UTA has set its executive team for MediaLink’s core advisory business, a key move following the exit of MediaLink founder Michael Kassan in March.
The Beverly Hills-based agency revealed the leadership in a memo to staff Tuesday morning.
The marketing consulting business will be led by Donna Sharp, along with Andrea Kerr Redniss and Lena Petersen; and the media & tech strategy consulting business will be led by Christopher Vollmer, Devrie DeMarco and Mark Wagman.
The six executives are expected to run the day-to-day operations of MediaLink going forward, and will report to UTA CEO Jeremy Zimmer.
“This group has been leading the work and delivering results for clients for many years now,” UTA CEO Jeremy Zimmer said in a statement. “Diving in with them over the last few weeks has given us tremendous confidence in their ability to lead MediaLink and drive the business forward.”
MediaLink has become a...
The Beverly Hills-based agency revealed the leadership in a memo to staff Tuesday morning.
The marketing consulting business will be led by Donna Sharp, along with Andrea Kerr Redniss and Lena Petersen; and the media & tech strategy consulting business will be led by Christopher Vollmer, Devrie DeMarco and Mark Wagman.
The six executives are expected to run the day-to-day operations of MediaLink going forward, and will report to UTA CEO Jeremy Zimmer.
“This group has been leading the work and delivering results for clients for many years now,” UTA CEO Jeremy Zimmer said in a statement. “Diving in with them over the last few weeks has given us tremendous confidence in their ability to lead MediaLink and drive the business forward.”
MediaLink has become a...
- 4/16/2024
- by Alex Weprin
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
UTA has set the leadership team at MediaLink as the company’s legal brawl with Michael Kassan continues.
The Marketing Consulting unit at MediaLink will be led by Donna Sharp, along with Andrea Kerr Redniss and Lena Petersen. Media & Tech Strategy Consulting will be headed up by Christopher Vollmer, Devrie DeMarco and Mark Wagman. All had already been working at MediaLink, and the new move is not quite a round of promotions, but their leadership roles are being officially highlighted in Kassan’s absence. They will report directly to UTA CEO Jeremy Zimmer.
The news was conveyed to employees Tuesday morning in a staff email.
“This group has been leading the work and delivering results for clients for many years now,” Zimmer said. “Diving in with them over the last few weeks has given us tremendous confidence in their ability to lead MediaLink and drive the business forward.”
UTA acquired MediaLink in 2021 for $125 million.
The Marketing Consulting unit at MediaLink will be led by Donna Sharp, along with Andrea Kerr Redniss and Lena Petersen. Media & Tech Strategy Consulting will be headed up by Christopher Vollmer, Devrie DeMarco and Mark Wagman. All had already been working at MediaLink, and the new move is not quite a round of promotions, but their leadership roles are being officially highlighted in Kassan’s absence. They will report directly to UTA CEO Jeremy Zimmer.
The news was conveyed to employees Tuesday morning in a staff email.
“This group has been leading the work and delivering results for clients for many years now,” Zimmer said. “Diving in with them over the last few weeks has given us tremendous confidence in their ability to lead MediaLink and drive the business forward.”
UTA acquired MediaLink in 2021 for $125 million.
- 4/16/2024
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
The latest twist in the battle between UTA and former MediaLink chairman-ceo Michael Kassan is a defamation lawsuit filed by Kassan against UTA attorney Bryan Freedman.
Kassan has sued Freedman for slander and libel stemming from a statement that the lawyer made earlier this week to Deadline, which is a sibling publication to Variety under Penske Media Corp. Kassan and UTA parted ways earlier this month amid a flurry of litigation and arbitration filings and heated accusations from both sides. Kassan’s suit against Freedman centers on the lawyer’s statement to Deadline that “Michael Kassan is a pathological liar,” which was published March 25.
“The complaint represents Michael Kassan’s intention to hold Mr. Freedman responsible for his strategically malicious and defamatory comment,” said Kassan’s attorney Sanford Michelman in a statement. “To render a statement such as he did, illustrates the fact that all Mr Freedman and UTA are...
Kassan has sued Freedman for slander and libel stemming from a statement that the lawyer made earlier this week to Deadline, which is a sibling publication to Variety under Penske Media Corp. Kassan and UTA parted ways earlier this month amid a flurry of litigation and arbitration filings and heated accusations from both sides. Kassan’s suit against Freedman centers on the lawyer’s statement to Deadline that “Michael Kassan is a pathological liar,” which was published March 25.
“The complaint represents Michael Kassan’s intention to hold Mr. Freedman responsible for his strategically malicious and defamatory comment,” said Kassan’s attorney Sanford Michelman in a statement. “To render a statement such as he did, illustrates the fact that all Mr Freedman and UTA are...
- 3/29/2024
- by Cynthia Littleton
- Variety Film + TV
In all of the exorbitant fallout from Michael Kassan’s exit from UTA earlier this month even the lawyers are getting shrapnel now.
Following a Deadline article of March 25 in which the agency’s outside counsel Bryan Freeman called the ex-MediaLink CEO a “pathological liar,” Kassan is now aiming his ire at the Hollywood heavyweight attorney to the tune of $125 million. If the sum sounds familiar, it’s because it is the exact amount that UTA bought strategic advisory firm MediaLink for in a handshake deal back in December 2021.
Coming on the same day that UTA hit back at Kassan’s arbitration claims, the jury trial seeking defamation suit (read it here) filed today in LA Superior Court cuts pretty fast to the chase, as you can see here:
Knowing that Kassan’s profession consists of providing important strategic advice to the largest companies in the world, on behalf of his clients,...
Following a Deadline article of March 25 in which the agency’s outside counsel Bryan Freeman called the ex-MediaLink CEO a “pathological liar,” Kassan is now aiming his ire at the Hollywood heavyweight attorney to the tune of $125 million. If the sum sounds familiar, it’s because it is the exact amount that UTA bought strategic advisory firm MediaLink for in a handshake deal back in December 2021.
Coming on the same day that UTA hit back at Kassan’s arbitration claims, the jury trial seeking defamation suit (read it here) filed today in LA Superior Court cuts pretty fast to the chase, as you can see here:
Knowing that Kassan’s profession consists of providing important strategic advice to the largest companies in the world, on behalf of his clients,...
- 3/29/2024
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
The feud between Michael Kassan and UTA over the MediaLink founder’s departure is intensifying, with Kassan suing the agency’s lawyer for defamation.
Kassan, in a lawsuit filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on Thursday, accuses attorney Bryan Freedman of trying to tarnish his reputation at the direction of UTA in a bid to prevent employees and clients from following him to his next venture.
“UTA has done everything in its power to attempt to destroy Kassan with the hope that while UTA does not have a contractual non-compete, it could create a non-compete by defamation,” states the complaint, which seeks at least $125 million.
In a statement, Freedman said “facts are not defamation” and that Kassan’s “continuous baseless filings and statements are nothing more than an attempt to create a false media narrative and divert attention from his fraudulent activities.” He added, “Today we filed our response rejecting...
Kassan, in a lawsuit filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on Thursday, accuses attorney Bryan Freedman of trying to tarnish his reputation at the direction of UTA in a bid to prevent employees and clients from following him to his next venture.
“UTA has done everything in its power to attempt to destroy Kassan with the hope that while UTA does not have a contractual non-compete, it could create a non-compete by defamation,” states the complaint, which seeks at least $125 million.
In a statement, Freedman said “facts are not defamation” and that Kassan’s “continuous baseless filings and statements are nothing more than an attempt to create a false media narrative and divert attention from his fraudulent activities.” He added, “Today we filed our response rejecting...
- 3/29/2024
- by Winston Cho
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Update, 7:40 Pm: The dogfight between UTA and Michael Kassan has gone today from did the ex-MediaLink CEO resign or was he fired to was he asked to stay on at the agency and for how much dough?
With more filings today and the whole thing looking to end up in arbitration, Kassan’s lawyer Sanford Michelman seemed to blow the wigs off everyone at the 11th hour. After a morning of competing missives, the LA-based attorney this afternoon suddenly announced in a press conference that the Jeremy Zimmer-run UTA had tried to strike a deal to keep the controversial exec on board after he resigned on March 6 or ( depending on who you ask) was fired on March 7.
To back up this latest turn in the topsy turvy affair, Michelman released part of a March 10 potential term sheet between the parties, that read:
Subject to Mk’s execution...
With more filings today and the whole thing looking to end up in arbitration, Kassan’s lawyer Sanford Michelman seemed to blow the wigs off everyone at the 11th hour. After a morning of competing missives, the LA-based attorney this afternoon suddenly announced in a press conference that the Jeremy Zimmer-run UTA had tried to strike a deal to keep the controversial exec on board after he resigned on March 6 or ( depending on who you ask) was fired on March 7.
To back up this latest turn in the topsy turvy affair, Michelman released part of a March 10 potential term sheet between the parties, that read:
Subject to Mk’s execution...
- 3/26/2024
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: (Updated with UTA statement) If you thought the multi-million-dollar war of words and legal filings between UTA and former Medialink CEO Michael Kassan had been bare knuckles before, you ain’t seen nuthin’ yet.
As the LA Superior Court docket sags under the weight of documents being filed in the fallout of Kassan leaving UTA earlier this month, the man himself is accusing CEO Jeremey Zimmer and the agency of “low-rent tactics” by dredging up past indiscretions and bad business dealings – and Kassan’s coming out of the corner swinging.
“With UTA having no legal leg to stand on in its quest to prevent me from competing, they are now resorting to trying to tarnish my reputation,” Kassan told Deadline today. UTA on March 21 suddenly dropped its fraud and breach of fiduciary duty claims of a week before against the ex-agency partner. Hoping to push the whole thing to arbitration,...
As the LA Superior Court docket sags under the weight of documents being filed in the fallout of Kassan leaving UTA earlier this month, the man himself is accusing CEO Jeremey Zimmer and the agency of “low-rent tactics” by dredging up past indiscretions and bad business dealings – and Kassan’s coming out of the corner swinging.
“With UTA having no legal leg to stand on in its quest to prevent me from competing, they are now resorting to trying to tarnish my reputation,” Kassan told Deadline today. UTA on March 21 suddenly dropped its fraud and breach of fiduciary duty claims of a week before against the ex-agency partner. Hoping to push the whole thing to arbitration,...
- 3/23/2024
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
United Talent Agency has amended its lawsuit against former MediaLink chief Michael Kassan — striking its initial claims against its former partner to move those grievances to arbitration. The amended complaint offers new details of allegations of financial mismanagement against the advertising industry’s famous matchmaker and fixer, who blasts the litigation in a statement to Variety as a “smear” effort.
UTA maintains that Kassan “erased any line between his personal and business expenses” during his two plus years with the company following UTA’s acquisition of MediaLink for $125 million in December 2021. UTA’s amended complaint drops multiple claims against him but accuses Kassan of threatening to breach the noncompete clause in his contract. The complaint asserts that Kassan’s “foolish boasts” to media outlets that he planned to launch new business ventures amounted to threats to violate his agreement. News of the explosive split between Kassan and UTA erupted on...
UTA maintains that Kassan “erased any line between his personal and business expenses” during his two plus years with the company following UTA’s acquisition of MediaLink for $125 million in December 2021. UTA’s amended complaint drops multiple claims against him but accuses Kassan of threatening to breach the noncompete clause in his contract. The complaint asserts that Kassan’s “foolish boasts” to media outlets that he planned to launch new business ventures amounted to threats to violate his agreement. News of the explosive split between Kassan and UTA erupted on...
- 3/23/2024
- by Matt Donnelly
- Variety Film + TV
A legal showdown has erupted between Michael Kassan and United Talent Agency over the MediaLink founder’s departure, with Kassan claiming that he resigned after being lied to about his responsibilities and privileges at the firm and the agency saying it fired him for misusing company funds.
In an arbitration action initiated by Kassan on March 12 against UTA that names chief executive Jeremy Zimmer, he claims that UTA fraudulently induced him to agree to a sale of MediaLink “only to then walk back the very promises made” regarding what he would oversee at the agency and allowances for his special expenses budget. He resigned on March 6, preempting the agency terminating him the next day. UTA, in a lawsuit filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on Tuesday, accuses Kassan of treating company money as a “personal slush fund.”
In a statement, Sanford Michelman, a lawyer for Kassan, denied allegations that his...
In an arbitration action initiated by Kassan on March 12 against UTA that names chief executive Jeremy Zimmer, he claims that UTA fraudulently induced him to agree to a sale of MediaLink “only to then walk back the very promises made” regarding what he would oversee at the agency and allowances for his special expenses budget. He resigned on March 6, preempting the agency terminating him the next day. UTA, in a lawsuit filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on Tuesday, accuses Kassan of treating company money as a “personal slush fund.”
In a statement, Sanford Michelman, a lawyer for Kassan, denied allegations that his...
- 3/13/2024
- by Winston Cho
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
To know Michael Kassan is to know the people in his Rolodex. At least, that’s the promise.
The Madison Avenue impresario, who once ran a media-buying operation and parlayed his experience there into a role as the ultimate go-between among ad agencies, big-spending clients and the media outlets that crave them, finds himself — at least for now — without a base of operations.
In an explosive arbitration filing that surfaced Tuesday, Kassan alleged UTA, which snatched up his marketing consultancy, MediaLink, for $125 million in late 2021, had undermined the business since his arrival. Executives including UTA CEO Jeremy Zimmer and the newly-christened New York chief Julian Jacobs “secretly concocted a scheme,” Kassan’s attorneys alleged, that siloed off MediaLink from the rest of UTA’s business with advertisers and marketers, then pressured Kassan to cut costs and raise fees on existing clients. “After two long years of Kassan battling Zimmer’s repeated broken promises,...
The Madison Avenue impresario, who once ran a media-buying operation and parlayed his experience there into a role as the ultimate go-between among ad agencies, big-spending clients and the media outlets that crave them, finds himself — at least for now — without a base of operations.
In an explosive arbitration filing that surfaced Tuesday, Kassan alleged UTA, which snatched up his marketing consultancy, MediaLink, for $125 million in late 2021, had undermined the business since his arrival. Executives including UTA CEO Jeremy Zimmer and the newly-christened New York chief Julian Jacobs “secretly concocted a scheme,” Kassan’s attorneys alleged, that siloed off MediaLink from the rest of UTA’s business with advertisers and marketers, then pressured Kassan to cut costs and raise fees on existing clients. “After two long years of Kassan battling Zimmer’s repeated broken promises,...
- 3/13/2024
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Amid allegations of financial impropriety and corporate skullduggery, the collapse of the relationship between UTA and MediaLink founder Michael Kassan now sees the parties battling it out with competing legal actions and lots of finger pointing – even by Hollywood standards.
Having resigned on March 6 from the agency that bought his strategic company just over two years ago, Kassan took UTA to court first at the start of business Tuesday with a $25 million action demanding arbitration. The filing in LA Superior Court this morning from NYC-based attorney Sanford Michelman on Kassan’s behalf not only names UTA as a defendant, but also points the finger of responsibility directly at UTA CEO Jeremy Zimmer, who is named as a defendant too.
“This case is a result of Kassan resigning from MediaLink due to Zimmer’s breach of contract and repeated broken promises, and Kassan electing to waive his nearly $10,000,000 severance payment...
Having resigned on March 6 from the agency that bought his strategic company just over two years ago, Kassan took UTA to court first at the start of business Tuesday with a $25 million action demanding arbitration. The filing in LA Superior Court this morning from NYC-based attorney Sanford Michelman on Kassan’s behalf not only names UTA as a defendant, but also points the finger of responsibility directly at UTA CEO Jeremy Zimmer, who is named as a defendant too.
“This case is a result of Kassan resigning from MediaLink due to Zimmer’s breach of contract and repeated broken promises, and Kassan electing to waive his nearly $10,000,000 severance payment...
- 3/13/2024
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
United Talent Agency has been accused of breach of contract and fraud in relation to its 2021 acquisition of the consultancy firm MediaLink.
MediaLink founder and UTA partner Michael Kassan, whose exit from the company nearly a week ago has not yet been reported, claims that UTA CEO Jeremy Zimmer and two other top executives engaged in bad faith in the absorption and management of his company, according to documents filed with mediation service Jams which Variety reviewed. This led Kassan to resign last week, the filing says. Through a spokesperson, UTA said it had fired Kassan for cause following an “an exhaustive third-party investigation into misappropriation of company funds.” The agency filed a lawsuit against Kassan, accusing him of misappropriating company funds as well as other claims.
MediaLink is a prominent but not easily defined agency that sits at the intersection of tech, entertainment and media. They’re known for...
MediaLink founder and UTA partner Michael Kassan, whose exit from the company nearly a week ago has not yet been reported, claims that UTA CEO Jeremy Zimmer and two other top executives engaged in bad faith in the absorption and management of his company, according to documents filed with mediation service Jams which Variety reviewed. This led Kassan to resign last week, the filing says. Through a spokesperson, UTA said it had fired Kassan for cause following an “an exhaustive third-party investigation into misappropriation of company funds.” The agency filed a lawsuit against Kassan, accusing him of misappropriating company funds as well as other claims.
MediaLink is a prominent but not easily defined agency that sits at the intersection of tech, entertainment and media. They’re known for...
- 3/13/2024
- by Matt Donnelly
- Variety Film + TV
(Updated with more details) Michael Kassan, CEO of MediaLink, the strategic advisory firm acquired by UTA in 2021, is out.
While both sides say that money is at the heart of the dispute, they differ on almost every other aspect of the situation – including how it ended. Kassan resigned on March 6 with good reason, under the dictates of his agreement with the agency. However, UTA insist that they fired Kassan the next day after an stringent investigation.
“Michael Kassan was terminated for cause by UTA on March 7th 2024, following a thorough and exhaustive third-party investigation into misappropriation of company funds,” an UTA spokesperson said in a statement Tuesday night. “We filed a lawsuit against him today and look forward to presenting the facts in court.”
Kassan first filed today a $25 million action seeking to take the matter behind closed doors into arbitration. Later Tuesday, UTA sued Kassan for fraud in a...
While both sides say that money is at the heart of the dispute, they differ on almost every other aspect of the situation – including how it ended. Kassan resigned on March 6 with good reason, under the dictates of his agreement with the agency. However, UTA insist that they fired Kassan the next day after an stringent investigation.
“Michael Kassan was terminated for cause by UTA on March 7th 2024, following a thorough and exhaustive third-party investigation into misappropriation of company funds,” an UTA spokesperson said in a statement Tuesday night. “We filed a lawsuit against him today and look forward to presenting the facts in court.”
Kassan first filed today a $25 million action seeking to take the matter behind closed doors into arbitration. Later Tuesday, UTA sued Kassan for fraud in a...
- 3/13/2024
- by Nellie Andreeva and Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
In a dueling war of words, the talent agency UTA and the influential founder of the strategic advisory firm MediaLink are locked in a dispute that involves Michael Kassan’s exit from the company, with Kassan saying he resigned March 6, and the agency contesting that it terminated him for cause March 7.
UTA says that it axed Kassan, the founder of the firm, which the talent agency acquired in 2021 for $125 million.
“Michael Kassan was terminated for cause by UTA on March 7th, 2024, following a thorough and exhaustive third-party investigation into misappropriation of company funds,” a UTA spokesperson tells The Hollywood Reporter. “We filed a lawsuit against him today and look forward to presenting the facts in court.”
An attorney for Kassan, Sanford Michelman, contended that the executive resigned and was taking legal action against the agency over how MediaLink was run. (Michelman’s full statement is below.) Since the sale of MediaLink to UTA,...
UTA says that it axed Kassan, the founder of the firm, which the talent agency acquired in 2021 for $125 million.
“Michael Kassan was terminated for cause by UTA on March 7th, 2024, following a thorough and exhaustive third-party investigation into misappropriation of company funds,” a UTA spokesperson tells The Hollywood Reporter. “We filed a lawsuit against him today and look forward to presenting the facts in court.”
An attorney for Kassan, Sanford Michelman, contended that the executive resigned and was taking legal action against the agency over how MediaLink was run. (Michelman’s full statement is below.) Since the sale of MediaLink to UTA,...
- 3/13/2024
- by Alex Weprin
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
UTA said today it has acquired James & Co., a New York-based executive search and consulting firm working in the sports, media, entertainment, digital and consumer sectors.
Financial terms weren’t disclosed.
Founders Michele James and Roysi Erbes, will continue to co-lead the company as a new division within UTA, building out the agency’s capabilities across entertainment, sports and business.
UTA’s expansion has included partnering with sports representation firm Klutch and acquisitions of corporate advisory firm MediaLink, the UK’s Curtis Brown Group, and publishing agency Fletcher & Co.
With the transaction, the executive search team at MediaLink will become part of the new division at UTA.
“Over the past two decades, James & Co. has gained enormous trust and respect from high-level clients across the worlds of sports, entertainment and more. Michele and Roysi are a great fit with UTA’s collaborative and entrepreneurial culture, and their expertise is unrivaled.
Financial terms weren’t disclosed.
Founders Michele James and Roysi Erbes, will continue to co-lead the company as a new division within UTA, building out the agency’s capabilities across entertainment, sports and business.
UTA’s expansion has included partnering with sports representation firm Klutch and acquisitions of corporate advisory firm MediaLink, the UK’s Curtis Brown Group, and publishing agency Fletcher & Co.
With the transaction, the executive search team at MediaLink will become part of the new division at UTA.
“Over the past two decades, James & Co. has gained enormous trust and respect from high-level clients across the worlds of sports, entertainment and more. Michele and Roysi are a great fit with UTA’s collaborative and entrepreneurial culture, and their expertise is unrivaled.
- 6/20/2023
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
UTA President David Kramer on London Expansion, Brexit, Writers Strike and “Getting Smart Around AI”
UTA is inaugurating its new London office on Thursday evening with a gala opening.
The new space in the heart of the British capital is bringing together more than 100 people on two floors, ranging from UTA’s music practice, agents working on production, podcasting, endorsements, voiceovers, and entertainment marketing, as well as staff of advisory practice MediaLink, which UTA acquired in 2021. The new home is also near that of the talent and literary agency Curtis Brown Group, which became part of UTA last year.
Management is hoping for “increased collaboration” and a chance to offer “more collective expertise and resources” to clients and the broader London creative and business communities. And UTA aims to continue growing its investment in “bringing U.K. and European clients more opportunities.”
The Hollywood Reporter talked to UTA president David Kramer about how a growing presence in the British capital made the bigger office necessary,...
The new space in the heart of the British capital is bringing together more than 100 people on two floors, ranging from UTA’s music practice, agents working on production, podcasting, endorsements, voiceovers, and entertainment marketing, as well as staff of advisory practice MediaLink, which UTA acquired in 2021. The new home is also near that of the talent and literary agency Curtis Brown Group, which became part of UTA last year.
Management is hoping for “increased collaboration” and a chance to offer “more collective expertise and resources” to clients and the broader London creative and business communities. And UTA aims to continue growing its investment in “bringing U.K. and European clients more opportunities.”
The Hollywood Reporter talked to UTA president David Kramer about how a growing presence in the British capital made the bigger office necessary,...
- 6/15/2023
- by Georg Szalai
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
UTA has hired Claudia Russo to work as senior vp corporate communications.
Russo, who most recently led communications for Verizon Business Markets (the division of the telecom giant that serves local businesses, governments and educational institutions), will report to UTA’s chief communications officer Richard Siklos.
“As our business continues to grow in size, influence and complexity, Claudia’s deep knowledge and experience with both media relations and investor relations will help us continue to elevate our game as we tell UTA’s story on a global stage,” said Siklos in a statement.
Before joining Verizon, Russo led communications for the Fox Television Stations group. She joins UTA as the agency continues an expansion push. In the first two months of 2023, the agency acquired a new literary agency (Fletcher & Company) and launched a fashion division.
And last year the agency expanded its presence in marketing and consulting by buying...
Russo, who most recently led communications for Verizon Business Markets (the division of the telecom giant that serves local businesses, governments and educational institutions), will report to UTA’s chief communications officer Richard Siklos.
“As our business continues to grow in size, influence and complexity, Claudia’s deep knowledge and experience with both media relations and investor relations will help us continue to elevate our game as we tell UTA’s story on a global stage,” said Siklos in a statement.
Before joining Verizon, Russo led communications for the Fox Television Stations group. She joins UTA as the agency continues an expansion push. In the first two months of 2023, the agency acquired a new literary agency (Fletcher & Company) and launched a fashion division.
And last year the agency expanded its presence in marketing and consulting by buying...
- 3/6/2023
- by Alex Weprin
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
SXSW has unveiled William Shatner, Jen Psaki and Tilda Swinton as among the latest additions to the speaker lineup for the upcoming conference and festival in Austin, Texas. The 37th annual edition of SXSW will celebrate the convergence of film, television, music and technology from March 10-19.
Other notables joining the lineup include Chef José Andrés, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Kristen Bell, Dax Shepard, Chelsea Manning and New Order band members Bernard Sumner, Stephen Morris and Gillian Gilbert.
Hugh Forrest, SXSW’s chief programming officer and co-president said, “Today’s speaker announcement is a fantastic milestone for the 2023 event and spotlights four additional Keynotes and numerous Featured Speakers, including influential icons and up and coming innovators.” Forrest added, “We are extremely proud to have assembled a diverse, comprehensive conference program for SXSW, and we can’t wait to share it with our community in March.”
See the full list of newly...
Other notables joining the lineup include Chef José Andrés, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Kristen Bell, Dax Shepard, Chelsea Manning and New Order band members Bernard Sumner, Stephen Morris and Gillian Gilbert.
Hugh Forrest, SXSW’s chief programming officer and co-president said, “Today’s speaker announcement is a fantastic milestone for the 2023 event and spotlights four additional Keynotes and numerous Featured Speakers, including influential icons and up and coming innovators.” Forrest added, “We are extremely proud to have assembled a diverse, comprehensive conference program for SXSW, and we can’t wait to share it with our community in March.”
See the full list of newly...
- 2/14/2023
- by Charna Flam
- Variety Film + TV
Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Tilda Swinton and chef José Andrés are among the next round of keynote speakers announced for South by Southwest 2023.
Event organizers announced Tuesday the next round of keynote speakers, featured speakers and keynote sessions confirmed for SXSW, which celebrates the convergence of technology, film, television, and music.
Members of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame-nominated rock band New Order, Bernard Sumner, Stephen Morris, and Gillian Gilbert, as well as Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter and producer Margo Price join Chopra Jonas and Swinton as keynotes. Additional featured speakers will include Kristen Bell, Dax Shepard, Chelsea Handler, William Shatner, Chelsea Manning and more.
Previously announced Keynote speakers include Patagonia CEO Ryan Gellert in conversation with Katie Couric.
Set as featured speakers for the 37th edition of the annual conference are Chair and CEO of General Motors Mary Barra; CEO, Cto, President, and co-founder of Cruise and co-founder of Twitch Kyle Vogt...
Event organizers announced Tuesday the next round of keynote speakers, featured speakers and keynote sessions confirmed for SXSW, which celebrates the convergence of technology, film, television, and music.
Members of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame-nominated rock band New Order, Bernard Sumner, Stephen Morris, and Gillian Gilbert, as well as Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter and producer Margo Price join Chopra Jonas and Swinton as keynotes. Additional featured speakers will include Kristen Bell, Dax Shepard, Chelsea Handler, William Shatner, Chelsea Manning and more.
Previously announced Keynote speakers include Patagonia CEO Ryan Gellert in conversation with Katie Couric.
Set as featured speakers for the 37th edition of the annual conference are Chair and CEO of General Motors Mary Barra; CEO, Cto, President, and co-founder of Cruise and co-founder of Twitch Kyle Vogt...
- 2/14/2023
- by Lexy Perez
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
United Talent Agency is making significant changes to its board of directors.
The company, led by CEO Jeremy Zimmer, is adding two new independent directors, expanding the board beyond its own executives and investors for the first time.
The new directors are Paul Wachter, the founder and CEO of investment firm Main Street Advisors, and Ceci Kurzman, the founder of Nexus Management Group. Wachter will also become chairman of the board for UTA.
With Wachter becoming chairman, UTA co-founder Jim Berkus will step aside from that role, which he has held for the last 25 years, a source close to the company confirms to The Hollywood Reporter. The source added that while Berkus will no longer be on UTA’s board, he remains “very active” at UTA. Berkus co-founded UTA in 1991 with Zimmer and Peter Benedek, and became sole chairman of the firm in 1997, THR reported that year.
The changes to...
The company, led by CEO Jeremy Zimmer, is adding two new independent directors, expanding the board beyond its own executives and investors for the first time.
The new directors are Paul Wachter, the founder and CEO of investment firm Main Street Advisors, and Ceci Kurzman, the founder of Nexus Management Group. Wachter will also become chairman of the board for UTA.
With Wachter becoming chairman, UTA co-founder Jim Berkus will step aside from that role, which he has held for the last 25 years, a source close to the company confirms to The Hollywood Reporter. The source added that while Berkus will no longer be on UTA’s board, he remains “very active” at UTA. Berkus co-founded UTA in 1991 with Zimmer and Peter Benedek, and became sole chairman of the firm in 1997, THR reported that year.
The changes to...
- 2/2/2023
- by Alex Weprin
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The 2023 Sundance Film Festival ruled the scene this week, as A-list stars and aspiring newcomers all trekked to the mountains of Utah to stake their claim to being a part of independent cinema’s biggest showcase. That left Hollywood a bit on the quiet side, but two of the world’s biggest names (Harrison and Oprah) introduced their new TV shows with big bashes in Tinseltown.
2023 Sundance Film Festival
Park City, Utah
The 2023 Sundance Film Festival rolled into Park City, Utah, and so did both big stars and new-on-the-scene hopefuls. As usual, lots of companies came along for the brand marketing extravaganza, too, so the premieres, parties and other sorts of soirees mushroomed all over the pretty snow-covered city in the heart of the Wasatch Mountains. Here are a collection of the ones we enjoyed – with our favorite faces decked out in their warmest winter finery.
Tao Hospitality Group
Utah Film Studios,...
2023 Sundance Film Festival
Park City, Utah
The 2023 Sundance Film Festival rolled into Park City, Utah, and so did both big stars and new-on-the-scene hopefuls. As usual, lots of companies came along for the brand marketing extravaganza, too, so the premieres, parties and other sorts of soirees mushroomed all over the pretty snow-covered city in the heart of the Wasatch Mountains. Here are a collection of the ones we enjoyed – with our favorite faces decked out in their warmest winter finery.
Tao Hospitality Group
Utah Film Studios,...
- 1/28/2023
- by Jenny Peters
- The Wrap
Charlie Collier, who oversaw AMC Networks in its “Mad Men,” “Breaking Bad,” and “The Walking Dead” heyday, is taking his talents to Roku to serve as president of Roku Media. A job description might say he’s bridging the gaps between advertising, content, and consumers across Roku’s streaming platform, including The Roku Channel.
Those who know Collier see it a little differently. “People are going to want to talk to Roku now because they want to talk to Charlie,” said Michael Kassan, a media and advertising consultant and Medialink principal. “Charlie is a star.”
Collier currently leads Fox’s broadcast network, its reality programming, and its studios. He does not oversee the company’s news and sports segments, and streaming service Tubi is still technically run on a day-to-day basis by founder Farhad Massoudi. At Roku, Collier gets to really be the man; the promise of all that oversight,...
Those who know Collier see it a little differently. “People are going to want to talk to Roku now because they want to talk to Charlie,” said Michael Kassan, a media and advertising consultant and Medialink principal. “Charlie is a star.”
Collier currently leads Fox’s broadcast network, its reality programming, and its studios. He does not oversee the company’s news and sports segments, and streaming service Tubi is still technically run on a day-to-day basis by founder Farhad Massoudi. At Roku, Collier gets to really be the man; the promise of all that oversight,...
- 9/29/2022
- by Tony Maglio
- Indiewire
Click here to read the full article.
Amid upheaval in Hollywood, as entertainment giants invest in their direct-to-streaming efforts, and as they try to find a balance between subscriptions, advertising, theatrical releases and other business models, the major talent agencies are scaling up, betting that the demand for content — and for top-shelf talent — will keep growing.
And it’s all backed, at least in part, by private equity cash betting that “peak content” concerns are overblown. On July 18, UTA revealed an investment from the Swedish firm Eqt. UTA CEO Jeremy Zimmer said he and his leadership team chose Eqt as an investor because they felt the firm “would really help us drive growth while protecting our culture.”
UTA’s investment, meanwhile, arrived shortly after CAA, led by Bryan Lourd and Richard Lovett, completed its June 28 acquisition of ICM, which is topped by Chris Silbermann, forging a representation giant backed by its majority owner,...
Amid upheaval in Hollywood, as entertainment giants invest in their direct-to-streaming efforts, and as they try to find a balance between subscriptions, advertising, theatrical releases and other business models, the major talent agencies are scaling up, betting that the demand for content — and for top-shelf talent — will keep growing.
And it’s all backed, at least in part, by private equity cash betting that “peak content” concerns are overblown. On July 18, UTA revealed an investment from the Swedish firm Eqt. UTA CEO Jeremy Zimmer said he and his leadership team chose Eqt as an investor because they felt the firm “would really help us drive growth while protecting our culture.”
UTA’s investment, meanwhile, arrived shortly after CAA, led by Bryan Lourd and Richard Lovett, completed its June 28 acquisition of ICM, which is topped by Chris Silbermann, forging a representation giant backed by its majority owner,...
- 7/19/2022
- by Alex Weprin
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Ted Sarandos To Be Named Entertainment Person Of The Year At Cannes Lions
Netflix Co-CEO Ted Sarandos is to be named the 2022 Entertainment Person of the Year at French advertising get together Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. The award, presented in recognition of the role entertainment plays in the marketing and communications landscape, will be given to Sarandos Sarandos will be presented with the award at Cannes Lions’ live awards show, on Thursday, June 23. This also marks the first time a Netflix rep speak on stage at the event, with Sarandos joining Sway podcast host and The New York Times opinion writer Kara Swisher to discuss creativity, the need for constant innovation and the future of entertainment with MediaLink CEO Michael Kassan.
Studio Pictures Options Film Rights To Life Story Of British Lockdown Viral Sensation Jay Flynn
London’s Studio Pictures has optioned the film rights to the life story of Jay Flynn,...
Netflix Co-CEO Ted Sarandos is to be named the 2022 Entertainment Person of the Year at French advertising get together Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. The award, presented in recognition of the role entertainment plays in the marketing and communications landscape, will be given to Sarandos Sarandos will be presented with the award at Cannes Lions’ live awards show, on Thursday, June 23. This also marks the first time a Netflix rep speak on stage at the event, with Sarandos joining Sway podcast host and The New York Times opinion writer Kara Swisher to discuss creativity, the need for constant innovation and the future of entertainment with MediaLink CEO Michael Kassan.
Studio Pictures Options Film Rights To Life Story Of British Lockdown Viral Sensation Jay Flynn
London’s Studio Pictures has optioned the film rights to the life story of Jay Flynn,...
- 6/10/2022
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Click here to read the full article.
Less than two months after Netflix announced plans to add ad-supported tiers to its streaming subscription service, the international ad festival Cannes Lions has announced Netflix’s co-ceo Ted Sarandos as its Entertainment Person of the Year.
Cannes Lions, which now bills itself as an “international festival of creativity,” said Netflix would appear for the first time at the event this year, where Sarandos will receive his honor.
Sarandos will be joining Sway podcast host Kara Swisher and MediaLink’s Michael Kassan on the stage of Cannes’ Lumiere Theatre on June 23 to discuss his future plans for Netflix.
Cannes Lions Chairman Philip Thomas called Sarandos “a leading creative force who has developed a body of truly compelling content at Netflix, transforming the creative landscape over the last decade.”
The high-flying streamer was brought down to earth last quarter after posting disappointing figures showing it lost 200,000 subscribers.
Less than two months after Netflix announced plans to add ad-supported tiers to its streaming subscription service, the international ad festival Cannes Lions has announced Netflix’s co-ceo Ted Sarandos as its Entertainment Person of the Year.
Cannes Lions, which now bills itself as an “international festival of creativity,” said Netflix would appear for the first time at the event this year, where Sarandos will receive his honor.
Sarandos will be joining Sway podcast host Kara Swisher and MediaLink’s Michael Kassan on the stage of Cannes’ Lumiere Theatre on June 23 to discuss his future plans for Netflix.
Cannes Lions Chairman Philip Thomas called Sarandos “a leading creative force who has developed a body of truly compelling content at Netflix, transforming the creative landscape over the last decade.”
The high-flying streamer was brought down to earth last quarter after posting disappointing figures showing it lost 200,000 subscribers.
- 6/9/2022
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Click here to read the full article.
Talent agency UTA is acquiring the entertainment-focused data and analytics firm MediaHound, expanding its presence in the data side of the entertainment business, and bolstering its research and insights capabilities.
According to UTA partner and head of UTA Iq Joe Kessler, the deal stemmed from a project that UTA was thinking about working on with MediaHound.
“Covid disrupted that project, but we stayed in touch and became increasingly impressed with their technology and team and how it could accelerate our data analytics roadmap,” Kessler tells The Hollywood Reporter. “That led us to where we are today.”
MediaHound’s team of engineers and developers will join UTA as part of its UTA Iq division. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, though MediaHound has raised more than 12 million from investors since its founding in 2011, according to CrunchBase. In fact, Kessler says that UTA has...
Talent agency UTA is acquiring the entertainment-focused data and analytics firm MediaHound, expanding its presence in the data side of the entertainment business, and bolstering its research and insights capabilities.
According to UTA partner and head of UTA Iq Joe Kessler, the deal stemmed from a project that UTA was thinking about working on with MediaHound.
“Covid disrupted that project, but we stayed in touch and became increasingly impressed with their technology and team and how it could accelerate our data analytics roadmap,” Kessler tells The Hollywood Reporter. “That led us to where we are today.”
MediaHound’s team of engineers and developers will join UTA as part of its UTA Iq division. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, though MediaHound has raised more than 12 million from investors since its founding in 2011, according to CrunchBase. In fact, Kessler says that UTA has...
- 6/8/2022
- by Alex Weprin
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The Interactive Advertising Bureau has released the full schedule for next month’s NewFronts as the showcases return to in-person mode for the first time since 2019.
Amazon, Meta, Roku and NBCUniversal are among major presenters returning to the NewFronts. (See full schedule below.) The series of presentations will be held in person in New York from May 2 to 4, with an additional all-virtual day on May 5. The Iab said it plans to livestream the in-person presentations from as-yet-unspecified venues in New York City.
The NewFronts, which have surged in popularity amid the boom in digital advertising and the rush to streaming, are an annual ritual in New York. This year, even apart from the emergence from the pandemic, they will look a bit different. YouTube and Hulu, two of the founding NewFronts presenters, have shifted away from the digital week and into the week of May 16, when broadcast networks and major media companies make their pitches.
Amazon, Meta, Roku and NBCUniversal are among major presenters returning to the NewFronts. (See full schedule below.) The series of presentations will be held in person in New York from May 2 to 4, with an additional all-virtual day on May 5. The Iab said it plans to livestream the in-person presentations from as-yet-unspecified venues in New York City.
The NewFronts, which have surged in popularity amid the boom in digital advertising and the rush to streaming, are an annual ritual in New York. This year, even apart from the emergence from the pandemic, they will look a bit different. YouTube and Hulu, two of the founding NewFronts presenters, have shifted away from the digital week and into the week of May 16, when broadcast networks and major media companies make their pitches.
- 4/14/2022
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
UTA has acquired MediaLink, an eighteen-year-old strategic advisory firm founded by industry vet Michael Kassan (pictured above).
As part of the deal, Kassan will join UTA as a partner and continue to serve as MediaLink’s chief executive. UTA acquired MediaLink from U.K.-based media company Ascential -- the company behind the long-running Cannes Lions marketing conference -- for $125 million in cash, reports The Wall Street Journal.
MediaLink advises top entertainment, technology, and finance companies in realms like marketing, data and technology solutions, agency reviews, private equity, and executive search and talent development. Clients, per the Journal, include AT&T, Unilever, and NBCUniversal. The company posted revenues of $44.2 million last year, and $32 million for the first half of 2021.
Visit Tubefilter for more great stories.
As part of the deal, Kassan will join UTA as a partner and continue to serve as MediaLink’s chief executive. UTA acquired MediaLink from U.K.-based media company Ascential -- the company behind the long-running Cannes Lions marketing conference -- for $125 million in cash, reports The Wall Street Journal.
MediaLink advises top entertainment, technology, and finance companies in realms like marketing, data and technology solutions, agency reviews, private equity, and executive search and talent development. Clients, per the Journal, include AT&T, Unilever, and NBCUniversal. The company posted revenues of $44.2 million last year, and $32 million for the first half of 2021.
Visit Tubefilter for more great stories.
- 12/16/2021
- by Geoff Weiss
- Tubefilter.com
UTA has acquired management consulting firm MediaLink for $125 million in a deal designed to solidify the talent agency’s strength in business marketing and advisory operations.
The pact with U.K. analytics firm Ascential calls for MediaLink to become a wholly owned entity of the agency. MediaLink will retain its name and management team, led by founder and CEO Michael Kassan, and operate as “a UTA company.” Kassan, who founded MediaLink in 2003, will become an agency partner.
MediaLink’s 150-plus employees in Los Angeles, New York, Chicago and London are set to make the move over to UTA. The existing UTA Marketing department will become a unit of MediaLink, renamed UTA Entertainment & Culture Marketing. UTA Marketing co-heads David Anderson and Julian Jacobs will be part of the executive leadership team at MediaLink.
UTA’s move to bolster its corporate consulting activities comes at a time transformation for Hollywood’s major talent agencies.
The pact with U.K. analytics firm Ascential calls for MediaLink to become a wholly owned entity of the agency. MediaLink will retain its name and management team, led by founder and CEO Michael Kassan, and operate as “a UTA company.” Kassan, who founded MediaLink in 2003, will become an agency partner.
MediaLink’s 150-plus employees in Los Angeles, New York, Chicago and London are set to make the move over to UTA. The existing UTA Marketing department will become a unit of MediaLink, renamed UTA Entertainment & Culture Marketing. UTA Marketing co-heads David Anderson and Julian Jacobs will be part of the executive leadership team at MediaLink.
UTA’s move to bolster its corporate consulting activities comes at a time transformation for Hollywood’s major talent agencies.
- 12/16/2021
- by Cynthia Littleton
- Variety Film + TV
Fresh off some deft Wall Street moves earlier this month, UTA is now scaling up fast with the acquisition of strategic advisory firm MediaLink.
Already a player in branding and marketing circles with its in-house UTA Marketing and UTA Brand Studio divisions, the uber agency has purchased the Michael Kassan founded company from UK-based Ascential Plc for around $125 million. The British B-to-b media outlet which owns the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity bought the advisory and business services company back in 2017 for an initial cash consideration of $69 million
As a part of the far reaching UTA purchase, MediaLink’s 150 employees in LA, NYC, Chicago and London will join with UTA’s worldwide workforce of 1300 immediately. Additionally, American Advertising Federation’s Hall of Famer Kassan will become a partner in UTA, as well as retaining his CEO post at MediaLink, which first opened its doors in 2003.
“This is an expansion driven by two things,...
Already a player in branding and marketing circles with its in-house UTA Marketing and UTA Brand Studio divisions, the uber agency has purchased the Michael Kassan founded company from UK-based Ascential Plc for around $125 million. The British B-to-b media outlet which owns the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity bought the advisory and business services company back in 2017 for an initial cash consideration of $69 million
As a part of the far reaching UTA purchase, MediaLink’s 150 employees in LA, NYC, Chicago and London will join with UTA’s worldwide workforce of 1300 immediately. Additionally, American Advertising Federation’s Hall of Famer Kassan will become a partner in UTA, as well as retaining his CEO post at MediaLink, which first opened its doors in 2003.
“This is an expansion driven by two things,...
- 12/16/2021
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
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