I want to thank everyone for their dedication, hard work and continued focus on serving our clients and agency and helping to position our company for a strong future, Gores said. He was 82. Claim this business (281) 888-4103. Sonny Chiba, a martial arts master and a Japanese actor who played legendary sword maker Hattori Hanzo in Kill Bill, has died from pneumonia caused by COVID-19. Valour! This is one of several important steps that put us in a financial position not only to weather this crisis, but to invest in future growth. Bruce also servedas the Chairman and CEO of the Television Academy from January 2012 through December 2016. Paradigm has one of the most prestigious music rosters in the industry and well-known music agents to match including Sam Hunt (who reps the likes of Diplo, Janet Jackson and Chromeo), Head of Global Music Marty Diamond (who reps Ed Sheeran, Coldplay, Sia, Lorde, Alessia Cara, Snow Patrol and more), Matt Galle (Machine Gun Kelly, T-Pain, Shawn Mendes, Halsey), Matt Meyer (Cash Cash, Tinashe, Halsey), Corrie Christopher Martin (Imagine Dragons, Janet Jackson) and Stephanie Miles (Idina Menzel, Jesse McCartney, Jojo), among many more. In addition, she accused Gores of lying about the reasons for the failure of a merger with UTA. Sam Gores To Paradigm Staff: $1.1M For Laid Off Employees In Place Along With New Interim Funding Line & No Salary For Gores Through 2021. . My father was willing to give up literally everything he had and pack his bags and bring us here, Alec told a reporter in 2016. EXCLUSIVE: It has been a rough couple of weeks for Paradigm since chairman/CEO Sam Gores initiated temporary layoffs of up to 200 staffers in the wake of the Hollywood shutdown by the coronavirus pandemic, followed by a salacious lawsuit against the agency by vet agent Debbee Klein, who was among those laid off. He was 80. Since the layoffs last year, theres been a mass exodus of clients across the board, the former agent said. Alec, 53, is . Our intention is to support you as a member of the Paradigm family. Bob Iger Calls for Disneys Return to the Office But Will Hollywoods Remote Workers Listen? Order Online. Since disingenuously declaring a force majeure and terminating/reducing hundreds of employees based on its financial inability to perform on its contracts, suddenly, Paradigm has found millions of dollars to do everything possible to try and clean up Sams reputation, Freedman said. He worked with such legends as Thelonius Monk, Charles Mingus and Sonny Rollins. The other four are Lee Anderson, Sam Hunt, Jonathan Levine and Jackie Nalpant. Also Read: Paradigm President Greg Bestick to Retire From Talent Agency. A merger between whats left of Paradigm and APA is the likely outcome, the top agent said. The move was a financial step to aid Paradigm in weathering the coronavirus crisis but also to invest in future growth.. Trini Lopez, the singer of "If I Had a Hammer" and an actor in "The Dirty Dozen," died on Aug. 11 from COVID-19. The big agencies already kicked the tires on Paradigm in an effort to acquire the music department; Gersh isnt going to merge with anyone. With an expanded ownership team, financial stability and creative advisers like Bruce to help us assess new opportunities, I look forward to our next chapter.. In the early months of the crisis, live events and movie and TV productions ground to a halt and with them went the agencies primary sources of revenue. In 1993, Gores founded Paradigm, a name he came up with after reading a book on leadership. Compassion!" And according to the suit, it means Paradigm wont be able to keep her hanging on for 90 or so days without pay and unable to seek new work. See a problem? Paradigm is the first major talent agency engaged in television packaging to sign a new franchise agreement with the WGA. Henry Grimes, celebrated jazz bassist, died on April 15 at age 84, according to WGBO. Sam Gores declined to elaborate beyond the memo. Innovative is the same. View Michael's Contact Info. Michael Mando Exits Apple Series; . He did it for the kids, to make sure we have a better future.. YOU'VE REACHED YOUR MONTHLY ARTICLE LIMIT. Sergio Rossi, the Italian shoe designer, died at age 84 after being hospitalized with the virus, the brand confirmed in an Instagram post Friday. Gores is one of a trio of high-achieving brothers making their mark in Southern California. His company has been acquiring agencies, many of them in the music industry" by Claire Hoffman, Forbes: The World's Billionaires - Tom Gores, Palestinian Surprise: "TALENT AND LITERARY AGENT SAM GORES", "Board of Trustees | The American Academy of Dramatic Arts", "Coronavirus unemployment: Paradigm staff say they were misled - Los Angeles Times", "Paradigm Revolt: CEO Sam Gores Backs Down After Music Agents Object to 50% Pay Cut", "Paradigm Agent's Lawsuit May Be First of Many Coronavirus Breach of Contract Claims", "Paradigm Hit With Blistering $2M Breach Of Contract Suit By Debbee Klein; Sam Gores' Agency Says "False, Frivolous & Scurrilous" Update", "Company funds used for prostitutes, alleges ex-partner at Paradigm Talent Agency", "Former agent's allegations of company funds paying for prostitutes 'pure fabrication,' talent agency says", "Paradigm's Sam Gores Accused of Using Corporate Funds for Prostitutes", "Debbee Klein and Paradigm Agree to Settle Dispute in Arbitration", "Paradigm Responds To Debbee Klein's Suit: Sam Gores' Ex-Asst Calls Prostitutes Claims "Blatant Lies"; Agency Seeks Arbitration For Case", Americada: "Gores, King and White Join Academys Board", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sam_Gores&oldid=1128888634, Articles with unsourced statements from March 2018, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 22 December 2022, at 13:58. He also appeared in "Star Wars: Episode VII" as a member of Leia's resistance. [1], Amid the Coronavirus outbreak, Gores laid off a large portion of Paradigm's staff, drawing criticism from media and employees. Here is the internal email sent by Gores this evening: I am committed to improving our flow of communication as we weather this uncertain time. Rosenblum spent 26 years with Warner Bros. TV, rising to head of the division before leaving in 2013. [3] After graduating from Genesee High School, he began studying at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York,[3] and later graduated with the academy's first class in Pasadena in 1976. Chef Floyd Cardoz, winner of "Top Chef Masters" Season 3, died at the age of 59 of coronavirus complications on March 25. She accused Paradigm CEO Sam Gores of using the coronavirus pandemic as an excuse to get rid of agents that he believed were overpaid. It had taken five years to get a visa; sons Elias, Samir, and Tewfic spoke no English. Eight years later, he sold the company, which employed more than 200 people, for $2 million. Debbee Klein also accused Gores of executing a . Ovitz became the face of talent agents, and he is credited with helping to carve out a larger, more competitive role for the genteel agents of that time. We have seen Ms. Kleins complaint and it is littered with false, frivolous and scurrilous allegations, which, fortunately for her, are protected by the First Amendment, otherwise she would be facing a defamation suit, announced Paradigms outside counsel Dale Kinsella late this morning after Deadline broke the news of the long time agents scathing and sometimes salacious breach of oral contract complaint in the early hours of the morning. You are part of this team because we believe in your talent, and we hope that you will be the He was hospitalized in Atlanta just days after attending a campaign rally for Donald Trump in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he was seen without a mask. Back on May 20, Gores denied a report that sports and media mogul Casey Wasserman would buy Paradigm. Though Gores himself isn't actually named as a defendant in Klein's initial complaint, the Paradigm repeatedly with tales of unrewarded loyalty, the claims of "his sexual dalliances with. A fired talent agent has filed a lawsuit accusing Sam Gores, the CEO of Paradigm Talent Agency, of using corporate funds to pay for prostitutes. The sentiment was widespread among the talent agencies in Hollywood and their business colleagues. With an expanded ownership team, financial stability and creative advisers like Bruce to help us assess new opportunities, I look forward to our next chapter. All Filters. As concerts came to a screeching halt, Paradigm found itself in a bind with no cash coming in and no horizon for a restart to the concert touring business. producer Joel Rogosin died of coronavirus at the MPTF nursing home. It said the agency owes Klein nearly $2 million remaining under the terms of her contract and that Gores gambit was to fire her and avoid scrutiny by terminating Ms. Klein in the midst of the present pandemic.. Also Read: Paradigm President Greg Bestick to Retire From Talent Agency. Mark Blum, who starred in "Desperately Seeking Susan," "Crocodile Dundee" and the Lifetime/Netflix series "You," died on March 26 of coronavirus complications. A rep for Gores declined to comment for this story. I thought youd like to know about several actions Paradigm has taken to ensure that the company remains on solid ground. He was 41. Despite Mr. Gores recently praising Ms. Klein as the best agent at Paradigm, he rewarded her loyalty and consistent high-performance by terminating her employment via a phone call lasting less than one minute, the five-claim document filed last night in Los Angeles Superior Court (read it here) proclaims. We provide email, phone, address, along with clients info for thousands of entertainment professionals. The moves come as Paradigm is grappling with a cash flow crunch exacerbated by the coronavirus crisis. Financial details were not disclosed. He was 83. The information he had was his active agents had been approached who were covered by contracts, as opposed to those who had been temporarily laid off. With an expanded ownership team, financial stability and creative advisers like Bruce to help us assess new opportunities, I look forward to our next chapter., Also Read: Paradigm Revolt: CEO Sam Gores Backs Down After Music Agents Object to 50% Pay Cut. The Gores have also retained Bruce Rosenblum, a former Warner Bros. executive in the studios TV group, as an advisor on the agencys growth. Debbee Klein has taken this action not just for her own benefit, but on behalf of all those Paradigm employees in order to ensure that some measure of justice is done and Gores is made to pay for his iniquitous deeds, Freedman concludes with little to no ambiguity in an already pretty stark and haunted COVID-19 landscape. Paradigm Talent Agency fired back on Thursday against Debbee Klein, the high-level TV agent who filed an explosive suit against the company last week. Kleins often abusive and brazen treatment of agents she considered a threat was well-known at Paradigm, and one of the many reasons that the company hesitated in accepting her ever growing demands during her latest contract negotiations.. He wrote on social media of his diagnosis on April 6, but he did not recover. [1] As of 2014, Paradigm represents roughly 1,000 bands and artists,[1] including Ed Sheeran, Fun., Janelle Mone and Jason Mraz;[1] and has grown to eight offices Beverly Hills, Manhattan, Monterey, Nashville, Brooklyn, Austin, Hollywood, and London and more than 300 employees. They effectively held him hostage.. Of course, Paradigm was not the only agency impacted by the pandemic. Klein filed the suit on April 1, alleging that she had been fired in breach of an oral agreement. our temporarily laid off employees. A fired talent agent has filed a lawsuit accusing Sam Gores, the CEO of Paradigm Talent Agency, of using corporate funds to pay for prostitutes. The coronavirus has affected almost every business in the world and certainly our industry. Variety is a part of Penske Media Corporation. However, taking this knee-jerk action prematurely without offering to reduce his compensation and while keeping his private chef and personal driver on the company payroll, is outright despicable, noted the lawyer also currently representing Gabrielle Union in her on-going dispute with Americas Got Talent. He has funded scholarships in the city for underprivileged kids, is on the board of trustees for the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, and previously served on the board of directors at both St. Josephs Hospital and UCLA Medical Center. Paradigm Talent Agency has more than 200 agents representing clients in television, music performances, motion picture, theatre, book publishing, digital, commercial/voiceover, content finance, media rights, brand partnerships and beyond. The move is a financial step to aid Paradigm in weathering the coronavirus crisis but also to invest in future growth, Gores letter reads. Ron DeSantis, How Much Is a Lost Producer Credit Worth? Michael Gores, Soundtrack: Bad Moms. [18] Gores serves on the Board of Directors for the Geffen Playhouse,[19] is an active participant in Conservation International,[18][20] and is involved in Hand in Hand: Center for Jewish Arab Education in Israel. She alleged that Gores partners had forced him to back out of the deal, but that he had falsely portrayed the decision as his idea. Of course, Paradigm was not the only agency impacted by the pandemic. You will be redirected back to your article in, Covid State Of Emergency Quietly Ends In California As Newsom Rescinds Declaration, Marilyn Manson Rape Accuser Pressured To Recant Claims, Evan Rachel Wood Asserts; Judge Rejects Singers Attempt To Add New Declaration To Case Against Westworld Actress, WGA Plans Showrunner Meetings This Week In Advance Of AMPTP Negotiations, Alec Baldwin & Rust Producers Slapped For Negligent & Reckless Conduct In Latest Suit From Crew Members; Claim Actor Pulled Trigger On Gun That Killed Halyna Hutchins, Creed III Eyeing Franchise-Record 3-Day Debut Of $38M-$40M: Weekend Preview, Dune: The Sisterhood Star Shirley Henderson & Director Exit Amid Creative Overhaul, WGAW Exec Director David Young On Medical Leave; Ellen Stutzman To Lead Contracts Talks, HBOs Bill Maher, On CNN As Part Of Its New 9 PM Strategy, Predicts Biden Beats Trump In 24. More. He frequently collaborated with Steven Spielberg, and worked on such films as "E.T. Stay safe, stay well, and well continue to be in touch and keep you informed regarding our efforts Deadline is a part of Penske Media Corporation. View Cell Phone Number View Background Report. He took a job at General Motors as a computer programmer, but hated it. Menu. Stranger Things Stage Adaptation Set for Londons West End, Colbert Gives Disney World Characters Realistic Genitalia After DeSantis Takeover of District (Video), How to Watch the Star Wars Shows in Order, Accused: Tazbah Chavez Drew From Her Personal Life to Highlight Environmental Justice Issues Facing Native Land. Because, as it turns out, the man formerly known as Eliasnow Alec Gores, founder and CEO of leveraged buyout firm The Gores Grouphas a net worth currently estimated at $2.1 billion. In 2012, Paradigm expanded into the burgeoning electronic dance music business by forming a joint venture partnership with AM Only,[15] a leading Electronic Dance Music agency whose client list includes genre superstars David Guetta, Skrillex and Tisto. During the Flint water crisis, Tom pledged $10 million for relief efforts. He currently serves on the Board of Cox Media Group, which is owned by Apollo Global Management. And in March, Gores sparked what insiders described as a fing war zone within the company when he attempted to stem those losses by cutting music agent salaries by 50% and then reinstated them, as TheWrap exclusively reported at the time. of you back as possible. The complaint alleges that Gores was privately in favor of the UTA deal, even signing a "document agreeing to the merger subject to certain conditions." Gores' partners vetoed the $250 million. A fired Paradigm agent has filed a breach of oral contract and whistleblower lawsuit that alleges CEO Sam Gores mismanaged the companys finances and made vast personal gains by running Paradigm as his personal piggybank., Debbee Kleins suit, filed at the Superior Court of California by Freedman, Taitelman, makes a number of incendiary allegations against Gores management of Paradigm, including that he kept his personal driver and chef on the payroll even as the agency fired staff, blaming the coronavirus pandemic, and that he was using the company expense account as a slush fund to pay for his sexual dalliances with prostitutes.. The correspondence to rivals was specifically about agents that were not laid off and therefore had enforceable contracts. Wasserman is understood to be discussing a form of a partnership with the Gores brothers that would allow him to manage Paradigms music talent management and tour booking operations, which are considerable. Want to contact Michael Gores? Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day, Unique expertise on how the law impacts Hollywood pros, projects and processes. Klein put together black-ish, its two spinoffs and much more over the years. She also leveled a series of allegations at Gores, claiming that he used company funds to pay for prostitutes for himself and others. The deal is expected to close in Q2 2021, and the new companys name and configuration will be shared by Wasserman. Directions Advertisement. Adam Schlesinger, Fountains of Wayne singer and "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend" contribute, died at the age of 52 from coronavirus complications on April 1. [17], In January 2017, music agencies AM Only and The Windish Agency formally became known as Paradigm Talent Agency, after partnerships since 2012 and 2015, respectively. However, it wasnt a straight shot to success for the Gores boys, who have come to personify the archetypal American dream. His works included "Master Class," "Love! In January 2014, Paradigm acquired a 50% stake in the London-based Coda Agency. Paradigm stuck with its talent-focused business strategy, and turned down an acquisition offer from United Talent Agency in 2019, a decision Gores may well regret today. Alec didnt graduate from high school until the age of 20. In response to the frivolous lawsuit Mr. Freedman filed on behalf of Ms. Klein which is replete with false statements, as evidenced by the motion Paradigm filed today Paradigm was forced to involve its long time law firm. [9][10] One employee filed a lawsuit, alleging serious misconduct from Gores including payoffs, prostitution and criminal misconduct. Advertisement. While many have recovered, some have died from complications of the illness. Sam Gores, Chairman and CEO, opened his first agency, SGA Representation, Inc. in 1986. Sam did send an email to a few of his counterparts at other agencies saying he had heard they were trying to hire his agents and that was not cool. In Charlie Says Trial, A Jury Says $1.9M, South Park Licensing Deal Sparks Lawsuit From Warner Bros. Paradigm has clung to its . Sam Gores worked his way up the Hollywood food chain. The complaint alleges that Gores was privately in favor of the UTA deal, even signing a document agreeing to the merger subject to certain conditions. Gores partners vetoed the $250 million UTA deal, and the complaint says he lied to the public and Paradigms line agents, claiming he made the decision to call off the merger., Klein, a 23-year Paradigm veteran, also alleges that she had to repeatedly endure Gores repugnant and outdated sexism and demeaning treatment of women, including listening to his disgusting and lascivious comments about his sex life. The complaint also says Klein was passed over for promotion of less qualified male agents at her expense., The lawsuit said Klein had a binding oral employment contract under which she could only be terminated for good cause, meaning her job loss was in direct breach of the employment contract. Terrence McNally, a four-time Tony Award-winning playwright, died on March 24 at the age of 81 of complications from the coronavirus. Such a music roster seemed enticing to Casey Wasserman, who on Wednesday officially finalized a deal to acquire the North American music assets, including the live-music representation business as well as a new operating unit. She was 54.