US-based United Talent Agency (UTA) has officially acquired UK-born independent The Agency Group.
The Agency Group (TAG) brings over 90 agents and more than 2,000 acts into the business, such as Alice Cooper, Dolly Parton and Status Quo.
They join UTA’s clients including Mariah Carey, Ice Cube and Kanye West.
The deal makes UTA a genuine global player outside of its Los Angeles and New York offices: TAG has HQs across London, LA, Miami, Nashville, New York, Toronto and Sweden.
Neil Warnock, who founded TAG 35 years ago, becomes UTA’s head of worldwide music.
TAG CEO Gavin O’Reilly is leaving the business.
“We’re thrilled to become part of UTA. This is a major value-add for our clients.”
Neil Warnock, TAG
UTA chief Jeremy Zimmer and Managing Directors David Kramer and Jay Sures said in a joint statement: “Neil and his team love music and love their clients.
“They care deeply about being able to provide full-service representation, which is a desire that perfectly reflects our values.”
The Agency Group founder and president Neil Warnock said, “We are thrilled to become a part of UTA.
“This is a major value-add for our clients, utilizing their scale and complementary resources to bring new and exciting business opportunities for all of our artists.”
ValueAct Capital Management founder/CEO Jeffrey Ubben helped finance the deal.
Jeremy Zimmer said: “I’ve known Jeff for several years, and I really believe that he will be a valuable resource for UTA. Unlike a more traditional private equity investment, we have taken a personal, long-term investment from a thoughtful and capable executive. We are lucky to have him on the UTA team.”Music Business Worldwide
