The Bookseller.com

22nd August 2008

« Headlines

Curtis Brown nears ICM deal

01.02.08 Joel Rickett

Curtis Brown has confirmed it is close to finalising a co-agenting deal with giant US firm ICM (International Creative Management).

The deal will see ICM Books' London office move across to Curtis Brown, which will take on representation of ICM authors—including William Boyd, Cherie Blair and Cormac McCarthy—in the UK and internationally. Some redundancies are likely in the nine-strong ICM team.

Jonny Geller, m.d. of Curtis Brown's books division, said that a partnership contract was being fine-tuned. "Contrary to reports, we are not selling, buying or merging. We are in advanced talks with ICM Books to get involved in an exciting co-venture." He declined to be drawn on details, but added: "For our authors it will provide a strong base in a changing agenting world."

ICM's original UK cross-media division was sold to Duncan Heath in 2002, and last year changed its name to Independent Ltd. In 2003, ICM Books opened a new London office to represent its American authors internationally, and to build its own list—a long-held ambition of renowned New York agents Amanda "Binky" Urban and Esther Newberg.

Margaret Halton, the agency's foreign rights director, relocated to the UK to work alongside former Viking editorial director Kate Jones. Others at the Soho Square offices include Karolina Sutton, Elizabeth Iveson, Daisy Meyrick and Laura Sampson.

Sloane Harris, ICM's co-head of publications, denied that the UK team had struggled to hit high targets set by the parent group. "They have grown by leaps and bounds in a very difficult marketplace." He said the decision to partner with Curtis Brown was taken because "it's about working with the best colleagues available . . . there are certain benefits of size and scale".

It remains to be confirmed how many staff will transfer to the Curtis Brown offices, or whether the ICM Books name will be retained in the UK. "We're trying to sort out the logistics, and we want to treat people right," Harris said.

Rights Joel Rickett Curtis Brown ICM Agents