Notes from the Rep Biz - 3-19-21

At Paradigm
 
It's been a while since we've had a Paradigm-is-coming-apart-at-the-seams story, but they are back, baby. The beleaguered agency, which has jettisoned hundreds of staff during the pandemic, has now struck a deal to sell off its most valuable asset — its North American music touring business. Interestingly, the buyer in this case, Wasserman, is a new player in the music booking game. Casey Wasserman, founder of the company, has long been known as one of the biggest names in sports representation, but has over the years built a diverse portfolio for his namesake company. That portfolio now includes handling North American tours for the likes of Billie Eilish, Shawn Mendes, Coldplay and Kacey Musgraves, just to name a few of the absolute superstars on the soon-to-be-former Paradigm roster. The word is that Wasserman will create a stand-alone company for the music business, a process which is set to begin in the second quarter of this year. We should mention that not every current Paradigm client will make the move, nor is there word on what happens to Paradigm's London office, which handles touring outside of North America. So, there is lots to follow here!
 
At CAA:
 
Otherwise, the name of the game these past couple of weeks has been signing diverse, global talent in front of and behind the camera. In CAA's case, this includes Swedish filmmaker Ninja Thyberg (Sundance award winner Pleasure), Spanish actor/writer/producers Los Javis (a.k.a. Javier Ambrossi and Javier Calvo), and Native American writer/director Tracey Deer.
 
CAA has also signed the screenwriting duo of Noah Griffith and Daniel Stewart, who are currently rewriting Atomic Monster for Lionsgate.
 
At WME:
 
New signs at WME include writer/producer Valentina Garza, Maltese-American filmmaker Alex Camilleri, Mexican actor Diego Calva, as well as documentarian Kareem Tabsch.
 
On the IMG side of Endeavor-world, modeling legend Shalom Harlow is a new client.
 
At UTA:
 
UTA's signs run the gamut and include RHOA star Porsha Williams, acclaimed stage and film director Kamilah Forbes and rising actor Jay Reeves (Disney+'s Safety).
 
At ICM Partners:
 
Hank Azaria, a veteran of film and TV who is probably still best-known as a voice actor on The Simpsons, has signed with ICM.
 
Sources: The Hollywood Reporter, Deadline, Variety, Billboard, Pollstar