Gersh has acquired A3 Artists Agency‘s digital and alternative departments.
As part of the deal, 25 agents and 45 additional staffers will move to Gersh under a new standalone digital business. For the new setup, Jade Sherman will run the department, heading things up as senior partner and chief of digital. Gersh’s existing alternative department will now be led by A3’s Alec Shankman, who joins as senior partner and head of alternative, working alongside senior agent and partner Debra Goldfarb.
Other senior A3 agents moving to Gersh include Keith Bielory, Mark Turner, Melissa DeMarco, Sam Schmidt, Marienor Madrilejo, Jared Thompson and Matt Sorger, among others.
This A3 deal marks the agency’s first M&A move since receiving a significant equity investment from Crestview Partners last year and shows the agency’s focus on expanding its unscripted and digital footprints.
“We are incredibly excited about this area of growth for Gersh. Jade and Alec are wonderful leaders, and their group of seasoned agents are a great fit for us,” Gersh co-presidents Bob Gersh, David Gersh and Leslie Siebert said. “The combined resources and expertise within the agency will unlock unparalleled opportunities for our clients. A3’s leadership team cultivated two outstanding departments. Their demonstrated success quickly positioned them as compelling additions to the agency.”
Crestview Partners principal Patrick LaValley, added: “Gersh’s acquisition of A3 digital and alternative represents a key growth milestone for the agency as we continue to pursue attractive M&A and organic growth opportunities within secular growth areas of the media sector, including digital and sports media, as well as international representation.”
