Books — Consumed

2018 · Michael Ovitz

Ovitz's memoir is a masterclass in institutional power building. The book details how CAA transformed talent representation from a service business into a strategic consulting model, packaging deals that gave agents unprecedented leverage over studios. His approach—treating representation as a combination of financial structuring, career management, and psychological counseling—fundamentally changed how deals get made in entertainment.

The most compelling sections dissect specific negotiations and relationship dynamics. Ovitz writes with remarkable candor about courting clients, managing egos, and leveraging information asymmetry. His description of the Famous Four partnership with Ron Meyer, Bill Haber, and Rowland Perkins reads like a case study in organizational design. The book also covers his brief, disastrous tenure as Disney president under Michael Eisner, offering insight into why operator skills don't always translate to executive roles.

What makes this valuable isn't the celebrity gossip—it's the operational detail. Ovitz explains how CAA built its client list, structured its commission model, and maintained information control. The writing occasionally veers into score-settling, but the underlying framework for building and wielding institutional power remains instructive. It's essential reading for understanding how intermediaries can dominate markets through superior coordination and information management.