Exclusive: Senior television literary agent Melissa Orton-Cortez, most recently from CAA, has joined Adventure Media as a manager and partner alongside founding partners Chris von Goetz, James Robins Early and Aaliyah Williams.
This marks a reunion for Orton-Cortez and fellow former lit agents-turned-managers von Goetz and Robins Early who worked together for a decade at ICM Partners prior to the agency’s acquisition by CAA last year when von Goetz and Robins Early left and teamed with Williams to launch Adventure.
Meanwhile, Orton-Cortez transitioned to CAA where she had been for the past year. She was the highest profile departure in the recent round of layoffs at the agency, and a number of companies pursued her over the last couple of weeks. She opted to go with Adventure.
“I’m incredibly excited to be joining Adventure with my dear friends and colleagues,” Orton-Cortez said. “For the last year, I’ve...
This marks a reunion for Orton-Cortez and fellow former lit agents-turned-managers von Goetz and Robins Early who worked together for a decade at ICM Partners prior to the agency’s acquisition by CAA last year when von Goetz and Robins Early left and teamed with Williams to launch Adventure.
Meanwhile, Orton-Cortez transitioned to CAA where she had been for the past year. She was the highest profile departure in the recent round of layoffs at the agency, and a number of companies pursued her over the last couple of weeks. She opted to go with Adventure.
“I’m incredibly excited to be joining Adventure with my dear friends and colleagues,” Orton-Cortez said. “For the last year, I’ve...
- 8/28/2023
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
The Hollywood Radio and Television Society has elected 12 new board members and six new advisory council members, and extended CEO Melissa Grego’s contract through 2025, the organization announced Wednesday.
Newly elected to the Hrts Board of Directors for a three-year term beginning in July 2023 are: Kathryn Busby; Ben Davis; Jaime Feld; David Eilenberg (Head of Content – Roku Media); Frank Jung (Co-Founder/Co-head of Digital Media – CAA); Lisa Katz (President, Scripted Content – NBCUniversal); Tim McNeal (Senior Vice President, Creative Talent Development & Inclusion, Disney Television Studios – Disney Entertainment); DJ Nurre (Executive Vice President – Unscripted, Endemol Shine North America); Brett Paul (President, Warner Bros Television – Warner Bros Discovery); Rhonda Price (Managing Partner – The Gersh Agency); Lauren Stein (EVP Drama Development – Sony Pictures Television) and Erin Underhill (President, Universal Television).
Existing board members elected to a new three-year term beginning July 2023 are Kate Adler (EVP,...
Newly elected to the Hrts Board of Directors for a three-year term beginning in July 2023 are: Kathryn Busby; Ben Davis; Jaime Feld; David Eilenberg (Head of Content – Roku Media); Frank Jung (Co-Founder/Co-head of Digital Media – CAA); Lisa Katz (President, Scripted Content – NBCUniversal); Tim McNeal (Senior Vice President, Creative Talent Development & Inclusion, Disney Television Studios – Disney Entertainment); DJ Nurre (Executive Vice President – Unscripted, Endemol Shine North America); Brett Paul (President, Warner Bros Television – Warner Bros Discovery); Rhonda Price (Managing Partner – The Gersh Agency); Lauren Stein (EVP Drama Development – Sony Pictures Television) and Erin Underhill (President, Universal Television).
Existing board members elected to a new three-year term beginning July 2023 are Kate Adler (EVP,...
- 7/19/2023
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Adventure Media, the artist-driven management and production company launched last summer by ICM Partners veterans Chris von Goetz and James Robins Early and producer Aaliyah Williams, has made its first manager hire. Matt Klasco is joining the company, reuniting with former ICM colleagues von Goetz and Robins Early.
Klasco began his career in 2016 in the ICM mailroom, working his way to the Agent Trainee program, before transitioning into management as a Literary Coordinator at Odenkirk Provissiero Entertainment. For the past three years, he ran his own boutique literary management and production company, Klasco Entertainment.
In joining Adventure Media, Klasco brings his roster of clients, including Dan Brier, Shawn Parikh, and Sam Blakesberg (The Long Shot). Additionally, he serves as a producer on multiple projects in development.
‘On behalf of Aaliyah, James, and myself, we are excited to welcome Matt to Adventure,” von Goetz said.
Klasco began his career in 2016 in the ICM mailroom, working his way to the Agent Trainee program, before transitioning into management as a Literary Coordinator at Odenkirk Provissiero Entertainment. For the past three years, he ran his own boutique literary management and production company, Klasco Entertainment.
In joining Adventure Media, Klasco brings his roster of clients, including Dan Brier, Shawn Parikh, and Sam Blakesberg (The Long Shot). Additionally, he serves as a producer on multiple projects in development.
‘On behalf of Aaliyah, James, and myself, we are excited to welcome Matt to Adventure,” von Goetz said.
- 3/22/2023
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: CBS is developing Citizen Jane, a drama from Dan Brown’s The Lost Symbol co-creator Jay Beattie and CBS Studios.
In Citizen Jane, written by Beattie, haunted by her sister’s unsolved murder, a law school dropout turned citizen sleuth partners with a jaded homicide detective seeking redemption to solve cold cases and deliver justice across the country.
Beattie executive produces with Adventure Media principals Chris von Goetz and James Robins Early, the ICM Partners veterans who recently launched the artist-driven management and production company with fellow founding partner Aaliyah Williams.
Beattie is consulting on ABC’s new drama series Alaska Daily starring Hilary Swank.
He was previously partnered with writer/producer Dan Dworkin for many years. They were creators, exec producers and showrunners of Dan Brown’s The Lost Symbol at Peacock through an overall deal at CBS Studios, which produced the series. They also created/exec produced The Crossing,...
In Citizen Jane, written by Beattie, haunted by her sister’s unsolved murder, a law school dropout turned citizen sleuth partners with a jaded homicide detective seeking redemption to solve cold cases and deliver justice across the country.
Beattie executive produces with Adventure Media principals Chris von Goetz and James Robins Early, the ICM Partners veterans who recently launched the artist-driven management and production company with fellow founding partner Aaliyah Williams.
Beattie is consulting on ABC’s new drama series Alaska Daily starring Hilary Swank.
He was previously partnered with writer/producer Dan Dworkin for many years. They were creators, exec producers and showrunners of Dan Brown’s The Lost Symbol at Peacock through an overall deal at CBS Studios, which produced the series. They also created/exec produced The Crossing,...
- 12/8/2022
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Bestselling author Melissa de la Cruz’s YA fantasy novel The Ring & The Crown is getting a series adaptation for Disney+ from 20th Television, The Gotham Group and 3 Arts Entertainment, along with Disney Branded Television.
Written by veteran showrunners Aaron Harberts and Gretchen J. Berg (Our Kind of People), the series, now in development, is set in an Arthurian world in which magic exists. It centers on Princess Marie-Victoria, the heir to the mightiest empire in the world, who is being forced into a political marriage, and her dear friend Aelwyn Myrddyn, the bastard daughter of Merlin, who is being forced into service of the crown. The Annual London Season is just beginning, and as noble families from across the globe are gathering to flaunt their wealth and magic at lavish parties, behind the scenes, Marie-Victoria, Aelwyn, and others are making moves to secure political power, true love,...
Written by veteran showrunners Aaron Harberts and Gretchen J. Berg (Our Kind of People), the series, now in development, is set in an Arthurian world in which magic exists. It centers on Princess Marie-Victoria, the heir to the mightiest empire in the world, who is being forced into a political marriage, and her dear friend Aelwyn Myrddyn, the bastard daughter of Merlin, who is being forced into service of the crown. The Annual London Season is just beginning, and as noble families from across the globe are gathering to flaunt their wealth and magic at lavish parties, behind the scenes, Marie-Victoria, Aelwyn, and others are making moves to secure political power, true love,...
- 9/21/2022
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: ICM Partners veterans Chris von Goetz and James Robins Early have teamed to launch Adventure Media, an artist-driven management and production company. Aaliyah Williams has joined the company as a founding partner, manager and producer.
Von Goetz, Robins Early and Williams bring different experience to the partnership. Von Goetz is transitioning to management after becoming one of the business’ top TV lit agents during 25-year career at ICM Partners and predecessor Bwcs. During his 12-year tenure at ICM, Robins Early worked in feature film in addition to scripted TV, while Williams is a Peabody-nominated TV and film producer who most recently has been under a first-look deat at CBS Studios for her company Just A Rebel. The trio knew each other from ICM where Von Goetz and Robins Early worked and Williams was a client.
Adventure is starting with an extensive roster of talent — including most of Von Goetz...
Von Goetz, Robins Early and Williams bring different experience to the partnership. Von Goetz is transitioning to management after becoming one of the business’ top TV lit agents during 25-year career at ICM Partners and predecessor Bwcs. During his 12-year tenure at ICM, Robins Early worked in feature film in addition to scripted TV, while Williams is a Peabody-nominated TV and film producer who most recently has been under a first-look deat at CBS Studios for her company Just A Rebel. The trio knew each other from ICM where Von Goetz and Robins Early worked and Williams was a client.
Adventure is starting with an extensive roster of talent — including most of Von Goetz...
- 8/17/2022
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Almost nine months to the day after the surprise Deadline scoop that CAA would acquire ICM Partners, the deal finally got government approval and closed. This creates a mega agency in the biggest linkup in the space since the Wma-Endeavor merger. Sources close to the situation said the Department of Justice finally approved the deal late last night or this morning, and it closed. It is valued around 750 million, and a combined enterprise value around 5 billion. The merged company’s leadership is expected to address staff at a town hall Thursday, with the newly combined departments set to begin their integration process with get-togethers on July 11, we hear.
First, though, comes the pain.
Around 105 positions will be eliminated, all from ICM, and coming from all areas. There will be 425 ICM agents and staffers from the agency joining CAA, meaning around 80 will be retained by CAA. These conversations will happen quickly.
First, though, comes the pain.
Around 105 positions will be eliminated, all from ICM, and coming from all areas. There will be 425 ICM agents and staffers from the agency joining CAA, meaning around 80 will be retained by CAA. These conversations will happen quickly.
- 6/28/2022
- by Nellie Andreeva and Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
The steady trickle of agents leaving ICM Partners over the past nine months has grown into a stream in the last week, with dozens of reps making inquiries to other agencies and management companies as they mull their future ahead of the pending Department of Justice ruling on ICM’s proposed acquisition by CAA.
With the merger decision expected in the next couple of weeks, the prospect of ICM staff moving to CAA has become real, and so have the invites to join the combined agency after months of hints and winks. While no hiring/layoff decisions can be made while the regulatory approval process is ongoing, by now everyone knows where they stand. Staff reductions are an inevitable byproduct of any merger, and with the proceedings dragging on for so long, a number of ICM agents already left for other jobs ahead of the deal close — either because they...
With the merger decision expected in the next couple of weeks, the prospect of ICM staff moving to CAA has become real, and so have the invites to join the combined agency after months of hints and winks. While no hiring/layoff decisions can be made while the regulatory approval process is ongoing, by now everyone knows where they stand. Staff reductions are an inevitable byproduct of any merger, and with the proceedings dragging on for so long, a number of ICM agents already left for other jobs ahead of the deal close — either because they...
- 6/17/2022
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
ICM Partners is restructuring its senior leadership under Managing Director Chris Silbermann and Co-Managing Director Ted Chervin.
Agency veterans Kevin Crotty, Head of the Lit Department, and Sloan Harris, Co-Head of the Publishing Department, have been named Co-Presidents, ICM Partners, effective immediately. They will oversee all agent-related and client service operations, reporting to Silbermann.
Crotty and Harris are founding partners and board members, as are three others longtime ICM Partners agents/executives who have been promoted.
Adam Schweitzer has been upped to Managing Director, Talent and Branding, and Rick Levy has been elevated to Chief Operating Officer, while retaining in his role as the General Counsel.
Jennifer Joel has been named new Co-Head of the Publishing Department, succeeding Harris, where she will serve alongside longtime Publishing Department Co-Head Esther Newberg. A new head of TV Lit to succeed Crotty will be named shortly.
Crotty, based in Los Angeles, and Harris,...
Agency veterans Kevin Crotty, Head of the Lit Department, and Sloan Harris, Co-Head of the Publishing Department, have been named Co-Presidents, ICM Partners, effective immediately. They will oversee all agent-related and client service operations, reporting to Silbermann.
Crotty and Harris are founding partners and board members, as are three others longtime ICM Partners agents/executives who have been promoted.
Adam Schweitzer has been upped to Managing Director, Talent and Branding, and Rick Levy has been elevated to Chief Operating Officer, while retaining in his role as the General Counsel.
Jennifer Joel has been named new Co-Head of the Publishing Department, succeeding Harris, where she will serve alongside longtime Publishing Department Co-Head Esther Newberg. A new head of TV Lit to succeed Crotty will be named shortly.
Crotty, based in Los Angeles, and Harris,...
- 10/7/2019
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
ICM Partners is strengthening their senior management team with several promotions, including Kevin Crotty and Sloan Harris to the roles of co-president, where they will oversee all agent related and client service operations, the agency announced Monday.
“Kevin and Sloan have demonstrated over the course of many years that they are excellent agents and tremendous leader, who have the respect of their peers as well as the wisdom and experience needed to help guide us into the next phase of our successful growth strategy,” managing director Chris Silbermann and co-managing director Ted Chervin said in a statement.
In addition, Adam Schweitzer, the New York-based longtime co-head of the talent department and founding partner, has been promoted to managing director of talent and branding.
Also Read: ICM Partners COO Justin Dearborn, Hr Chief Cindy Ballard Resign
“Adam has been a rising star at this agency since he got here 20 years ago...
“Kevin and Sloan have demonstrated over the course of many years that they are excellent agents and tremendous leader, who have the respect of their peers as well as the wisdom and experience needed to help guide us into the next phase of our successful growth strategy,” managing director Chris Silbermann and co-managing director Ted Chervin said in a statement.
In addition, Adam Schweitzer, the New York-based longtime co-head of the talent department and founding partner, has been promoted to managing director of talent and branding.
Also Read: ICM Partners COO Justin Dearborn, Hr Chief Cindy Ballard Resign
“Adam has been a rising star at this agency since he got here 20 years ago...
- 10/7/2019
- by Rosemary Rossi
- The Wrap
Exclusive: ICM Partners has tapped Caroline Edwards as Director of Podcast Initiatives.
In her new role, she will work closely with agent teams to help shepherd ICM Partners’ clients into podcast projects, from creative inception through the sale and the launch of the project idea to podcast networks. She will report to Justin Dearborn, Chief Operating Officer, ICM Partners.
“Caroline’s’ creative instincts, her astute eye on fresh and compelling content, and her diverse and comprehensive knowledge of the media business uniquely suit her to this new role in the ever-evolving media landscape,” Dearborn said in announcing the new role.
ICM Partners’ previously announced partnership with Workhouse Media in this space will continue, with Caroline adding leadership and additional focus for ICM clients in the rapidly growing sector.
Edwards began her career at ICM Partners, working for TV Literary Partner Chris von Goetz, before serving as a Creative Executive for client Byron Balasco.
In her new role, she will work closely with agent teams to help shepherd ICM Partners’ clients into podcast projects, from creative inception through the sale and the launch of the project idea to podcast networks. She will report to Justin Dearborn, Chief Operating Officer, ICM Partners.
“Caroline’s’ creative instincts, her astute eye on fresh and compelling content, and her diverse and comprehensive knowledge of the media business uniquely suit her to this new role in the ever-evolving media landscape,” Dearborn said in announcing the new role.
ICM Partners’ previously announced partnership with Workhouse Media in this space will continue, with Caroline adding leadership and additional focus for ICM clients in the rapidly growing sector.
Edwards began her career at ICM Partners, working for TV Literary Partner Chris von Goetz, before serving as a Creative Executive for client Byron Balasco.
- 5/8/2019
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
The Hollywood Radio and Television Society has appointed four new board members to its information and networking forum. Dan Erlij of UTA, Pearlena Igbokwe of Universal TV, Chris Selak of Lionsgate and Chris von Goetz of ICM Partners will serve through 2017-2019. The announcement came from organization president Eric Schrier of FX Networks and Hrts executive director Dave Ferrara. Erlij is a senior partner and longtime agent in the Television Literary Department at UTA…...
- 8/17/2017
- Deadline TV
This is the first elevation of agents to the partner level since ICM Partners completed its management buyout in 2012 and brings the number of partners to 38. The promotions come from both coasts and represent the departments of talent, motion picture literary, television, publishing, theater, concerts, global branded entertainment, and motion picture production. The new partners are co-head of motion picture literary Doug MacLaren, publishing agents Kris Dahl and Jennifer Joel, Hildy Gottlieb and Brian Mann from the agency’s talent department, theater head Patrick Herold, concerts’ Mark Siegel and Chris Smith, head of global branded entertainment Carol Goll, motion picture production’s Dan Baime, and international television and media’s Lori York. “Since the formation of our partnership, we have made significant and strategic changes that have elevated our business to the benefit of our partners, associates and clients”, the agency said in a statement. “The culture of professionalism, collegiality...
- 10/21/2013
- by THE DEADLINE TEAM
- Deadline TV
ICM Partners has tapped partner Mark Gordon to oversee its TV literary department. The partner at the agency, who represents a slew of TV writers and has packaged clients from all departments into small-screen fare, will take over the position from board members Kevin Crotty and Chris von Goetz. "In addition to being a passionate advocate for his own clients, Mark has taken a strong leadership position in expanding the television side of the business for many of our clients operating in other areas of the agency," Crotty and von Goetz said in a joint statement announcing the
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- 9/9/2013
- by Lesley Goldberg
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
ICM Partners‘ TV lit agent and partner Mark Gordon has been named the new head of the agency’s television literary department. He will succeed Kevin Crotty and Chris von Goetz who, after leading the department since the ICM/Bwcs merger, will continue to focus on their clients and duties as board members. “In addition to being a passionate advocate for his own clients, Mark has taken a strong leadership position in expanding the television side of the business for many of our clients operating in other areas of the agency,” Crotty and von Goetz said in a joint statement. “He is the ideal choice to oversee the interests of our clients in an evolving landscape.” Gordon has been a rising star at Bwcs and then ICM. He began his career at Bwcs while still a student at Northwestern University, after he called up agency partner Chris Silbermann following a...
- 9/9/2013
- by NELLIE ANDREEVA
- Deadline TV
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