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United Talent Agency

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United Talent Agency
Company typePrivate
Founded1991; 33 years ago (1991)
Founders
Headquarters
9336 Civic Center Drive, Beverly Hills, California
,
United States
Key people
Paul Wachter (Chairman)
Jeremy Zimmer (CEO)
David Kramer (President)
Jay Sures (Vice Chairman)
Number of employees
  • 1,400 (2021)
Divisions
  • UTA Brand Studio
    • Digital
    • Film
    • UTA Fine Arts
    • UTA Foundation
    • UTA IQ
    • UTA Marketing
    • UTA Music
    • News & Broadcast
    • Speakers
    • UTA Sports
    • TV
    • UTA Ventures
Websiteunitedtalent.com

United Talent Agency (UTA) is a global talent agency based in Beverly Hills, California. Established in 1991, it represents artists and other professionals across the entertainment industry. As of 2021, the company has more than 1,400 global employees. UTA has divisions focused on film, television, music, sports, digital, books, video games, branding and licensing, speaking, marketing, fine arts, news, and broadcasting, among others. The agency also operates the non-profit UTA Foundation.

Corporate overview

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UTA, established in 1991, is a private company representing talent in a variety of industries, including film, television, digital media, publishing, music, and video games.[1] It is one of the largest such agencies in the world, with approximately 300 agents representing actors, directors, producers, recording artists, writers, and other professionals.[2] Its services also include brand management, film financing and packaging, licensing, marketing, strategic management, and venture capital financing for companies.[3] In addition to Beverly Hills, UTA has offices in Atlanta, Chicago, London, Malmö, Miami, Nashville, and New York.[4] UTA has over 1400 employees worldwide.[5]

The company operates as a partnership,[6] co-founded by Jim Berkus, Peter Benedek and [7] Jeremy Zimmer, [8] who is chief executive officer (CEO).[7] Paul Wachter is chairman,[9] David Kramer is president and Jay Sures is vice chairman.[10] These executives are on the board of directors along with Andrew Thau, Rich Paul, Blair Kohan, Matt Rice, Bob Roback,[11] Ceci Kurzman, Kasper Knokgaard, Sydney Pardey and Philippe Bouchard.[12]

History

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Founding and early history

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United Talent Agency was established in 1991 through the merger of the Bauer-Benedek Agency and Leading Artists Agency.[13] Jim Berkus, Jeremy Zimmer,[14][15] and Peter Benedek are UTA's co-founders.[16][17]

UTA had 10 partners and 40 agents by mid-1994.[18] The company began compiling a weekly list of mostly entry-level employment opportunities across the entertainment industry, which was described by the Los Angeles Times in 2001 as "among the most coveted documents in wannabe Hollywood".[19][20] In mid 1996, the company had expanded to 45 agents and was described in the media as one of Hollywood's "big four" agencies.[21]

By the early 2000s, the agency had become known for its roster of comedians including Jim Carrey, Dave Chappelle, Will Ferrell, and Ben Stiller, along with writers for popular comedy television programs.[22] UTA was also known for its television talent, representing clients such as David Chase and Dick Wolf. In 2006, the Los Angeles Times described UTA as a "tastemaker" agency, noting clients such as Don Cheadle, Johnny Depp, and M. Night Shyamalan.[23] The agency established "UTA U" in 2008 to provide skills training to interns by partners and other executives. The program also includes a community service component.[24] UTA was inducted into Vanity Fair's "New Establishment Hall of Fame" in 2010.[25][26]

Recent history

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In 2011, UTA relocated its headquarters to a Civic Center Drive complex, which was renamed UTA Plaza.[27] The company acquired N.S. Bienstock, one of the largest agencies for television news talent in the United States, in January 2014.[1][28] N.S. Bienstock represented more than 600 television news anchors, reporters, and producers, including: Glenn Beck, Anderson Cooper, Megyn Kelly, Steve Kroft, Lara Logan, David Muir, Norah O'Donnell, Bill O'Reilly, Robin Roberts, Bob Schieffer, and Bob Simon.[1][29][28] Richard Leibner and Carole Cooper continued in their roles as co-presidents of N.S. Bienstock.[1][30] The merger made UTA the largest company representing television news talent.[1] In 2017, UTA did not renew O'Reilly's contract due to allegations of sexual harassment.[31][32] The venture was rebranded UTA News & Broadcast in 2017.[33]

The agency created a new publishing imprint called Keywords Press in May 2014, to publish books by internet entertainers. UTA partnered with Atria Publishing Group, a division of Simon & Schuster, to create the imprint. Keywords announced deals with Shane Dawson, Connor Franta, and Joey Graceffa.[34][35]

In 2015, UTA hired a dozen agents from Creative Artists Agency in what was widely characterized in the media as a "midnight raid".[36][37] Creative Artists Agency filed a lawsuit in response.[38][39][40] Also in that year, the company took a minority investment from Jeffrey W. Ubben, founder and CEO of ValueAct Capital, who became a non-voting UTA board member.[37] ValueAct also was invested in 21st Century Fox, Adobe Systems, CB Richard Ellis, and Microsoft at the time.[29] UTA acquired The Agency Group (TAG), the world's largest independent music agency, in August 2015. TAG had approximately 95 agents working in cities including London, Los Angeles, and New York,[29] and brought around 2,000 artists into UTA's client portfolio,[41][42] including Muse, Paramore and The Black Keys.[29] UTA expanded its New York City offices in 2016.[43][44]

In early 2017, UTA held several events relating to political and social movements. In lieu of its annual Academy Awards party, UTA organized a "United Voices" rally outside the company's Beverly Hills headquarters two days before the 89th Academy Awards, in response to President Donald Trump's signing of Executive Order 13769, commonly referred to as the "Muslim travel ban".[45][46][47] As many as 2,000 demonstrators attended in support of refugee relief and freedom of speech, including Michael J. Fox, Gavin Newsom, Bill Nye, Wilmer Valderrama, and Kristen Wiig.[48][49][50][51] UTA also contributed $250,000, plus $70,000 collected via crowdfunding, to the American Civil Liberties Union and the International Rescue Committee.[49][50] The company hosted events for female employees in Los Angeles, New York, and Toronto as part of the Day Without a Woman.[52][53]

In March 2017, UTA acquired an equity stake in the investment banking firm AGM Partners to give the agency and its clients guidance on investments in the media and entertainment sector.[54][55] UTA acquired Greater Talent Network (GTN), which focuses on public speaking engagements, in September 2017.[54][56] Don Epstein, GTN's founder and CEO who represented clients like Louis Freeh, Michael Lewis, Alex Rodriguez, Mark Ruffalo, and Lesley Stahl, was named a partner at UTA.[56] GTN continued to operate from its offices in Florida and New York City.[54]

The New York Observer named UTA one of "Hollywood's 7 Most Powerful Talent Agencies" in November 2017.[57] In December, the agency also hosted Anita Hill at its offices during the early days of the Me Too movement,[58] and provided support to the industry's Commission on Sexual Harassment and Advancing Equality in the Workplace, which Hill went on to lead.[59] UTA became a founding donor of Time's Up in early 2018, committing $1 million to the organization against sexual harassment in the workplace in response to the Weinstein effect and Me Too movement.[60][61] UTA acquired Circle Talent Agency, which focuses on dance and electronic music, in April 2018.[62] In November 2020 UTA signed improv artist Kitboga, a leading content creator in the scambaiting space.[63]

In 2019, UTA partnered with NBA agent Rich Paul to start a Sports division. The untraditional move puts UTA in direct competition with Creative Artists Agency and William Morris Endeavor and provides instant notoriety to the company.[64] Paul expanded the sports clients from 4 to 23 and in 2020 was asked to be on the company's board of directors.[65][66][67] He was later named "Power Broker of the Year" by GQ Magazine.[68]

In 2021, UTA continued its growth and diversification by acquiring strategic advisory firm MediaLink,[69] launching an NFT practice,[70] announcing a $200-million Special purpose acquisition company, IPO[71] and opened a full-service office in Atlanta.[72]

In June 2022, UTA acquired UK-based literary and talent agency Curtis Brown.[73]

In June 2023, UTA acquired New York-based executive search and consulting firm James & Co.[74]

In November 2023, Susan Sarandon was dropped by the agency for her controversial remarks at a rally stating "There are a lot of people afraid of being Jewish at this time, and are getting a taste of what it feels like to be a Muslim in this country, so often subjected to violence,".[75]

In January 2024, seven CalArts alumni withdrew from an exhibition at UTA Artist Space saying that the venue would not allow them to add pro-Palestine messages to their artist statements.[76]

UTA Foundation

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The agency operates a non-profit organization called UTA Foundation. The foundation's annual week-long Project Impact has worked with various organizations and encourages employees to offer community service.[77]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e "N.S. Bienstock Acquired by United Talent Agency". www.adweek.com. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  2. ^ "Hollywood Agency Plans to Represent Artists – artnet News". artnet News. February 11, 2015. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  3. ^ "Curt Motley, Toby Keith Join UTA Nashville". Billboard. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  4. ^ "UTA confirms Toronto office closure". Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  5. ^ "UTA Names Lyndsay Harding Chief Financial Officer". Billboard. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  6. ^ Villarreal, Yvonne (April 2, 2015). "CAA agents stage exodus to rival United Talent Agency". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  7. ^ a b Scott, Andrea. "The Studio System". W Magazine. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  8. ^ Bryant, Adam (December 14, 2013). "Jeremy Zimmer of United Talent Agency, on Accepting Ideas". The New York Times. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  9. ^ Weprin, Alex (February 2, 2023). "UTA's Longtime Chairman Steps Aside As Two Independent Directors Are Added". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 2, 2023.
  10. ^ Hayes, Dade (September 13, 2022). "UTA Elevates Co-Presidents David Kramer To President, Jay Sures To Vice Chairman". Deadline. Retrieved September 14, 2022.
  11. ^ Weprin, Alex (June 12, 2024). "UTA Hires Bob Roback As COO". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 3, 2024.
  12. ^ Maas, Jennifer (February 2, 2023). "UTA Adds Paul Wachter and Ceci Kurzman to Board, Wachter to Serve as Chairman as Jim Berkus Steps Down". Variety. Retrieved February 2, 2023.
  13. ^ "United Talent Agency leases former Hilton Hotels headquarters". November 15, 2011.
  14. ^ "This Powerhouse Agent's Impressive Art Collection Includes a Massive Portrait of Tilda Swinton". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  15. ^ "UTA Names Agent Blair Kohan to Board of Directors". Billboard. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  16. ^ Garrahan, Matthew (October 19, 2014). "Jeremy Zimmer, United Talent Agency: movie dealmaker goes digital". Financial Times. Archived from the original on December 11, 2022. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  17. ^ "Can Hollywood Change Its Ways?". The New Yorker. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  18. ^ CITRON, ALAN (July 26, 1994). "Company Town : United Talent Agency's Star Ascends". Los Angeles Times. ISSN 0458-3035. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  19. ^ O'NEILL, ANN (April 22, 2001). "The List—Where Hollywood Dreams Begin". Los Angeles Times. ISSN 0458-3035. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  20. ^ Boyd, Betsy (March 28, 2005). "Are you on the list?". Variety. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  21. ^ Dutka, Elaine (June 23, 1996). ""Hollywood; The Big Four"". Los Angeles Times.
  22. ^ James, Yvonne Villarreal, Meg (April 3, 2015). "The power of comedy is subplot in agency war". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 7, 2018.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  23. ^ Hoffman, Claire (March 13, 2006). "Talent Firms May Merge to Keep Pace; Agencies are selling to fewer, bigger buyers. Personal ties may set matches in motion". Los Angeles Times.
  24. ^ Finke, Nikki (March 20, 2009). "CAA U? UTA U, Too". Deadline. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  25. ^ Fair, Vanity. "The 2015 New Establishment Hall of Fame". The Hive. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  26. ^ Fair, Vanity. "The 2017 New Establishment Hall of Fame". The Hive. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  27. ^ Finke, Nikki (November 16, 2011). "UTA Moving To New Beverly Hills Location: 9336–9346 Civic Center Complex Named UTA Plaza". Deadline. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  28. ^ a b "UTA Acquires New York TV News Power Agency N.S. Bienstock". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  29. ^ a b c d Verrier, Richard (August 20, 2015). "UTA buys the Agency Group". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  30. ^ Miller, Daniel (January 22, 2014). "United Talent Agency acquires TV news agency N.S. Bienstock". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  31. ^ Kludt, Tom. "Bill O'Reilly dropped by another talent agency". CNNMoney. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  32. ^ Thomsen, Jacqueline (October 24, 2017). "O'Reilly dropped by talent agency after sexual harassment settlement scandal: report". The Hill. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  33. ^ Littleton, Cynthia (September 14, 2017). "Peter Goldberg Named Head of UTA News and Broadcasting". Variety. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  34. ^ Barnes, Brooks (May 22, 2014). "Media Companies Join to Extend the Brands of YouTube Stars". The New York Times. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  35. ^ "Atria & United Talent Launch Keywords Press". www.adweek.com. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  36. ^ "A Phone Call, "Betrayal" and How the "Midnight Raid" at CAA Happened". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  37. ^ a b Barnes, Brooks (August 20, 2015). "Jeffrey Ubben Buys Minority Stake in United Talent Agency". The New York Times. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  38. ^ Rottenberg, Josh (July 10, 2015). "Wall Street investors to Hollywood talent agencies: 'Show us the money'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  39. ^ "'Theft' of A-list clients sparks Hollywood talent agency battle". The Independent. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  40. ^ Barnes, Brooks; Cieply, Michael (April 3, 2015). "In Hollywood, A-List Talent Agencies Battle Over Departure of Agents". The New York Times. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  41. ^ Gensler, Andy (January 20, 2016). "DJ Khaled Signs With United Talent Agency: Exclusive". Billboard.
  42. ^ "Muse Signs With United Talent Agency for Worldwide Representation: Exclusive". Billboard. April 28, 2016.
  43. ^ Weiss, Lois (January 13, 2016). "Hollywood powerhouse UTA expands footprint in NYC". New York Post.
  44. ^ "Talent agency signs for triplex HQ at Vornado's 888 Seventh". The Real Deal New York. January 13, 2016. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  45. ^ "Major talent agency cancels Oscar party, will protest Trump's immigration ban instead". Newsweek. February 9, 2017. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  46. ^ "United Talent Agency cancels Oscar party as an anti-Trump protest: Report". The Washington Times. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  47. ^ Kaplan, Don. "United Talent Agency protests Trump Muslim ban by canceling Oscar party and donating $250,000 to ACLU – NY Daily News". nydailynews.com. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  48. ^ Yamato, Jen (February 25, 2017). "Jodie Foster, other celebs urge action at UTA Oscars rally: 'This is our time to resist'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  49. ^ a b Strachan, Maxwell (February 25, 2017). "Hollywood Talent Agency Ditches Usual Oscar Party in Favor of Anti-Trump Rally". HuffPost.
  50. ^ a b "United Talent Agency skips Oscar bash, throws rally instead". USA Today. February 25, 2017.
  51. ^ Marikar, Sheila (March 13, 2017). "A Pre-Oscar Protest in Beverly Hills". The New Yorker.
  52. ^ Hill, Libby. "United Talent Agency highlights 'A Day Without a Woman' with employee events". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  53. ^ Hill, Libby. "From social media blackouts to celeb tweets, Hollywood salutes International Women's Day". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  54. ^ a b c "United Talent Agency Acquires Greater Talent Network | Los Angeles Business Journal". labusinessjournal.com. September 12, 2017. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  55. ^ Schwartzel, Erich. "UTA follows Hollywood talent agency trend and takes stake in an investment bank". MarketWatch. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  56. ^ a b Battaglio, Stephen (September 12, 2017). "L.A.-based United Talent Agency acquires speakers' booking group GTN". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  57. ^ Katz, Brandon (November 7, 2017). "Content Kings: Hollywood's 7 Most Powerful Talent Agencies". Observer.com. Retrieved April 7, 2021.
  58. ^ Sperling, Nicole. "Anita Hill Schools Hollywood on Sexual Harassment". HWD. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  59. ^ "Top Hollywood Execs Unveil Anti-Sexual Harassment Commission Chaired by Anita Hill". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  60. ^ Haring, Bruce (January 1, 2018). "Time's Up Empowerment Group Starts Legal Defense Fund For Sex Harassments". Deadline. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  61. ^ Hipes, Patrick (January 10, 2018). "UTA Partner Blair Kohan Named To Agency's Board of Directors". Deadline.
  62. ^ ""UTA Acquires Dance-Music-Centric Circle Talent Agency"". Variety. April 17, 2018.
  63. ^ "UTA Signs Prominent Scambaiting Twitch, YouTube Streamer 'Kitboga'". IMDb. Retrieved November 21, 2020.
  64. ^ Stein, Marc (July 17, 2019). "LeBron James's Agent, Rich Paul, Starts a Sports Division at a Hollywood Firm (Published 2019)". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved February 10, 2021.
  65. ^ Skipper, Clay (December 16, 2019). "Rich Paul Is Rewriting the Rulebook". GQ. Retrieved February 9, 2021.
  66. ^ McNary, Dave (July 27, 2020). "LeBron James' Agent Rich Paul Named to UTA Board". Variety. Retrieved February 9, 2021.
  67. ^ Stein, Marc (July 17, 2019). "LeBron James's Agent, Rich Paul, Starts a Sports Division at a Hollywood Firm (Published 2019)". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved February 10, 2021.
  68. ^ Skipper, Clay (December 16, 2019). "Rich Paul: Power Broker of the Year". GQ.com. Conde Nast. Retrieved December 17, 2019.
  69. ^ "United Talent Agency Acquires MediaLink for $125 Million - WSJ". Archived from the original on December 16, 2021.
  70. ^ "Hollywood Talent Agency UTA Joins NFT Boom with Latest Digital Effort". Forbes.
  71. ^ "UTA Prices $200M IPO for SPAC Targeting Gaming, Creator Economy". The Hollywood Reporter. December 2021.
  72. ^ "United Talent Agency opening full-service office in Atlanta".
  73. ^ Kit, Borys (June 13, 2022). "UTA Acquiring UK Literary and Talent Agency Curtis Brown Group". The Hollywood Reporter.
  74. ^ Goldsmith, Jill (June 20, 2023). "UTA Acquires Executive Search Firm James & Co". Deadline Hollywood.
  75. ^ "Actresses Susan Sarandon and Melissa Barrera Punished for Supporting Palestine." The Humanist Report. November 22, 2023. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fk7e_J29TP4
  76. ^ Greenberger, Alex (January 24, 2024). "UTA Accused of Forbidding CalArts Graduates from Addressing Palestine". ARTnews.com. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  77. ^ McClendon, Lamarco (June 18, 2016). "UTA Celebrates Week of Community Service Around Globe". Variety. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
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