Exclusive: One of the longest business partnerships in Hollywood is coming to an end. Lisa Kasteler will be retiring from Wolf Kasteler after steering the agency alongside founder Annett Wolf into a PR powerhouse for the past 32 years.
Kasteler will be leaving at the end of the month, winding down a 50-year career in PR, to become Executive Director of the Matthew Perry Foundation. Perry was a client of Kasteler — and the Wolf Kasteler agency — for 28 years until his sudden death Oct. 28 at the age of 54.
Before his passing, Perry had planned to start a foundation to help others overcome drug and alcohol abuse, which he had hoped to be his legacy. His friends and loved ones are now carrying on that legacy with the recently launched Matthew Perry Foundation, which is committed to identifying addiction as a disease, addressing stigmas that prevent individuals from seeking and accessing care, and...
Kasteler will be leaving at the end of the month, winding down a 50-year career in PR, to become Executive Director of the Matthew Perry Foundation. Perry was a client of Kasteler — and the Wolf Kasteler agency — for 28 years until his sudden death Oct. 28 at the age of 54.
Before his passing, Perry had planned to start a foundation to help others overcome drug and alcohol abuse, which he had hoped to be his legacy. His friends and loved ones are now carrying on that legacy with the recently launched Matthew Perry Foundation, which is committed to identifying addiction as a disease, addressing stigmas that prevent individuals from seeking and accessing care, and...
- 12/6/2023
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Wolf Kasteler partner Graehme Morphy is stepping away from the PR business.
Morphy, who began his career at Wolf Kasteler 15 years ago and rose to partner in 2018, has spent the last four years working concurrently as PR executive and artist manager to recent Egot-winner Jennifer Hudson. Morphy also serves as an executive producer on her daytime talk show, “The Jennifer Hudson Show,” which was recently renewed for a second season. At the end of March, Morphy will fully transition out of PR to represent Hudson as manager in all areas.
“It is with enormous pride and enthusiasm that I begin this new chapter in my career,” Morphy said in a statement announcing his career transition. “My time at Wolf Kasteler has been one of the greatest joys of my life.”
Morphy continued: “I have endless gratitude to my partners for their unwavering support and the incredibly talented team with whom...
Morphy, who began his career at Wolf Kasteler 15 years ago and rose to partner in 2018, has spent the last four years working concurrently as PR executive and artist manager to recent Egot-winner Jennifer Hudson. Morphy also serves as an executive producer on her daytime talk show, “The Jennifer Hudson Show,” which was recently renewed for a second season. At the end of March, Morphy will fully transition out of PR to represent Hudson as manager in all areas.
“It is with enormous pride and enthusiasm that I begin this new chapter in my career,” Morphy said in a statement announcing his career transition. “My time at Wolf Kasteler has been one of the greatest joys of my life.”
Morphy continued: “I have endless gratitude to my partners for their unwavering support and the incredibly talented team with whom...
- 3/6/2023
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
Wolf Kasteler Partner Graehme Morphy is exiting the PR firm after 15 years as he transitions to a full-time role in talent management.
He spent the last four years working concurrently as a public relations executive and artist manager to recent Egot-winner Jennifer Hudson and will fully rep her as a manager in all areas by the end of March. Morphy also serves as an Executive Producer on Hudson’s daytime talk show, The Jennifer Hudson Show, which was recently picked up for a second season.
Morphy rose to partner at Wolf Kasteler in 2018. During his time there, he worked on consumer and awards campaigns with such talent as Hudson, Elizabeth Debicki and Cate Blanchett, who was recently nominated for her eighth Academy Award, and recently won the Golden Globe, Critics Choice and BAFTA awards for her performance in Todd Field’s Tar. Morphy has also repped a number of global brands,...
He spent the last four years working concurrently as a public relations executive and artist manager to recent Egot-winner Jennifer Hudson and will fully rep her as a manager in all areas by the end of March. Morphy also serves as an Executive Producer on Hudson’s daytime talk show, The Jennifer Hudson Show, which was recently picked up for a second season.
Morphy rose to partner at Wolf Kasteler in 2018. During his time there, he worked on consumer and awards campaigns with such talent as Hudson, Elizabeth Debicki and Cate Blanchett, who was recently nominated for her eighth Academy Award, and recently won the Golden Globe, Critics Choice and BAFTA awards for her performance in Todd Field’s Tar. Morphy has also repped a number of global brands,...
- 3/6/2023
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Wolf Kasteler partner Graehme Morphy is exiting the public relations firm after a 15-year tenure.
Morphy will officially segue to artist management at the end of the month, after having juggled both PR duties and management for client Jennifer Hudson for the past four years. In his new role, he will continue to manage the Egot winner and serve as an executive producer of Hudson’s hit The Jennifer Hudson Show. The daytime talk show was recently renewed for a second season.
At Wolf Kasteler, Morphy rose through the ranks to partner status in 2018. During his tenure, Morphy has worked on consumer and awards campaigns with a roster of a-level talent, including but not limited to Hudson, Elizabeth Debicki and Cate Blanchett. Morphy has been in the trenches this awards season working with Blanchett and Todd Field’s Tár team as she has been awarded a Golden Globe, Critics’ Choice...
Morphy will officially segue to artist management at the end of the month, after having juggled both PR duties and management for client Jennifer Hudson for the past four years. In his new role, he will continue to manage the Egot winner and serve as an executive producer of Hudson’s hit The Jennifer Hudson Show. The daytime talk show was recently renewed for a second season.
At Wolf Kasteler, Morphy rose through the ranks to partner status in 2018. During his tenure, Morphy has worked on consumer and awards campaigns with a roster of a-level talent, including but not limited to Hudson, Elizabeth Debicki and Cate Blanchett. Morphy has been in the trenches this awards season working with Blanchett and Todd Field’s Tár team as she has been awarded a Golden Globe, Critics’ Choice...
- 3/6/2023
- by Chris Gardner
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Exclusive: Caryn Leeds and Annick Oppenheim have been promoted to VP at Wolf Kasteler Public Relations, working out of its New York and Los Angeles offices, respectively.
Leeds’ client roster at Wolf Kasteler includes Elizabeth Marvel, Marin Hinkle and rising stars Bel Powley, Sarah Gadon and Dominique Fishback. She began her publicity career as a coordinator in NBC’s East Coast Entertainment Publicity department before moving into personal publicity at Bwr in 2005. She worked for eight years before heading to Sunshine Sachs and then joining Wolf Kasteler in 2016.
Oppenheim’s Wkpr roster includes Odessa Adlon, Nesta Cooper, Charlie Rowe, Joseph Fiennes and Haley Lu Richardson. She launched her career in personal publicity in 2009 at Wolf Kasteler in Los Angeles, following a stint in film publicity at Warner Bros. After a five-year tenure at Bwr and Sunshine Sachs, she returned to Wolf Kasteler as a senior executive in 2016.
“We couldn’t...
Leeds’ client roster at Wolf Kasteler includes Elizabeth Marvel, Marin Hinkle and rising stars Bel Powley, Sarah Gadon and Dominique Fishback. She began her publicity career as a coordinator in NBC’s East Coast Entertainment Publicity department before moving into personal publicity at Bwr in 2005. She worked for eight years before heading to Sunshine Sachs and then joining Wolf Kasteler in 2016.
Oppenheim’s Wkpr roster includes Odessa Adlon, Nesta Cooper, Charlie Rowe, Joseph Fiennes and Haley Lu Richardson. She launched her career in personal publicity in 2009 at Wolf Kasteler in Los Angeles, following a stint in film publicity at Warner Bros. After a five-year tenure at Bwr and Sunshine Sachs, she returned to Wolf Kasteler as a senior executive in 2016.
“We couldn’t...
- 12/18/2018
- by Erik Pedersen
- Deadline Film + TV
Allied Integrated Marketing has hired veteran entertainment PR executive Amy Prenner as Svp National Publicity in its Los Angeles office. She will be tasked with managing publicity efforts for the agency’s film, TV, streaming and brand clients, and overseeing Allied’s national publicity teams in Los Angeles and New York.
As head of her own agency The Prenner Group for more than a decade, her clients have included cable networks AMC Networks, Starz, Epix, Syfy, Gsn, Freeform, Travel Channel, USA Network and Fuse, as well as shepherding placements at the Oscars, Emmys, TCA, Comic-Con, Sundance and Cannes. She also consulted on Emmy campaigns for NBC’s The Office, Parks and Recreation and America’s Got Talent. Prenner has worked with national charity organizations and hospitality and restaurant brands, the latter of which will help with Allied’s growing hospitality business. “Amy brings extensive publicity experience and industry knowledge to Allied,...
As head of her own agency The Prenner Group for more than a decade, her clients have included cable networks AMC Networks, Starz, Epix, Syfy, Gsn, Freeform, Travel Channel, USA Network and Fuse, as well as shepherding placements at the Oscars, Emmys, TCA, Comic-Con, Sundance and Cannes. She also consulted on Emmy campaigns for NBC’s The Office, Parks and Recreation and America’s Got Talent. Prenner has worked with national charity organizations and hospitality and restaurant brands, the latter of which will help with Allied’s growing hospitality business. “Amy brings extensive publicity experience and industry knowledge to Allied,...
- 7/18/2018
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
Graehme Morphy and Annick Müller have been promoted to partners at the global consulting and public relations firm Wolf Kasteler, Variety has learned exclusively.
“It is a privilege for us today to announce the newly formed partnership with Annick and Graehme,” said Annett Wolf and Lisa Kasteler in a joint statement released Tuesday.
“They have already proven to be significant partners and we are thrilled to make it official,” the duo added. “With their individual and combined skill set and experience needed in our ever-shifting global media landscape, we are excited to move the company forward with our collective vision.”
Morphy started his career at Wolf Kasteler in the Los Angeles office where he spent several years before making a departure to Universal Pictures, where he worked within the film partnerships, licensing and digital group before returning to Wolf Kasteler in 2013 to work with personal, social impact and corporate clients.
“It is a privilege for us today to announce the newly formed partnership with Annick and Graehme,” said Annett Wolf and Lisa Kasteler in a joint statement released Tuesday.
“They have already proven to be significant partners and we are thrilled to make it official,” the duo added. “With their individual and combined skill set and experience needed in our ever-shifting global media landscape, we are excited to move the company forward with our collective vision.”
Morphy started his career at Wolf Kasteler in the Los Angeles office where he spent several years before making a departure to Universal Pictures, where he worked within the film partnerships, licensing and digital group before returning to Wolf Kasteler in 2013 to work with personal, social impact and corporate clients.
- 7/17/2018
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
Public Relations duo Annett Wolf and Lisa Kasteler have brought on Annick Muller, a veteran publicist from Idpr, as Svp of Wolf Kasteler P.R.’s New York office, effective March 1. Muller started out with Idpr in 2001, first in Los Angeles and then New York, where she has worked for over a decade. She will continue her work with personal clients, on award campaigns and with television networks in launching new and current programs. In a joint statement from the partners…...
- 2/22/2016
- Deadline TV
Public Relations duo Annett Wolf and Lisa Kasteler have brought on Annick Muller, a veteran publicist from Idpr, as Svp of Wolf Kasteler P.R.’s New York office, effective March 1. Muller started out with Idpr in 2001, first in Los Angeles and then New York, where she has worked for over a decade. She will continue her work with personal clients, on award campaigns and with television networks in launching new and current programs. In a joint statement from the partners…...
- 2/22/2016
- Deadline
Sorry, "Friends" fans, but that so-called "reunion" of the six sitcom castmates isn't really a reunion anymore: One of the main friends won't be there for you.
Matthew Perry will be absent when production starts on the planned tribute to legendary sitcom director James Burrows, which was to have featured several casts of his famous series, including "Frasier," "Will & Grace," "The Big Bang Theory," and the "Friends" crew. Perry is currently in London rehearsing for a new play, "The End of Longing," which is set to begin previews in the coming weeks. The Burrows special -- which is airing on NBC next month -- is set to tape on January 24.
NBC chairman Robert Greenblatt had gotten fans' hopes up earlier this week when he announced at a Television Critics Association panel that the "Friends" gang -- Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Perry, and David Schwimmer -- were...
Matthew Perry will be absent when production starts on the planned tribute to legendary sitcom director James Burrows, which was to have featured several casts of his famous series, including "Frasier," "Will & Grace," "The Big Bang Theory," and the "Friends" crew. Perry is currently in London rehearsing for a new play, "The End of Longing," which is set to begin previews in the coming weeks. The Burrows special -- which is airing on NBC next month -- is set to tape on January 24.
NBC chairman Robert Greenblatt had gotten fans' hopes up earlier this week when he announced at a Television Critics Association panel that the "Friends" gang -- Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Perry, and David Schwimmer -- were...
- 1/15/2016
- by Katie Roberts
- Moviefone
Matthew Perry will not be in attendance at the planned “Friends” reunion in February, TheWrap has learned. According to a statement from Perry’s reps, he will be out of town at the time, honoring another commitment to a stage play in London. “Matthew will not be attending NBC’s James Burrows Tribute as he is in London in rehearsal for his play, ‘The End of Longing.’ Previews start on February 2 at the Playhouse Theatre,” Perry’s publicist Lisa Kasteler said. “NBC executives were aware of this prior to their TCA announcement. In other words, this will not be the reunion everyone has been.
- 1/14/2016
- by Joe Otterson
- The Wrap
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Chandler Bing himself, Matthew Perry, will have to send a tape to honour veteran TV director James Burrows at the Friends reunion…
Update
After the initial excitement of waking up to the news of a Friends reunion yesterday, cynicism started to creep in a little. Especially with that quote from NBC’s Bob Greenblatt floating around. “I'm not sure if we can logistically pull that off,” he said, regarding herding the entire Central Perk gang into a room together after 12 years.
Now, after only a day, it seems like his Greenblatt’s concerns were justified. Matthew Perry’s spokeswoman Lisa Kasteler has said that "Matthew will not be attending as he is in London in rehearsals for his play, The End of Longing."
"NBC executives were aware of this prior to their announcement," she added, before mentioning that "Matthew may tape something for the tribute. In other words,...
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Chandler Bing himself, Matthew Perry, will have to send a tape to honour veteran TV director James Burrows at the Friends reunion…
Update
After the initial excitement of waking up to the news of a Friends reunion yesterday, cynicism started to creep in a little. Especially with that quote from NBC’s Bob Greenblatt floating around. “I'm not sure if we can logistically pull that off,” he said, regarding herding the entire Central Perk gang into a room together after 12 years.
Now, after only a day, it seems like his Greenblatt’s concerns were justified. Matthew Perry’s spokeswoman Lisa Kasteler has said that "Matthew will not be attending as he is in London in rehearsals for his play, The End of Longing."
"NBC executives were aware of this prior to their announcement," she added, before mentioning that "Matthew may tape something for the tribute. In other words,...
- 1/14/2016
- by rleane
- Den of Geek
Who got signed, promoted, hired or fired? The Hollywood Reporter’s Rep Sheet rounds up the week in representation news. To submit announcements for consideration, contact rebecca.sun@thr.com. Just in time for awards season Three months after publicity firm Wkt Partners split into Wolf-Kasteler Public Relations and Shelter PR, each new agency has landed an Unbroken star: Lead actor Jack O’Connell has signed with Wolf-Kasteler’s Lisa Kasteler. The Brit got his start on the racy U.K. teen series Skins and was seen in 300: Rise of an Empire earlier this year, but he is poised for an
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- 11/21/2014
- by Rebecca Sun
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Jennifer Hudson's representatives have denied claims that the singer was paid a fee for the Michael Jackson tribute concert last weekend in Cardiff. Hudson was one of three acts who pulled out of the show before Saturday. The Black Eyed Peas were removed from the bill due to "unavoidable circumstances", while Chris Brown was reportedly denied a working visa to enter Wales. It has been claimed that Hudson was paid by the concert's producers despite withdrawing because of "major production issues", but Lisa Kasteler of Wkt Public Relations has denied the suggestions on the singer's behalf. "In the last few days, it has (more)...
- 10/12/2011
- by By Mayer Nissim
- Digital Spy
Jennifer Hudson is embracing a new role beside acting and singing, that is becoming a mother. The finalist of "American Idol" season 3 has given birth to a baby boy on late Monday, August 10, her publicist Lisa Kasteler of Wkt Public Relations has confirmed.
The infant weighed 7 lbs., 14 oz. at birth and is named David Daniel Otunga Jr. He is the first child for Jennifer and her actor fiance David Otunga, who have been engaged since September last year. "The baby is beautiful and perfect," Lisa says in a statement, adding "His parents are ecstatic."
Throughout her pregnancy, Jennifer Hudson had never confirmed that she was an expectant mother though Essence magazine broke the news of her pregnancy in April, six months after her mother, brother, and young nephew were murdered. She instead allowed her growing baby bump to speak for itself. She and David Otunga also kept the sex of their baby a surprise.
The infant weighed 7 lbs., 14 oz. at birth and is named David Daniel Otunga Jr. He is the first child for Jennifer and her actor fiance David Otunga, who have been engaged since September last year. "The baby is beautiful and perfect," Lisa says in a statement, adding "His parents are ecstatic."
Throughout her pregnancy, Jennifer Hudson had never confirmed that she was an expectant mother though Essence magazine broke the news of her pregnancy in April, six months after her mother, brother, and young nephew were murdered. She instead allowed her growing baby bump to speak for itself. She and David Otunga also kept the sex of their baby a surprise.
- 8/12/2009
- by AceShowbiz.com
- Aceshowbiz
Latest: A representative for Warner Bros film studio has quashed speculation of a Friends reunion movie.
The hit TV sitcom - which starred Courteney Cox, Jennifer Aniston, Lisa Kudrow, David Schwimmer, Matthew Perry and Matt LeBlanc - came to an end in 2004 after a 10-year run.
It was rumoured earlier this week (begs30Jun08) that Cox and Aniston were keen to reprise their roles for a movie version of the show, as long as the story was right.
They were alleged to have been inspired by the massive box office success of Sex and the City: The Movie, which was turned from a TV series into a big-screen film earlier this year.
But the claims have been refuted by executives at Warner Bros, the studio behind Friends.
Jayne Trotman, Warner's director of publicity in the U.K., says, "(There's) no truth in the story."
And publicists for both Cox and Perry have also stepped in to deny the rumours.
Perry's spokeswoman, Lisa Kasteler, adds, "Nothing is happening in this regard, so the rumour is false."...
The hit TV sitcom - which starred Courteney Cox, Jennifer Aniston, Lisa Kudrow, David Schwimmer, Matthew Perry and Matt LeBlanc - came to an end in 2004 after a 10-year run.
It was rumoured earlier this week (begs30Jun08) that Cox and Aniston were keen to reprise their roles for a movie version of the show, as long as the story was right.
They were alleged to have been inspired by the massive box office success of Sex and the City: The Movie, which was turned from a TV series into a big-screen film earlier this year.
But the claims have been refuted by executives at Warner Bros, the studio behind Friends.
Jayne Trotman, Warner's director of publicity in the U.K., says, "(There's) no truth in the story."
And publicists for both Cox and Perry have also stepped in to deny the rumours.
Perry's spokeswoman, Lisa Kasteler, adds, "Nothing is happening in this regard, so the rumour is false."...
- 7/4/2008
- WENN
Former Friends star Matthew Perry is reportedly a single man once again, after parting ways with his longtime girlfriend Rachel Dunn. Dunn, a former fashion student, and Perry met in 2003. And things were going so well that late last year, she briefly moved from New York to Los Angeles to be closer to her beau, but eventually returned home several weeks later. A pal tells People magazine, "There was no drama involved (in the break-up), just a commitment by Matthew to stay focused on his sobriety." Perry, 35, has publicly battled addiction to both alcohol and prescription painkillers in the past. Perry's publicist, Lisa Kasteler, has declined to comment on reports of the split.
- 6/16/2005
- WENN
Cate Blanchett has rushed back to Britain with her young son after he was burned in an accident in Morocco. Blanchett - who's shooting her new movie Babel alongside Brad Pitt in the African country - traveled with one-year-old Roman to a Marrakech hospital following the incident on Sunday. However, worried Blanchett loaned a private jet to whisk her child to a top burns specialist in London. Her publicist Lisa Kasteler says, "Roman had an accident and he's being treated for a minor burn. He's not on a drip. He's still being treated and Cate is with him. I think Cate will return to Morocco in a few days. She's almost finished filming." It's not known exactly how little Roman sustained his injury. Blanchett celebrated her 36th birthday with screenwriter husband Andrew Upton and sons Dashiell, three, and Roman in Marrakech on Saturday.
- 5/18/2005
- WENN
Matthew Perry is back home from his brief hospital stay after suffering a series of severe drug-induced seizures. The Friends star, who played Chandler Bing in the defunct TV comedy, stayed overnight for doctor-ordered observation at Los Angeles' UCLA hospital after being admitted last Wednesday following an adverse reaction to prescription medicine. Perry's publicist Lisa Kasteler says, "He's home. He's fine." While Perry has been in-and-out of rehabilitation since 1997 for prescription drug addiction, Kasteler says last week's hospitalization is unrelated to those incidents.
- 2/16/2005
- WENN
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