Casey Wasserman’s eponymous sports and music management company has closed a deal to acquire the longstanding talent representation and production shop Brillstein Entertainment Partners.
Wasserman formally announced the transaction on Monday alongside Brillstein Co-CEOs Cynthia Pett and Jon Liebman. The acquisition bolsters Wasserman verticals like marketing and content creation (Brillstein produced “The Sopranos”), and also formally puts the grandson of legendary movie mogul Lew Wasserman in the Hollywood talent fold — welcoming star clients like Brad Pitt, Florence Pugh, Adam Sandler, Tiffany Haddish, Elizabeth Olsen and the newly named Lois Lane: Rachel Brosnahan.
Brillstein leaders Pett, Liebman, Marc Gurvitz and Sandy Wernick will continue to lead their company and join Wasserman’s executive leadership team. Same for partners including George Freeman, Missy Malkin, David McIlvain, Alex Murray, Andrea Pett and Tim Sarkes, as well as 30-plus managers in New York and Los Angeles. Previously known as Brillstein Grey, the...
Wasserman formally announced the transaction on Monday alongside Brillstein Co-CEOs Cynthia Pett and Jon Liebman. The acquisition bolsters Wasserman verticals like marketing and content creation (Brillstein produced “The Sopranos”), and also formally puts the grandson of legendary movie mogul Lew Wasserman in the Hollywood talent fold — welcoming star clients like Brad Pitt, Florence Pugh, Adam Sandler, Tiffany Haddish, Elizabeth Olsen and the newly named Lois Lane: Rachel Brosnahan.
Brillstein leaders Pett, Liebman, Marc Gurvitz and Sandy Wernick will continue to lead their company and join Wasserman’s executive leadership team. Same for partners including George Freeman, Missy Malkin, David McIlvain, Alex Murray, Andrea Pett and Tim Sarkes, as well as 30-plus managers in New York and Los Angeles. Previously known as Brillstein Grey, the...
- 9/18/2023
- by Matt Donnelly
- Variety Film + TV
Wasserman has finalized plans to acquire Brillstein Entertainment Partners. The entertainment management and production company run by Cynthia Pett and Jon Liebman will now be under the umbrella of Wasserman’s sports marketing and talent management.
The current Wasserman clients, including but not limited to athletes and musicians, will now be able to potentially more closely participate in films, shows or related content created by Brillstein and using the IP already existing within Brillstein. The pitch to current and future clients is an exchange of services and ideas across marketing, representation, content creation and talent management arms all under one proverbial roof.
“Cynthia [Pett] and I will continue to be co-ceos and will continue to run our production company/talent management company,” co-ceo Jon Leibman told TheWrap. “We will retain our identity.”
Concurrently, Wasserman Chairman and CEO Casey Wasserman told TheWrap, “Every company we acquire we operate as a single...
The current Wasserman clients, including but not limited to athletes and musicians, will now be able to potentially more closely participate in films, shows or related content created by Brillstein and using the IP already existing within Brillstein. The pitch to current and future clients is an exchange of services and ideas across marketing, representation, content creation and talent management arms all under one proverbial roof.
“Cynthia [Pett] and I will continue to be co-ceos and will continue to run our production company/talent management company,” co-ceo Jon Leibman told TheWrap. “We will retain our identity.”
Concurrently, Wasserman Chairman and CEO Casey Wasserman told TheWrap, “Every company we acquire we operate as a single...
- 9/18/2023
- by Scott Mendelson
- The Wrap
Just over a year ago, the leadership of Brillstein Entertainment Partners — a pioneering Hollywood company founded in 1969 by talent broker icon Bernie Brillstein, who managed names like Lorne Michaels, Garry Shandling, Brad Pitt, Nicolas Cage and Mike Myers — started thinking about strategic options for their business, including a sale.
The management and production firm had been led by co-CEOs Cynthia Pett and Jon Liebman since 2005, when the duo bought out the stake of executive Brad Grey and Brillstein-Grey dropped the latter name from the shingle. (Notably, the late Grey, who went on to become CEO of Paramount Pictures, took the backend interest in HBO’s The Sopranos, which had been produced by Brillstein, with him.)
Liebman, a New York entertainment attorney who joined Brillstein in 1998, says informal conversations were held in 2022 with Casey Wasserman, whose namesake company — which includes sports talent agents and a booking agency — has been on the acquisition hunt,...
The management and production firm had been led by co-CEOs Cynthia Pett and Jon Liebman since 2005, when the duo bought out the stake of executive Brad Grey and Brillstein-Grey dropped the latter name from the shingle. (Notably, the late Grey, who went on to become CEO of Paramount Pictures, took the backend interest in HBO’s The Sopranos, which had been produced by Brillstein, with him.)
Liebman, a New York entertainment attorney who joined Brillstein in 1998, says informal conversations were held in 2022 with Casey Wasserman, whose namesake company — which includes sports talent agents and a booking agency — has been on the acquisition hunt,...
- 9/18/2023
- by Erik Hayden
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Sports and music representation powerhouse Wasserman has finalized its acquisition of Brillstein Entertainment Partners, the venerable Hollywood management and production company. Terms were not disclosed. Deadline exclusively revealed the acquisition talks back in February.
Wasserman chairman and CEO Casey Wasserman and Brillstein co-CEOs Cynthia Pett and Jon Liebman made the announcement. It puts Wasserman, grandson of the iconic Hollywood representative and studio chief Lew Wasserman, directly into the film and TV representation and production game for the first time. It is the second strategic alignment for Wasserman, who took over the lucrative music touring business that was once the most profitable part of the Paradigm agency, at a time when the pandemic grounded live touring revenues.
It would be the latest move in management after 3Arts made a deal with Lionsgate, and Range Media Partners linked with Automatik.
Wasserman, Pett and Liebman believe their cultures will mesh in their compatible business and staffs.
Wasserman chairman and CEO Casey Wasserman and Brillstein co-CEOs Cynthia Pett and Jon Liebman made the announcement. It puts Wasserman, grandson of the iconic Hollywood representative and studio chief Lew Wasserman, directly into the film and TV representation and production game for the first time. It is the second strategic alignment for Wasserman, who took over the lucrative music touring business that was once the most profitable part of the Paradigm agency, at a time when the pandemic grounded live touring revenues.
It would be the latest move in management after 3Arts made a deal with Lionsgate, and Range Media Partners linked with Automatik.
Wasserman, Pett and Liebman believe their cultures will mesh in their compatible business and staffs.
- 9/18/2023
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
The first trailer from Netflix’s Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey is out in advance of the film’s global launch on the streamer November 13.
Written and directed by David E. Talbert, the film is set in the town of Cobbleton and follows legendary toymaker Jeronicus Jangle (Forrest Whitaker), whose fanciful inventions burst with whimsy and wonder. But when his trusted apprentice (Keegan-Michael Key) steals his most prized creation, it’s up to his equally bright and inventive granddaughter (Madalen Mills) and a long-forgotten invention to heal old wounds.
The film features original songs by John Legend, Philip Lawrence, Davy Nathan and “This Day” performed by Usher and Kiana Ledé. Legend and Mike Jackson’s Get Lifted Film Co are producing with 260 Degrees Entertainment’s Talbert, Golden Girl Inc’s Lyn Sisson-Talbert, Burr! Productions’ Kristin Burr and Brillstein Entertainment Partners’ David McIlvain. Get Lifted’s Ty Stiklorious executive produces with Vicki Dee Rock.
Written and directed by David E. Talbert, the film is set in the town of Cobbleton and follows legendary toymaker Jeronicus Jangle (Forrest Whitaker), whose fanciful inventions burst with whimsy and wonder. But when his trusted apprentice (Keegan-Michael Key) steals his most prized creation, it’s up to his equally bright and inventive granddaughter (Madalen Mills) and a long-forgotten invention to heal old wounds.
The film features original songs by John Legend, Philip Lawrence, Davy Nathan and “This Day” performed by Usher and Kiana Ledé. Legend and Mike Jackson’s Get Lifted Film Co are producing with 260 Degrees Entertainment’s Talbert, Golden Girl Inc’s Lyn Sisson-Talbert, Burr! Productions’ Kristin Burr and Brillstein Entertainment Partners’ David McIlvain. Get Lifted’s Ty Stiklorious executive produces with Vicki Dee Rock.
- 10/4/2020
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Ricky Martin has been cast in Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey, with the Grammy winner and actor joining the ensemble of Netflix’s first original live-action musical film that already includes Keegan-Michael Key, Phylicia Rashad, Anika Noni Rose, Forest Whitaker and newcomer Madalen Mills.
Written and directed by David E. Talbert, the film is set in the town of Cobbleton and follows legendary toymaker Jeronicus Jangle (Whitaker), whose fanciful inventions burst with whimsy and wonder. But when his trusted apprentice (Key) steals his most prized creation, it’s up to his equally bright and inventive granddaughter (Mills) and a long-forgotten invention to heal old wounds.
Martin is donning the motion capture suit to play Don Juan Diego, a devious 12-inch matador, in the film, which will launch globally on the streamer November 13.
The film features original songs by John Legend, Philip Lawrence, Davy Nathan and “This Day” performed by Usher and Kiana Ledé.
Written and directed by David E. Talbert, the film is set in the town of Cobbleton and follows legendary toymaker Jeronicus Jangle (Whitaker), whose fanciful inventions burst with whimsy and wonder. But when his trusted apprentice (Key) steals his most prized creation, it’s up to his equally bright and inventive granddaughter (Mills) and a long-forgotten invention to heal old wounds.
Martin is donning the motion capture suit to play Don Juan Diego, a devious 12-inch matador, in the film, which will launch globally on the streamer November 13.
The film features original songs by John Legend, Philip Lawrence, Davy Nathan and “This Day” performed by Usher and Kiana Ledé.
- 10/2/2020
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
Downton Abbey star Hugh Bonneville has joined the cast of Netflix’s first live-action original musical Jingle Jangle.
Bonneville will star alongside Forest Whitaker in the holiday film about a toymaker and a magical invention. The cast also includes Keegan-Michael Key (Key and Peele), Phylicia Rashad (A Raisin in the Sun), Tony winner Anika Noni Rose (Caroline, or Change), and newcomer Madalen Mills.
The event holiday musical tale, which is being produced by John Legend’s Get Lifted Film Co, is set in a cobblestone world come to life, with an embattled toymaker (Whitaker), his precocious granddaughter (Mills), and a magical invention, that if they can get it working in time for the holidays, could change their lives forever.
Bonneville is starring in the forthcoming Downton Abbey feature film and was recently in Paddington 2.
In addition to Get Lifted’s Mike Jackson and Legend, producers are 260 Degrees Entertainment’s David E. Talbert,...
Bonneville will star alongside Forest Whitaker in the holiday film about a toymaker and a magical invention. The cast also includes Keegan-Michael Key (Key and Peele), Phylicia Rashad (A Raisin in the Sun), Tony winner Anika Noni Rose (Caroline, or Change), and newcomer Madalen Mills.
The event holiday musical tale, which is being produced by John Legend’s Get Lifted Film Co, is set in a cobblestone world come to life, with an embattled toymaker (Whitaker), his precocious granddaughter (Mills), and a magical invention, that if they can get it working in time for the holidays, could change their lives forever.
Bonneville is starring in the forthcoming Downton Abbey feature film and was recently in Paddington 2.
In addition to Get Lifted’s Mike Jackson and Legend, producers are 260 Degrees Entertainment’s David E. Talbert,...
- 7/11/2019
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Netflix’s first live-action original musical is casting up. Emmy winner Keegan-Michael Key (Key and Peele), Phylicia Rashad, Tony winner Anika Noni Rose, and newcomer Madalen Mills have joined Forest Whitaker in Jingle Jangle, written and directed by David E. Talbert.
The film, which is being produced by John Legend’s Get Lifted Film Co, depicts a cobblestone world that comes to life in the event holiday musical tale of an embattled toymaker (Whitaker), his precocious granddaughter (Mills), and a magical invention, that if they can get it to work in time for the holidays, could change their lives forever.
In addition to Get Lifted’s Mike Jackson and Legend, producers are 260 Degrees Entertainment’s David E. Talbert, Lyn Sisson-Talbert, Burr! Productions’ Kristen Burr, and Brillstein Entertainment Partners’ David McIlvain. Ty Stiklorious and Vicki Dee Rock of Get Lifted will serve as executive producers.
The film, which is being produced by John Legend’s Get Lifted Film Co, depicts a cobblestone world that comes to life in the event holiday musical tale of an embattled toymaker (Whitaker), his precocious granddaughter (Mills), and a magical invention, that if they can get it to work in time for the holidays, could change their lives forever.
In addition to Get Lifted’s Mike Jackson and Legend, producers are 260 Degrees Entertainment’s David E. Talbert, Lyn Sisson-Talbert, Burr! Productions’ Kristen Burr, and Brillstein Entertainment Partners’ David McIlvain. Ty Stiklorious and Vicki Dee Rock of Get Lifted will serve as executive producers.
- 4/11/2019
- by Amanda N'Duka
- Deadline Film + TV
Brillstein Entertainment Partners has recruited manager Kailey Marsh and has acquired the online BloodList franchise that Marsh launched a decade ago to highlight horror scripts.
Brillstein plans to expand BloodList into a production banner for film and TV projects.
“Kailey’s entrepreneurial spirit has brought BloodList to life and turned it into an industry standard for finding new voices in dark genre,” said Brillstein’s David McIlvain. “Kailey and her talented clients are a great addition to Brillstein as we continue to expand our genre business.”
Marsh, who headed the Kelly Marsh Media banner for the past five years, represents a range of writers and directors who specialize in genre fare. At present Marsh is a co-exec producer of the Hulu series “Light as a Feather,” produced by Awesomeness TV. Marsh reps series creator R. Lee Fleming Jr. as well as others on th show.
BloodList.com has a running...
Brillstein plans to expand BloodList into a production banner for film and TV projects.
“Kailey’s entrepreneurial spirit has brought BloodList to life and turned it into an industry standard for finding new voices in dark genre,” said Brillstein’s David McIlvain. “Kailey and her talented clients are a great addition to Brillstein as we continue to expand our genre business.”
Marsh, who headed the Kelly Marsh Media banner for the past five years, represents a range of writers and directors who specialize in genre fare. At present Marsh is a co-exec producer of the Hulu series “Light as a Feather,” produced by Awesomeness TV. Marsh reps series creator R. Lee Fleming Jr. as well as others on th show.
BloodList.com has a running...
- 11/15/2018
- by Cynthia Littleton
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Forest Whitaker has been set by Netflix to star in Jingle Jangle, the David E. Talbert-directed holiday musical about a cobblestone world that comes to life. Whitaker will play Jeronicus Jangle, a once-great inventor and toy maker who has lost his belief in himself and his inventions, but stumbles upon a second chance and a magical invention, when his granddaughter comes to town for the holidays. If he can get the thing to work in time for the holidays, it will change their lives forever.
The Oscar-winning actor is coming off Black Panther, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story and Arrival. He previously starred opposite Theo James in Netflix’s How It Ends, and this fall he plays crime boss Bumpy Johnson in the Epix series Godfather Of Harlem. He also recently made his Broadway debut in the Michael Grandage-directed Hughie.
Talbert set Jingle Jangle at Netflix...
The Oscar-winning actor is coming off Black Panther, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story and Arrival. He previously starred opposite Theo James in Netflix’s How It Ends, and this fall he plays crime boss Bumpy Johnson in the Epix series Godfather Of Harlem. He also recently made his Broadway debut in the Michael Grandage-directed Hughie.
Talbert set Jingle Jangle at Netflix...
- 10/30/2018
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
Brillstein Entertainment Partners has hired two new managers, Andy Farag and Isabel Frost, and promoted Natalie Covault and Jackie Gardner to Manager in the ongoing expansion of the company’s comedy, talent and literary representation business.
Farag joins Brillstein from CAA, where he started as an assistant and quickly climbed the ranks to Comedy Touring Agent. While at CAA, Andy identified and cultivated comedic talent and grew his client list quickly due to his extensive presence in comedy clubs and festivals all over the country.
Frost joins Brillstein from Primary Wave Entertainment, where she was a manager specializing in comedy. Prior to that, Isabel was an assistant at 3 Arts Entertainment and previously ran the theatrical department for Reign Agency.
“Isabel’s impeccable taste and Andy’s commitment to live comedy make them great additions to our Comedy Team.” said Tim Sarkes and Alex Murray, Co-Heads of Brillstein Entertainment Partners’ Comedy department.
Farag joins Brillstein from CAA, where he started as an assistant and quickly climbed the ranks to Comedy Touring Agent. While at CAA, Andy identified and cultivated comedic talent and grew his client list quickly due to his extensive presence in comedy clubs and festivals all over the country.
Frost joins Brillstein from Primary Wave Entertainment, where she was a manager specializing in comedy. Prior to that, Isabel was an assistant at 3 Arts Entertainment and previously ran the theatrical department for Reign Agency.
“Isabel’s impeccable taste and Andy’s commitment to live comedy make them great additions to our Comedy Team.” said Tim Sarkes and Alex Murray, Co-Heads of Brillstein Entertainment Partners’ Comedy department.
- 10/24/2018
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
A day after it was announced that he's attached to direct the "Uncharted" film adaptation for Sony Pictures, filmmaker Seth Gordon ("The King of Kong," "Identity Thief") has been linked with another project.
Gordon is attached to helm "Queen of Hearts," a film based on Stephanie Shannon's Black List script about "Alice in Wonderland" creator Lewis Carroll.
The story details the failed love affair that led to his most famous story. Shannon and Gordon are tied together through David McIlvain - his manager and a man she was an assistant to.
'Queen' is said to still be in early development and "Uncharted" will definitely "go first" as such.
Source: Deadline...
Gordon is attached to helm "Queen of Hearts," a film based on Stephanie Shannon's Black List script about "Alice in Wonderland" creator Lewis Carroll.
The story details the failed love affair that led to his most famous story. Shannon and Gordon are tied together through David McIlvain - his manager and a man she was an assistant to.
'Queen' is said to still be in early development and "Uncharted" will definitely "go first" as such.
Source: Deadline...
- 2/6/2014
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Exclusive: OddLot Entertainment has acquired the Black List script Queen Of Hearts, and has set Seth Gordon to develop the project as a directing vehicle. OddLot will produce with Brillstein Entertainment Group, with Gordon’s manager David McIlvain to be one of the producers. It’s the first script by Stephanie Shannon, who worked as an assistant to McIlvain and wrote her script while holding that job. She won the 2013 Academy Nicholl Fellowship in Screenwriting competition, and hit the 2013 Black List with her script. At a time when studios are looking everywhere for revisionist fairy tales, Shannon’s script seems to hit the mark. The script is about how a passionate affair that leaves author Lewis Carroll brokenhearted prompts him to craft Alice In Wonderland. Gordon, who’s coming off Identity Thief and Horrible Bosses, just got set to direct Uncharted, the Sony Pictures tentpole that will be his first priority.
- 2/5/2014
- by MIKE FLEMING JR
- Deadline
Just one day after word broke that he'll be taking on the big screen version of the video game franchise Uncharted comes word, via Deadline , that Horrible Bosses and Identity Thief helmer Seth Gordon will direct the Lewis Carroll biopic Queen of Hearts for OddLot Entertainment. The script for the film, written by Stephanie Shannon, made the 2013 Black List with the following official logline: Oxford instructor Charles Dodgson (Lewis Carroll) tells stories to the dean's daughter, Alice, and her sisters, while falling in love with the dean's wife. OddLot is producing alongside Gordon.s manager David McIlvain and the Brillstein Entertainment Group. The trade notes that Queen of Hearts is likely to go into production sometime after Gordon's work on Uncharted...
- 2/5/2014
- Comingsoon.net
ABC has bought The Bounty, a drama project from CSI creator Anthony E. Zuiker and Brillstein Entertainment Partners. Written by South Beach creator/executive producer Matt Cirulnick, The Bounty centers around one victim’s quest for justice and healing. After her family is murdered, a national frenzy erupts as she inspires America to create the largest bounty in history for the killer’s capture. “The Bounty takes such a fresh approach to the crime show genre by combining the universal theme that we all want justice for the victim with how crowdsourcing plays a very important role in helping law enforcement today,” said Zuiker. Zuiker’s Dare To Pass is producing with ABC Studios, where the company is under an overall deal, and another ABC Studios-based company, Brillstein Entertainment, which partners with Zuiker on all of his development. Zuiker will executive produce alongside Cirulnick, who came up with the original idea,...
- 9/18/2013
- by NELLIE ANDREEVA
- Deadline TV
Jenna Elfman has joined the cast of indie feature The Six Wives of Henry Lefay, written and directed by Howard Michael Gould.
The script centers on a man (Tim Allen) whose wife and five ex-wives -- ranging in age from 25 to 55 -- fight over his will when they believe he is dead. Elfman is playing his second wife, who is also his fourth wife, a small-town diva.
Elisha Cuthbert is already on board to play Allen's daughter, who has never married, while Andie MacDowell, Paz Vega, Kelli Garner and S. Epatha Merkerson are playing the other spouses.
Shooting began this week in Connecticut.
Holly Wiersma and David McIlvain are producing.
Elfman recently signed to star in the Darren Star show tentatively titled Literary Superstars, which is slated to shoot in December.
She is repped by CAA and attorney Jonathan West.
The script centers on a man (Tim Allen) whose wife and five ex-wives -- ranging in age from 25 to 55 -- fight over his will when they believe he is dead. Elfman is playing his second wife, who is also his fourth wife, a small-town diva.
Elisha Cuthbert is already on board to play Allen's daughter, who has never married, while Andie MacDowell, Paz Vega, Kelli Garner and S. Epatha Merkerson are playing the other spouses.
Shooting began this week in Connecticut.
Holly Wiersma and David McIlvain are producing.
Elfman recently signed to star in the Darren Star show tentatively titled Literary Superstars, which is slated to shoot in December.
She is repped by CAA and attorney Jonathan West.
- 9/27/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Management and production company Brillstein-Grey Entertainment has been renamed Brillstein Entertainment Partners.
The name reflects the history of the company, which was founded 38 years ago by Bernie Brillstein, as well as its current ownership.
In July 2005, partner and CEO Jon Liebman and partner Cynthia Pett-Dante acquired the company from then-owner Brad Grey following Grey's departure to become chairman and CEO of Paramount Pictures.
"Over the last two years, we accomplished what we wanted to do in terms of direction for the company, which was broadening the talent representation area," Liebman said. "We did that through internal growth as we promoted a number of people and by bringing in people from other places, mainly the Firm, who have been great additions."
The Firm's Aleen Keshishian joined BGE as a partner in 2005, followed by Joanne Colonna. Most recently, BGE added literary managers David McIlvain and Missy Malkin.
There will be no changes at Brillstein Entertainment's successful TV division, run by Peter Traugott, Liebman said.
The name reflects the history of the company, which was founded 38 years ago by Bernie Brillstein, as well as its current ownership.
In July 2005, partner and CEO Jon Liebman and partner Cynthia Pett-Dante acquired the company from then-owner Brad Grey following Grey's departure to become chairman and CEO of Paramount Pictures.
"Over the last two years, we accomplished what we wanted to do in terms of direction for the company, which was broadening the talent representation area," Liebman said. "We did that through internal growth as we promoted a number of people and by bringing in people from other places, mainly the Firm, who have been great additions."
The Firm's Aleen Keshishian joined BGE as a partner in 2005, followed by Joanne Colonna. Most recently, BGE added literary managers David McIlvain and Missy Malkin.
There will be no changes at Brillstein Entertainment's successful TV division, run by Peter Traugott, Liebman said.
- 6/21/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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