LOS ANGELES (CelebrityAccess) — Billboard is reporting that two major talent agencies, United Talent and Paradigm, are in talks about a merger or possible acquisition by UTA.
According to Billboard, talks have been underway for several months lead by Paradigm’s Sam Gores and UTA’sJeremy Zimmer, with key details about the potential deal still to be worked out.
Sources told Billboard that combining the infrastructure of the two companies has been the central sticking point in reaching an agreement.
Other potential snags include what the post-merger/acquisition company will be named, and where it will be located, considering Paradigm just relocated to a brand new office in downtown Los Angeles late last year.
The merger appears to make sense for the two agencies, and as Billboard noted, UTA’s focus on comedy and Hollywood talent would combine well with Paradigm’s music-heavy roster even as their corporate cultures may not easily gel.
The deal, if it completes, will be the latest in a period of consolidation for the entertainment industry that includes UTA’s 2015 acquisition of The Agency Group and Paradigm’s acquisitions of the Windish Agency, AM Only and Coda in recent years.
