William Morris & Endeaver Merge

Since movie studios have begun demanding that actors reduce their insanely huge and often undeserved upfront salary guarantees by 50% in exchange for back-end profits if the movie is a hit-- and with fewer movies becoming hits--- this was inevitable.

Talent agencies William Morris, Endeavor merge

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Two of Hollywood's biggest talent agencies have announced plans to merge in a power play that attempts to shift leverage from movie studios and record labels back to artists, actors, writers and directors.

The 111-year-old William Morris Agency said Monday it will join with upstart Endeavor, a 14-year-old agency cofounded by Ari Emanuel, brother to White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel and the inspiration behind the character Ari Gold on HBO's "Entourage."

The combined entity will be called William Morris Endeavor Entertainment and have revenue in the range of $250 million to $300 million a year. Layoffs are expected, perhaps affecting more than 100 people.

More on the merger here.

• Don't be surprised if this merger is written into future eppy's of the blisteringly funny, better than ever "Entourage"
  

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