Entertainment
UTA CEO accuses Variety reporter of bias following article on client departures
David Kramer sent an internal memo criticizing a Variety report on talent exits, while the trade publication defended its editor and coverage.
The short version
- United Talent Agency CEO David Kramer sent an all-staff email criticizing a Variety story detailing recent client departures, including Alex Cooper and Nikki Glaser.
- Kramer claimed the reporter displayed hostile behavior toward agency staff and attempted to deliberately harm UTA's business.
- Variety defended its report and stated that messages quoted by Kramer were taken out of context from a May confrontation initiated by a UTA executive.
Key facts
- Variety published an article highlighting internal anxiety, consolidation pressures, and client departures at United Talent Agency (UTA).[The Hollywood Reporter]
- UTA CEO David Kramer distributed a companywide memo accusing Variety reporter Matt Donnelly of bias, hostile behavior toward female staff, and threatening the agency.[The Hollywood Reporter]
- In the memo, Kramer stated that UTA is thriving following a record-breaking 2025 and is set to outperform performance metrics in 2026.[The Hollywood Reporter]
- A Variety spokesperson stated the publication stands by its story and asserted that quoted communications date back to a May exchange initiated by a UTA executive.[The Hollywood Reporter]
What remains uncertain
- The full original context and content of the May communications between the Variety reporter and UTA executives remain unverified by third parties.[The Hollywood Reporter]
Sources
- UTA Boss Sends Companywide Memo Accusing Reporter of Unprofessional BiasThe Hollywood Reporter metered