Association Of Talent Agents Shuts Down Office During Coronavirus Pandemic; Staff Will Work Remotely
The Association of Talent Agents, which has been locked in an 11-month battle with the Writers Guild, has shut down its offices and its staff will be working from home to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
“These are uncertain and unprecedented times, as the Covid-19 pandemic impacts the health and safety of individuals around the world. The top priority for Ata is to protect the well-being of our staff while continuing to serve you,” Ata executive director Karen Stuart said today in a message to her member agencies. “Upon review of best practices under the Covid 19 pandemic, Ata President Rita Vennari has made the decision that the Ata staff will work remotely until further notice. Although the federal government has not called for full lockdown, a careful review of the progress of the pandemic shows that the Only way to avert catastrophic spread of the virus is stay home.
“These are uncertain and unprecedented times, as the Covid-19 pandemic impacts the health and safety of individuals around the world. The top priority for Ata is to protect the well-being of our staff while continuing to serve you,” Ata executive director Karen Stuart said today in a message to her member agencies. “Upon review of best practices under the Covid 19 pandemic, Ata President Rita Vennari has made the decision that the Ata staff will work remotely until further notice. Although the federal government has not called for full lockdown, a careful review of the progress of the pandemic shows that the Only way to avert catastrophic spread of the virus is stay home.
- 3/16/2020
- by David Robb
- Deadline Film + TV
Updated with WGA and Ata statements and more details: Another full-service agency and Association of Talent Agents member, Apa, has reached a deal with the WGA. The agency, which immediately will resume its representation of writers, also said it will bring the Television and Motion Picture Literary businesses together under the banner of Apa Scripted Literary.
Apa is the latest member of the Association of Talent Agents to break ranks and sign the guild’s new franchise agreement. Its deal comes just days after fellow full-service agency Gersh also signed with the WGA. The other four association members to make WGA deals are Buchwald, also a full-service agency; literary boutiques the Rothman Brecher Ehrich Livingston agency and the Kaplan Stahler Agency; and Pantheon. Non-ata member Verve, also lit-focused, was the first mid-size agency to reach an agreement with the WGA last May.
Until last week, Apa CEO Jim Gosnell had been president of the Ata.
Apa is the latest member of the Association of Talent Agents to break ranks and sign the guild’s new franchise agreement. Its deal comes just days after fellow full-service agency Gersh also signed with the WGA. The other four association members to make WGA deals are Buchwald, also a full-service agency; literary boutiques the Rothman Brecher Ehrich Livingston agency and the Kaplan Stahler Agency; and Pantheon. Non-ata member Verve, also lit-focused, was the first mid-size agency to reach an agreement with the WGA last May.
Until last week, Apa CEO Jim Gosnell had been president of the Ata.
- 1/21/2020
- by Nellie Andreeva and David Robb
- Deadline Film + TV
Rita Vennari has been elected president of the Association of Talent Agents, the trade organization that has been locked in a battle with the Writers Guild of America for nearly a year.
Vennari is president of Sbv Talent, a commercial and voiceover agency that she founded in 1978. She will serve a two-year term as president of the Ata. She succeeds Jim Gosnell, CEO of Apa, in the role. Rick Levy of ICM, Harry Gold of TalentWorks, Shelly Sroloff of CAA and Pearl Wexler of Kohner Agency were also elected to officer posts.
“I congratulate President Vennari and the newly elected board of directors and officers. President Vennari’s 15-year dedication to Ata has been evidenced by her volunteer service on dozens of Ata’s committees and industry events,” said Karen Stuart, executive director of Ata. “Congratulations to Rick Levy, 1st VP, Harry Gold, 2nd VP, Glenn Salners, 3rd
VP, Shelly Sroloff,...
Vennari is president of Sbv Talent, a commercial and voiceover agency that she founded in 1978. She will serve a two-year term as president of the Ata. She succeeds Jim Gosnell, CEO of Apa, in the role. Rick Levy of ICM, Harry Gold of TalentWorks, Shelly Sroloff of CAA and Pearl Wexler of Kohner Agency were also elected to officer posts.
“I congratulate President Vennari and the newly elected board of directors and officers. President Vennari’s 15-year dedication to Ata has been evidenced by her volunteer service on dozens of Ata’s committees and industry events,” said Karen Stuart, executive director of Ata. “Congratulations to Rick Levy, 1st VP, Harry Gold, 2nd VP, Glenn Salners, 3rd
VP, Shelly Sroloff,...
- 1/15/2020
- by Cynthia Littleton
- Variety Film + TV
Rita Vennari has been elected president of the Association of Talent Agents, which has been locked in a battle with the Writers Guild for the past nine months. Vennari, who is president of the Sutton Barth Vennari talent agency, had been the Ata’s 2nd vice president.
She is the first female president of the Ata, succeeding Apa CEO Jim Gosnell in the post.
“I am very grateful to the Ata membership and the Ata board of directors to be elected president – and the first woman president,” Vennari said. “It is both humbling and gratifying. I vow to continue my long-standing commitment to this association. I take my role and the trust the membership puts in me very seriously and I promise to continue my service on critical committees and use my voice to represent the needs of the Ata members.”
Said Ata executive director Karen Stuart: “I congratulate...
She is the first female president of the Ata, succeeding Apa CEO Jim Gosnell in the post.
“I am very grateful to the Ata membership and the Ata board of directors to be elected president – and the first woman president,” Vennari said. “It is both humbling and gratifying. I vow to continue my long-standing commitment to this association. I take my role and the trust the membership puts in me very seriously and I promise to continue my service on critical committees and use my voice to represent the needs of the Ata members.”
Said Ata executive director Karen Stuart: “I congratulate...
- 1/15/2020
- by David Robb
- Deadline Film + TV
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