Talent Agencies: What They Are & What They Do

Written by Ramsey Brown.

“Your talent is God’s gift to you. What you do with it is your gift back to God.”

There are multiple people in this world who possess extraordinary talents. If you are reading this article, it’s safe for me to assume that you are one of them. Though we are very fortunate to be born as creatives, it also comes with a great expectancy.

As a talented individual with big ambitions, it can be hard figuring out how to exactly hone in on your craft. Oftentimes, creatives find it difficult to to operate in a traditional 9-5 work environment - and that is totally normal. If you have an artistic gift, it should never lay idle. 

Some people get lucky and fulfill their passions immediately in life, but (most) others have to search to find where they fit in and seek alternative routes to achieve their dreams. If you are wanting to live up to your full creative potential, then seeking out a talent agency may be the right path to get you there. 

Finding the right talent agency could be the difference between you turning your dreams into a reality, or staying complacent with an unrewarding job. It’s time for you to stop wasting your talent, and start looking for an agent who can showcase your expertise in a better way. 

With so many talent agencies out there, it’s not as hard as it seems to convert your dreams into reality. We’re going to discuss some top-notch agencies and the positives, negatives, and overall working structure behind them. This information will help you make a more informed decision when taking the next step towards your aspiring career. 

Established in 1991 through the merger of Bauer-Benedek Agency and Leading Artists Agency, the company began with 10 partners and 40 agents. In the early stages, they were known for providing mostly entry-level jobs and described by the LA Times as “among the most coveted documents in wannabe Hollywood”. 

The company quickly expanded and by the early 2000’s their roster included names such as Jim Carrey, Dave Chappelle, Will Ferrell, and more. Now described in the media as one of Hollywood’s ‘Big Four’ talent agencies, the company has well established itself as an industry tastemaker.

UTA has worked with some of the most prestigious clients and partners in the entertainment sector and has continued to grow exponentially in their 29 years of business.

CAA was founded in 1975 after 5 agents from the William Morris Agency decided to branch off and create their own company. Their early plan was to be a medium-sized talent agency with focus mainly on sports. By the mid-1990’s, CAA had employed 550 people and saw a revenue growth of $150 million. 

This company has been credited for many notable collaborations in the entertainment world and praised for their ability to package talent for movies and projects. 

After achieving such landmarks of success, CAA eventually expanded their operations into advertising, telecommunications, investment banking, brand marketing, digital media, philanthropy and more. 

Now the company has around 3,400+ clients and includes names like Lady Gaga, Simon Cowell, Jimmy Fallon, Tom Cruise, David Beckham and more. Creative Artists Agency has proved themselves as trailblazers and a dominant force in the talent industry. 

Like most major companies, CAA has had its fair share of ups and downs within the press. Even through trials and tribulations, there is no denying the major accomplishments this company has seen in the past 46 years.

• 1992 - spearheaded marketing campaign for Coca-Cola

• 1995 - grabbed the title of “most powerful agency.”

• 1996 - Founded CAA Foundation to create positive social change 

• 1998 - established CAA Marketing 

• 2003 - opened New York City office to manage theater clients 

• 2015 - became top revenue producer in the sports division, earning 215 million dollars.

• 2016 - hired over 1,800 employees

The story began in 1986, when Sam Gores opened up his first agency in Beverly Hills under the name SGA Representation. Years down the road, Gores made strategic moves by acquiring multiple other talent agencies and in 1992, Paradigm Talent Agency was born.  

Since then PTA has continued to grow exponentially and has expanded the company to a world class talent agency that is known across the globe. Through their vast expansions and joint partnerships, Paradigm Talent Agency has left a forever footprint on the music industry we know today

2004 - acquired the literary firm Genesis and the Writers & Artists Agency

2004 - acquired independent music agency Monterey Peninsula Artists

2006 - acquired New York based music booking agency, Little Big Man

2008 - acquired Ellis Industries, leading independent music agency from New York

2009 - acquired Third Coast Artists Agency, the largest independent Christian Music Agency

2012 - partnered with AM Only, a leading Electronic Dance Music agency whose client list includes David Guetta, Skrillex and Tiësto.

2014 - acquired a 50% stake in the London-based Coda Agency

2016 - won the Pollstar Award for Booking Agency of the Year

2018 - won the Pollstar Award for Booking Agency of the Year

2019 - won the Pollstar Award for Booking Agency of the Year

2020 - won the Pollstar Award for Booking Agency of the Year

Most agencies do not accept unsolicited submission. It’s more likely an agent will find you before you find them. It is beneficial for the talent to already have placement in a prominent role or performance in order to get the attention of a big time agent. 

Luckily, managers and management companies have industry connections and may be able to get you in contact with an agent sooner. If you don’t already have a manager, you may want to seek one out before trying to find an agent. 

If you are a stand alone talent with no representation, it is always beneficial to attend any business events, film festivals, conferences, or other networking opportunities that could potentially help you make industry connections. 

© 2023 Omari MC, LLC.  All Rights Reserved.

© 2023 Omari MC, LLC.  All Rights Reserved.