Exclusive: Following his stunning ouster from Verve, the agency he co-founded in 2010, where he most recently served as CEO, veteran agent Bill Weinstein appears to have found his next destination, with multiple sources telling Deadline that he is in talks to join Model.
Paradigm declined to comment, and we were unable to reach Weinstein, but we will update this story with his statement if and when it comes.
As we were the first to report, Weinstein was previously rumored to be setting up his own boutique called Novo, and bringing the Verve trio of Devon Schiff, Matthew Doyle, and Jake Dillman with him after they leave the agency. It is not yet clear whether any or all of them will join him in Paradigm.
We also heard that Weinstein’s own deal has not happened yet. But he is expected to bring with him a strong client list that will only strengthen the model, in a moment marked by an overall improvement for the agency. His entry was opened when he settled his lawsuit against Verve founders Brian Besser and Adam Levine, which was intended to secure his return to the agency. Details of the deal are unknown, although Besser and Levin’s attorney, Julie Girshick, of Glaser Well, said in a statement obtained by Deadline: “The parties have resolved their dispute amicably and have reached a confidential settlement in principle.”
News of Weinstein’s exit from Verve came, after deliberations by the agency’s leadership, in mid-February. In his lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court for breach of contract, he later asserted that he was fired from the agency “without any notice, cause, cause or opportunity to cure.”
In response, attorney Girshick stated that “the allegations in Mr. Weinstein’s complaint are false,” adding: “This is clearly an attempt by Mr. Weinstein to cover up the conduct that led to his termination for cause.”
In a report from Deadline’s Nellie Andreeva, several people who worked at Verve over the past decade or dealt with the agency cited Weinstein’s management style and the culture of fear he allegedly fostered as the basis for his firing.
In response to the allegations, Weinstein provided a statement that read in part: “I work with a drive and passion to elevate my clients to reach their greatest potential. I deeply value my employees and the personal and professional relationships we share. I lead with fairness, patience, and a strong focus toward progress and the future.”
Weinstein was named CEO of Verve just last year. Sources close to the agency said that no replacement will be named, as responsibilities for the role will now be shared between the founders and managing partners.
More is coming.