United Talent Agency

“Brands are understanding how creators have unique relationships with their audiences. What you say, and how you say it, is such a crucial component to people seeing content as authentic versus being simply an ad,” UTA’s Damon Lau (Partner & Co-Head, UTA Creators) tells Digiday. Alexander Lee writes that “brands’ romance with gaming influencers and creators has blossomed in 2024” — and as they become more comfortable in gaming, they’re more willing to hand over the reins over to creators. Lee interviewed Lau about how brands are partnering with gaming creators to develop more relevant integrations versus the standard in-game ad. Read more: https://lnkd.in/g9FeK7ZZ

Co-Head of UTA Sports Andrew Thau our client Rich Eisen headlined a panel at Variety and Sportico’s Sports & Entertainment Summit in Los Angeles. The event brought together execs, agents, broadcasters, content creators and athletes to discuss the most consequential issues facing the sector. In a talk moderated by Variety’s co-EIC Cynthia Littleton, the duo discussed Eisen’s success as an entrepreneur who has transcended sports broadcasting, the landscape of college sports (including trends in NIL), and the impact of sports betting on the industry. 📷: Variety via Getty Images

To commemorate the NAHJ (National Association of Hispanic Journalists)’s 40th anniversary conference, hosted in Hollywood, our News & Broadcasting team invited clients, journalists and network executives to our Los Angeles campus for a mixer. The NAHJ is dedicated to the recognition and professional advancement of Latinos in the news industry, plus excellence in coverage of the entire Latino community. Attendees included Omar Ruiz (Reporter, NFL Network), Fin Gomez (Political Director, CBS News) and Mark Lima (Vice President and Washington Bureau Chief, CBS News) alongside UTA’s Ryan Hayden (Partner & Co-Head of News & Broadcasting & Sports Media), J.B. Fitzgerald (Agent, Sports) and Dylan Schloss (Coordinator, News & Broadcasting). 📷: Roger Kisby

Victor Lou has signed with UTA for worldwide representation, excluding Brazil, in all areas. The Brazilian electronic artist and DJ kicked off his career in 2015, creating a unique sound and visual style that connects his roots in the Brazilian “desande” dance music.

Ahead of the release of his memoir “Viewfinder: A Memoir of Seeing and Being Seen,” UTA client Jon M. Chu joined Matthew Belloni for an episode of “The Town” to talk about his groundbreaking career. Out July 23, the book dives into how he made it in Hollywood, bringing “Crazy Rich Asians” to the big screen (rather than having Netflix distribute the film) and more. Later this year, audiences will also be able to see the director’s long-awaited adaptation of “Wicked.” Listen below:

Wilmer Valderrama is firing on all cylinders — from acting and entrepreneurism to publishing and podcasting. Ahead of his return as Special Agent Nicholas Torres in “NCIS” this fall, Valderrama has launched a new active lifestyle brand for men and women called E.P.U. The name stands for E Pluribus Unum — “out of many, one” in Latin — with a portion of proceeds benefiting the USO, for which he is a global ambassador. The actor says he has always been “fascinated by the people who create fashion” and that his passion for fitness, and its mental strengthening, inspired the unisex line. The launch of E.P.U. follows Valderrama headlining a series of talks at Cannes Lions about his partnership with iHeartMedia and My Cultura, a podcast network dedicated to elevating Latinx voices and stories. Earlier this year, he executive produced Netflix’s three-episode docuseries “Dancing for the Devil: The 7M TikTok Cult,” which quickly entered the streamer’s Top 10 and had nearly nine million views opening week. Next up: A new memoir. “An American Story: Everyone’s Invited,” published by Harper Select, will hit bookshelves on September 17.

In our annual Cannes Lions 2024 Trends & Takeaways, we bring you the insights from the conversations that emerged on stage and in boardrooms, offering our perspective on what marketers can bring back to their desks in the coming months. If you missed our Daily Double content sessions, you can also catch-up through video on demand.    “Cannes is a melting-pot of creativity and innovation – whether it’s a moment at MediaLink Beach, a casual gathering at the Carlton Terrace, or an immersive experience along the Croissette, these could shape the most exhilarating and enlightening moments of your week.” - MediaLink’s Michael Burke.    Get the full report here: https://lnkd.in/e7bUqnky   #Creativity #Marketing #AI #CannesLions2024 #MediaLinked

Congrats to Michael Rubi, who has been promoted to Co-Head of UTA Production Arts! Rubi has spent the majority of his career at UTA. He originally started in the mailroom in 2001 after graduating from law school. Two weeks later, he joined the Production Arts team, and the rest is history. He now leads the department alongside Pete Franciosa. “Mike’s dedication and work on behalf of our wide range of clients has helped make UTA the leader in this space,” says Julien Thuan, UTA Partner & Co-Head of Motion Picture Literary. UTA’s Production Arts division represents cinematographers, producers, costume designers, second unit directors, assistant directors, stunt coordinators, editors, choreographers, production designers, visual effects supervisors and producers, hair and makeup artists and more. They work across all visual media, from film and television to music videos and commercials. Read more:

Drag superstar Plastique Tiara has signed with UTA for representation in all areas. Plastique currently stars on the ninth season of “RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars” on MTV, where she’s competing in support of the Asian American Foundation. (This season’s contest benefits a charity of each competitor’s choosing.) After the season wraps, fans will be able to see her on a 31-date tour alongside her fellow “AS9” queens. 📷: Milor Tran

Permission to approach the top spot: "Your Honor" starring Bryan Cranston, and created and executive produced by our client Peter Moffat, has skyrocketed to No. 1 on Nielsen’s latest viewership chart. Originally airing on Showtime, the show — co-starring Hope Davis and Mark O'Brien — was streamed for 1.5 billion minutes during June 3-9 on Paramount+ and Netflix, where it became available on May 31. It currently sits in Netflix’s Top 10 with two seasons. Other clients involved include executive producers Michelle & Robert King, Liz Glotzer through King Size Productions, and James Degus through Moonshot; director of photography Michael Grady; production designer Jeffrey Mossa; and head of hair department Vito Trotta.