ICM: Let the Barbecuing Begin!
One of the unfortunate realities of a merger between talent agencies is layoffs: 24 hours after ICM announced it's buying Broder Webb et al., lots of longtime ICM-ers have been cut loose. Via email, no less, per Defamer.
Even more unfortunate: We hear that ICM's annual staff barbecue was this afternoon, held as it always is, at a local retirement home.
Gee, that's not awkwardly timed at all.
One imagines an oblivious Jeff Berg bellowing, "Allow the smoky scent of this delicious, roasted meat remind you of the flesh of your recently-fricasseed colleagues, dear staffers!" -- as every Blackberry vibration sends a jolt of fear through the bodies of the remaining agents in attendance.
(God! Mine just went off! Do I still have a job?!)
In the meantime, if ICM paid $70 million or so for BWCS as the Hollywood Reporter suggests, then what's ICM to do with the other $30 million from its recapitalization?
If you want our guess, and that of several ICM staffers, the answer is "poach talent agents from rivals," then come on down! We've got a plate of beef ribs for you!
(At least, we think their beef ribs.)
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