Verve: The Culture Shift That Led To CEO Bill Weinstein’s Ouster
23.02.2024 - 00:59
/ deadline.com
In 2010, Endeavor lit agents BillWeinstein, AdamLevine and BryanBesser left in the wake of the WMA merger to launch a new agency built on a different, client-first approach to representation and a different culture from the corporate-minded big firms.
Fourteen years later, Weinstein, who was announced as Verve CEO a year ago, exited abruptly Monday, sending shockwaves through the talent representation community.
At the time of his ouster, the agency’s leadership did not comment on the reasons beyond thanking him “for his 14 years of service.” Verve yesterday raised the curtain a bit in a statement confirming the departures of lit agents Devon Schiff, Matthew Doyle and Jake Dillman, who are expected to join Weinstein at a new agency he is believed to be launching.
In a surprisingly pointed wording, the agency noted that “Since [Weinstein’s] departure Monday, we have let go of a few additional employees whose visions do not align with the culture and the future of Verve.” Verve declined comment for this story.
Five people who have worked at Verve over the past decade, as well as several others who have had dealings with the agency, spoke to Deadline about Weinstein’s management style and the culture of fear he allegedly fostered.
“He led by fear,” one person said, a sentiment echoed by others who indicated that many Verve employees “were living in utter fear” under Weinstein.
A former colleague praised Weinstein’s agenting skills but noted that some of the qualities that make a great agent did not translate well to being a good manager.
“He is a much better agent than a leader,” another Verve alum said.
In response to the allegations, Weinstein provided a statement (You can read it in full below the story).
“I