FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Ellen Levine Literary Agency Merges with
Trident Media Group
October 1, 2002 In a partnership deal
that joins two of the most successful literary agents in the world, the Ellen
Levine Literary Agency is merging with Trident Media Group. The new company will
retain the name Trident Media Group; the two firms will not occupy the same
space until later this fall or early winter, when they move to new midtown
Manhattan offices.
The agreement was struck by Ellen Levine, President of the Ellen Levine
Literary Agency, and Robert Gottlieb, Chairman of Trident Media Group LLC, a
multimedia agency devoted to literary representation and the management of
intellectual property rights across all media of entertainment including film,
television, theater, books, new media, music, and museum exhibition.. Deeply
respected by their authors and colleagues, the Levine Agency and Trident
separately retain impressive lists of hugely successful clients, and now,
together, the two companies will become one of the most substantial firms in the
publishing industry.
As part of the merger, Levine will become a partner and senior officer of
Trident Media Group. In addition to her support staff, Levine will be joined by
her longtime associate and Director of Foreign Rights, Diana Finch. Finch's new
role at Trident will be that of Literary Agent and Associate Managing Director
of Foreign Rights, handling translation rights for Levine's and her clients. In
the new company, Ellen Levine's clients will enjoy the same boutique-style
attention they are accustomed to, while gaining the benefit of belonging to a
larger company. In turn, Trident will enjoy a new diversity of clients through
the merger.
Originally established in 1980, the Ellen Levine Literary Agency has the
reputation as one of New York's premier and brand-name agencies, representing
authors of literary fiction, select commercial fiction and all varieties of
nonfiction. Its roster includes bestselling and award-winning authors such as
Christopher Andersen, Russell Banks, Todd Gitlin, Jane Heller, Mark Hertsgaard,
Garrison Keillor, Michael Ondaatje, Greg Palast and Dan Woodrell. The agency
also represents children's book author Louis Sachar, whose novel HOLES, a
Newbery and National Book Award winner, will be released as a major motion
picture this spring.
Trident Media Group was founded in 2000 by Robert Gottlieb, Daniel Strone and
Shelly Schultz. Robert Gottlieb is a former member of the board of directors of
the William Morris Agency. Schultz and Strong were both Vice Presidents of
William Morris. Strone was a veteran of the Literary Department of 19 years.
Schultz was at William Morris for 10 years and prior to that served 18 years at
ICM where he headed the East Coast Contemporary Music Department.
Trident has made news recently for the deal negotiated on behalf of Elizabeth
George's well-received "Inspector Lynley Mysteries" with the BBC. In the last
few months, Trident has added to its all-star roster of clients New York Times
bestsellers Michael Capuzzo and Carly Phillips. Trident already represents
leaders such as Deepak Chopra, Catherine Coulter, Janet Evanovich, Dean Koontz,
the DUNE estate, Anthony Hopkins, Mel Brooks, Carl Reiner, and Peter Bart.
"This marks a very exciting day for Trident Media Group, and for me
personally," says Robert Gottlieb. "The two companies perfectly complement one
another, and Ellen Levine and I share similar professional commitments toward
our clients and the industry."
"I am looking forward to forming this innovative partnership with my new
colleagues," says Ellen Levine. "Working within a larger group will allow me to
be even more closely involved with my clients. Trident Media Group's reputation
speaks for itself, and I think that Robert Gottlieb and Trident's vision of
representing all forms of intellectual property expands the possibilities of
artistic expression for the clients."
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