A Morris movement

Agency elevates Stern, Frattaroli in shuffle

By MONICA ROMAN

TORONTO -- In a restructuring of its New York office, the William Morris Agency has promoted Michelle Stern and Frank Frattaroli to co-heads of the agency's East Coast motion picture talent department.

Stern has relocated to New York from the percentery's Los Angeles office.

Although they have been on different coasts, Stern and Frattaroli, both vice presidents, have worked closely together jointly representing clients for several years.

"Frank and I have a dynamic partnership," Stern told Daily Variety. "Being together in the same office will increase the energy in New York."

The reorganization is intended to better serve Gotham's film business and improve communications with Toronto and London. Stern's move is seen as perhaps the first of a number of moves to boost WMA's New York operations.

For the past year, William Morris' Gotham-based film talent agents have been managed from Los Angeles, where John Burnham and Mike Simpson co-head the agency's overall motion picture department. Burnham and Simpson will oversee Stern and Frattaroli.

Among the clients that Stern and Frattaroli have in their combined talent pool are Gillian Anderson, Willem Dafoe, Frances McDormand, Stanley Tucci, Mira Sorvino, Ashley Judd, Mary-Louise Parker and Lili Taylor.

"Michelle and I share a common vision about representing our clients that puts the emphasis on the long term," said Frattaroli.

Stern and Frattaroli came to William Morris in 1992, through the agency's acquisition of Triad Artists.