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 today.
"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.