Chapter 46 Three Headed Alliance

Author: TrojanRW

Chapter 46 Three Headed Alliance

If we have to use a historical analogy, the structure of the United Artists Agency is more like the Roman Republic during the Triumvirate.

Since its inception, UTA has been struggling with fierce internal power struggles. As the result of the merger of a leading artist management company and the Bauer-Benedek Agency, agents and clients within the company are naturally divided into two factions.

, one group is led by Jim Burkus, the controller of a leading artist management company, and the other group is led by Marty Bauer and Peter Benedek, co-founders of Bauer-Benedek.

The checks and balances of power between the two parties can be seen from the composition of UTA's first board of directors. Jim Burkus and Marty Ball actually served as the chairman of the board of directors at the same time. This uncommon personnel appointment reflects well.

In addition to the power struggle within the organization, even a fictitious position like the chairman of the board of directors, which has little real power within UTA, has to compete with each other. It is natural to imagine the overt and covert struggles in other aspects.

In fact, the establishment of UTA was originally the integration of resources between two brokerage companies. Since there are no acquisitions and mergers, there is no clear superior-subordinate relationship. Burkus, Ball and Benedek formed the

None of the 'top three alliances' believes that the other party has the ability to lead their own interest groups.

The reason why they chose to form an alliance has only one purpose, which is to form enough voice to the outside world and let the industry recognize UTA's status as one of the "four major entertainment agencies in the world", thereby enhancing their business influence, bargaining power and capital market

Financing capabilities. As for how the interests and power within the company are distributed, it can only be determined after the tip of the knife is tested.

In October 1997, Marty Ball lost the competition with Jim Burkus, resigned as chairman of the board of directors, and retired as 'senior consultant' of United Artists Agency. No one knows that Peter Bened

Whether Benedek betrayed a close comrade he had worked with for decades, but judging from Marty Ball's angrily leaving in 1998 and setting up a new Ball agency, Benedek is most likely to have formed one with Jim Burkus

limited strategic alliances.

The first three alliances collapsed completely with the death of Pompey who defeated Pharsalus.

After expelling Ball, Burkus and Benedek reached a tacit understanding on the company's structure. Jim Burkus took charge of the board of directors, Peter Benedek stepped down, and the chief operating officer was an external professional manager.

took over, and the position of CEO was handed over to a direct descendant of Bauer-Benedek Agency.

From 1998 to the present, the CEOs have never had paratroopers. They were all department heads of UTA, and they all came from the Bauer-Benedek system.

From 1997 to 2006, he served as the head of the company's literary department. From 2006 to 2011, he was responsible for UTA's brand, licensing, endorsements and agent training affairs. In 2012, Jeremy Zimmer, who was officially named as the new CEO, is Ball Bay.

The original partner of the Nedek Brokerage Company and the most courageous of all CEOs.

Under his leadership, UTA has used the few funds at hand to complete several precise acquisitions in the past few years, which has brought the company back from the edge of the Big Four. UTA has returned to the hot topic list at the Hollywood lunch table

The midnight raid on CAA was also planned and executed by Zimmer.

Paul Benedek's background makes Jeremy Zimmer naturally able to get the support of Peter Benedek, but the former is not one-sided. In the past ten years, his relationship with Jim Burkus

It is also getting closer and closer, and this is also a key factor for him to stand out from countless strong candidates.

This is the beginning of UTA's post-Triple Alliance era.

Time came to April 2016. The equity acquisition case initiated by Jeremy Zimmer and jointly approved by Peter Benedek and Jim Burkus finally came to an end. UTA received investment from Han Yi and Baihui Capital.

The US$190 million in funding can be regarded as adding some ammunition to the competition among the Big Four.

At present, judging only from the financial strength and customer reserve, the ranking of the four major entertainment agencies should be from WME-IMG, CAA, UTA and then ICM, in order.

Jeremy Zimmer, who helped UTA acquire a good hand, will surely have a higher reputation and influence in the company with the entry of Han Capital and Parkway Capital. By that time, will he still be willing to act as a check and balance between the two parties?

The product is still unknown. The reason why he entrusted Jordan Bromley to test Han Yi's attitude was rooted in this.

The joint acquisition of 41% of the equity by two capital institutions means that in UTA's soon-to-be-expanded board of directors, there will be at least two to three faces representing the interests of new shareholders. They will play a decisive role in collective voting on major matters.

plays an immeasurable key role.

It can be said that whoever Han Yi supports can turn the Triumvirate into the Roman Empire.

And this is also the main purpose of Han Yi's meeting today.

At present, Han Yi does not intend to directly interfere with the daily operations of UTA, but this does not mean that he does not have his own plans for the future of UTA. Next, what Han Yi has to do is to use the priority clause in the acquisition agreement to continue to acquire UTA.

of shares until the company has absolute controlling rights.

Then?

Then he will surpass CAA and WME-IMG and strive to become the hegemon in the entertainment industry.

From third to first, it seems that there are only two companies to surpass, but in reality it is difficult to reach the sky. Just saying that behind WME-IMG are Carlisle, Blackstone, KKR, Deutsche Bank and other large consortiums, and currently only Parkway Capital

UTA, which is supported by Hehan Capital behind the scenes, intends to compete with it is nothing short of wishful thinking.

To complete the impossible mission, you not only need Han Yi's forward vision and reward mechanism, but also need loyal partners with the same goal to continue to be active in front of the stage to conquer the city.

Who could this person be?

Is it UTA's board chairman, the powerful Jim Burkus?

Is it the young and powerful Jeremy Zimmer?

Or is it Peter Benedek who has taken a back seat but whose influence has never dissipated?

Let them come up with their own answers.

Thinking of this, Han Yi walked up to the three of them.

"Hello, Mr. Han." Jeremy Zimmer took the lead. His blue-gray eyes with slightly drooping ends looked very friendly. When he smiled, the wrinkles on his cheeks reminded people of every family.

The one who has them all, the kind uncle who can only be seen on Thanksgiving.

"Welcome to UTA, my name is Jeremy Zimmer, the company's CEO."

"Jim Burkus, Chairman of the Board of Directors of UTA." In comparison, Jim Burkus's face is more in line with people's image of a Hollywood boss, with sparse but sharp silver short hair and a strong Jewish hook.

nose, and that formulaic polite smile, "Mr. Han, welcome to UTA Plaza."

"Mr. Han, Peter Benedek." He also has a big Jewish nose, but the one on Peter Benedek's face is much thicker. Coupled with the black-rimmed glasses on both sides of his nose, it looks like

More like a cartoonist, "As for me, I'm retired."

Peter Benedek's joke caused a burst of laughter from everyone. Han Yi discovered that the personalities and expressions of the three Jewish entrepreneurs were very different - yes, Berkus, Zimmer, and Benedek,

The three of them are all of Jewish descent, but they belong to different ethnic groups. Berkus is an Anglo-Saxon surname from Britain, and Benedek is an Eastern European, especially popular in Hungary. Needless to say, Zimmer,

A German-Jewish surname with a strong Germanic flavor.

At this moment, the six people standing in the lobby on the first floor of No. 9336 vividly demonstrate the power structure of Hollywood as the tenth year of the 21st century draws to a close.

It is still Jewish entrepreneurs who control the overall situation on the table, but behind the scenes, in addition to traditional Caucasian whites, there are some Asian faces who provide financial support.

As for Kian Griffin, who is African-American?

He was standing watch on the sidelines.

"Mr. Han, I was just talking to three gentlemen about the origin of this acquisition." Douglas-Le Pen gently placed his hand on Han Yi's back to show his close partnership. "Without your proposal, I might not be here now."

I still can’t find the door to United Artists Management Company.”

"Ah, Mr. Han, it seems that our financing needs were announced at the right time." Jeremy Zimmer took a step forward, patted Han Yi's upper arm, and said with a smile.

"Let's go to the conference room, gentlemen." Jim Berkus glanced at Zimmer, his expression unchanged, "These lovely agents have begun to treat us as rare animals."

"I don't mind." Douglas Le Pen followed Burkus's footsteps, smiled and spread his hands, "In fact, I quite hope to meet them, including our most loyal customers of UTA."

"Of course there will be this opportunity. In fact, we are organizing a welcome party." Jeremy Zimmer quickened his pace and put himself side by side with Han Yi. "If it is convenient, we can schedule the party in April.

The 8th? Just in time for the media who need a relaxing afternoon to get through Friday."

"I have no problem." Han Yi nodded and replied.

"Any time Mr. Han thinks is appropriate," Douglas Le Pen said.

"Okay, Jim, Peter, April 8th, does that sound OK?" In the elevator, Jeremy Zimmer, who was standing at the front, turned around, put his hands together, and his face was still human and animal.

A harmless smile.

Octavian wanted to be the leader of the Triumvirate.

Han Yi looked at Zimo and made a comment for him in his mind.

"You are the leader, Jeremy, you can make the decision." Jim Berkus responded calmly.

"Our customers, do you have a confirmation time?" Peter Benedek is always the one to smooth things over. He adjusted the frame of the glasses and said with a smile, "I believe that what Mr. Han and Mr. Le Pen want to see is definitely not

We're a bunch of old farts."

"Angelina just came back from the Cambodian jungle the day before yesterday. If there are no accidents, she should participate." Jeremy Zimmer responded with a smile. Since he dared to propose the specific date of April 8, it means that he has already done it.

Enough preparation work was done to impress the two heads of capital institutions.

"She has a new movie?" Han Yi asked curiously. In the impression, Angelina Jolie has not starred in any big productions in the past two years.

"As a director, an original film purchased by Netflix." Jeremy Zimmer replied, "'First They Killed My Father,' a film based on a memoir."

Han Yi nodded and stopped answering. Instead, he looked blankly at the closed metal door, wondering what he was thinking.

"Kevin Hart, Channing Tatum, Susan Sarandon, Harrison Ford, Owen Wilson, Seth Rogen, Gwyneth Paltrow, Paul Rudd,

Don Cheadle, and Benedict Cumberbatch... Any UTA clients who are still in Los Angeles on April 8th will participate in the welcome party set up for the two. Of course, this is only for film and television.

Customer list, we..."

"Hey, Mr. Zimmer."

The moment the elevator door opened, Han Yi interrupted Jeremy Zimmer's rambling narration.
To be continued...