Jeff Kwatinetz Leaves The Firm

Going Solo

Super-manager JEFF KWATINETZ has left the management empire he co-founded, THE FIRM. VARIETY reports he told the staff that THE FIRM "was an embodiment of RICK YORN, DAVE BARAM and myself" -- and since YORN and BARTAM had left to form a new entity, there was no reason for him to stay with the company.

KWATINETZ is expected to start his own entertainment company, with an unspecified number of current FIRM employees and current music clients such as KORN, JANE'S ADDICTION and ICE CUBE. The new company will also focus on music, TV and film management as well as production.

Launching in 1997, KWATINETZ built THE FIRM first with music clients, then expanded with the purchase of ARTISTS MANAGEMENT GROUP, which brought in movie clients such as LEONARDO DICAPRIO, MARTIN SCORSESE, CAMERON DIAZ and VIN DIESEL. The company grew again after the 2004 merger with former WALT DISNEY STUDIOS Pres. RICH FRANK's entertainment marketing company. What happens to what's left of THE FIRM is unclear, but it would be surprising to see it continue.

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