Darnell Strom, a former political worker turned entertainment agent, shares his insights on the convergence of fashion, media, and entertainment industries. He reflects on his career representing influential cultural figures and emphasizes the importance of diverse talent representation. Strom discusses his experiences working for President Clinton and navigating elite circles, highlighting the challenges of imposter syndrome. He also explores the qualities that make a talent great in 2023, including global appeal and transformative abilities. The podcast concludes with discussions on cultural convergence and future collaborations.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
Early Political Career Shaped Perspective
Darnell Strom began his career working as a scheduler and fundraiser for former US President Bill Clinton, traveling the world and building connections with diverse influential people.
This experience exposed him to the convergence of political, entertainment, and business worlds early on, shaping his broad view of talent.
insights INSIGHT
Broad Talent Definition
Darnell defines talent broadly, including politicians, activists, CEOs, and artists, not just traditional entertainers.
He believes agencies must evolve from siloed work to representing multi-hyphenate clients who bridge diverse cultural worlds.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Virgil Abloh Inspired New Strategy
A lunch with Virgil Abloh at Art Basel in 2018 inspired Strom to establish a new kind of talent division at UTA.
Virgil encouraged representing multi-hyphenate clients who break down cultural walls and build businesses across realms.
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Darnell Strom’s professional path has wound its way from politics to Hollywood, a trajectory that started with several globe-trotting years working for former US President Bill Clinton. As partner and head of culture and leadership at entertainment agency UTA today Strom represents totemic cultural figures including Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai and Edward Enninful, the outgoing editor-in-chief of British Vogue, as well as Gisele Bundchen and Michaela Cole. The breadth of his client roster reflects Strom’s thesis that captivating, culturally impactful people can come from anywhere.
“My definition of talent isn't just an actor, a musician and an athlete,” he says. “It's also a well-known politician or an incredible activist or a rock star CEO or someone in fashion, an artist … I want to be able to represent all those people.”
This week on The BoF Podcast, BoF founder and editor-in-chief Imran Amed sits down with Strom to discuss what his career has taught him about the power of creativity and cultural convergence – and the opportunities this is creating for top talents.
Key Insights:
It was a conversation with the late fashion designer Virgil Abloh that inspired Strom to think differently about his work as an agent and seek out clients from all types of industries. He recalls Abloh telling him: “You should be representing people like me, people who are multi-hyphenate, people who understand that there are no walls between these worlds of culture.”
Strom believes social media has irrevocably democratised the entertainment industry, making it possible for even an aspiring filmmaker from anywhere to create a blockbuster movie or a fashion trend that stems from a single post. “As you look at the marketplace, both in fashion and entertainment and media, everything is moving at such a fast rate. And if you're doing the job the same way you did 10 years ago, you're going to get left behind,” he says.
Strom believes the changes we are seeing is just the start of a bigger journey. “I think the future of culture is convergence, which we're seeing now. But I think it's just the beginning of it. I think the next 10 years are going to be fascinating,” says Strom.
What the Hollywood Strike Means for Fashion: While red carpets have momentarily dried up for brands and stylists, the SAG and WGA’s simultaneous strikes pose an unlikely opportunity for fashion companies to tap celebrity talent.
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