EXCLUSIVE: In a shocking turn of events, A3 Artists Agency is permanently closing its doors, just over a month after selling its digital and alternative divisions to Gersh. A Friday afternoon email from A3 COO Todd Quinn, obtained by FilmmakerFocus, revealed the decision to cease operations, effective February 12, 2024. Despite extensive analysis and efforts to sustain the agency, A3 found itself unable to continue. This unexpected move marks the end of a long-standing agency that was established in 1977 and taken over by Chairman Adam Bold in 2018. While there is still some administrative work to be done, including processing checks, there are plans to launch a new company and bring all agents and clients from A3 under its umbrella.
FilmmakerFocus was the first to report on A3’s talks with Gersh regarding the sale of key divisions back in September 2023. The deal, which followed private equity firm Crestview Partners’ investment in Gersh, resulted in the transition of 25 A3 agents and around 45 additional staffers to Gersh. Notable additions to Gersh’s team included Jade Sherman, who now leads the stand-alone digital business, and Alec Shankman, who oversees Alternative alongside senior agent and partner Debra Goldfarb. Despite the transition, around 100 people remained at A3, if only briefly.
While some may have anticipated A3’s fate after the Gersh deal, another sign of trouble came in the form of a lawsuit filed against Bold in December. The lawsuit, filed by A3 partners Robert Atterman and Brian Cho, accused Bold of orchestrating chaos within the agency and attempting to sell it off for personal gain. The lawsuit also alleged Bold’s involvement in creating a toxic workplace through sexual harassment and mismanagement.
The complaint sought legal action to prevent Bold from dismantling A3 and disclosing confidential information to competitors. At the time of reporting, Bold had not responded to requests for comment.
