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MAY 2020

Joel Zimmerman leaves WME

Guy Oseary steps down from Maverick

From VIP-Daily News

From VIP-Daily News

Joel Zimmerman, WME’s global head of electronic music, has exited

Guy Oseary has “stepped down” from the day-to-day running

the agency according to Variety. Zimmerman was responsible agent

Maverick, the management collective he founded in 2014.

for a roster that included the Weeknd, Calvin Harris, Deadmau5, Kygo, Murda Beatz and Steve Aoki.

“I’m ready for my new chapter and welcome the opportunity to have more time to focus on management of Madonna and U2 while

Zimmerman, who is based in Los Angeles, joined the agency in

furthering my passion for identifying and incubating revolutionary

2008 co-heading the department with tastemaker Pete Tong, who

businesses,” said Oseary in a statement, first published by Billboard.

moonlights as a DJ and radio host. Arriving from his own company Division One, Zimmerman brought with him an impressive stable

Moving forward, Oseary will segue to a consulting role with Live

of artists and built the division as EDM was exploding as a genre.

Nation, specifically for CEO Michael Rapino for the next three years,

The popularity of dance music led to astronomical fees for top acts

while continuing to represent Madonna and U2 under the Maverick

throughout the world but especially in Las Vegas, where seven-figure

banner.

nightly payouts were not atypical for residency runs. A statement by Live Nation notes that Oseary will be “concentrating Speaking at a conference in 2012, Joel Zimmerman famously

on his entrepreneurial interests, investing in and incubating companies

declared: “If there was a movie about bidding wars in EDM, I’d

on the cutting edge of technology and entertainment.”

probably be Darth Vader.” Zimmerman could not be reached; WME has not responded to Variety‘s request for comment.

Said Rapino: “Guy built an incredible team at Maverick and his work with U2 and Madonna is unmatched. Live Nation has always been

The touring sector and the live entertainment space overall has been

about putting the artist first and no one knows that better than Guy.

hammered by the coronavirus pandemic, which has effectively shut

I look forward to continuing our work together on projects including

down venues and the gathering of large crowds. WME is in the

U2, Madonna and beyond.”

process of implementing a significant number of layoffs of agents and other staff.

Guy Oseary Joel Zimmerman

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