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NAMES & JOBS
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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