AGENCY ACTION:
THE LATEST (UPDATE)

UPDATE: UTA has announced the addition of top music agents Jeffrey Hasson and Matt Meyer to its global music group. Hasson will be apart of the leadership team in Nashville while Meyer will be based in the LA.

Hasson has worked with artists spanning a wide range of genres including Young The Giant, Tori Kelly, Surfaces, Jamey Johnson, Dashboard Confessional, Dayglow, Blues Traveler, Coin, and Ruston Kelly, among others. He comes to UTA from Paradigm and got his start in the music industry at Monterey Peninsula Artists in 2005.

Meyer has worked with an extensive roster of superstars and rising talent, including Halsey, Machine Gun Kelly, Lil Dicky, Don Toliver, Tinashe, Yungblud and Cash Cash among others. He is credited with fostering Halsey’s development from an opening act to a festival and arena headliner. He also comes to UTA from Paradigm. He got his start in the industry as an agent at electronic dance music agency AM Only, which was later acquired by Paradigm.

“Jeffrey and Matt have impeccable track records of identifying and developing emerging artists and creating unique opportunities for their clients,” said David Zedeck, Co-Head of UTA’s Music department. “Jeffrey is well-respected within the Nashville music community, and Matt has his finger firmly on the pulse for the next generation of hitmakers. We are thrilled to welcome both of them to our team.”

Hasson and Meyer’s additions follow the recent hiring of music industry powerhouse Samantha Kirby Yoh, who will serve as Co-Head of Music alongside Zedeck.

It’s clear that UTA and CAA are being aggressive about moving on agents they think can move the needle. Will WME throw its hat into the ring, or are Ari and team trying to right their ship first? Brent Smith is said not to be returning to WME, in another big loss for its music department. Will Brent go out on his own, or hook up with one of the majors? Some chatter suggests he may link up with Dennis Arfa’s Artist Group International.

In other agency action, word has it Paradigm agents Matt Meyer (Halsey, Machine Gun Kelly, Tinashe) and Jeff Hasson (Surfaces, Young the Giant, Tori Kelly) have exited. Will these young agents head to one of the other established houses or hang up their own shingles? Stay tuned.