ICM Joins Joint Venture To Support New Companies
Posted on Wednesday July 30, 2014

ICM Partners has teamed with software company Originate and law firm Manatt, Phelps & Phillips to support the new venture, called O Labs. The mission is to create as many as five companies a year that — as the firm’s announcement puts it — “address the challenges facing large and growing enterprises” which will start with gaming and could soon include digital video. The partners are keeping key details of their two-year agreement close to the vest: They aren’t saying how much the partners are investing in O Labs. CEO Matthew Pierce tells me that one of them has a majority stake in the JV, but won’t say which one. The idea is that their skills in promotion, software, and the law complement each other and can be invaluable for new ventures. For the most part O Labs-supported firms will “be behind the scenes at the companies you see,” Pierce says, although they’re “not afraid” to be out front. O Labs’ first new company is Versus, which will help video game makers offer opportunities for players to bet real cash on the outcome. “We worked hard with Manatt to be sure it’s legal,” Pierce says. That means firms offering the service must tailor the rules to laws in different states and districts and be able to verify the location and age of the players. Despite the complexity, game makers could be interested because “it’s a way to monetize your back catalog.” O ... Read More »

Andrew Lloyd Webber Suing ‘Spidey’ Producer Michael Cohl Over Aborted ‘Superstar’ Tour
Posted on Wednesday July 30, 2014

UPDATE July 30 — More Cohl background in fifth paragraph: While shameless, erstwhile rock promoter Michael Cohl let the New York Times bullhorn his vague plans for two new live-theater projects, Andrew Lloyd Webber‘s Really Useful Group has confirmed its own plan to sue the Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark producer for the stunning cancellation of a North American Tour of Jesus Christ Superstar that had been planned for this summer. RUG “is taking legal action against Michael Cohl’s Options Clause Entertainment following his cancellation of the 2014 North American Tour of Jesus Christ Superstar,” Lloyd Webber announced through UK spokeswoman Janine Shalom. “The Really Useful Group (RUG) has no option but to proceed with legal action to recover its costs associated with the project and in turn, satisfy outstanding payments to suppliers and contractors.” Cohl and his producing partner Jeremiah Harris took over the foundering production of Spider-Man at the request of U2 superstars Bono and The Edge, who wrote the score for the Julie Taymor-helmed show. By the time they were done, Taymor had been fired, half a dozen openings had been postponed, several people had been seriously injured, the show had become the butt of jokes ranging from Late Night With David Letterman to the cover of the New Yorker magazine — ... Read More »

‘Downton Abbey’ Broadcaster ITV Projects Growth, Will Not Sell Assets
Posted on Wednesday July 30, 2014

ITV, the UK’s leading — and highly acquisitive — commercial broadcaster said this morning that it’s on track to deliver another year of growth despite a 3% drop in viewing figures for the flagship channel over the first six months of 2014. In releasing its half-year results, the company says external revenues are up 7% to £1,225M ($2,074M). That includes increases in non-advertising, online, pay, interactive, and ITV Studios revenues. The latter, which is one of the key areas the company has been focusing on, is up 2% to £402M ($681M). ITV has acquired a slew of independent production companies over the past nearly two years, most recently taking 80% of Pawn Stars maker Leftfield Entertainment. The broadcaster has also been on a transformation plan to reduce debt and says its total cost savings for the full year is ahead of target at about £15M ($25.4M). The acquisitions, it says, will “ensure continued good growth in ITV Studios this year and into next year” while a return to organic growth will be seen in 2015 helped by investment in scripted programming. The evolving strategy will include an increasing emphasis on international content creation and distribution. However, ITV is not expecting to be acquired itself. Liberty Global recently bought BSkyB’s 6.4% holding in ITV, but boss Adam Crozier said today that the broadcaster doesn’t plan to sell parts ... Read More »

The Boy Who Lived: Warner Bros Sets Harry Potter Global Development Team
Posted on Wednesday July 30, 2014

Harry Potter is also known as “the boy who lived” — and Warner Bros wants to keep it that way. The studio, which has been behind the franchise from the start way back in 2001, has now created a dedicated team to oversee its ongoing relationship with Potter creator JK Rowling. The Harry Potter Global Franchise Development team will be based in London and Burbank, and will help foster the studio’s expanded creative partnership with Rowling. Warner UK, Ireland and Spain President and Managing Director Josh Berger will add the title of President of HPGFD to his current role. The team will develop and execute a “high-level strategic vision” for the Potter brand, and its ancillary businesses, working closely with Rowling’s team at The Blair Partnership and other stakeholders and partners. Berger will be supported by Polly Cochrane in London, and Paul Condolora in Burbank. Warner says the creation of HPGFD reflects the continuing expansion of the Potter franchise. That now includes the upcoming film series Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them; the Making of Harry Potter studio tour at Warner’s Leavesden Studios outside London; the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Japan and the expansion of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Florida; a suite of Harry Potter digital services and products including the website ... Read More »

Katie Holmes Options Mother-Daughter Tale ‘All We Had’
Posted on Wednesday July 30, 2014

Katie Holmes has just optioned first- time author and full time artist Annie Weatherwax’s first novel, All We Had, and will develop it as a vehicle for herself. The book will be released on August 5.. The story focuses on a mother and daughter who have nothing in their lives except each other. The mother sacrifices all for her daughter’s well-being and the chance for her to get into a great East Coast College to have a better life than she did. ICM Partners’ Esther Newberg repped both of them in the deal.