LOS ANGELES, CA – Verve, a literary agency, announced the departure of its CEO, Bill Weinstein, on Monday. The agency acknowledged Weinstein’s contributions as a co-founder and in his 14 years of service. However, no specific reason was provided for his departure.
According to Verve’s leadership, the decision to part ways with Weinstein was made after careful consideration and had been approved by the agency’s board and owners. Speculation arose that financial difficulties may have played a role in the decision, particularly due to the impact of last year’s strikes on the agency’s focus on the literary industry and the contraction in television.
Despite Weinstein’s departure, Verve has stated that the company will not be appointing a new CEO. Instead, the responsibilities of that role will be divided among the founders and managing partner, Liz Parker.
Weinstein had been appointed as CEO in January 2023, after founding Verve with Bryan Besser and Adam Levine. The trio had departed from WME and launched Verve in 2010 after Endeavor’s acquisition of WME.
During his tenure, Weinstein played an active role in Hollywood beyond representation, particularly in negotiations with the Writers Guild during contentious talks over packaging fees and affiliate production in 2019.
Weinstein’s departure raises questions about the future direction of Verve and the impact it may have on the literary and entertainment industry. His roster of clients, including notable figures like Sara Hess, Michael Arndt, and James Schamus, further adds to the uncertainty surrounding the agency’s future leadership.