What Are the Different Types of Talent Agencies?

 What Are the Different Types of Talent Agencies?



Finding the most skilled painter does you no good if what you really need is a plumber. The same principle applies to representation.  For example, connecting with the most successful sports agent when you are looking for a social media influencer on TikTok will not produce the desired results.

For talent, you don’t need the best agent, you need the best for you. The same goes for producers, knowing which agencies have the type of talent you are looking to hire will save you time and effort.

Here is a breakdown of different types of talent agencies: 

  • Theatrical Agents

  • Commercial Agents

  • Literary Agents

  • Broadcast Journalist Agents

  • Sports Agents

  • Modeling Agents

  • Music Agents

  • AGENCY

    TYPE

    WHY OUR CHOICE

    WEBSITE

    William Morris Endeavor (WME)

    Theatrical (Film, Stage, TV)

     

     

    There are many powerhouse theatrical agencies, but WMA has been a consistent leader since it was established in 1898. The merger  with Endeavor, thus becoming WME, increased their reach and clout in the industry.

    https://www.wmeagency.com

    CESD Talent Agency 

    Commercial Voice-Over  

    CESD is one of the nation’s most prestigious agencies for commercial and voice-over talent and is fast becoming a dominant force in the industry.

    https://cesdtalent.com

    Verve

    Literary

    Boutique agency with an impressive roster of writers. Known for advocating fiercely for their talent.

    http://vervetla.com

    United Talent Agency (UTA)

    Broadcast 

    With clients such as Anderson Cooper, Brooke Baldwin and Brian Kilmeade, UTA is a leader in representing journalists.

    https://www.unitedtalent.com

    Octagon

    Sports

    Octagon has an elite roster of sports talent including Steph Curry and Giannis Antetokounmpo.

    https://www.octagon.com

    IMG Models

    Modeling

    Diverse and exciting talent, stable and engaged agent base.

    https://www.imgmodels.com

    Creative Artists Agency (CAA)

    Music

    A premier agency for theatrical talent, CAA also boasts an impressive music roster including Ariana Grande, Jennifer Lopez, Miley Cyrus.

    https://www.caa.com



Pros: Powerful and connected agency with A-list talent. For producers, this means immediate access to talent that can lead to funding and distribution. For talent, to be represented by any one of these agencies puts you front of mind for top casting houses, streaming platforms such as Netflix and HBO Max, and top talent management.

Cons:  A less established producer might not have their projects given top consideration for A-list talent.  For actors, with such a large and notable client base, personal attention for emerging artists is difficult. These large, established agencies are often not in the business of developing talent and may not be the best acting agencies for beginners that need rudimental help such as choosing headshots or finding acting classes.

1.   William Morris Endeavor (WME)  (Best Talent Agency Overall)

WME narrowly edges CAA for the top spot because of their strong global presence in the industry.

TOP PARTNERS AND AGENTS

Elan Ruspoli (Partner) 

Patrick Whitesell (Executive Chairman) 

Ari Emanuel (CEO) 

Andrew Dunlap (Partner) 

TOP TALENT: Tom Holland | Bryce Dallas Howard | Jodie Comer | Henry Cavill | Ella Purnell | Gemma Chan | Barry Keoghan | Janet McTeer | Diane Lane | Richard Madden

2.   Creative Artists Agency (CAA)

TOP PARTNERS AND AGENTS

Bryan Lourd (Managing Partner) 

Hylda Queally (Motion Picture Talent Agent) 

Tracy Brennan (Co-Head, Motion Picture) 

Franklin Latt (Co-Head, Motion Picture Talent) 

TOP TALENT: Dina Shihabi | Hunter Schafer | Jennifer Holland | Zendaya | Ana de Armas | Jennifer Beals | Jason Bateman | Mckenna Grace | Jenna Ortega | Freya Allan

3.    United Talent Agency (UTA)

TOP PARTNERS AND AGENTS

Brian Swardstrom (Partner, Talent Agent) 

Danie Streisand (Partner, Talent Agent) 

Blair Kohan (Partner, Talent Agent) 

Jacob Fenton (Partner, Talent Agent) 

TOP TALENT: Julia Garner | Lily James | Carrie Coon | Sofia Hublitz | Morena Baccarin | Arnold Schwarzenegger | Alexandra Daddario | Amy Sedaris | Timothée Chalamet 

4.    The Gersh Agency

TOP PARTNERS AND AGENTS

Rhonda Price (Partner, Talent Agent) 

Samantha Chalk (Talent Agent) 

Alexander Yarosh (Partner, Head of Talent)

Elizabeth Wiederseim (Talent Agent)

Established by Phil Gersh  

TOP TALENT: Freddie Stroma | Tom Pelphrey | Melanie Lynskey | Ariel Winter | Alfonso Herrera | Mena Massoud | Jeanne Tripplehorn | Jacob Elordi | Elizabeth Olsen | Ma Dong-seok 

5.   Paradigm Talent Agency

TOP PARTNERS AND AGENTS

Jennifer Millar (Youth Department, Talent Agent)

Irene Cabrera (Talent Agent)

Brad Pankosky (Talent Agent) 

Christy Hall (Talent Agent) 

TOP TALENT: Sydney Sweeney | Lia McHugh | Charlie Tahan | Alice Kremelberg | Travis Fimmel | Yvonne Strahovski | Samantha Hanratty | Julie White | Julie Benz | Brian Cox

6.    A3 Artists Agency

TOP PARTNERS AND AGENTS

Ross Silver (Talent Agent) 

Matt Gogal (Talent Agent)

Jamie Pillet (Partner, Talent Agent) 

Domina Holbeck (Partner, Talent Agent)

TOP TALENT: Emily Swallow | Matt McGorry | Tiffani Thiessen | Kelly Stables | Brooke Butler | Angus Cloud | Christine Lakin | Jen Landon | Javon 'Wanna' Walton | Kelli Barrett

7.   ICM Partners

TOP PARTNERS AND AGENTS

Joanne Roberts Wiles (Partner & Literary Talent Agent)

Toni Howard (Partner, Talent Agent) 

Lorrie Bartlett (Partner, Talent Agent) 

Hildy Gottlieb (Partner, Talent Agent) 

TOP TALENT: Stephanie Beatriz | Laura Linney | Skylar Gaertner | Taissa Farmiga | Rachel Zegler | Julia Jones | Regina King | Kelly Reilly | Teresa Palmer | Sophie Thatcher 

8.    Innovative Artists

TOP PARTNERS AND AGENTS

Melisa Spamer (Talent Agent) 

Abby Bluestone (Talent Agent) 

Josiah Akinyele (Talent Agent) 

Benjamin Carnegie (Talent Agent) 

TOP TALENT: Ming-Na Wen | Mia Kirshner | Kelly Stables | Morgan Spector | Elias Kacavas | Richard Thomas | Ashley Johnson | Eric Ladin | Sophia Ali | Sasha Banks

9.    Agency for the Performing Arts (APA)

TOP PARTNERS AND AGENTS

Jim Osborne (Partner, President & Head of Talent) 

Kris Heller (Talent Agent) 

Jeff Witjas (Partner, SVP)

Barry McPherson (Partner, EVP)

TOP TALENT: Alicia Witt | Cole Hauser | Sara Rue | Olivia d'Abo | Francia Raisa | Eric Nelsen | Willa Ford | Thomas Ian Griffith | Angelique Cabral | Joseph Sikora

10.   Buchwald

TOP PARTNERS AND AGENTS

Ryan Martin (Co-Head, West Coast, Talent Agent) 

Tim Weissman (Talent Agent) 

Leslie Zaslower (Talent Agent) 

Jesse Young (Talent Agent) 

TOP TALENT: Emily Swallow | Julia Chan | Christina Ochoa | Lochlyn Munro | Ralph Macchio | Martin Donovan | Rhona Mitra | Rachel Nichols | Meredith Garretson | Neal McDonough 

The Best Acting Agents

Here is a list of the top talent agencies in bustling production cities in other states.

State

Agency

Why We Like It

Colorado

Radical Artists Agency

Great relationships with talent, deep industry ties.

Georgia

Houghton Talent

Stellar reputation and impressive local talent pool in Atlanta.

Illinois

Actor’s Talent Group

Boutique agency, strong track record.

Louisiana

Actor’s Choice Talent Agency

Career building aesthetic, friendly and busy agency. 

North Carolina

JTA Talent

Personable agents, great relationships with both talent and casting/producers.

New Mexico

Mitchell Talent

High quality talent in the southeast market.

Texas

The Horne Agency

Beloved by talent, personal attention, and great outreach.


Best Talent Agencies for New Actors

The largest casting company that specializes in background, stand-in, or double work is Central Casting

Another way for an actor to find opportunity in the film and TV industries is having success on the stage. For example, an agency with both a film and TV department, and  a robust stage presence is The Talent House.

Three agencies that have a smaller, but more personal client list and are well respected in the entertainment  industry are The Kohner AgencyAmsel, Eisenstadt , Frazier & Hinojosa Talent Agency (AEFH) and Osbrink Talent Agency.

Best Acting Agencies for Teens




Was the agency that our Nonillaah Founder and music artist Sean M aka Deshon Johnson was assigned to.







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