We help our clients entertain, inform, and inspire the world.
We represent storytellers who shape culture and drive the future. From artists and creators to athletes and brands, our deep expertise and broad capabilities enable talent and companies to confidently grow their careers and businesses.
Timeline
From UTA’s origin to a decade of building a global platform.
1991
UTA is founded as United Talent Agency by Jeremy Zimmer, Peter Benedek, and Jim Berkus through a merger of the Bauer-Benedek Agency and Leading Artists Agency. The merger brought together the agencies' respective expertise in film and television.
2013
To accommodate its growing stature and roster of comedians, writers, and directors, the agency expands to a new campus in Beverly Hills — kicking off a decade of strategic growth.
2015
UTA acquires The Agency Group, the world's largest music agency, establishing the company as a global leader in music representation.
2018
UTA receives investments from several private equity firms, allowing the company to expand its capabilities and services.
2019
UTA partners with KLUTCH Sports Group, the premier sports agency founded by Rich Paul, establishing UTA Sports. UTA also acquires Digital Brand Architects, shoring up leadership in the creator economy.
2021
UTA grows its global influence in music with its acquisition of UK-based hip hop and electronic music powerhouse Echo Location Talent Agency. UTA also acquires MediaLink, a leading marketing and strategic advisory firm.
2022
UTA acquires top U.K. literary and talent agency The Curtis Brown Group. UTA also acquires data and analytics company MediaHound. Global private equity firm EQT becomes UTA’s largest outside investor, signaling the next phase of growth.
2023
UTA acquires full-service literary agency Fletcher & Co. and executive search firm James & Co. KLUTCH Sports Group acquires ELITE Athlete Management, expanding UTA's footprint in the NFL. UTA opens an office in Atlanta — the first major agency to do so.
Leadership
Get to know the leadership team at United Talent Agency.
Jeremy Zimmer
CEO & Board Member
Jeremy Zimmer helped build UTA from a boutique literary agency into one of the three major talent agencies, representing barrier-breaking artists and creators — from actors, directors, athletes and musicians to writers, gamers and digital influencers. As CEO since 2012, and with an instinct for being ahead of industry trends, he has driven UTA’s growth and evolution into a diversified global company.
He has been instrumental in the company’s moves into areas including music, digital talent, fine arts and esports. A consummate dealmaker, he oversaw UTA’s 2019 investment in sports agency KLUTCH Sports Group, the 2021 acquisition of media and brand advisory firm MediaLink, and the 2022 investment in UTA by private equity firm EQT.
Zimmer, who started his career in the William Morris mailroom, established UTA’s industry-leading agent training program whose many past participants hold leadership positions at UTA and throughout the entertainment industry. Zimmer also serves as chairman of The Veterans Fund, a U.S.VETS campaign to build the nation’s largest veteran housing community in Los Angeles.
David Kramer
President
UTA President David Kramer guides the company’s day-to-day business and helps shape its strategic growth. In 2022, he led UTA’s acquisition of top UK literary and talent agency Curtis Brown Group and helped bring in global private equity firm EQT as UTA’s largest outside investor.
Beginning his career in UTA’s Agent Training Program more than 30 years ago, he oversees some of the company’s key divisions, including motion picture, comedy touring, independent film, publishing, and podcasting, among others. He serves on the board of UCLA’s Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, the advisory board of the Peabody Awards, and the Board of Directors of Project Angel Food.
Jay Sures
Vice Chairman
UTA Vice Chairman Jay Sures oversees the agency’s television, broadcast and news, culture and leadership, and public lecture practices. He also serves as one of the four managing directors of the firm. He was instrumental in building UTA’s television practice and continues to represent a wide roster of talent across all areas. He was inducted into the Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame in 2016.
Appointed by Governors Brown and Newsom, he has served since 2019 on the University of California Board of Regents, where he chairs the audit and compliance committee. He also serves as the chairman of both Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and Los Alamos National Laboratory Board of Governors/Directors (Los Alamos appointment effective September 2023). In addition, he serves on the Los Angeles Police Department Foundation Board. Sures has been at UTA since its inception in 1991.
Bob Roback
Chief Operating Officer
Bob Roback is the Chief Operating Officer of UTA. He previously served as Chief Executive Officer of Ingrooves Music Group, joining in 2015 when Ingrooves was a portfolio company of Shamrock Capital Advisors.
Under his leadership, Ingrooves created the next generation of music distribution and marketing technology solutions, empowering artists and labels to build long-term fan bases. Roback was instrumental in guiding the company’s 2019 sale to Universal Music Group.
At Universal, Roback drove significant growth in revenue and EBITDA across a rapidly expanding geographic footprint. He left UMG in July 2022.
Before joining Ingrooves, Roback was President of Fender Musical Instruments Corporation, where he also served as an independent member of the Board of Directors until December 2020. Prior to that, he co-founded three companies: Dashbox, a workflow management system and marketplace for music licensing, which was acquired by FilmTrack in 2014, and The Media Farm, a company that owns and manages entertainment intellectual property.
A pioneer in the digital entertainment arena, Roback co-founded LAUNCH Media. In 2001, the company was acquired by Yahoo!, where Roback became head of music until 2007.