WMA-Endeavor: Bad timing for the TV lit troops

The timing of the WMA-Endeavor merger shakeup couldn't have been less opportune for the hard working folks in each agency's TV lit department. If you hadn't noticed, it's staffing season, that most wonderful -- and busiest -- time of year for TV lit agents.

And this year, it's been rougher than usual as the nets are hammering anything that moves on a series to cut fees and cut bodies (much like the rest of corporate America). It's been hardest on the WMA side where there's so much uncertainty, but tenpercenters there are soldiering through, trying to focus on what's best for their clients.

Unfortunately, even with today's news of the merger agreement, things are likely to remain unsettled for a few more weeks while the deal gets the necessary government approvals.

WMA's TV department had what some described as an awkward meeting this afternoon, after the announcement went out, with WMA chief Jim Wiatt, chief operating officer Irv Weintraub and the co-heads of worldwide TV, Mark Itkin and Aaron Kaplan.

The gathering was brief. The brass stated what everyone in the room already knew (the deal, the name, the reasoning that it's the best move in a changing biz landscape for WMA) but did not address the elephant in the room -- namely the fate of Itkin, who is well loved by many in the building, and Kaplan. Will they stay? Will they move on to other shops?

Just like the fate of the dozens of pilots in contention at the nets, these questions will likely be answered by mid-May.