Hollywood Director 1992.

Chapter 117 Brokerage Company
However, the matter of establishing an agency was not put on hold.

During a casual chat, Sam Haskell thought that it would be better to acquire an agency instead of starting a new one.

He is now the owner of a film company and a famous director. He has too much work to do and it would be too difficult for him to run another agency.

Whereas buying a brokerage firm, or becoming a shareholder in a company, and leaving things to someone else, there would be less work.

Link agreed with him.

"Sam, any good suggestions?"

"Do you really want to invest in a brokerage company? Let me tell you, this industry is very complicated. Not only does it require capital, but it also requires connections and political resources, which most people cannot grasp at all."

Sam Haskell said, shaking his head.

"I don't want to control a brokerage company, I just want to make an investment and make some money. According to my personal experience, the film industry will make more and more money in the next few years, there will be more and more movie stars, and brokerage companies will make more money. Investing in brokerage companies is a relatively cost-effective way to manage money.

In addition, after the huge success of Paranormal Activity, many filmmakers under CAA publicly targeted me. My future development in the film industry will be more difficult than others. By becoming a shareholder of an agency, I don’t need to worry about being strangled by CAA. "

Link said.

"I'm sorry, Link. After you were attacked, I reported it to the company and asked them to contact several celebrity clients to support you, but my application was rejected."

Sam Haskell's black eyes flashed with helplessness, and he pointed outside the office, "Although you are a client of WMA, you don't cooperate closely enough with the company, and the company has not made any money from your film project, and doesn't want to help you.

Another point is that, in fact, within WMA, many filmmakers were dissatisfied with the huge sales of "Paranormal Activity". Some were jealous, jealous of your youth and the fact that you made a lot of money. Some thought that you frequently hyped movies and violated the rules of the film industry, and so on. There were various reasons.

But I think you did a great job. A movie with a budget of $2 made $6 million worldwide. That's really cool. Link, it's my honor to be your agent."

Sam Haskell patted him on the shoulder excitedly.

"It's not that exaggerated. I just got luckier."

Link laughed.

"Yes, I'm lucky, but how many people who can make a name for themselves in the entertainment industry have bad luck?"

At this point, Haskell paused and glanced at him. "Link, I'm your agent and I have some connections in the media industry. Next time you make some news, remember to bring me along so I can make some money."

"No problem. Back to the agency, you've worked at WMA for more than ten years. Have you ever considered going out on your own? We can work together."

"Go it alone?"

"Yes, Michael Ovitz founded CAA after he switched to WMA, David Geffen became the vice president of Universal Music after he switched to WMA, Paul Benedek founded UTA after he switched to WMA, and Michael Eisner, the president of Disney, Barry Diller, the chairman of Paramount Pictures, etc., they were all WMA agents at first, and after they switched to WMA, they became influential figures in the entertainment industry.

Sam, you have worked at WMA for more than ten years, longer than Michael Ovitz and others, and you are more capable. If you are willing to leave WMA and cooperate with me to start an agency, ten years later, no, five years later, your status in Hollywood will definitely not be inferior to theirs. "

Link patiently and persuadingly.

When Sam Haskell heard his words, his breathing became rapid and his fists clenched unconsciously.

"it is good!"

"You agree? Then it's settled."

"Etc., etc!"

Sam Haskell took a breath, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and smiled bitterly.
"No, no, I almost got convinced by you. Link, it's not that I don't want to work alone, it's just that times have changed.

In the 1970s, WMA was the only dominant player in the industry and competition was not fierce, which was the main reason why Michael Ovitz and others were able to succeed.

There are now three major brokerage companies in the entertainment industry and thousands of small and medium-sized brokerage companies. The brokerage companies compete with each other, poach each other, and attack each other. The competition is becoming increasingly fierce, and hundreds of brokerage companies go bankrupt every year.

In the past few years, more than a dozen senior agents have left WMA to work on their own. After a few years, except for Paul Benedyk, all the others ended up in failure, and their income was far less than that at WMA.

But I am just a mid-level agent now, my connections and abilities are not as good as theirs, so it is even more difficult for me to succeed.

Even if you give me 100 million, I am not sure I can do it well. "

Sam Haskell laughed at himself and took a sip of his coffee that was almost cold. "If I had just joined WMA and you had come to me to start a business, I would have held your legs tightly and refused to let go. After working in this industry for more than ten years, I have seen too many inside stories and heard too many stories. I have become less courageous and no longer have the courage and sharpness I had before. In my current situation, it is difficult for me to succeed in starting a business."

"Understandable." Link nodded and smiled. This was probably a case where the older you get, the less courageous you become.

"Introduce me to a brokerage company that is suitable for investment. After the deal is done, I will give you a commission."

"Haha, that's fine. I've dealt with many small and medium-sized brokerage companies in the industry."

Sam Haskell brought out a bunch of information to help him find a suitable target.

A few days later, with the help of Sam Haskell, he invested $750 million in UTA United Elite Agency and acquired a 12% stake.

UTA was founded last year in 1991 through the merger of Bauer-Benedek Agency and Lead Artists Agency.

Among them, Marty Bauer, one of the founders of Bauer-Benedek Agency, was originally a senior agent at WMA William Morris Agency.

Old acquaintance with Sam Haskell.

UTA Agency is currently a medium-sized agency with only 26 agents and 65 clients, mainly movie stars, film directors and television elites.

Among them, the more famous ones are directors the Coen brothers, actress Laura Dern, and singer Sting, but there are no top-tier stars.

It is still far behind the three major ones: CAA, WMA and ICM.

It is about seeking development in the cracks.

However, UTA has great potential for future development. Relying on its good business level, it has gradually developed into the fourth largest agency in Hollywood by competing with the three major agencies.

Its clients include people from the entertainment circles of countries around the world, and many Chinese actors and singers are also UTA’s clients.

The market value is in the billions of dollars.

This is also the reason why Link chose to invest in UTA instead of other medium-sized brokerage companies.

The reason why United Elite Brokerage Company readily agreed to let him invest was that.

On the one hand, the company was established not long ago and lacks funds for development. It is currently in the IPO financing stage. Link’s investment is like timely rain for UTA.

Secondly, United Elite was attracted by his status as the owner of a film company and a famous director. He has a lot of resources at his disposal, so there are many benefits to cooperating with him.

After he became a shareholder of United Elite, Monica Bellucci, Renée Zellweger and Jim Carrey successfully became clients of UTA.

Monica also serves as his representative on the UTA Board of Trustees.

Link remains at William Morris.

He is now an important client of William Morris Agency and a shareholder of United Elite Agency. If necessary, he can enjoy the services provided by both companies at the same time.

There is no need to jump under the United Elite banner.

Ding ding~

"What are you thinking?"

At the dining table, Monica licked the yogurt on the spoon with the tip of her tongue and looked at him with a smile.

"Has the company arranged a new script for you?"

"Yes, I didn't take it. I plan to finish Ace Ventura first before considering other roles. Acting too much is too tiring."

"You're right. It's better to concentrate on playing one role well than to play ten randomly. We have no shortage of resources. You can take your time to choose and don't have to worry about not having any roles to play."

Link touched her cheek and wiped the milk stains from the corners of her lips.

Monica smiled and straddled him and kissed him.

After dinner, I had another snack, and then another long night from the dining table to the bedroom.

(End of this chapter)