United Talent Agency
United Talent Agency is a global talent and entertainment agency representing professionals across film, television, music, sports, publishing, digital media, and related industries.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
United Talent Agency (UTA) is a privately held talent and entertainment agency headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. Founded in 1991 through the merger of the Bauer-Benedek Agency and Leading Artists Agency, it developed from a Hollywood representation business into a diversified professional-services platform covering entertainment, sports, publishing, news and broadcasting, creators, brand strategy, marketing, licensing, speaking, executive search, investment advice, and other media-related activities. UTA represents actors, directors, producers, writers, recording artists, athletes, authors, digital creators, journalists, television personalities, speakers, and other public-facing professionals. Its work can include contract negotiations, career management, film and television packaging, production and financing support, brand partnerships, licensing, endorsements, public-speaking bookings, strategic consulting, and investment guidance. The agency has also expanded through acquisitions and partnerships rather than relying solely on traditional Hollywood representation. The company became prominent during the 1990s as one of Hollywood's major agencies. By the early 2000s, its client base included prominent comedy, television, film, and writing talent. It later broadened its reach through the acquisition of N.S. Bienstock in television news, The Agency Group and Circle Talent Agency in music, Greater Talent Network in speaking, Curtis Brown in literary and talent representation, and other businesses serving media, branding, consulting, sports, and youth culture. UTA also established a sports business with agent Rich Paul and acquired a majority interest in Klutch Sports Group. UTA's activities extend beyond client representation. It has operated publishing initiatives, investment and strategic-advisory activities, a creative and marketing practice, an NFT practice, an artist exhibition space, and programs intended to support community service and philanthropy. The UTA Foundation is the agency's nonprofit arm, while employee-oriented programs such as UTA U and Live Inspired have combined professional development with community engagement. The agency is organized as a partnership and has remained privately held. Reference material describes a workforce of approximately 2,200 employees and roughly 300 agents as of 2024. Jeremy Zimmer served as chief executive officer for many years before David Kramer succeeded him in 2025. Paul Wachter is chairman and Jay Sures is vice chairman. UTA operates internationally through offices, acquired agencies, and cross-border representation, with particular strength in the United States, the United Kingdom, European entertainment markets, and global digital and sports businesses.
History
United Talent Agency was created in 1991 through the merger of the Bauer-Benedek Agency and Leading Artists Agency. Jim Berkus, Peter Benedek, and Jeremy Zimmer were its co-founders. The new agency grew quickly: by the middle of 1994 it reportedly had ten partners and forty agents, and by 1996 it had approximately forty-five agents and was being described as one of Hollywood's major agencies. During the 1990s and early 2000s, UTA became particularly associated with comedy and television talent. Its client roster included prominent comedians, actors, writers, directors, and television producers. The agency's reputation broadened as it represented figures connected with major film and television projects, and it became known for identifying and developing influential talent. In 2008 it created UTA U, a training and community-service program intended to give interns practical skills and exposure to agency leadership. In 2010, the agency was recognized in Vanity Fair's New Establishment Hall of Fame. UTA moved its headquarters to a Civic Center Drive complex in Beverly Hills in 2011, with the site subsequently known as UTA Plaza. Its next phase emphasized diversification. In 2014, UTA acquired N.S. Bienstock, a major television-news representation business. The transaction added hundreds of broadcast journalists and producers and led to the creation of a larger news and broadcasting practice. That year UTA also worked with Atria Publishing Group to establish Keywords Press, an imprint aimed at books by internet entertainers. In 2015, UTA recruited a group of agents from Creative Artists Agency, leading to a lawsuit from CAA. The agency also received a minority investment from ValueAct Capital founder Jeffrey Ubben, who joined its board as a non-voting member. Later in 2015, UTA acquired The Agency Group, an international independent music agency with offices in cities including London, Los Angeles, and New York. The transaction added artists such as Muse, Paramore, and The Black Keys to UTA's representation portfolio. The agency expanded its New York operations the following year. UTA became increasingly visible in public and political issues in 2017. It organized a United Voices rally outside its Beverly Hills headquarters in opposition to the Trump administration's travel restrictions and in support of refugees and freedom of speech. The agency also made donations to the American Civil Liberties Union and the International Rescue Committee. It hosted events associated with the Day Without a Woman and later welcomed Anita Hill during the early phase of the Me Too movement. In the same period, UTA acquired Greater Talent Network, extending its public-speaking business, and rebranded its news operation as UTA News & Broadcast. It also declined to renew Bill O'Reilly's contract amid sexual-harassment allegations. In 2018, UTA became a founding donor of Time's Up and committed financial support to the organization's work against workplace sexual harassment. It also acquired Circle Talent Agency, strengthening its presence in dance and electronic music. In 2019, UTA partnered with sports agent Rich Paul to create a sports division and acquired a majority interest in Klutch Sports Group. This gave the agency a significant position in athlete representation and placed it in more direct competition with other large entertainment agencies. The agency continued expanding in the 2020s. In 2021 it acquired MediaLink, launched an NFT practice, announced a $200 million special-purpose acquisition company, and opened a full-service Atlanta office. In 2022 it acquired the British literary and talent agency Curtis Brown. In 2023 it acquired James & Co., a New York executive-search and consulting firm. UTA also faced public controversies during this period, including its decision to drop Susan Sarandon in 2023 following controversial remarks at a rally and a 2024 dispute involving artists and statements connected with a show at UTA Artist Space. Fine Arts activities were suspended in 2024. In 2024, UTA acquired JUV Consulting, a creative, marketing, and research agency focused on youth culture, and ROOF, a European football agency representing clients in several leading leagues. In 2025, David Kramer succeeded Jeremy Zimmer as chief executive officer. The agency also signed social-media personality and businesswoman Becca Bloom and ended its representation of music act Bob Vylan following controversy over chants at Glastonbury Festival. Through these developments, UTA evolved from a traditional Hollywood agency into a broad, privately held platform for talent representation, strategic advice, marketing, sports, publishing, and cultural businesses.
- 2025
CEO succession
[1]David Kramer succeeds Jeremy Zimmer as chief executive officer.
- 2024
JUV Consulting and ROOF acquisitions
[1]UTA expands into youth-culture consulting and European football representation.
- 2022
Curtis Brown acquisition
[1]UTA acquires the United Kingdom-based literary and talent agency Curtis Brown.
- 2021
MediaLink acquisition and digital expansion
[1]UTA acquires MediaLink and adds NFT, SPAC, and geographic-expansion initiatives.
- 2019
Sports division and Klutch partnership
[1]UTA partners with Rich Paul and purchases a majority stake in Klutch Sports Group.
- 2018
Time's Up support and Circle acquisition
[1]UTA becomes a founding donor of Time's Up and acquires Circle Talent Agency.
- 2017
United Voices rally
[1]UTA holds a public rally addressing immigration restrictions, refugee relief, and freedom of speech.
- 2015
The Agency Group acquisition
[1]UTA enters a larger phase of international music-agency expansion.
- 2014
N.S. Bienstock acquisition
[1]UTA expands into television-news representation through the acquisition of N.S. Bienstock.
- 2011
Headquarters moves to UTA Plaza
[1]UTA relocates its Beverly Hills headquarters to the Civic Center Drive complex later known as UTA Plaza.
Products and positioning
A diversified, globally oriented talent and entertainment agency that combines traditional artist representation with sports, publishing, creator management, brand strategy, media advisory, and other adjacent services.
Talent representation · 1991
Film and television representation
UTA represents actors, directors, writers, producers, and other film and television professionals. Services may include career management, contract negotiation, project packaging, production relationships, and assistance with financing or distribution strategy.
Talent representation · 2015
Music representation
The music practice represents recording artists and other music-industry professionals. Its capabilities expanded through The Agency Group and Circle Talent Agency, covering mainstream, independent, dance, and electronic music.
Sports agency · 2019
Sports representation
UTA Sports represents athletes and sports-related clients, with a major expansion following its partnership with Rich Paul and majority investment in Klutch Sports Group. The business later broadened into European football through ROOF.
Publishing services · 2014
Literary and publishing representation
UTA represents authors and publishing professionals and expanded its international literary capabilities through the acquisition of Curtis Brown. Keywords Press also extended the company's involvement in publishing books by online entertainers.
Media representation · 2014
News and broadcasting representation
UTA News & Broadcast represents television-news anchors, reporters, producers, and related broadcast talent. The practice grew from the acquisition of N.S. Bienstock.
Digital media services
Creator and influencer representation
UTA represents internet entertainers, creators, and influencers, supporting commercial partnerships, publishing, content development, and broader career strategy.
Strategic advisory
Brand, marketing, and licensing services
These services connect talent and intellectual property with brands, advertisers, licensees, and media partners. They include brand management, marketing strategy, endorsements, partnerships, and licensing.
Controversies
2025
Bob Vylan representation ended
UTA dropped Bob Vylan after controversial anti-IDF chants at Glastonbury Festival prompted accusations of antisemitism and criticism from politicians and advocacy groups.
2024
UTA Artist Space statement dispute
Seven CalArts alumni withdrew from an exhibition at UTA Artist Space, alleging that the venue restricted pro-Palestinian messages in artist statements.
2023
Susan Sarandon dropped after rally remarks
UTA dropped Susan Sarandon following controversial comments about Jewish and Muslim experiences of discrimination made at a public rally.
2017
Bill O'Reilly representation controversy
UTA did not renew Bill O'Reilly's representation amid sexual-harassment allegations.
2015
CAA recruitment lawsuit
Creative Artists Agency sued after UTA recruited a group of its agents in an episode widely characterized as a midnight raid.
Marketing campaigns
- 2018Time's Up support
United States
UTA became a founding donor of Time's Up, supporting efforts to combat sexual harassment and advance equality in the workplace.
Outcome. UTA committed financial support to the organization and publicly aligned itself with industry reform efforts.
- 2017United Voices
United States
UTA organized a public rally outside its Beverly Hills headquarters in response to the United States travel ban and to support refugees and freedom of speech. The event replaced the agency's usual Academy Awards party.
Outcome. The rally drew substantial public attendance, and UTA made donations to the American Civil Liberties Union and the International Rescue Committee.
- 2017Day Without a Woman events
United States · Canada
UTA hosted events for female employees in Los Angeles, New York, and Toronto in connection with the Day Without a Woman movement.
Outcome. The events linked workplace participation with broader discussions of gender equality.
Brand decisions
2025
CEO successionOtherBackground
After a long period under Jeremy Zimmer's leadership, UTA changed its chief executive structure.
Action taken
David Kramer succeeded Zimmer as chief executive officer.
Aftermath
Kramer assumed leadership while Zimmer's successor came from within the agency's senior management.
2022
Acquire Curtis BrownM&ABackground
UTA sought greater international scale in literary and talent representation.
Action taken
UTA acquired the United Kingdom-based Curtis Brown agency.
Aftermath
UTA strengthened its publishing and European representation capabilities.
2021
Acquire MediaLinkM&ABackground
UTA aimed to add strategic and advisory capabilities alongside talent representation.
Action taken
UTA acquired MediaLink and continued expanding into digital assets, investment, and media strategy.
Aftermath
The transaction broadened UTA's client services beyond representation and booking.
2019
Build a sports divisionStrategyBackground
Large entertainment agencies were competing to expand into athlete representation and sports-related commercial services.
Action taken
UTA partnered with Rich Paul and later acquired a majority stake in Klutch Sports Group.
Aftermath
UTA's sports client base grew substantially and the company gained a stronger position in basketball and other sports.
2017
Create the United Voices rallyStrategyBackground
The agency responded to the United States travel ban and related concerns about immigration and free expression.
Action taken
UTA replaced its traditional Academy Awards party with a public rally and charitable fundraising effort.
Aftermath
The event attracted public attention and reinforced UTA's willingness to take positions on social and political issues.
2015
Acquire The Agency GroupM&ABackground
UTA sought to strengthen its international music representation business.
Action taken
UTA acquired The Agency Group, bringing its agents and artist roster into the agency.
Aftermath
The transaction expanded UTA's music operations across North America and Europe.
Recent events
- 2025
David Kramer succeeds Jeremy Zimmer as CEO[1]
Leadership change
David Kramer became UTA's chief executive officer after serving as president, while Zimmer moved out of the CEO role.
- 2024
UTA acquires JUV Consulting and ROOF[1]
M&A
UTA acquired youth-culture agency JUV Consulting and European football agency Representatives of Outstanding Footballers.
- 2023
UTA acquires James & Co.[1]
M&A
UTA acquired a New York executive-search and consulting firm, extending its professional-services offering.
- 2022
UTA acquires Curtis Brown[1]
M&A
The acquisition of the United Kingdom-based literary and talent agency broadened UTA's publishing and international representation activities.
- 2021
UTA expands through MediaLink and digital initiatives[1]
M&A · Product launch
UTA acquired strategic advisory firm MediaLink, launched an NFT practice, announced a special-purpose acquisition company, and expanded its office network.
- 2019
UTA establishes sports partnership with Rich Paul[1]
M&A
UTA partnered with Rich Paul to build a sports division and later purchased a majority stake in Klutch Sports Group.
- 2018
UTA becomes a founding donor of Time's Up[1]
Campaign
UTA committed support to Time's Up, an initiative addressing sexual harassment and workplace inequality in the entertainment industry.
- 2018
UTA acquires Circle Talent Agency[1]
M&A
The acquisition strengthened UTA's position in dance and electronic music representation.
- 2017
UTA holds United Voices rally[1]
Campaign · Regulation
UTA replaced its customary Academy Awards party with a public rally addressing refugee relief, freedom of speech, and opposition to the United States travel ban.
- 2017
UTA acquires Greater Talent Network[1]
M&A
The acquisition expanded UTA's public-speaking and lecture-booking business.
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