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.
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.
Verve
Literary
Boutique agency with an impressive roster of writers. Known for advocating fiercely for their talent.
United Talent Agency (UTA)
Broadcast
With clients such as Anderson Cooper, Brooke Baldwin and Brian Kilmeade, UTA is a leader in representing journalists.
Octagon
Sports
Octagon has an elite roster of sports talent including Steph Curry and Giannis Antetokounmpo.
IMG Models
Modeling
Diverse and exciting talent, stable and engaged agent base.
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.
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 | Great relationships with talent, deep industry ties. | |
Georgia | Stellar reputation and impressive local talent pool in Atlanta. | |
Illinois | Boutique agency, strong track record. | |
Louisiana | Career building aesthetic, friendly and busy agency. | |
North Carolina | Personable agents, great relationships with both talent and casting/producers. | |
New Mexico | High quality talent in the southeast market. | |
Texas | Beloved by talent, personal attention, and great outreach. |
Best Talent Agencies for New Actors
Best Acting Agencies for Teens
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