Top talent agency UTA is plunging into the esports world today with two acquisitions: Press X, an esports talent and marketing agency, and its sister company Everyday Influencers, which furnishes management services for top gaming stars.
The acquisition will add 90 top esports athletes to UTA’s illustrious digital talent roster — including League Of Legends players Aphromoo (pictured above) and sOAZ, as well as Imaqtpie, Pokimane, and Disguised Toast. They will receive access to UTA’s guidance with respect to endorsements, book deals, speaking tours, and opportunities across film, television, and music. Additionally, UTA is launching a standalone esports division as a result of the acquisitions that will be led by Press X and Everyday Influencers co-founder Damon Lau. Lau will report to Ophir Lupu, head of UTA Games, and Sam Wick, head of UTA Ventures.
UTA has operated its UTA Games division for seven years to represent top game publishers — including Ken Levine, Moon Studios, Midwinter Entertainment, and Panache Digital Games — with respect to publishing deals, employment contracts, intellectual property deals, and corporate financing. Following the acquisitions, UTA says it is now the only talent agency to represent both developers and streamers alike.
“As we identify and adopt early trends within the digital ecosystem, we recognized that the acquisition of Press X and Everyday Influencers would be a forward-looking opportunity for us,” UTA CEO Jeremy Zimmer said in a statement. “The gaming sector is projected to reach over $135 billion this year, and esports and streaming are critical components of any strategy for growth.”
UTA has expanded its services to other new business avenues recently. Earlier this year, it acquired electronic music agency Circle Talent, and last fall it purchased Greater Talent Network — a bureau for influential speakers. In 2015, the company acquired indie music booking agency The Agency Group, and in 2015 it acquired broadcast news talent agency N.S. Bienstock.
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