NEW YORK (CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — It's official – the merger between two major agencies; Monterey Peninsula Artists and Little Big Man Booking will be completed on August 13th under the Paradigm name.
The merger will solidify Paradigm’s position as one of the pre-eminent Talent and Literary agencies in the world, with operations in Beverly Hills, Monterey, Nashville and New York with 29 music agents devoted to representing a roster of more than 300 artists that includes some of today’s biggest names in music.
Although Sam Gores’ Paradigm acquired Monterey in January of 2005 and Little Big Man in September of 2006, the two agencies continued to operate independently under their original names.
According to Little Big Man Booking’s Larry Webman, Sam Gores wanted the merger to happen “organically,” giving all of the agents involved a chance to become comfortable within the framework of the new organization.
Webman told CelebrityAccess that the merger will allow agents at Little Big Man Booking to continue the close client relationships that a boutique agency specialize in, while allowing them the deal-making muscle and capabilities that a major agency provides
“This will be a seamless transition with only the name on the door changing, everything else that the artists, managers and greater music industry have come to appreciate about this group will remain the same. The excellence that these two music agencies have become renowned for will only be enhanced by their combination. The key to this move is the mutual respect that we all have for one another,” said Paradigm head Sam Gores.
The senior management teams that have made both Monterey and Little Big Man successful will remain in place after the merger. Chip Hooper and Jonathan Levine, along with founders Dan Weiner and Fred Bohlander will continue to helm MPA-Paradigm, and Marty Diamond and Larry Webman will continue to head up Little Big Man-Paradigm, all reporting to Sam Gore at Paradigm.
Says Marty Diamond, "I am excited about the opportunities that our combined forces will present, and am looking forward to a long and fruitful relationship."
"For me it’s always been about our artists, agents and staff and to now be associated with the wonderful artists, agents and staff of Little Big Man makes our company that much more exciting to be a part of," said Chip Hooper. "I am extremely excited about the future possibilities that this new relationship makes possible."
"Monterey Peninsula Artists has continued to develop, grow and excel these last few years working with Sam Gores and his team at Paradigm," added Jonathan Levine. "Combining us with Little Big Man, with their great staff and phenomenal roster and becoming one with Paradigm, is a wondrous thing and I am honored to be a part of it."
For most, the changes wrought by the merger will be transparent, there will be an East and West Coast roster as well as a Nasvhille Roster. Booking inquiries will be directed appropriately.
On August 27th, Paradigm's New York operations will be consolidated at a new location, 360 Park Ave. South, 16th Floor, New York, NY 10010. The phone for the new office will be (212) 897-6400 and the fax will be (212) 764-8941.
Monterey Peninsula Artists was established by Dan Weiner and Fred Bohlander in 1975. The two men expunged the faster lifestyle of Los Angeles where they built their careers at agencies including ICM and decided to create a unique music agency in the quiet seaside community of Monterey. The two grew Monterey Peninsula Artists into a formidable and respected music agency, earning numerous industry awards and the approbation of their peers.
Marty Diamond and Larry Webman created Little Big Man Booking in 1994 literally out of a closet they shared as an office and went on to build their agency into one of the most successful music agencies in the country.
The new union will give Paradigm some interesting new ways to create compelling opportunities for clients. One such deal in the offing will be a collaboration between Robert Plant, formerly of Led Zep and the reigning queen of Bluegrass, Allison Krauss. The duo have performed together in the past but they now have an album due on October 23rd. Produced by T-Bone Burnett, the album will feature new imaginings of a diverse selection of music, including tracks originally performed by Tom Waits and the Everly Brothers.
As the trend towards the vertical integration of the music industry continues, the pairing of three highly successful agencies should provide them the tools to become a force to be reckoned with. – CelebrityAccess Staff Writers
