United Talent Agency had promoted four executives to partner: René Jones, Jim Meenaghan, Rich Shuter and David Spingarn.
They join Chief Operating Officer Andrew Thau as one of the company’s non-agent partners. With these promotions, the agency now has 58 partners.
“Over the years, we have recruited some of the most talented executives in our industry who have provided our clients and colleagues with the strongest support,” said UTA CEO and board member Jeremy Zimmer. “Jim, David, René and Rich are the best of the best. They bring amazing value to UTA every day and, as we grow, will continue to add invaluable insights and resources to everything we do.”
Jones is a 14-year UTA veteran and currently serves as global head of philanthropy. She helped launch UTA’s Foundation and philanthropic efforts in 2004 and also spearheaded UTA’s Project Impact, where UTA employees volunteer in their communities for a day. Prior to UTA, she worked in national non-profits and political campaigns.
Meenaghan has spent nine years at UTA and currently serves as the co-head of the UTA Independent Film Group, where he oversees the film business affairs division. He’s worked on financing efforts of films like “The Big Sick,” “Isle of Dogs” and the upcoming “Bad Times at the El Royale.” Before joining UTA, he was the head of business affairs for Walden Media and Icon Films. He began his career at Disney.
Shuter has been at the agency for nine years and currently serves as UTA’s head of television business affairs, where he has been the lead negotiator on franchises like “CSI,” “How I Met Your Mother” and “Modern Family.” Before UTA, he ran business affairs for DreamWorks Television and worked for DreamWorks SKG.
Lastly, Spingarn currently serves as chief strategy officer at UTA, having joined the agency in 2010. Since then, he led UTA’s M&A and investment activity. Before UTA, he worked in strategic planning and business development for companies like Disney, Fox and Universal Music.