ICM is beefing up its lucrative international television and media division with two new agents who specialize in TV packaging: Lori York and Gordon Hvolka.
The New York-based York and Los Angeles-based Hvolka will help pick up the slack left by Mike Jelline, ICM’s former head of TV talent, who departed for rival UTA last week. (After his departure, Lorrie Bartlett, Dar Rollins and Adam Schweitzer were named co-heads of talent across all mediums, centralizing the agency’s talent leadership.)
In addition, agent Shade Grant, who works in TV packaging out of ICM’s L.A. offices, will join the agency’s New York office in May to work alongside York.
“The business has continued to expand, and we have been looking for some time for the appropriate pieces of the puzzle,” says Greg Lipstone, ICM’s head of international television and media.
Hvolka, previously with Kaplan Stahler, and York, formerly with N.S. Bienstock, have brought several producer and format-owner clients to ICM, including Sirens Media (The Real Housewives of New Jersey), Mitch Tanen (Sarah Palin’s Alaska), Molly O’Rourke (Top Chef) and Ted Smith (The Apprentice).
ICM, a TV power since merging with Broder Webb Chervin Silbermann in 2006, has packaged such global hits as Undercover Boss and Kitchen Nightmares.
The international TV and media division also represents sports and news broadcasters such as Keith Olbermann, Jim Lampley and Hannah Storm; and reality talent including Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino and Paul Del Vecchio (known as Pauly D) of Jersey Shore, and Audrina Patridge of The Hills.
“The success generated by our clients in the international arena translates into enormous opportunities for directors, writers, talent and producers represented across the agency,” says Ted Chervin, head of worldwide television for ICM.
