Randall Slavin
In 2010, due to the merger of WMA, three of Endeavor’s writers’ agents, Bill Weinstein, Adam Levine, and Brian Besser, left the company, and Endeavor became a customer-first agency different from the corporate-oriented major companies. Launched a new agency built on an approach and a different culture.
After 14 years, Weinstein, who was announced as Verve’s CEO a year ago, abruptly stepped down Monday, shocking the talent representation community.
At the time of his dismissal, senior government officials did not comment on the reason beyond expressing gratitude “for his 14 years of service.” Verve lifted the curtain a little yesterday by releasing a statement acknowledging the departure of top agents Devon Schiff, Matthew Doyle, and Jake Dillman, who are scheduled to join Weinstein at a new agency that Weinstein is expected to launch. .
In surprisingly sharp language, the agency stated: [Weinstein’s] With Monday’s departure, we have also let go of several additional employees whose vision does not align with Verve’s culture or future. ” Verve declined to comment for this story.
Five people who have worked at Verve over the past decade and several others who do business with Verve spoke to Deadline about Weinstein’s management style and the culture of fear he allegedly fostered.
“He was guided by fear,” one said, a sentiment echoed by others indicating that many Verve employees were “living in complete fear” under Weinstein. Stated.
Former colleagues praised Mr. Weinstein’s skills as an agent, but noted that some of the qualities needed in a good agent don’t translate well to a good manager.
“He’s a much better agent than a leader,” said another Verve alum.
Mr. Weinstein issued a statement in response to the allegations (you can read the full statement below the article).
“I work with drive and passion to help my clients reach their full potential,” he said. “I highly value my employees and the personal and professional relationships we share. I lead with fairness and patience, and am committed to progress and the future. I’m here.”
Current and former Verve employees say the behavioral change began several years ago, with Mr. Weinstein’s aggressive return to the office encouraging employees to say, “We are good people and treat our employees well.” He said he began to question the company’s identity. As someone said.
In addition, staffers whose work Mr. Weinstein disapproved of were ostracized or forced to dress in company meetings and other public appearances by Mr. Weinstein, a former Verve agent said.
“A wonderful environment has turned into a toxic environment,” the official added.
That was reflected in an anonymous survey of Verve assistants conducted in January 2022, and concerns about Weinstein were subsequently raised in both cities at City Hall, the people said.
Deadline has seen copies of some of the survey submissions. One employee said she was scared to go to the office and was angry about Mr. Weinstein’s comments about the coronavirus and his insistence on working in person even though so many people are still dying. He said there was. “Is this supposed productivity worth the risk?” the person asked.
The investigation also focused on Weinstein’s treatment of his assistants.
One entry said, “I witnessed him verbally assaulting the assistant who was supposed to be ‘teaching’ many times.” “Bill Weinstein is the obvious frontrunner because he likes to have an audience for his bullying. I’m really surprised this kind of behavior is allowed in 2022. This is ‘Verve culture.’ is it?”
Things are said to have accelerated after Weinstein became Verve’s CEO.
Weinstein was unofficially named chief executive in 2022, a well-informed source said. His title was announced in January 2023.
A former representative described Weinstein’s appointment as CEO as a “power coup,” while a current representative said it was made possible by fear within the company.
Another former agent said Mr. Weinstein’s tactics were known internally as “bulldozing.” [decision-makers] Beat each person into submission to get the help you need. ”
The situation began to deteriorate further after Mr. Weinstein was unofficially assumed the top post, raising concerns among senior agency officials that, as one source put it, they were trying to “squeeze” Mr. Weinstein. .
“He became very unstable and his anger got worse,” the Verve alum said. “He used his anger as a weapon to bully people.”
We are told that things came to a head at a board meeting on December 15, 2022, where Mr. Weinstein attempted to dissolve the board, asking its members to resign or leave the company, and if his demands were not met. He threatened to form a new agency and bring agents with him. .
Weinstein was partially successful, and his CEO title was officially announced a month later, people familiar with the matter said. (Following Mr. Weinstein’s departure, responsibility for that role will be assumed by the founder and managing partner.)
“Verve did very well for its first 10 years as a company of sorts. We are ethical, we support our clients, we don’t do horse trading or anything that other big agencies do. “It wasn’t about money,” one of the people said. “For Bill, it was all about money.”
Weinstein allegedly made important decisions without his partners’ knowledge, including promising internal promotions, and created at least one hidden booking in the agency’s accounting system, the people said. Sources told Deadline that Mr. Weinstein made employees outside of his inner circle feel their jobs were in jeopardy.
In a statement, Mr. Weinstein did not address the specific allegations, only saying, “Unlike in the past, I will no longer slander or harm others for my own personal gain.”
In the face of growing dissatisfaction among Verve staff, Weinstein was voted out by agency executives, the board of directors and the partnership on Monday. The group also includes Weinstein’s brother Adam Weinstein, who remains at Verve.
“My partners and I have long disagreed on best business practices, accountability, and equality,” Weinstein said in a statement. “I will continue to strive to resolve internal conflicts with dignity and civility. The truth always wins.”
Verve staffers have largely expressed relief following Weinstein’s departure.
“The company is in good shape, all office doors are open and people are enjoying life again without anyone giving them a thumbs up,” one of the agents said. “People like the work they do without being afraid to do it differently.”
Over the past five years, Verve has made acquisition offers and been the target of other interested agencies. This list is said to include Paradigm, APA (pre-merger), ICM (also pre-merger), and most recently Gersh.
As for approaches that have reached the stage of conversation, Mr. Weinstein took a page out of Endeavor’s playbook in coordinating its merger with the larger WMA, and noted that Verve is a smaller potential opponent. I heard that they asked them to operate the merged entity even though it is a company. Officials say it was a misfire.
Verve is trying to do things differently than Endeavor, the company that formed Verve’s co-founders, but Weinstein has publicly said he is trying to emulate Endeavor CEO Ari Emanuel, and from the shadow of He may not be able to get out of it.
“They wanted to be the anti-Ali,” one agency veteran said of Verve’s original mission. “Bill has become an ant.”
Below is Weinstein’s full statement.
I always strive for excellence. I am motivated and passionate about helping our clients reach their full potential. I highly value my employees and the personal and professional relationships we share. I lead with fairness and patience, tenaciously focused on progress and the future.
Unlike in the past, I will no longer slander or harm others for my own benefit. My partner and I have long disagreed about best business practices, accountability, and equality.
I will continue to strive to resolve internal disputes with dignity and courtesy. Truth always prevails.