Equity stakes by the two leading global investment firms will accelerate UTA's championing of artists, creators ans storytellers and supports its continued expansion into new areas of business
BEVERLY HILLS (August 7, 2018) — Leading global talent and entertainment company United
Talent Agency (UTA) today announced that Investcorp and the Public Sector Pension Investment
Board (PSP Investments) are now strategic investors in the company.
The minority stakes by the two global investment firms mark a major milestone for UTA as it has
undergone substantial growth in recent years. This new influx of capital from Investcorp and PSP
Investments will be used to accelerate this momentum, enhance UTA’s services, and continue to
invest in resources to support its clients and colleagues in a time of change and innovation in content
creation and distribution.
With a continued focus on its expanding core business of talent representation, and its reputation as
a leading champion of artists and creators, UTA has more than doubled in size over the past five years
to over 900 employees who work with and advise many of the most influential artists across
entertainment, media, technology and major corporate brands. Over the past year, UTA has made
acquisitions in the live speaking, electronic music, and e-sports and gaming businesses and has taken
an equity stake in Core, recently renamed Industrial Media, which last year successfully
relaunched American Idol.
Investcorp and PSP Investments join existing investor Jeffrey Ubben as UTA’s capital partners.
Investcorp is a leading provider and manager of alternative investments, with more than $22 billion
in assets under management and over 35 years’ experience investing globally across a diverse range of
industries, including retail and consumer products, business services, technology, real estate,
industrials and more. PSP Investments is one of Canada’s largest pension investment managers with
assets under management of $119 billion USD as of March 31, 2018 invested across 75 industries and
more than 100 countries.
UTA CEO Jeremy Zimmer and Co-Presidents David Kramer and Jay Sures led the process of
choosing the new investors. Zimmer, who with UTA Chairman Jim Berkus and co-founder Peter
Benedek, founded UTA 27 years ago, said: “This is a transformative event for UTA. There has never
been a greater moment of change and opportunity in our industry for artists, creators and companies
like ours. We were deliberate about finding the right investment partners who recognize UTA as a
business that puts clients first, exemplifies a collaborative and diverse culture, and is focused long termon capitalizing on the unique opportunities that disruption and transformation provide. We found
that in Investcorp and PSP Investments.”
David Tayeh, Investcorp’s Head of Private Equity, North America, stated: “We are thrilled to have
the opportunity to support UTA’s leading franchise and partner again with PSP Investments. We
believe UTA’s client-centric business model has strategically positioned the company to capitalize on
the ongoing convergence of talent, content, distribution, and marketing. Investcorp has been
impressed with UTA’s market position, the long-term growth it has enjoyed, and recognizes that its
future success will be driven by the continued excellence of its partners in providing superior services
for its clients.”
“The entertainment industry is experiencing tremendous evolution,” said Simon Marc, Managing
Director and Head of Private Equity, PSP Investments. “As demand for high-quality content is greater
than ever, UTA is uniquely positioned to benefit from the transformation in the sector. We are excited
to partner with Jeremy Zimmer and UTA’s world-class management team and look forward to backing
UTA in the next phase of its growth. We also welcome the opportunity to team up once again with
Investcorp. Our investment in UTA is a great example of PSP’s ability to partner with top-tier
entrepreneurs and like-minded investors.”
Since 2014, UTA has established market-leading positions in key areas, including the news and
broadcast space (through its acquisition of N.S. Bienstock in 2014), music touring (through its
acquisition of The Agency Group in 2015), live speaking (through the acquisition of Greater Talent
Network in 2017), electronic music (through its acquisition this year of Circle Talent Agency) and esports
and gaming (through its acquisitions this year of PressX and Everyday Influencers). It has also
expanded its presence in its Los Angeles headquarters and operates offices in New York, Nashville,
London and Miami.
Financial terms will not be disclosed, but UTA’s partnership maintains majority ownership and control
of the company. The existing executive leadership team of Zimmer, Kramer and Sures, as well as
Chief Operating Officer Andrew Thau will remain unchanged. UTA was advised on the deal by
Moelis & Company and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP. Investcorp and PSP Investments
were advised by Credit Suisse, Gibson Dunn & Crutcher, and Sidley Austin LLP.
ABOUT UTA
Leading global talent and entertainment company United Talent Agency represents many of the most
acclaimed figures across film, television, news, music, sports, theater, fine art, literature, video games,
podcasts and other social and digital content. A passionate advocate for artists, creators and
innovators, the company also is recognized in the areas of film finance and packaging, branding,
licensing and endorsements. UTA is known for its dedicated digital media group helping clients—
from A-list talent to Fortune 500 companies—capitalize on a rapidly changing entertainment, media
and business landscape. The agency's worldwide presence includes its Los Angeles headquarters and
offices in New York, London, Nashville, Miami and Malmö, Sweden. Information about UTA can
also be found by following the company on social media on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and
LinkedIn.
ABOUT INVESTCORP
Investcorp is a leading global provider and manager of alternative investments, offering such
investments to its high-net-worth private and institutional clients on a global basis. Led by a new
vision, Investcorp has embarked on an ambitious, albeit prudent, growth strategy. The Firm continues
to focus on generating investor and shareholder value through a disciplined investment approach in
four lines of business: private equity, real estate, alternative investment solutions and credit
management.
As at December 31, 2017, the Investcorp Group had $22 billion in total AUM, including assets
managed by third party managers and assets subject to a non-discretionary advisory mandate where
Investcorp receives fees calculated on the basis of AUM.
Since its inception in 1982, Investcorp has made over 175 corporate investments in the U.S., Europe
and the Middle East and North Africa region, including Turkey, across a range of sectors including
retail and consumer products, technology, business services and industrials, and more than 500
commercial and residential real estate investments in the US and Europe, for in excess of $56 billion
in transaction value.
Investcorp employs approximately 390 people across its seven offices, including New York, London,
Singapore and the Middle East. For further information, including our most recent periodic financial
statements, which details our assets under management, please refer to our website, Twitter, Instagram
and LinkedIn.
ABOUT PSP INVESTMENTS
The Public Sector Pension Investment Board (“PSP Investments”) is one of Canada's largest pension
investment managers with C$153 billion of net assets as at March 31, 2018. It manages a diversified
global portfolio composed of investments in public financial markets, private equity, real estate,
infrastructure, natural resources and private debt. Established in 1999, PSP Investments manages net
contributions to the pension funds of Canada’s federal Public Service, the Canadian Armed Forces,
the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Reserve Force. Headquartered in Ottawa, Canada, PSP
Investments has its principal business office in Montréal and offices in New York and London, its
European hub. For more information, visit investpsp.com or follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.
MEDIA CONTACTS
UTA
Jenna Price
pricej@unitedtalent.com
310.971.4806
Investcorp
Firas El Amine
felamine@investcorp.com
+973 39987838
Catherine Wooters
cwooters@prosek.com
347.486.6335
PSP Investments
Maria Constantinescu
media@investpsp.ca
514.218.3795