Sher Leaves William Morris for Seacrest

By Josef Adalian

William Morris agent Adam Sher is leaving the agency to become chief executive officer of Ryan Seacrest Productions, putting him in charge of his former client’s company.

Mr. Sher, along with WMA board member John Ferriter, has long been a part of the team that represented the “American Idol” host and his company. Mr. Seacrest apparently liked the job Mr. Sher was doing so much, he asked him to run his business.

Eliot Goldberg, who has overseen day-to-day production and development of Mr. Seacrest’s TV arm, will continue in that role, according to Mr. Ferriter.

“We think this is win/win/win, for Ryan, for Adam and for William Morris,” Mr. Ferriter added during a telephone interview with TelevisionWeek. “I don’t think there’s anyone more qualified for this job than Adam.”

Mr. Ferriter said Mr. Sher’s decision to leave was still tough to take. “He’s been my best friend at the agency for 15 years,” he said. “After working with him for so long, now I’ll be working for him,” Mr. Ferriter quipped.
Mr. Seacrest will stay with WMA, Mr. Ferriter said. Other clients represented by Mr. Sher, including Magical Elves and Cat Deeley, are also expected to remain at the agency, he said.

Mr. Sher takes over a company with a rapidly growing production slate that includes projects at E!, NBC and other networks.
(Editor: Baumann)