SANTA MONICA, Calif., Dec. 15/PRNewswire/ -- 2009 has been a tumultuous year in the world of talent representation, as two of the most powerful agencies merged into one new super-company, and the economic climate forced agents, managers and attorneys everywhere to be creative in their dealmaking.

The man who is to be U.S. President-elect Barack Obama's chief of staff inspired the character of Josh Lyman on TV's "The West Wing," Us Weekly said. Bradley Whitford played the idealistic, workaholic Deputy Chief of Staff Lymon on the celebrated political drama for seven years. Illinois Rep.