WME Forms New Holding Company Named Endeavor, Emanuel Named CEO

LOS ANGELES (CelebrityAccess) — William Morris Endeavor, the company formed by the 2013 merger of the two of the top talent agencies — The William Morris Agency and Endeavor Talent Agency — is returning to its roots and will henceforth be known as just Endeavor.

Agency head Ari Emanuel told Billboard that the Endeavor name will serve as a holding company for all of the company's brands.

“WME | IMG represented a pivotal moment in our company’s history, but it does not accurately reflect the extent of our diversity or indicate where we’re headed,” Emanuel told Billbard. “In creating Endeavor, we now have a holding company that represents the very definition of the word itself, constantly striving to push boundaries on behalf of our clients and owned properties.”

Endeavor Co-CEO Patrick Whitesell added that the core business will remain the same despite the change in name and the talent agency will continue to operate as WME.

Emanuel will assume the position of CEO at the company, while Whitesell will serve as executive chairman, Billboard said.