Animation and family entertainment reps The Gotham Group have reemerged from the break up of Artists Management Group, where they functioned as AMG's animation agency, and have forged a strategic relationship with The William Morris Agency (WMA). The announcement was made jointly by Jim Wiatt, president and co-CEO of the William Morris Agency and Ellen Goldsmith-Vein, CEO/founder of The Gotham Group. WMA will also represent Goldsmith-Vein and Gotham in their role as producers and expect to announce a first look deal at a major studio shortly. Gotham also plans to branch out to live-action. In making the announcement, Goldsmith-Vein said "The global and strategic strength and brand integrity of William Morris will be a huge help to Gotham Group clients in their transition to live action vehicles. In recent years, animation and family entertainment fare has captured the publics imagination and accounted for an enormous percentage of total worldwide box office. So the association of our two companies will enable us to enhance creative opportunities and maximize growth for all our clients." The Gotham Group boasts a roster of over 250 top directors, writers, producers, illustrators, artists and content creators. Included among its clients are Paul Germain & Joe Ansolabehere, co-creators of RUGRATS and executive producers of RECESS; Seth Kearsley, director of the forthcoming Adam Sandler animated film EIGHT CRAZY NIGHTS; Silvia Cardenas, executive producer of BROTHERS GARCIA; and Spike Decker of Spike & Mike Sick & Twisted Film Festival of Animation. As for the deal between AMG Family Entertainment (now The Gotham Group) and TV-Loonland that was announced in December 2001, According to a Gotham Group representative it is still on-going. Under the terms of the original deal, The Gotham Group will package and sell projects to the appropriate domestic network or station and TV-Loonland will collaborate with them on creative development, as well as handle principal production and international broadcaster relationships.
