William Morris Merger Talks Rumored: Reports are...

William Morris Merger Talks Rumored: Reports are circulating in Hollywood that the venerable William Morris Agency is in merger talks with the smaller Triad Artists. Mike Simpson, co-head of William Morris’ film division, declined comment except to say: “There are a number of agencies that have approached us to talk about various things.” Triad officials did not return phone calls. The reports come in the wake of an executive shuffle at William Morris and the agency’s loss of some key agents and clients, most recently actor Tom Hanks. Hanks joined Creative Artists Agency this week after what one industry insider described as a “three-year pursuit by (CAA Chairman Michael) Ovitz.”