Resolution Becomes First Hollywood Agency to Take Chinese Investment

Bison Capital Holdings will invest in Jeff Berg’s agency

Bison Capital Holdings, a Beijing-based financial company, has invested in Resolution, Jeff Berg‘s talent and literary agency, the companies said Tuesday. Resolution did not disclose the size of the investment, nor how large a stake Bison would take in the year-old agency.

Berg has been looking to expand his company’s footprint in China, discussing options with Jahm Najafi, his initial investor, and David Unger, an agent he tasked with mounting a strategy for the world’s largest country.

“This partnership will allow us to fund strategic expansion in the global marketplace,” Berg said in a statement. Major agencies CAA and WME have taken outside investment, but from U.S.-based venture capital firms. CAA has its own office in Beijing, and every large agency and film studio is looking for new opportunities in China, where moviegoers spend more on films than in any country but the United States.

Also read: Hollywood Talent Agencies Place Bets on Digital as Film and TV Falter

Bison has also invested in AirMedia Group, a top advertising company. Peixin Wu, the founder of Bison Capital Holding, is an independent director of Bona Film Group, a leading Chinese entertainment companies partially owned by Fox. Jack Gao, a top Fox executive, has joined Resolution’s board of directors.

“An important element of our decision to partner with Resolution is the reputations of the senior team who are recognized professionals around the world,”  Xu said in a statement. “In addition to the financial opportunity, we now have access to relationships and information that will be critical in enhancing our platform in China.”

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