UTA
UTA Names Ryan Hayden and Marc Paskin Co-Heads of News and Broadcasting
United Talent Agency is making changes to the leadership of its news and broadcasting department, the unit that negotiates on behalf of journalists and news personalities. According to a memo sent to staff Tuesday by UTA vice-chairman Jay Sures and COO and co-head of UTA Sports Andrew Thau, the agency is elevating Ryan Hayden and […]
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UTA’s MediaLink Elevates Execs for a Cannes Lions Without Michael Kassan
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 […]
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‘Southern Charm’ Star Madison LeCroy Signs With UTA (Exclusive)
Southern Charm star Madison LeCroy has signed with UTA for representation in all areas. The reality TV celebrity and entrepreneur is best known as a castmember of the Bravo series, having joined in season six as a “friend of” ahead of becoming a narrator of the unscripted show about private U.S. Southern wealth from season […]
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Hollywood & Mind’s Second Annual Summit Set Mike Posner and Chyler Leigh as Speakers (Exclusive)
Hollywood & Mind has revealed its first wave of speakers for its second annual summit on May 9. The event, founded by Cathy Applefeld Olson, focuses on the intersection of mental health and the entertainment industry by sparking conversation, sharing insight and igniting action. The gathering will bring together leaders, artists, creatives, executives and advocates […]
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‘Karate Kid’ Writer Rob Lieber Signs With UTA (Exclusive)
Rob Lieber, the writer of the latest Karate Kid movie that is currently in production, has signed with UTA for representation in all areas. The writer was previously at Verve. That agency, however, underwent an internal battle amongst partners that went public, leading to the ouster of one of the founding partners. Several literary clients […]
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‘Masters of the Air’ Co-Creator John Orloff Signs With UTA (Exclusive)
John Orloff, the co-creator of Apple TV+ miniseries Masters of the Air, has signed with UTA for representation in all areas. The move comes after Orloff signed with Verve for representation in January, the same month his high-profile and high-priced war drama launched. However, in February, the agency became embroiled in an internal battle amongst […]
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Michael Kassan Files $125M Defamation Lawsuit Against Bryan Freedman Over UTA Case
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 […]
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UTA Hires Eric Iverson as Chief Technology Officer
Talent agency UTA has hired Eric Iverson as its chief technology officer. Iverson joins UTA from Amazon MGM Studios, where he led the division’s product, user experience and AI strategy. At UTA, Iverson will head the agency’s technology strategy, including how artificial intelligence can be used to benefit clients. He will be based at UTA’s […]
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Michael Kassan’s Legal Salvo Tears Into UTA Amid Dueling Claims Over Company Expenses
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 […]
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UTA, Michael Kassan at War as Agency and MediaLink Chief Plot Legal Action
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 […]
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SXSW: Jackie Shane Disappearance Mystery Solved in ‘Any Other Way’ Documentary
A host of conspiracy theories surrounded the sudden disappearance of pioneering transgender soul singer Jackie Shane from the music world in 1971 after she packed Toronto nightclubs during the 1960s, only to resurface when news of her death in Nashville broke in 2019. Despite leaving the public eye, the Nashville-born R&B performer’s celebrated, yet complicated […]
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HauteLeMode Fashion Critic Luke Meagher Signs With UTA (Exclusive)
Luke Meagher — the buzzy digital fashion critic whose HauteLeMode videos have 1.4 million followers and subscribers across YouTube, Instagram and TikTok — has signed with UTA talent agency for representation. “Joining forces with UTA is a really exciting step in my career. Their reputation for innovation and excellence precedes them and hearing their passion […]
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