UTA Promotes Brent Weinstein to Chief Innovation Officer

UTA

United Talent Agency announced on Thursday that it has named UTA veteran and agency partner Brent Weinstein to take over a new position as chief innovation officer.

Weinstein, a graduate of USC undergrad, will expand his role within the agency, partnering with UTA co-president Jay Sures to oversee the company’s news and broadcast business, as well as providing support on operational innovations and newly-acquired businesses and ventures under the direction of UTA COO Andrew Thau.

Along with his new position, Weinstein will continue to oversee UTA’s digital talent, emerging platforms, events and experiences and ventures divisions, while also managing UTA IQ with co-president David Kramer.

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“Over the course of his career at UTA, Brent has embodied UTA’s culture of innovation and entrepreneurship,” said UTA CEO Jeremy Zimmer in a statement. “He’s helped us identify and capitalize on new opportunities and established himself as a thought leader in the industry. For us, there is no greater opportunity or imperative than ensuring we champion ‘what’s next’ for our clients and our business, and no one is better suited than Brent to fill this new role.”

Weinstein was a corporate attorney before joining UTA in 2001. In 2015, he became a partner the agency.

A respected industry voice in the shifting entertainment and media landscape, Weinstein was instrumental in launching and scaling new businesses such as AwesomenessTV.

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“I’ve always felt the defining features of UTA’s culture are its innovative spirit, the top-down mandate to remain curious, and the push not only to ponder the future of the media business but help build and define that future,” Weinstein said in a statement. “I’m incredibly excited and proud to have this opportunity to work with so many dedicated colleagues, and to help ensure that UTA and our clients are leading the charge to build the media businesses and models of the future.”

Weinstein’s clients include figures from traditional and new media, including Glenn Beck, Shane Dawson, Chris Hardwick, Hannah Hart, Rhett & Link and RocketJump Studios. He also advises Fortune 500 companies, including Delta Air Lines and Amazon, as well as the producers of the Consumer Electronics Show and VidCon, which was sold to Viacom in February.

The Scene at TheGrill Special Event 2018: The Future of Content (Photos)

Ahead of TheGrill 2018, which kicks off Oct. 1-2, TheWrap hosted TheGrill: Special Event at Shutters on the Beach in Santa Monica Thursday night. TheWrap's founder and Editor-in-Chief Sharon Waxman moderated the discussion, "The Future of Content: Distribution in the Digital Era." Take a look below at the scene as hosted by TheWrap along with Gerber Kawasaki.
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Guests gather for cocktails and appetizers ahead of the panel discussion at Shutters in Santa Monica.

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A guest speaks with panelist Charlotte Koh, head of digital media & programming at Hello Sunshine.
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Keaton O'Hara of BenRiach poses for a photo.
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Sharon Waxman and Ross Gerber, co-founder, president and CEO of Gerber Kawasaki Wealth and Investment Management, pose for a selfie.
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The Gerber Kawasaki team poses for a photo ahead of the panel discussion.
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Ross Gerber poses with a guest.
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Teammates from Gerber Kawasaki pose for a photo ahead of TheGrill's panel discussion.

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Teammates from Gerber Kawasaki pose for a photo ahead of TheGrill's panel discussion.
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Keaton O'Hara serves BenRiach whiskey to guests during a cocktail reception.
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Sharon Waxman introduces panelists at TheGrill's Special Event.

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From left to right, Sharon Waxman, Ross Gerber, Charlotte Koh, Kathleen Grace and Sam Register speak at TheGrill Special Event panel "The Future of Content: Distribution in the Digital Era."
Photographed by Ted Soqui for TheWrap
Kathleen Grace, CEO of New Form, discusses short-form content and reaching consumers on mobile.
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The panelists discuss the ecosystem for content creators in a digital age.
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Standing room only for the panel discussion at Shutters Hotel.

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The panelists discuss topics ranging from the influence of Facebook, Netflix, Disney and Instagram Stories on content creators.
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Sharon Waxman poses a question to the panelists about distribution in the digital era.
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Sam Register, president of Warner Bros. Animation & Digital Series, discusses reviving "Animaniacs" with Steven Spielberg.
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An attendee identifying herself as a content creator asks a question to the panel.

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The panel responds to an audience question at TheGrill Special Event.
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Cindy Lin (left) of Infotainment China gathers with friends at TheGrill.
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Cocktails and dessert follow the panel discussion at TheGrill.

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From left to right, panelists Sharon Waxman, Kathleen Grace, Charlotte Koh, Ross Gerber and Sam Register pose for a photo.
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Sharon Waxman speaks with an attendee at TheGrill in a cocktail reception following the panel discussion.
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Ross Gerber and Sharon Waxman speak with an attendee at TheGrill's cocktail reception.

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Guests enjoy cocktails and conversation at TheGrill at Shutters on the Beach Hotel in Santa Monica.
Photographed by Ted Soqui for TheWrap

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Innovators and content creators Ross Gerber, Kathleen Grace, Charlotte Koh and Sam Register join the discussion about distribution in the digital era

Ahead of TheGrill 2018, which kicks off Oct. 1-2, TheWrap hosted TheGrill: Special Event at Shutters on the Beach in Santa Monica Thursday night. TheWrap's founder and Editor-in-Chief Sharon Waxman moderated the discussion, "The Future of Content: Distribution in the Digital Era." Take a look below at the scene as hosted by TheWrap along with Gerber Kawasaki.

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