Richard Weitz: Last News

Silver Lake has successfully taken publicly traded Endeavor private again, closing its acquisition of outstanding shares that will see the entertainment giant led by Ari Emanuel wave goodbye to the New York Stock Exchange after four years.

Todd Spangler NY Digital Editor It’s the end of the line for Endeavor, at least as the company’s public-facing name. On Monday, Endeavor announced the closing of the deal to go private with private-equity firm Silver Lake. With the move, Endeavor is changing its name to WME Group, reflecting its refocusing on the representation business.

Two years on from being promoted to Co-Chairmen of WME, Christian Muirhead and Richard Weitz gave one of their first public interviews, talking about the future of the entertainment business, and in particular, AI, movies on streaming, the future of Paramount and FAST channel services such as Tubi.

EXCLUSIVE: WME has promoted a group of 35 to agent across multiple departments and offices. Those elevated include Sophia Heslov, Jackie Maldonado, Lindsey Leino, Max Rudman, Derek Otto, Suzannah Ball, Sian-Ashleigh Edwards, Alex Kane, Maddie Neil, Jonah Rabb, Peter Dunn, Lizzy Weingold, Umer Durrani, Myles Schalet, Grace Goldstein, Emily Gross, Max West, Doug Cohen, Preston Gittelson, Cecilia Yao, Carly Huffman, Sean McHugh, Adam Sherif, Jacob Fox, Sam Dolen, Ben Yekuel, Meera Patel, John Showfety, Janelle Flint, Lindsey Hastings, Josh Green, Dan Kuklinski, Jeremy Upton, Laura Williams, and Carlile Willett.

Tatiana Siegel Four days after the Oct. 7 Hamas terror attacks in Israel, WME invited Steve Leder, the rabbi from Wilshire Boulevard Temple, to visit the agency’s Beverly Hills headquarters. He came to provide comfort for employees reeling after the worst attack on the Jewish people since the Holocaust.

Charna Flam Endeavor Group Holdings Inc.’s WME announced today it has acquired Ross Yoon Agency. The Washington D.C.-based agency, Ross Yoon, specializes in literary and commercial nonfiction including memoir, biography, history, popular science, business and psychology. In addition, the literary agency’s president Gail Ross and principal Howard Yoon will join WME as partners. The current Ross Yoon clients will join WME’s roster — the new clientele will include Ross Yoon’s Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists and authors, business, non-profit leaders, doctors, scientists, academics, politicians and media personalities.

Endeavor-owned WME has acquired the Ross Yoon Agency, a Washington, D.C.-based literary firm.

Sean Perry, a veteran WME non-scripted packaging agent and partner, is leaving the agency to set up his own production company.

Cynthia Littleton Business Editor Longtime WME partner Sean Perry is preparing to exit the agency after 25 years to launch a production company, 2500 Media. Perry’s banner will focus on unscripted series as well as documentaries and some scripted projects. Perry has quietly been working with WME leaders on the transition for several months. Ever the dealmaker, Perry has already lined up commitments for projects from cable, broadcast and streaming platforms. He will also stay close to his longtime colleagues, albeit as a client, as WME will represent 2500 Media. “While there’s sadness in leaving WME after 25 amazing years, this has been a dream that went from something I’d like to do to something I have to do. It’s time to roll up my sleeves and actually make what I’ve been selling for years,” Perry said. “I want to thank all of my friends, colleagues and partners at Endeavor and WME. WME will forever be my family, I am just switching seats at the table from partner to client.“

EXCLUSIVE: WME has expanded its executive leadership team with the appointment of Endeavor veteran Ginger Chan to the newly created position of Chief Marketing Officer.

EXCLUSIVE: WME on Wednesday announced the promotion of trainees Chandler Atterberry, Julia Colares, Dahbin Han, Zachary Jayson, Alexa Sternschein and Nat Wyatt to Agent. 

William Earl WME veterans Christian Muirhead and Richard Weitz have been promoted to co-chairmen of the powerful talent agency that is a cornerstone of Endeavor. The pair will succeed Lloyd Braun, who will step down from the WME chairman role at year’s end. “The appointment of Richard and Christian marks a truly transformative day for WME, which continues to be the inspirational core of Endeavor,” said Endeavor president Mark Shapiro. “I’ve seen first-hand their innate ability to lead, to build meaningful relationships, and to leverage the broader Endeavor network in service to our clients’ aspirations. Coupled with their deep understanding of the entertainment landscape, I can say with certainty that there are no better or more complementary individuals to now lead the agency.”

Richard Weitz and Christian Muirhead have been upped to co-chairmen of Endeavor’s WME talent agency, succeeding Lloyd Braun who will step down as chairman at the end of 2022 when his contract is up. Both are agency veterans, having come from the two companies that formed WME, Endeavor (Weitz) and WMA (Muirhead), and also come from different backgrounds, agenting and corporate communications, respectively. Ari Greenburg remains WME president and will now report to Weitz an Muirhead.

WME partner Richard Weitz’s talent-packed Zoom concert series hit a new high note Saturday (April 10) — the highest office in Los Angeles. L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti kicked off the VIP event at 1:00 p.m. as he welcomed a virtual audience that quickly maxed out at 500, where it hovered for the next three hours as Weitz, 51, and his