Gersh Adds Four Agents To Comedy Division In NY & LA

EXCLUSIVE: The Gersh Agency has hired four new agents as it grows its bi-coastal comedy department in New York and Los Angeles.

Moving over to Gersh after eight years at ICM Partners is William Rodriguez, who reps comedians DL Hughley, Charlie Murphy, Earthquake, Aries Spears, and Gary Owen and recently added Sinbad to his roster. He’ll focus on booking concerts with promoters, performing arts centers, and casinos.

Also zeroing in on casinos and performing art centers as well as fairs and indie promoters is Matt Charkow, who comes to Gersh after overseeing touring for start-up Parallel 49. Prior to that he worked in WME’s Personal Appearance department for a decade.

Marianne Ways will book colleges, festivals, and alternative venues out of NYC. She served recently as a talent buyer for Brooklyn’s Union Hall and did stints at The Bell House and Bonnaroo. Ways also previously produced live comedy and music events including “Hot Tub with Kurt & Kristen,” “Night Train with Wyatt Cenac,” “How Was Your Week?” LIVE with Julie Klausner and Ted Leo, “Night of the Living with Kurt Braunohler,” “Bro’in Out” with Leo Allen and Tony Camin,” “Fancy Meeting You Here” with Dave Hill and Carl Arnheiter, and “Wet Hot American Summer 10-Year Anniversary Live.”

Rounding out the newly minted group is John Shealy, who has been promoted to agent from within Gersh’s comedy department and will focus on college, comedy club, festivals, and alternative venue bookings.

All four new agents will report to Rick Greenstein, senior partner and EVP and head of the comedy division, who now has 15 staffers on both coasts. “William, Matt, Marianne and John all bring specific skills that allow us to represent our clients both comprehensively and strategically. We currently have the strongest and most experienced team that we’ve ever had in the Comedy Department during my 20 year tenure at Gersh,” he said.