How William Morris and other Hollywood agencies are getting into tech startups and investing » VentureBeat Annotated
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All manner of Hollywood businesses are looking at how they can make themselves profitable online. The future isn’t clear for stalwarts like the larger music labels and movie studios. But there are other power players in the media who are making moves. In particular it’s worth looking at the role that Hollywood talent agencies are starting to play in connecting technology companies with the media and advertising industries.
All four of the largest talent agencies are looking at how to put themselves at the center of digital media. Perhaps the one most open about its efforts is the William Morris Agency, which recently partnered with Silicon Valley venture firms Accel Partners and Venrock, and telecommunications giant AT&T, to co-invest in promising media-related startups. WMA’s rival, Creative Artists Agency (CAA), has also been looking at raising a large digital media fund, together with Draper Richards Jurvetson — although it’s still little more than rumor.
Beyond investing in promising startups, WMA sees itself as a sort of “extended business development” arm of a technology startup, much like the role that it takes for the actors, directors, writers, musicians, professional athletes and other “talent” (celebrities) it represents. Take, for example, its role in helping Sunnyvale, Calif.-based mobile video company MyWaves.
William Morris and MyWaves’ growth
All four of the largest talent agencies are looking at how to put themselves at the center of digital media. Perhaps the one most open about its efforts is the William Morris Agency, which recently partnered with Silicon Valley venture firms Accel Partners and Venrock, and telecommunications giant AT&T, to co-invest in promising media-related startups. WMA’s rival, Creative Artists Agency (CAA), has also been looking at raising a large digital media fund, together with Draper Richards Jurvetson — although it’s still little more than rumor.
Beyond investing in promising startups, WMA sees itself as a sort of “extended business development” arm of a technology startup, much like the role that it takes for the actors, directors, writers, musicians, professional athletes and other “talent” (celebrities) it represents. Take, for example, its role in helping Sunnyvale, Calif.-based mobile video company MyWaves.
William Morris and MyWaves’ growth
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