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
UTA is expanding its marketing division, acquiring Juv Consulting, a company that specializes in connecting brands with Gen Z and youth culture.
Juv Consulting and its more than a dozen employees will join UTA’s Entertainment Marketing division, reporting to co-heads David Anderson and Julian Jacobs from offices in Los Angeles, New York and Chicago. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Juv’s clients include Google, Unilever, Converse, E.L.F. Beauty, Lionsgate. UTA, meanwhile, has been pushing further into the marketing and consulting sectors ever since it acquired MediaLink for $125 million in 2021.
Jacobs, who was named to lead UTA’s New York office last year, is among the executives leading the charge into the advertising sector.
“Ziad Ahmed and the Juv team have become the clear leader in helping brands understand and engage with Gen Z and youth culture,” Jacobs says. “We are thrilled to have their unique expertise now part of UTA,...
Juv Consulting and its more than a dozen employees will join UTA’s Entertainment Marketing division, reporting to co-heads David Anderson and Julian Jacobs from offices in Los Angeles, New York and Chicago. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Juv’s clients include Google, Unilever, Converse, E.L.F. Beauty, Lionsgate. UTA, meanwhile, has been pushing further into the marketing and consulting sectors ever since it acquired MediaLink for $125 million in 2021.
Jacobs, who was named to lead UTA’s New York office last year, is among the executives leading the charge into the advertising sector.
“Ziad Ahmed and the Juv team have become the clear leader in helping brands understand and engage with Gen Z and youth culture,” Jacobs says. “We are thrilled to have their unique expertise now part of UTA,...
- 3/1/2024
- by Alex Weprin
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
UTA has announced its latest round of promotions, elevating 104 employees across 25 departments.
The promotions come in departments across the company — which is headquartered in Los Angeles with offices in Atlanta, Chicago, Nashville, New York and London — including business affairs, comedy touring, communications, endorsements & voiceover, finance & accounting, fine arts, independent film, information technology, Iq, Klutch Sports Group, MediaLink, motion picture literary, motion picture talent, music, news & broadcasting, people, publishing, strategy and corporate development, TV literary, TV talent, UTA Creators, entertainment and culture marketing, UTA Foundation, Ventures and workplace services.
“We’re extremely proud of this group of colleagues and the contributions they are making at UTA during a period of exceptional growth, diversification, and momentum,” stated UTA president David Kramer, announcing this year’s promoted class. “They are part of a tradition of developing and advancing careers that is central to our culture and our commitment to driving success for our clients.
The promotions come in departments across the company — which is headquartered in Los Angeles with offices in Atlanta, Chicago, Nashville, New York and London — including business affairs, comedy touring, communications, endorsements & voiceover, finance & accounting, fine arts, independent film, information technology, Iq, Klutch Sports Group, MediaLink, motion picture literary, motion picture talent, music, news & broadcasting, people, publishing, strategy and corporate development, TV literary, TV talent, UTA Creators, entertainment and culture marketing, UTA Foundation, Ventures and workplace services.
“We’re extremely proud of this group of colleagues and the contributions they are making at UTA during a period of exceptional growth, diversification, and momentum,” stated UTA president David Kramer, announcing this year’s promoted class. “They are part of a tradition of developing and advancing careers that is central to our culture and our commitment to driving success for our clients.
- 2/7/2024
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
UTA is shuffling its East Coast leadership, installing partner and co-head of entertainment marketing Julian Jacobs as the head of its 300-plus-employee New York office, as Allan Haldeman returns to LA.
Haldeman, who had been tasked in 2022 with spearheading growth in New York across several verticals, will continue to co-run the agency’s TV lit department after relocating to be with his family. As co-head of the agency’s theater business, Haldeman will continue to travel to New York for client meetings.
Jacobs started in UTA’s agency training program nearly 15 years ago, eventually going on to help start the company’s entertainment marketing practice. After moving to New York in March to oversee the office there, Jacobs will continue to co-lead entertainment marketing, a division that also does brand consulting.
The group co-managed by Jacobs now has 40 employees in LA, New York, Atlanta and London, working with companies including Amazon,...
Haldeman, who had been tasked in 2022 with spearheading growth in New York across several verticals, will continue to co-run the agency’s TV lit department after relocating to be with his family. As co-head of the agency’s theater business, Haldeman will continue to travel to New York for client meetings.
Jacobs started in UTA’s agency training program nearly 15 years ago, eventually going on to help start the company’s entertainment marketing practice. After moving to New York in March to oversee the office there, Jacobs will continue to co-lead entertainment marketing, a division that also does brand consulting.
The group co-managed by Jacobs now has 40 employees in LA, New York, Atlanta and London, working with companies including Amazon,...
- 1/9/2024
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
Julian Jacobs has been named the new head of UTA’s New York City office as Allan Haldeman, partner and co-head of TV Lit, returns to Los Angeles.
Jacobs, also a partner and co-head of entertainment marketing, will move to New York in March to lead the local office. UTA launched the East Coast office in 2011 to encompass the film, TV, fashion, theater, publishing, news and other local sectors, with just over 300 employees currently.
The New York base also helped push UTA into marketing and advertising after acquiring the strategic advisory firm MediaLink. UTA’s other recent corporate moves include buying U.K. literary and talent Agency Curtis Brown Group to add to its presence in Britain, snapping up data firm Mediahound, securing capital from private equity firm Eqt and adding the literary agency Fletcher & Company to its assets.
Jacobs started in the UTA agency training program 15 years ago...
Jacobs, also a partner and co-head of entertainment marketing, will move to New York in March to lead the local office. UTA launched the East Coast office in 2011 to encompass the film, TV, fashion, theater, publishing, news and other local sectors, with just over 300 employees currently.
The New York base also helped push UTA into marketing and advertising after acquiring the strategic advisory firm MediaLink. UTA’s other recent corporate moves include buying U.K. literary and talent Agency Curtis Brown Group to add to its presence in Britain, snapping up data firm Mediahound, securing capital from private equity firm Eqt and adding the literary agency Fletcher & Company to its assets.
Jacobs started in the UTA agency training program 15 years ago...
- 1/9/2024
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Julian Jacobs, a longtime UTA executive who has helped the firm expand into entertainment marketing, has been named to lead the agency’s New York office, effective in March.
Jacobs expects to build on momentum fostered under Allan Haldeman, a partner and co-head of TV Lit, who has led New York operations since September of 2022. UTA’s New York office comprises some 300 staffers. Haldeman is expected to continue his work with TV Lit while co-heading Theater and will travel between New York and Los Angeles after returning to the West Coast.
Jacobs, also a UTA partner, will continue his entertainment marketing efforts, which includes brand consulting for several New York-based clients. Jacobs’ team includes more than 40 executives who work in Los Angeles, New York, Atlanta and London. Clients include Amazon, Ancestry.com, The Coca-Cola Company, Delta Air Lines, General Motors, Google, Hulu, Hyatt, LinkedIn and Lyft. UTA played a key role...
Jacobs expects to build on momentum fostered under Allan Haldeman, a partner and co-head of TV Lit, who has led New York operations since September of 2022. UTA’s New York office comprises some 300 staffers. Haldeman is expected to continue his work with TV Lit while co-heading Theater and will travel between New York and Los Angeles after returning to the West Coast.
Jacobs, also a UTA partner, will continue his entertainment marketing efforts, which includes brand consulting for several New York-based clients. Jacobs’ team includes more than 40 executives who work in Los Angeles, New York, Atlanta and London. Clients include Amazon, Ancestry.com, The Coca-Cola Company, Delta Air Lines, General Motors, Google, Hulu, Hyatt, LinkedIn and Lyft. UTA played a key role...
- 1/9/2024
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
Lauren Probyn Aouad has joined UTA as a marketing executive, marking the company’s first senior hire in its newly opened Atlanta division.
As an executive, Aouad will be responsible for growing the division’s presence within the community and developing new partnerships with brands at the intersection of entertainment and advertising. She will report to Julian Jacobs and David Anderson, UTA partners and co-heads of the entertainment and culture Marketing division. She will work closely with Steve Cohen, partner and co-head of UTA’s Atlanta office.
“We’re excited to welcome Lauren to our team,” said Anderson, “Our group has expanded substantially over the past few years, both domestically and globally, and we look forward to having her help us grow the business.”
Prior to UTA, Aouad served as VP of growth marketing at Fan Controlled Sports + Entertainment, where she spearheaded brand marketing, public relations and digital media strategy.
As an executive, Aouad will be responsible for growing the division’s presence within the community and developing new partnerships with brands at the intersection of entertainment and advertising. She will report to Julian Jacobs and David Anderson, UTA partners and co-heads of the entertainment and culture Marketing division. She will work closely with Steve Cohen, partner and co-head of UTA’s Atlanta office.
“We’re excited to welcome Lauren to our team,” said Anderson, “Our group has expanded substantially over the past few years, both domestically and globally, and we look forward to having her help us grow the business.”
Prior to UTA, Aouad served as VP of growth marketing at Fan Controlled Sports + Entertainment, where she spearheaded brand marketing, public relations and digital media strategy.
- 3/30/2023
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: UTA is setting up an Emea branch of its Entertainment and Culture Marketing group and has hired Fremantle Global Branded Entertainment boss Samantha Glynne to oversee the new department.
The E&cm branch, which launched five years ago, handles brand clients, and Glynne will take the lead on building UTA’s international strategy in the space. The branch already has a presence in Los Angeles, New York and London, with clients including Coca-Cola, Google and LinkedIn.
Related Story Fremantle Global Entertainment Boss Rob Clark To Retire Related Story YouTube Advertising Revenue Slips, Helping Drag Alphabet Q3 Results Below Wall Street Expectations Related Story UTA's Jeremy Zimmer Joins Calls For Boycott Of Kanye West, Citing Rise Of Anti-Semitism
Glynne has already started and reports to E&cm co-heads Julian Jacobs and David Anderson.
“The borders of global entertainment are vanishing, the UK and Emea creative markets are incredibly dynamic, and...
The E&cm branch, which launched five years ago, handles brand clients, and Glynne will take the lead on building UTA’s international strategy in the space. The branch already has a presence in Los Angeles, New York and London, with clients including Coca-Cola, Google and LinkedIn.
Related Story Fremantle Global Entertainment Boss Rob Clark To Retire Related Story YouTube Advertising Revenue Slips, Helping Drag Alphabet Q3 Results Below Wall Street Expectations Related Story UTA's Jeremy Zimmer Joins Calls For Boycott Of Kanye West, Citing Rise Of Anti-Semitism
Glynne has already started and reports to E&cm co-heads Julian Jacobs and David Anderson.
“The borders of global entertainment are vanishing, the UK and Emea creative markets are incredibly dynamic, and...
- 10/31/2022
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
United Talent Agency (UTA) on Tuesday announced 26 new partners, the largest class in the agency’s 31-year history.
“As UTA has grown, these colleagues’ leadership, hard work, mentorship and dedication helps push our business forward every day,” said UTA Co-President David Kramer. “This partner class encompasses a wide range of expertise and backgrounds and reflects our commitment to providing clients with best-in-class representation and resources across all areas of the company.”
The newest UTA partners are:
David Anderson (MediaLink); Robert Arakelian (Production Arts); Natasha Bolouki (Unscripted Television); Rob Carlson (Motion Picture Literary); David Evenchick (UTA Speakers); Mike “G” Guirguis (Music); Julian Jacobs (MediaLink); Joe Kessler (UTA Iq); Andrew Lear (Unscripted Television); Fara Leff (Klutch Sports Group); Jbeau Lewis (Music); Jenny Maryasis (Motion Picture Literary); Matthew Morgan (Music); Raina Penchansky (Digital Brand Architects); Jason Richman (Media Rights); Laura Roenick (Human Resources); Michael Rubi (Production Arts); Scott Schachter (Talent); Phil Voss (Legal...
“As UTA has grown, these colleagues’ leadership, hard work, mentorship and dedication helps push our business forward every day,” said UTA Co-President David Kramer. “This partner class encompasses a wide range of expertise and backgrounds and reflects our commitment to providing clients with best-in-class representation and resources across all areas of the company.”
The newest UTA partners are:
David Anderson (MediaLink); Robert Arakelian (Production Arts); Natasha Bolouki (Unscripted Television); Rob Carlson (Motion Picture Literary); David Evenchick (UTA Speakers); Mike “G” Guirguis (Music); Julian Jacobs (MediaLink); Joe Kessler (UTA Iq); Andrew Lear (Unscripted Television); Fara Leff (Klutch Sports Group); Jbeau Lewis (Music); Jenny Maryasis (Motion Picture Literary); Matthew Morgan (Music); Raina Penchansky (Digital Brand Architects); Jason Richman (Media Rights); Laura Roenick (Human Resources); Michael Rubi (Production Arts); Scott Schachter (Talent); Phil Voss (Legal...
- 5/31/2022
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
UTA has upped 26 colleagues to partners, representing more than 15 divisions and corporate functions. This marks the largest partner class announced in UTA’s 31-year history.
The list of the newest UTA partners announced today are:
David Anderson- MediaLink Robert Arakelian- Production Arts Natasha Bolouki- Unscripted Television Rob Carlson-Motion Picture Literary David Evenchick- UTA Speakers Mike “G” Guirguis- Music Julian Jacobs-MediaLink Joe Kessler- UTA Iq Andrew Lear- Unscripted Television Fara Leff- Klutch Sports Group Jbeau Lewis-Music Jenny Maryasis- Motion Picture Literary Matthew Morgan- Music Raina Penchansky-Digital Brand Architects Jason Richman- Media Rights Laura Roenick-Human Resources Michael Rubi- Production Arts Scott Schachter-Talent Phil Voss- Legal Matt Waldstein- Business Affairs Toni Wallace-Music Sam Wick- Ventures Ruth-Ann Wynter- Human Resources
“As UTA has grown, these colleagues’ leadership, hard work, mentorship and dedication helps push our business forward every day,...
The list of the newest UTA partners announced today are:
David Anderson- MediaLink Robert Arakelian- Production Arts Natasha Bolouki- Unscripted Television Rob Carlson-Motion Picture Literary David Evenchick- UTA Speakers Mike “G” Guirguis- Music Julian Jacobs-MediaLink Joe Kessler- UTA Iq Andrew Lear- Unscripted Television Fara Leff- Klutch Sports Group Jbeau Lewis-Music Jenny Maryasis- Motion Picture Literary Matthew Morgan- Music Raina Penchansky-Digital Brand Architects Jason Richman- Media Rights Laura Roenick-Human Resources Michael Rubi- Production Arts Scott Schachter-Talent Phil Voss- Legal Matt Waldstein- Business Affairs Toni Wallace-Music Sam Wick- Ventures Ruth-Ann Wynter- Human Resources
“As UTA has grown, these colleagues’ leadership, hard work, mentorship and dedication helps push our business forward every day,...
- 5/31/2022
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
Jamie-Lynn Sigler has been keeping a secret for weeks. On Sunday, it finally came out.
Sigler, who played Meadow Soprano for more than eight years on the iconic HBO series “The Sopranos,” stepped into the role again Sunday for a Chevrolet commercial that aired during NBC’s telecast of Super Bowl Lvi. The ad updated, shot for shot, the show’s opening montage, which used to feature James Gandolfini’s Tony Soprano driving a Chevy truck. On Sunday night, it was Meadow Soprano doing the driving — in an electric Chevrolet Silverado, billed as a vehicle for “a new generation.”
Sigler has been sworn to silence ever since getting a call in mid-December about the plan, which also included Robert Iler, the actor who played her brother, A.J. Soprano. In the spot, the two meet at a restaurant — a callback to the much-discussed ending of the original series — after Meadow starts charging her vehicle.
Sigler, who played Meadow Soprano for more than eight years on the iconic HBO series “The Sopranos,” stepped into the role again Sunday for a Chevrolet commercial that aired during NBC’s telecast of Super Bowl Lvi. The ad updated, shot for shot, the show’s opening montage, which used to feature James Gandolfini’s Tony Soprano driving a Chevy truck. On Sunday night, it was Meadow Soprano doing the driving — in an electric Chevrolet Silverado, billed as a vehicle for “a new generation.”
Sigler has been sworn to silence ever since getting a call in mid-December about the plan, which also included Robert Iler, the actor who played her brother, A.J. Soprano. In the spot, the two meet at a restaurant — a callback to the much-discussed ending of the original series — after Meadow starts charging her vehicle.
- 2/14/2022
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
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
As air travel continues to rebound from the depths of Covid, a longtime corner of show business — in-flight entertainment — is also being reimagined for the streaming era.
Approaches vary widely. All carriers strike deals for licensed content but many, including major carriers like American and Southwest, have shifted away from seat-back screens, banking on customers accessing film, TV, audio or games on their own devices.
Delta Air Lines is placing a different kind of entertainment bet. It has invested heavily in its seat-back system, which is used by 75% of its 8 million monthly passengers on flights where those screens are available. The company has supplemented standard output deals with major studios and networks with exclusive content deals with Netflix, Spotify, HBO Max, Disney+, Neon, Showtime, A24 and others. Peloton even offers advice on stretching and meditating on board.
Delta grabbed headlines last summer when it teamed with Netflix for a Queer...
Approaches vary widely. All carriers strike deals for licensed content but many, including major carriers like American and Southwest, have shifted away from seat-back screens, banking on customers accessing film, TV, audio or games on their own devices.
Delta Air Lines is placing a different kind of entertainment bet. It has invested heavily in its seat-back system, which is used by 75% of its 8 million monthly passengers on flights where those screens are available. The company has supplemented standard output deals with major studios and networks with exclusive content deals with Netflix, Spotify, HBO Max, Disney+, Neon, Showtime, A24 and others. Peloton even offers advice on stretching and meditating on board.
Delta grabbed headlines last summer when it teamed with Netflix for a Queer...
- 11/18/2021
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: In its latest push into the fast growing, red-hot crypto/Nft space, UTA has signed new client Rally and is working “to educate and inspire” creators, artists, celebrities and athletes to connect with fans on the platform.
Rally, a fan engagement and monetization toolkit, is looking to expand more broadly in entertainment. UTA Marketing, the agency’s consulting division, will spearhead the relationship and work alongside the UTA Digital Assets division (one of the first among major agencies to delve into the crypto/Nft space) to facilitate talent onboarding onto the platform. The social tokens that Rally helps create are a kind of branded cryptocurrency for creators and others to build “sustainable, independent economies” with and their fans, who can buy and use the tokens for access to exclusive content, private communities, backstage access, tickets and merchandise.
“Rally has created a powerful set of tools to help talent connect...
Rally, a fan engagement and monetization toolkit, is looking to expand more broadly in entertainment. UTA Marketing, the agency’s consulting division, will spearhead the relationship and work alongside the UTA Digital Assets division (one of the first among major agencies to delve into the crypto/Nft space) to facilitate talent onboarding onto the platform. The social tokens that Rally helps create are a kind of branded cryptocurrency for creators and others to build “sustainable, independent economies” with and their fans, who can buy and use the tokens for access to exclusive content, private communities, backstage access, tickets and merchandise.
“Rally has created a powerful set of tools to help talent connect...
- 8/24/2021
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
Veteran advertising exec Mike Densmore is joining UTA Marketing, the brand consulting division of United Talent Agency, as its first-ever head of growth and innovation.
In the newly created role, Densmore will be responsible for spearheading the agency’s new business efforts with brand clients globally and expanding relationships within the broader advertising industry. He will be based in New York.
“Mike is extremely well-respected within the marketing and branding industries, and he has an unparalleled reputation for developing innovative, one-of-a-kind initiatives that leverage entertainment and media to appeal to consumers,” UTA Marketing Co-Heads David Anderson and Julian Jacobs said, announcing Densmore’s new position. “Mike will be an invaluable asset to our team as we expand our presence in New York and increase our global roster of top-tier brand clients. We are thrilled to welcome him to UTA.”
The division, which was established in 2017 by Anderson and Jacobs, represents...
In the newly created role, Densmore will be responsible for spearheading the agency’s new business efforts with brand clients globally and expanding relationships within the broader advertising industry. He will be based in New York.
“Mike is extremely well-respected within the marketing and branding industries, and he has an unparalleled reputation for developing innovative, one-of-a-kind initiatives that leverage entertainment and media to appeal to consumers,” UTA Marketing Co-Heads David Anderson and Julian Jacobs said, announcing Densmore’s new position. “Mike will be an invaluable asset to our team as we expand our presence in New York and increase our global roster of top-tier brand clients. We are thrilled to welcome him to UTA.”
The division, which was established in 2017 by Anderson and Jacobs, represents...
- 6/9/2021
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
Talent agency hospitality is a mainstay at the Sundance film Festival, be it in swanky lounges on Park City’s Main Street or private chalets in nearby Deer Valley.
United Talent Agency, whose talent roster and independent film group always come in force each year, typically throws a brunch for friends and press — but will significantly expand its footprint this year, in the form of a private residence with several days of programming.
Clients and guests of UTA Marketing — which reps global brands including Cover Girl, Delta Air Lines, Google, and Lyft — will be invited to a private residence tucked away the center of festival madness for key events and refuge from the snow.
Issa Rae, repped by the agency, will throw a party in honor of creators of color in conjunction with UTA’s own head of diversity and inclusion, Shanique Bonelli-Moore. Women in Film will hold its annual...
United Talent Agency, whose talent roster and independent film group always come in force each year, typically throws a brunch for friends and press — but will significantly expand its footprint this year, in the form of a private residence with several days of programming.
Clients and guests of UTA Marketing — which reps global brands including Cover Girl, Delta Air Lines, Google, and Lyft — will be invited to a private residence tucked away the center of festival madness for key events and refuge from the snow.
Issa Rae, repped by the agency, will throw a party in honor of creators of color in conjunction with UTA’s own head of diversity and inclusion, Shanique Bonelli-Moore. Women in Film will hold its annual...
- 1/21/2020
- by Matt Donnelly
- Variety Film + TV
United Talent Agency has bought New York-based entertainment marketing firm Blue Group Entertainment for an undisclosed price, Variety has learned exclusively.
Bge’s roster includes the Coty-owned Cover Girl and Rimmel, several Procter & Gamble brands, and Ge Appliances. The move, announced on Friday, is aimed at deepening UTA’s rapidly expanding in-house marketing practice.
The Bge team, led by Samantha Woolf, will join UTA Marketing and oversee its New York operations and expansion, reporting to co-heads David Anderson and Julian Jacobs. Woolf brings more than 20 years of marketing experience, most notably with Grey Global Group, People Magazine, and United Entertainment Group, prior to forming Bge in 2014 as a joint venture with UTA.
“Our two teams have worked closely together for a number of years, and it was a natural next step to bring them in house,” UTA CEO Jeremy Zimmer said. “Bge has helped the most powerful brands...
Bge’s roster includes the Coty-owned Cover Girl and Rimmel, several Procter & Gamble brands, and Ge Appliances. The move, announced on Friday, is aimed at deepening UTA’s rapidly expanding in-house marketing practice.
The Bge team, led by Samantha Woolf, will join UTA Marketing and oversee its New York operations and expansion, reporting to co-heads David Anderson and Julian Jacobs. Woolf brings more than 20 years of marketing experience, most notably with Grey Global Group, People Magazine, and United Entertainment Group, prior to forming Bge in 2014 as a joint venture with UTA.
“Our two teams have worked closely together for a number of years, and it was a natural next step to bring them in house,” UTA CEO Jeremy Zimmer said. “Bge has helped the most powerful brands...
- 6/15/2018
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
United Talent Agency (UTA) has been selected by General Motors (Gm) as its new branded entertainment agency, the company announced Thursday. UTA will handle branded entertainment initiatives for all of the automaker’s brands. UTA Marketing, a division of UTA that advises brands from Amazon and Delta Air Lines to LinkedIn and Lyft, will spearhead the work. Division co-heads David Anderson and Julian Jacobs will lead the team that will focus on developing strategic programs and initiatives with leading artists and creator while expanding Gm’s profile across film, television, music, sports, arts and culture to increase the iconic automaker’s pop culture awareness.
- 12/15/2017
- by Umberto Gonzalez
- The Wrap
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