Richard Weitz and Christian Muirhead named WME co-chairs as Lloyd Braun resigns

Richard Weitz and Christian Muirhead were promoted to co-chairs of Endeavor’s WME talent agency, with Lloyd Brown stepping down as president in late 2022 when his contract expired. Both are agency veterans, hailing from the two companies that formed WME, Endeavor (Weitz) and WMA (Muirhead), and come from different backgrounds, agencies and corporate communications, respectively. Ari Greenburg remains president of WME and will now report to Weitz and Muirhead. Weitz and Greenburgh are among the best Endeavor agents who have handled the WME television operation.

“I want to thank Lloyd for his leadership over the past three years, helping WME through the pandemic and putting the agency on track for its best financial year,” said Mark Shapiro, president of Endeavor. “Lloyd has left an indelible mark on WME and has laid a solid foundation for the future.”

Brown, the former president of ABC Entertainment Television Group, was an unlikely outsider who joined WME’s leadership ranks in late 2019 as president. He led the Endeavor Client Group on the parent company’s IPO and WME’s dispute with WGA over packaging and subsidiary manufacturing. The company has since brought other major entertainment businesses under the WME umbrella with the formation of WME Sports and most recently WME Fashion.

“The appointment of Richard and Christian marks a truly transformative day for WME, which continues the inspirational core of Endeavor,” said Shapiro. “I have seen firsthand his innate ability to lead, build meaningful relationships and leverage Endeavor’s broader network to meet the aspirations of our customers. With a deep understanding of the entertainment landscape, I can confidently say that there are no better or more complementary people to run the agency now. “

Weitz, partner of WME and leader in the scripted television division, represents a broad spectrum of actors, comedians, musicians, writers, producers and directors. He first joined the talent agency Endeavor (which would become today’s WME) in 1997. He was promoted to partner in 2002, when he was also appointed head of the agency’s television packaging division. Prior to Endeavor, Weitz spent time at the InterTalent Agency and ICM, where he met Ariel Emanuel and Rick Rosen, with whom he would be instrumental in shaping Endeavor in its early years. An active philanthropist, Weitz created a fundraising platform, “RWQuarantunes,” which would raise over $ 35 million over two years for the causes of COVID-19 and many other health and social justice organizations in need.

“WME is my home and I am thrilled to continue its century-long history and help set the course for the next 100 years,” said Weitz. “For over 25 years I have had the privilege of working with some of the most talented artists, agents and executives in the industry. I am delighted to have this incredible opportunity to expand these relationships and introduce new ones as I work with Ari Greenburgh, [COO] Dan Limerick and the entire management team to create more value for our customers. “

Meanwhile, Muirhead has been with the company for 18 years and has been Endeavor’s Chief Communication Officer (CCO) since 2014. He joined the William Morris Agency for the first time in 2004 and was named communications leader in 2008. Merger with Endeavor. Talent Agency In 2009, Muirhead became WME’s Head of Communications and was instrumental in integrating the two agencies. Soon after, Muirhead was named a partner of WME. He previously worked for Warner Bros. in Pictures in International Publications.

As CCO of Endeavor, since the acquisition of IMG by WME in 2014, Muirhead has orchestrated the communications strategy for over 30 acquisitions and new business launches. He played a pivotal role in Endeavor’s public readiness project prior to its 2021 IPO and led a global communications team supporting subsidiaries including WME, UFC and IMG, as well as specialized corporate marketing and product development, brand, events and hospitality, social. Media and creative design. Additionally, Muirhead co-leads Endeavor’s government relations practice and oversees its social impact. She also heads the company’s architecture team, tasked with harnessing the collective power of the Endeavor network to create value for its customers and owned assets.

“Since the beginning of my journey at WME, I have had a front row seat to see the evolution of the entertainment business and the growing influence of talent in shaping it,” said Mirhead. “I look forward to leveraging the full scale and depth of the Endeavor network on behalf of our customers, creating connections and creating opportunities to help them build industry-leading brands and businesses.”