The William Morris agent training program, often referred to as the "mailroom", was established in the 1940s and is well-known for its roster of successful alumni. Since the 1970s the program has been replicated at other talent agencies and studios, many of which were headed by former mailroom trainees. Applicants to the program usually have family connections or a background in the entertainment industry and interview with six or more agents before being considered.[citation needed] Once accepted, trainees rotate through different departments, starting with the mailroom, before becoming a full-time assistant or coordinator. WMA's main competitor, Creative Artists Agency, was founded in 1975 by Michael Ovitz, Ron Meyer, William Haber, Michael Rosenfeld, and Rowland Perkins, all former WMA mailroom trainees.[2][3]
Representative list of notable present and past clients
William Morris Agency is engaged in talent brokerage, and represents a large group of above-the-line artists in the film industry and music industry. The talent agency also represents companies that conduct entertainment-related business activities. In 2007, the agency packaged the General Motors marketing campaign with the Transformers film, creating product placement within the film and commercials featuring elements from the movie.[8][9]
In 2006, William Morris Agency began construction on its new headquarters building. The new structure includes many features aimed at reducing carbon emission and waste, such as the installation of rain-capture systems and bamboo floors[16]. According to Real Estate Southern California[17], the building will be the first US LEED-certified building in Los Angeles county. LEED is the U.S. Green Building Council standard for environmentally sustainable structures. The building is scheduled for completion in 2009.
References
^ Scott, Allen (2005). "On Hollywood: The Place, The Industry". (First Edition). Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press. ISBN 0691116830.
^ Rose, Frank (1996). "The Agency". (First Edition). New York: Harper Business. ISBN 0887308074.
^ Rensin, David (2003). "The Mailroom". (First Edition). New York: Ballantine Books. ISBN 0345442350.
^ Rensin, David (2003). "The Mailroom". (First Edition). New York: Ballantine Books. ISBN 0345442350.
^ Mair, George (1998). "The Barry Diller Story: The Life and Times of America's Greatest Entertainment Mogul". (First Edition). New York: Wiley. ISBN 0471299480.
