The Gersh Agency Explained

The Gersh Agency
Type:Private
Key People:Bob Gersh, David Gersh and Leslie Siebert: Co-presidents
Industry:Talent and Literary Agencies
Num Employees:about 300
Foundation:Beverly Hills, California, U.S.(1949)
Location:Beverly Hills, California
New York City, New York

The Gersh Agency (known as Gersh or TGA) is a talent and literary agency established in 1949 by Phil Gersh,[1] based in Beverly Hills, California and New York City.

The company was wholly owned by the Gersh family until 2023, when a minority interest was sold to Crestview Partners, a private equity company. The agency is currently run by Phil Gersh's sons, Bob and David,[2] and Leslie Siebert as a third co-president.[3]

History

Gersh was founded in Beverly Hills in 1949 by Phil Gersh. He was considered one of the last links between Hollywood's Golden Age and today's corporate-owned movie business, and his clients included Humphrey Bogart, David Niven, and Richard Burton.[4] In 1965, Phil Gersh was able to purchase the agency's Beverly Hills office with his fee for representing Robert Wise, director of The Sound of Music.[5]

Phil Gersh gradually handed over responsibility to his two sons, Bob and David Gersh but continued to play a role in the company's management until 10 weeks before his death in 2004.[6] Richard Arlook was working at the agency from 1990 until 2008.[6] [7]

In 2010, Gersh purchased literary agent Hohman, Maybank, Lieb.[8]

In 2016, the Agency for the Performing Arts (APA) sued Gersh, alleging that Gersh had poached an APA agent who had just renewed their contract.[9] [10]

On 4 July 2018, Gersh notified actor James Woods by email that they would no longer represent him. Woods accused the agency of liberal political bias due to his outspoken conservative views.[11] [12] [13]

In 2019, agents Roy Ashton, David Rubin, and Shan Roy came under fire after cancelling a studio meeting of a former client that had left them during the WGA/ATA conflict. In response to the immediate criticism, the agency said it was "just following protocol", which drew further ire within the industry.[14] [15]

In 2023, Gersh sold a 45% stake to investment firm Crestview Partners, and Leslie Siebert was named as a third co-president.[16] [17] Until this sale, the company had been wholly owned by the Gersh family for nearly 75 years.[18]

In 2024, Gersh began a global expansion plan, acquiring the digital and unscripted departments of A3 Artists Agency, along with more than 25 agents, 45 additional staff members, and hundreds of clients.[19] The company also brought in new senior executives in the Business Affairs,[20] Communications,[21] and HR departments,[22] and a number of agents from other companies.[23] In June 2024, the company announced that it had created the new role of Head of Affiliate Marketing, and was promoting staff in its digital division and elsewhere in the agency.[24]

Gersh Spike Lee Fellows

In 2023, Gersh partnered with client Spike Lee and the Atlanta University Center Consortium (AUCC)—consisting of three Historically Black Colleges and Universities: Morehouse College, Spelman College, and Clark Atlanta University—to launch the Spike Fellows at Gersh program.[25] The initiative is designed to nurture creative undergraduate students from AUCC with interest in the entertainment industry.[26]

In 2024, the second class of Spike Fellows hosted the inaugural Spike Fellows' Young Black Hollywood Mixer,[27] a networking event for young Black people working in the industry.

Notes and References

  1. The THR Guide to the 7 Major Hollywood Agencies . June 4, 2015 . Rebecca . Sun . . July 10, 2019.
  2. Web site: Hayden . Erik . 2023-05-01 . Gersh Sells Minority Stake to Private Equity Firm Crestview Partners . 2023-06-30 . The Hollywood Reporter . en-US.
  3. Web site: Gersh Ups Lit Agent Eric Garfinkel To Partner Amid Companywide Promotions . Kroll . Justin . February 17, 2022 . Deadline . April 1, 2022.
  4. News: Phil Gersh, a Leading Agent In Hollywood, Is Dead at 92 . Bernard . Weinraub . May 12, 2004 . . July 10, 2019.
  5. Web site: Reed . Christopher . Old-school Hollywood agent who represented Humphrey Bogart . The Guardian . July 6, 2004 . 25 November 2019.
  6. News: Phil Gersh, 92; Agent With Old Hollywood Instincts, Art Patron . Dennis . McLellan . May 11, 2004 . . January 18, 2017.
  7. Web site: Meet with Producer and Manager Richard Arlook in Beverly Hills . . July 10, 2019.
  8. Web site: Update: Gersh Confirms Hohman Maybank Lieb Deal. Fleming. Mike Jr.. December 1, 2010. Deadline Hollywood. July 10, 2019.
  9. Web site: Lincoln . Ross A. . 2016-09-02 . APA Sues Gersh & The Agent It Claims Was Poached . 2023-06-30 . Deadline . en-US.
  10. Web site: 2016-09-08 . US agencies at war over poaching claims . 2023-06-30 . IQ Magazine . en-GB.
  11. James Woods Says He Was Dropped By 'Liberal' Talent Agent . Rubin . Rebecca . July 5, 2018 . Variety . July 5, 2018.
  12. Web site: James Woods is dropped by 'liberal' talent agent: 'It's the 4th of July and I'm feeling patriotic' . Gaynor . Gerren Keith . July 5, 2018 . . July 5, 2018.
  13. News: Conservative actor James Woods says he was dumped by his agent because of his political views . Lynch . John . July 5, 2018 . . July 5, 2018.
  14. Gersh Agency Stirs Ire After Canceling Network Meeting for Former Client . Cynthia . Littleton . May 21, 2019 . Variety . July 10, 2019.
  15. Web site: Writer-Producer Says Ex-Gersh Agents Apologized For Canceled Network Meeting – Update . David . Robb . May 22, 2019 . Deadline Hollywood . July 10, 2019.
  16. Web site: Hayden . Erik . 2023-05-01 . Gersh Sells Minority Stake to Private Equity Firm Crestview Partners . 2023-06-30 . The Hollywood Reporter . en-US.
  17. Web site: Fleming . Mike Jr. . 2023-05-01 . Gersh Agency Sells 45% Stake To Private Equity Firm Crestview Partners; Leslie Siebert Upped To Co-President . 2023-06-30 . Deadline . en-US.
  18. Web site: Littleton . Cynthia . 2023-05-01 . Gersh Agency Sells Minority Stake to Crestview Partners, Promotes Leslie Siebert to Co-President . 2023-06-30 . Variety . en-US.
  19. Web site: Maas . Jennifer . 2024-01-09 . Gersh Acquires A3 Artists Agency’s Digital and Unscripted Divisions . 2024-03-14 . Variety . en-US.
  20. Web site: Otterson . Joe . 2024-01-23 . Gersh Hires A3's April Perroni as Head of Business Affairs (EXCLUSIVE) . 2024-03-14 . Variety . en-US.
  21. Web site: Kit . Borys . 2024-01-04 . Gersh Taps Matt Andrée Wiltens as Head of Global Corporate Communications . 2024-03-14 . The Hollywood Reporter . en-US.
  22. Web site: Grobar . Matt . 2024-06-27 . Gersh Names Endeavor’s Catherine Benoit Masraff Head Of Human Resources, Promotes Kenji Shishido To Agent . 2024-07-29 . Deadline . en-US.
  23. Web site: Stephan . Katcy . 2024-02-27 . Gersh Hires Doug Fronk as SVP and TV Literary Agent . 2024-03-14 . Variety . en-US.
  24. Web site: Grobar . Matt . 2024-06-13 . Gersh Digital Division Names Meg Chemburkar Head Of Affiliate Marketing, Promotes Seven . 2024-07-29 . Deadline . en-US.
  25. Web site: White . Abbey . 2023-05-12 . Spike Lee and The Gersh Agency Announce Inaugural Spike Fellows . 2024-03-19 . The Hollywood Reporter . en-US.
  26. Web site: Sun . Rebecca . 2023-01-12 . Spike Lee, Gersh Launch HBCU Fellowship Program . 2024-03-19 . The Hollywood Reporter . en-US.
  27. Web site: Lang . Robert . 2024-07-26 . Step & Repeat Gallery: The Best Red Carpet & Party Photos Of 2024 . 2024-07-29 . Deadline . en-US.

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