While the entertainment industry is going through rapid evolution, WMA evolved to keep pace with the changing landscape of the industry. WMA was ready for the merger as it expanded to represent TV, film, music and literature. On the other hand, EA was launched in 1995, about a century after WMA was established. EA experienced rapid growth, representing talents in almost all facets of entertainment. EA is one of the largest talent agencies I Hollywood by 2009.
WMA and EA announced the merger on April 27, 2009. EA executives Ari Emanuel and Patrick Whitesell became WME’s co-CEOs. In 2011, Financial Times quoted Emanuel as saying about WME: “We built a culture where people are rewarded for taking risks.” WME’s co-CEOs have been successful in implementing leadership strategies that increase the productivity of the company’s agents, particularly those that are involved in the “Farmhouse” training program.
Following the merger, WME expanded and organized subsidiaries and divisions. This time, business authorities recognized the rise of WME. Fortune recognized Emanuel and Whitesell as “Businessperson of the Year” (2010) as the because of the corporate growth that resulted from their business strategies.
WME also helped launch Raine, an investment company. Raine aligned WME with properties such as Zumba Fitness and Vice Media. WME also partnered with RED Interactive in 2010 to provide its clients with access to a cutting-edge ad agency. After two years, WMR and RED Interactive allied with TheAudience to carry out social campaigns.
In 2013, WME forged a strategic partnership with Jingle Punks, a creative music agency whose major business involves creating, publishing and licensing music. WME is also an investor in OpenSky, an e-