As I keep writing again and again, the William Morris Agency is becoming best known as a big fat music agency. In a joint venture with music visionary Pete Tong, the tenpercentery has formed William Morris Electronic to focus on the electronic music market. This will be Tong’s first foray into the agency rep business. And as part of this expansion, agent Joel Zimmerman has joined WMA to head WME.
The announcement today noted: "Tong gained international recognition as host to BBC Radio 1’s Friday night Essential Selection & Essential Mix radio shows, which are the most highly-rated dance & electronic programs in the UK and garner a worldwide following via the internet/satellite (Sirius) & terrestrial syndication. Additionally Tong is respected as one of the world's premier live DJs, regularly performing in venues spanning the globe. WME and Tong will collaborate in signing, developing, and representing electronic artists, as well as creating and programming electronic music properties." The WME group will consist of music agents across WMA's offices, led by Tong's agent (in the London office) David Levy, Zimmerman and Sam Kirby (in the New York office), and Marc Geiger (in the Beverly Hills office). "This is an important next step to ensure that William Morris covers all facets of the music business around the globe,” said Peter Grosslight, WMA’s Worldwide Head of Music.
Founder of the leading electronic artist agency Division One, Zimmerman has been involved with booking electronic acts for the past eight years. More recently, Zimmerman worked in conjunction with WMA to service its electronic roster of clients which include electronic superstars Fatboy Slim, Groove Armada, Pendulum, The Crystal Method, LCD Soundsystem, and Basement Jaxx. Added Zimmerman. “Through WMA’s diverse professional organization, WME will be able to deliver new financial and creative opportunities to the artists who are responsible for building the dance community to where it is today.” In addition, Zimmerman is bringing with him a roster including Steve Lawler, James Zabiela, Booka Shade, Erol Alkan, Deadmau5, Lee Burridge, M.A.N.D.Y., Dieselboy, and Hercules and Love Affair.
William Morris Agency Expands Board To Include Younger Agents And More Music
Welcome to the party guys…
“Fatboy Slim, Groove Armada, Pendulum, The Crystal Method, LCD Soundsystem, and Basement Jaxx” … too bad most of these guys haven’t heard from you since 2001.
Comment by Don Johnson — August 11, 2008 @ 12:07 pm
Take em down Camacho! Give those thugs a piece of their own medicine!!!
Comment by John B. — August 11, 2008 @ 2:41 pm
It only seems like WMA is becoming a big fat music agency because so much of your info is coming from Marc Geiger. There’s a lot more interesting and innovative activity going on there than just music.
Comment by Robert Barlow — August 11, 2008 @ 5:10 pm
@ don johnson
pendulum & LCD are quite relevant and popular these days. Not to mention that the other mentioned in that sentence still garner larges booking fees around the globe. they may not put out great singles and albums anymore, but they are still bankable commodities.
“In addition, Zimmerman is bringing with him a roster of cutting edge electronic artists, including Steve Lawler, James Zabiela, Booka Shade, Erol Alkan, Deadmau5, Lee Burridge, M.A.N.D.Y., Dieselboy, and Hercules and Love Affair, among others.”
something tells me theyll do just fine repping this other group.
Comment by todd — August 11, 2008 @ 5:42 pm
Don… Fatboy Slim alone will probably bring them $100,000 in commissions in 2009 as a bare minimum. How many actors that you ‘haven’t heard from since 2001′ steadily book $1Mil+ a year? Heck… how many actors that you haven’t heard from since 2006 can do that? (And when was the last looming DJ strike that you read about?)
Comment by tenpercenter — August 11, 2008 @ 7:52 pm
I totally agree with the funny quote from my friend Don Johnson.
Comment by Pat Swayze — August 11, 2008 @ 11:45 pm