The William Morris Agency has undergone a major management restructuring. Three of its top executives — including Richard Rosenberg, executive VP/worldwide head of personal appearances for the music department — have resigned, effective Dec. 27.
Rosenberg, who has also been a member of the WMA board of directors, is leaving “due to philosophical differences regarding the focus and direction of the company,” according to a WMA statement. Rosenberg and the other departing WMA executives — worldwide head of television Sam Haskell and COO Steve Kram — have also sold their ownership shares back to WMA.
Rosenberg had been with WMA since 1992, when he joined through the acquisition of Triad, the agency he co-founded. While at WMA, Rosenberg supervised the Nashville office and expansion into Miami. Rosenberg oversaw WMA’s music department along with worldwide head of music Peter Grosslight, who will assume all of Rosenberg’s responsibilities.
WMA’s roster of music clients includes Lonestar, James Brown, Blues Traveler, Barry Manilow, Van Halen, Aretha Franklin, Diana Krall, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Big & Rich, Whitney Houston and Michelle Branch.
Also as part of the restructuring, WMA has promoted Dave Wirtschafter to president, Irv Weintraub to COO and Michael Dates to CFO. Wirtschafter was executive VP/worldwide head of motion pictures, Weintraub was executive VP/CFO, and Dates was senior VP of finance. All three remain based in WMA headquarters in Beverly Hills, Calif.
Jim Wiatt, who had been WMA president/CEO, will retain the title of CEO. Norman Brokaw will remain WMA chairman.
