketing and Corporate Consulting. The William Morris Agency can be found online at http://www.wma.com.
About William Morris Agency (UK) Ltd.
Located in the heart of Soho, William Morris Agency (UK) Ltd. provides a valuable and necessary link between the entertainment communities on both sides of the Atlantic. The office has achieved unprecedented commercial and artistic success for William Morris in the U.K. and throughout Europe. William Morris' Literary Department in London represents best-selling and prize-winning authors from Great Britain, the United States, Australia, New Zealand and beyond. The department also has been successful selling books to film and television, as well as selling television tie-ins to book publishers. The Television Department in London focuses on the sales of U.K. and European television formats to the United States in conjunction with William Morris' offices in New York and Beverly Hills. Along with scouting development at London film companies, the Agency's Motion Picture Department in London also scouts new directors, writers and actors for potential William Morris representation in the United States.
CONTACT: William Morris Agency Cecile Ablack 310-859-4452 cba@wma.com
Source: Business Wire (Business Wire India)