Jeffrey Berg, who ran ICM for over 20 years, has started a new full service agency called Resolution which will have offices in Los Angeles and New York and will include a literary arm. Jeff Franklin, an entrepreneur and film producer, is COO.
Berg is being funded, in part, by Najafi Companies, a private equity firm which also owns DirectBrands (the company which has Bookspan book clubs under its umbrella). A vetern of the agency world, Berg started as a literary and film agent at CMA in 1969. After CMA merged with IFA, creating ICM, Berg became head of the agency's literary and motion picture department. Last year, Berg sold his interest in ICM to the management group at the agency. (The agency took itself private in 1988.)
Resolution will be focused on talent representation, but will also offer financial services/advice. In a release about the company, this part of the business was explained as covering "the sale of libraries and catalogues, financial transactions for media companies, raising capital for independent and studio films, providing restructuring advice and the sale and licensing of independently financed films and television series to the domestic and international markets."
At Resolution, Berg will have the title of chairman and CEO. Jahm Najafi and Franklin, along with Berg, will all serve on Resolution's board. On the company's executive team, among others, will be Laura Li (a former WME executive); Randy Greenberg (who was at MGM); and Jon Gumpert (who was with Universal Pictures).
