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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

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On 4 July 2018, Gersh notified actor James Woods by email that they would no longer represent him.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

In December 2024 Gersh acquired You First, an international sports and entertainment agency based in Madrid, acquiring its roster of clients in the sports industry. The acquisition doubled the size of Gersh, establishing its presence in offices in 14 countries, and launched the company's new Gersh Sports division.[24][25]

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.[26] The initiative is designed to nurture creative undergraduate students from AUCC with interest in the entertainment industry.[27]

In 2024, the second class of Spike Fellows hosted the inaugural Spike Fellows' Young Black Hollywood Mixer,[28] 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. ^ X; Instagram; Email; Facebook (December 3, 2024). "Talent agency Gersh acquires sports representation firm You First in major expansion". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 4, 2024. {{cite web}}: |last2= has generic name (help)
  25. ^ Hayden, Erik (December 3, 2024). "Gersh Buys Sports Agency to Fuel Expansion Plans". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  26. ^ White, Abbey (May 12, 2023). "Spike Lee and The Gersh Agency Announce Inaugural Spike Fellows". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 19, 2024.
  27. ^ Sun, Rebecca (January 12, 2023). "Spike Lee, Gersh Launch HBCU Fellowship Program". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 19, 2024.
  28. ^ 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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