The Town with Matthew Belloni Running a Major Talent Agency in 2025 With the New CEO of UTA
24 snips
Jun 11, 2025 In this engaging discussion, David Kramer, the CEO of United Talent Agency, shares insights from his impressive journey, having started in the mailroom over 30 years ago. He delves into the dramatic shifts in talent representation, including the impact of streaming and AI on the industry. David examines the evolving payment structures for talent, the challenges posed by labor unrest, and the dual nature of private equity's influence. He also considers how agencies must adapt to capitalize on emerging sectors like sports and digital content.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Talent Agencies' Business Evolution
- Talent agencies have evolved from focusing only on film and TV packages to operating across 53 diverse areas today.
- This diversification includes sports, brand advisory, comedy touring, publishing, and creator spaces, making agencies multi-industry platforms.
UTA Asserts Strong Industry Presence
- UTA disproves the notion that only two major agencies dominate; it holds top stars like Timothée Chalamet and leadership in creators and comedy touring.
- Strategic UK acquisition boosted UTA's international and publishing footprint, broadening its competitive edge.
Sports Expansion Powers UTA Growth
- UTA's sports division under Rich Paul has grown impressively from 6 to 200 staff in six years.
- Expansion into multiple leagues and Europe shows sports as a major growth area complementing talent representation.