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Current DateTime: 04:05:36 12 Nov 2009
LinksList Documentid: 31765984
Expiration DateTime: 11/12/2009 4:06:04 AM
    • News Corp. vs Google  10 Nov 2009

        CNBC's Julia Boorstin has the details on Rupert Murdoch's new search engine, with Rich Harlgaard, Forbes publisher.

    • Murdoch's Content Conundrum  10 Nov 2009

        Fox's Rupert Murdoch is vowing to protect his online content at all costs, with CNBC's Julia Boorstin and Jim VandeHei, Politico executive editor.

    • Murdoch Snubs Google  10 Nov 2009

        Rupert Murdoch is threatening to yank his content from Google, calling the engine a "content kleptomaniac" and a "parasite" for stealing content from his company's newspapers. Quentin Hardy, of Forbes, and CNBC's Julia Boorstin discuss.

    • "Call of Duty" Debuts With a Bang  10 Nov 2009

        The debut of video game "Call of Duty" could be the biggest debut of any entertainment product ever, reports CNBC's Julia Boorstin. Edward Williams, leisure analyst at BMO Capital Markets, shares his insight.

    • Money-Making Gaming  09 Nov 2009

        The most highly anticipated video game of the year will be released at midnight, with CNBC's Julia Boorstin; Tony Gikas, Piper Jaffray video game analyst; and Lewis Ward, IDC Research Manager.

    • Video Game Assault on Movies  09 Nov 2009

        Call of Duty, Activision Blizzard's latest video game, is already breaking pre-sale records. Matthew Jacob, of Majestic, and CNBC's Julia Boorstin discuss.

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Current DateTime: 04:05:36 12 Nov 2009
LinksList Documentid: 31625651

Media Money

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Apr.27
10:47 PM ET
Monday, 27 Apr 2009
Endeavor and the William Morris Agency Merge

After months of talk and much speculation, Monday evening Endeavor and William Morris Agency announced that they will merge, creating William Morris Endeavor (WME) Entertainment.

Hollywood Sign
Gary Minnaert
Hollywood Sign

This combination is a testament to the need for economies of scale and greater negotiating power with the media giants, who are squeezing paychecks as they cope with the recession and a shifting industry. Together the two agencies will represent top talent not just in movies, TV and theater, but also publishing, sports, and corporate marketing. (See my commentary from earlier today)

The two very different agencies today voted yes on the merger, which is expected to close sometime this quarter. Right now, Endeavor's top brass are over at William Morris' Beverly Hills headquarters meeting their new colleagues. Endeavor's Ari Emanuel and Patrick Whitesell, and William Morris' Dave Wirtschafter will be co-CEOs, while William Morris' chief Jim Wiatt will act as Chairman. And yes, Emanuel is White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel's brother.

The new agency poses a new threat to Creative Artists Agency, the industry behemoth. But we're also sure to see CAA and some of the other smaller agencies use this as an opportunity to poach clients.

Sources tell me that some CAA agents are calling around town, asking which writers and actors represented by William Morris or Endeavor are ripe for plucking, those rising stars or established ones who'd be open to a move.

We'll see if CAA, whose leader Richard Lovett has always focused on increasing market share, can grow his business during the transition.

Check out:

I heard through the grapevine that CAA partner Bryan Lourd recently entertained a group of high-powered Hollywood execs and stars in Palm Springs with a glamorous dinner at the Neutra House (The Kaufman Desert House)

Endeavor clients Edward Norton and "Capote" director Bennett Miller were among those at the dinner. Miller has since left Endeavor for CAA.Questions?  Comments? 

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