Former Wizard World Chief Marketing Officer Steve Shamus has formed A-List Talent, a new agency that will operate in the red-hot world of celebrity autographs at shows.  The New York-based agency will utilize the many connections Shamus formed while working on over 100 cons since 1997.

Shamus promises that his “launch roster will be both bold and impressive,” citing talent he’s worked with in the past, including Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Anthony Mackie, Tom Hiddleston, Gina Torres, Nathan Fillion, Giancarlo Esposito, Whoopi Goldberg, Stephen Amell, Jackie Earle Haley, Patrick Stewart, Levar Burton, Michael J. Fox, Gabby Douglas, Norman Reedus, John Cena, David Duchovny, Tom Felton, David Tennant, Matt Smith, Nichelle Nichols, and Jeremy Renner. 

The space in which Shamus has chosen to operate is not uninhabited.  Traditional Hollywood agencies are now booking shows for their clients, and Arrow Star Stephen Amell has also formed his own agency, WFA Entertainment, to book stars for autograph shows, the Hollywood Reporter reported in September.   

The money involved is huge, with stars making up to $500,000 per convention (see “Stars Can Make Up to $500,000 Per Convention”).

Shamus is involved in a bitter dispute with his former employer, in which Wizard World sued him, alleging that he diverted autographs produced by stars booked for Wizard cons to his own benefit  (see “Shamus Countersues Wizard World”).  Shamus has countersued, charging that Wizard World owes him large amounts of unpaid salary, commissions, and options (see “Wizard World Files Suit Against Steve Shamus”).