Hollywood Director 1992

However, the matter of starting a brokerage firm wasn't shelved.

Once, during a casual chat, Sam Haskell suggested that instead of starting a new brokerage firm, it would be better to acquire one.

He is now a movie company boss and a famous director, with too much work on his plate, and starting another brokerage firm would spread him too thin.

Acquiring a brokerage firm, or becoming a shareholder in one, and entrusting matters to others, would reduce his workload.

Link agreed with his opinion.

“Sam, do you have any good suggestions?”

“Do you really want to invest in a brokerage firm? Let me tell you, this industry is very deep, requiring not only capital but also connections, resources, and political influence. It's something the average person can't handle.”

Sam Haskell shook his head.

“I don't want to control a brokerage firm; I just want to make an investment and earn some money. Based on my personal experience, the film industry will become more and more profitable in the next few years, and there will be more and more movie stars. Brokerage firms' profits will increase, and investing in brokerage firms is a relatively cost-effective way to manage finances.

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. Becoming a shareholder in a brokerage firm means I don't have to worry about being strangled by CAA.”

Link said.

“I'm sorry, Link. After you were attacked, I reported to the company, asking them to contact a few star clients to support you, but my request was rejected.”

A helpless expression flashed in Sam Haskell's black pupils. He pointed outside the office, “Although you are a WMA client, your cooperation with the company isn't close enough. The company hasn't made money from your film projects and doesn't want to stand up for you.

Also, in fact, within WMA, many filmmakers, seeing the success of 'Paranormal Activity,' also have objections. Some are jealous, jealous of your youth, jealous of you making big money. Some believe you frequently hype your movies, disrupting the rules of the film industry, and so on, for various reasons.

But I think you did a great job. A movie with a production cost of $20,000 grossing $600 million worldwide is simply awesome. Link, it's an honor to be your agent.”

Sam Haskell excitedly patted him on the shoulder.

“It's not that exaggerated; I just got lucky.”

Link smiled.

“Yes, good luck, but how many people who make a name for themselves in the entertainment industry have bad luck?”

Speaking of this, Haskell paused, glanced at him a few times, “Link, I'm an agent, and I have some connections in the media industry. Next time you do some news, remember to bring me along, so I can make some money too.”

“No problem. Back to the brokerage firm, you've worked at WMA for over a decade. Have you considered going solo? We can cooperate.”

“Go solo?”

“Yes. After Michael Ovitz switched jobs, he founded CAA. After David Geffen switched jobs, he became Vice President of Universal Music. After Bill Haber switched jobs, he founded UTA. And Disney President Michael Eisner, Paramount Pictures Chairman Barry Diller, and so on. They were all originally WMA agents. After switching jobs, they became influential figures in the entertainment industry.

Sam, you've been at WMA for more than ten years, longer than Michael Ovitz and the others, and you're more capable. If you're willing to leave WMA and cooperate with me to start a brokerage firm, in ten years, no, in five years, your position in Hollywood will definitely not be inferior to those few.”

Link persuaded earnestly.

Hearing his words, Sam Haskell's breathing became rapid, and his fists clenched unconsciously.

“Okay!”

“You agreed? Then it's settled.”

“Wait! Wait!”

Sam Haskell gasped for breath, touched the sweat on his forehead, and said with a wry smile,

“No, no, I was almost swayed by you. Link, it's not that I don't want to go solo; it's that times have changed.

In the seventies, WMA was dominant, and industry competition wasn't fierce. This is the main reason why Michael Ovitz and others could succeed.

Now the entertainment industry has three major brokerage firms and thousands of small and medium-sized brokerage firms. Brokerage firms compete with each other, poach each other, and attack each other. The competition is becoming more and more fierce, and hundreds of brokerage firms go bankrupt every year.

In the past few years, more than a dozen senior agents have left WMA to go solo. A few years have passed, and except for Bill Haber, all the others have failed, with incomes far less than at WMA.

And I'm just a mid-level agent now, with less connections and ability than them, making it even harder to succeed.

Even if you invest a hundred million in me, I'm not sure I can do it well.”

Sam Haskell laughed self-deprecatingly and took a sip of his coffee, which was almost cold, “If it were when I first entered WMA, and you came to me to cooperate and start a business, I would hold onto your leg and not let go. After doing this for more than ten years, having seen too many inside stories and heard too many tales, my courage has also diminished. I no longer have the courage and drive I once had. With my current situation, it's very difficult to succeed in starting a business.”

“I understand.”

Link nodded and smiled. This was probably a case of the older you get, the less daring you become.

“Introduce me to a brokerage firm suitable for investment. If it works out, I'll give you a commission.”

“Haha, that's doable. I've dealt with many small and medium-sized brokerage firms in the industry.”

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

A few days later, with Sam Haskell's matchmaking, he invested $7.5 million in UTA, United Talent Agency, taking a 12% stake.

UTA was founded in 1991, which is last year, through the merger of the Bauer-Benedek Agency and Leading Artists Agency.

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

He had a connection with Sam Haskell.

UTA is currently a medium-sized brokerage firm with only 26 agents and only 65 clients, mainly movie stars, film directors, and elites in the television industry.

Among them, the more famous ones are the director Coen brothers, actress Laura Dern, and singer Sting, but there are no A-list superstars.

Compared to the three giants, CAA, WMA, and ICM, it is still far behind.

It belongs to developing in the cracks.

However, UTA has good future development potential. Relying on a good level of business, it is slowly developing into Hollywood's fourth largest brokerage firm in competition with the three major brokerage firms.

Its clients involve the entertainment circles of countries around the world, and many Chinese actors and singers are also UTA clients.

Its market value is as high as several billion dollars.

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

And the reason why United Talent Agency readily agreed to his investment.

On the one hand, the company was newly established, and its development lacked funds. It is currently in the IPO financing stage, and Link's investment is like a timely rain for UTA.

Second, United Talent Agency values his identity as a movie company boss and a famous director, who possesses many resources. Cooperation with him has many benefits.

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

Monica also serves as his representative on the UTA board of directors.

Link remains at William Morris.

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

There is no need to jump to United Talent Agency.

Ding ding ~

“What are you thinking about?”

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

“Has the company arranged any new scripts for you?”

“Yes, but I didn't accept them. I plan to finish filming 'Ace Ventura' first before considering other roles. It's too tiring to film multiple projects at once.”

“You're right. It's better to concentrate on playing one role well than to play ten casually. We don't lack resources. You can take your time to choose. Don't worry about not having roles to play.”

Link touched her cheek and wiped the milk stain from the corner of her lips.

Monica smiled slightly, straddled him, and kissed him.

Dinner was followed by an extra course, from the dining table to the bedroom, another long night.