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The Gersh Agency

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The Gersh Agency
Company typePrivate
IndustryTalent and Literary Agencies
FoundedBeverly Hills, California, U.S.(1949)
HeadquartersBeverly Hills, California
New York City, New York
Key people
Bob Gersh, David Gersh and Leslie Siebert: Co-presidents[1]
Number of employees
about 300[1]

The Gersh Agency (known as Gersh or TGA) is a talent and literary agency established in 1949 by Phil Gersh,[2] 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,[3] and Leslie Siebert as a third co-president.[4]

History

[edit]

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,[5] and his clients included Humphrey Bogart, David Niven, and Richard Burton.[6] 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.[7]

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.[5] Richard Arlook was working at the agency from 1990 until 2008.[5][8]

In 2010, Gersh purchased literary agent Hohman, Maybank, Lieb.[9]

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.[10][11]

On 4 July 2018, Gersh notified actor James Woods by email that they would no longer represent him.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.[12][13][14]

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.[15][16]

In 2023, Gersh sold a 45% stake to investment firm Crestview Partners, and Leslie Siebert was named as a third co-president.[3][1] Until this sale, the company had been wholly owned by the Gersh family for nearly 75 years.[17]

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.[18] The company also brought in new senior executives in the Business Affairs,[19] Communications,[20] and HR departments,[21] and a number of agents from other companies.[22] 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.[23][21]

Gersh Spike Lee Fellows

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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.[24] The initiative is designed to nurture creative undergraduate students from AUCC with interest in the entertainment industry.[25]

In 2024, the second class of Spike Fellows hosted the inaugural Spike Fellows' Young Black Hollywood Mixer,[26] a networking event for young Black people working in the industry.

References

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