UTA Promotes 35 to Partner
What happened
United Talent Agency announced 35 promotions to Partner across 23 departments and multiple offices — a structural move that spreads decision‑making and likely increases agency influence in packaging and cross‑platform deals. The promotions suggest agencies are doubling down on multidisciplined teams as studios and streamers converge. (deadline.com) (variety.com)
Why it matters
Promotees named on UTA’s roster include Mahzad Babayan (Creators), Hanley Baxter (Filmed Entertainment/Talent), Jason Garber (Filmed Entertainment/Production Arts), Paul Weis (Technology) and Pasha Tasvibi (Business Affairs). (deadline.com) Seven of the new partners are in UTA LIVE’s music division — Christian Bernhardt, Alisann Blood, Brandi Brammer, Jules De Lattre, Sara Schoch, Elisa Vazzana and James Wright — while Joe Schwartz and Bjorn Wentlandt were elevated in comedy touring. (musicbusinessworldwide.com) (news.pollstar.com) UTA CEO David Kramer said the new partners have “championed clients, built teams and pushed our business forward,” framing the elevations as recognition of demonstrable impact within the agency. (deadline.com) The 2026 partner class follows UTA’s previous 26-person partner elevation announced May 31, 2022, which at the time was recorded as the agency’s largest partner class. (hollywoodreporter.com) Recent corporate moves that expand UTA’s global footprint include the acquisition of the Curtis Brown Group in 2022, opening new London offices in 2023, and UTA’s purchase of ROOF Football (now part of KLUTCH Sports) in 2024 — context cited by the agency during past promotion cycles. (deadline.com) The 2026 list also names partners in Strategy & Corporate Development (Josh Rothstein), IQ (Justin Kao, Stephanie Smith), Technology (Ernie Liu, Paul Weis) and Business Affairs (Pasha Tasvibi), signaling internal seniority gains across corporate and product-facing functions. (deadline.com)
Key numbers
- United Talent Agency announced 35 promotions to Partner across 23 departments and multiple offices — a structural move that spreads decision‑making and likely increases agency influence in packaging and cross‑platform deals.
- (deadline.com) The 2026 partner class follows UTA’s previous 26-person partner elevation announced May 31, 2022, which at the time was recorded as the agency’s largest partner class.
What happens next
- (deadline.com) The 2026 partner class follows UTA’s previous 26-person partner elevation announced May 31, 2022, which at the time was recorded as the agency’s largest partner class.
Quick answers
What happened in UTA Promotes 35 to Partner?
United Talent Agency announced 35 promotions to Partner across 23 departments and multiple offices — a structural move that spreads decision‑making and likely increases agency influence in packaging and cross‑platform deals. The promotions suggest agencies are doubling down on multidisciplined teams as studios and streamers converge. (deadline.com) (variety.com)
Why does UTA Promotes 35 to Partner matter?
Promotees named on UTA’s roster include Mahzad Babayan (Creators), Hanley Baxter (Filmed Entertainment/Talent), Jason Garber (Filmed Entertainment/Production Arts), Paul Weis (Technology) and Pasha Tasvibi (Business Affairs). (deadline.com) Seven of the new partners are in UTA LIVE’s music division — Christian Bernhardt, Alisann Blood, Brandi Brammer, Jules De Lattre, Sara Schoch, Elisa Vazzana and James Wright — while Joe Schwartz and Bjorn Wentlandt were elevated in comedy touring. (musicbusinessworldwide.com) (news.pollstar.com) UTA CEO David Kramer said the new partners have “championed clients, built teams and pushed our business forward,” framing the elevations as recognition of demonstrable impact within the agency. (deadline.com) The 2026 partner class follows UTA’s previous 26-person partner elevation announced May 31, 2022, which at the time was recorded as the agency’s largest partner class. (hollywoodreporter.com) Recent corporate moves that expand UTA’s global footprint include the acquisition of the Curtis Brown Group in 2022, opening new London offices in 2023, and UTA’s purchase of ROOF Football (now part of KLUTCH Sports) in 2024 — context cited by the agency during past promotion cycles. (deadline.com) The 2026 list also names partners in Strategy & Corporate Development (Josh Rothstein), IQ (Justin Kao, Stephanie Smith), Technology (Ernie Liu, Paul Weis) and Business Affairs (Pasha Tasvibi), signaling internal seniority gains across corporate and product-facing functions. (deadline.com)
