Two theatrical agencies, UIA Talent Agency and ADA Artist Management, have joined forces. The two companies, representing artists across theater, opera and music, will now operate as UIA Talent Agency. The deal is expected to be finalized by the end of May.
UIA was founded by Vanessa Uzan in 2011, focusing on classical singers for opera and concerts. The agency expanded in 2014 and added theater, film and television divisions. A literary sector was introduced in 2019. ADA was founded by Ana De Archuleta in 2004 and focused on music industry artists.
The two entities will combine their rosters and represent approximately 250 singers, actors, directors, composers, librettists, playwrights and conductors — including Broadway performers Raquel Suarez-Groen, Oliver Prose and Christian Mark Gibbs. Though previously UIA Talent was a firm of agents who booked and represented clients and ADA was a company of managers, the new UIA will operate as an agency.
Uzan, founder and president of UIA, will continue in her current role at the new combined company and head the classical music practice areas. Ana De Archuleta, founder of ADA, will now serve as the strategic advisor of the newly formed firm. Aaron Sanko, formerly managing director of UIA, will now serve as CEO. In the role, he will head the theater, film, television and literary practice areas. Uzan, De Archuleta and Sanko will be equity partners.
"This is an exciting time for us as we join forces to create a stronger, more dynamic agency that will better serve our clients," said Uzan in a statement. "We have always been committed to representing the best and most diverse talent in the industry, and this merger will enable us to expand our reach and provide even more opportunities for our clients to succeed."
De Archuleta added: "By joining our resources with UIA, we will be able to provide a more comprehensive range of services to our clients, from talent management to production support. We are thrilled to be partnering with Vanessa and her team and look forward to the exciting opportunities ahead."
“I am thrilled with where this strategic growth positions the agency and our clients in the rapidly evolving entertainment industry,” Sanko said in a statement. “We’re uniquely poised to provide individualized attention to multi-faceted, multidisciplinary artists, now with a more global reach and increased specialization with the addition of new team members.”
