Notes from the Rep Biz - 06-19-2020

At WME:
 
Several more reps have departed WME in the wake of the coronavirus contraction. These include Mark Ankner, the former WME film finance agent who became a partner at sister company Endeavor Content, and will now be joining Drake and Adel Nur's DreamCrew Entertainment. In the voiceover space, veteran agent Erik Seastrand is joining V.O.-specific agency ACM. Commerical/branding agent Brittany Myers Adams is becoming a manager with Artists First, where she will develop a new branding and endorsements business for the company. Talent agent Hanley Baxter is leaving WME for UTA, and bringing Elle and Dakota Fanning with him.
 
George Freeman, one of Hollywood's most notable talent agents of the past several decades, has been let go by WME in the wake of an offensive email that was mistakenly sent out company-wide. Freeman represents talent across a range of fields, including directors Ridley Scott and Bill Condon, actors Russell Crowe and Dennis Quaid, as well as hybrids such as Kenneth Branagh. It is unclear where Freeman goes from here, or whether or not all of his clients will remain with WME.
 
As far as talent signings, Sarah Cooper, who has gone viral during the pandemic lockdown for her TikTok impersonations of Donald Trump, is now with a team that includes Yasmine Pearl, Allysa Bauer and Mike Berkowitz.
 
At CAA:
 
Past Oscar-nominee Carey Mulligan, whose latest film is the much buzzed-about Promising Young Woman, has signed with Joel Lubin. She returns to CAA after spending several years with WME.
 
Rising theater actor Isaac Powell, one of the stars of the most recent Broadway version of West Side Story, has signed with a team that includes Joe Machota and Brian Boone.
 
Agent Dana Sims has left ICM Partners to join CAA. Sims' client list bridges music and film/TV, and has included artists like Ludacris, Jill Scott and Donny Osmond.
 
At UTA:
 
In addition to bringing the Fanning sisters into the fold, UTA has signed a range of talents over the past two weeks, including actor Tom Payne (Prodigal Son), reality star Nick Viall and attorney Benjamin Crump. Crump is a towering figure in the social justice movement, having represented the families of numerous victims of police violence and misconduct. He will work with UTA on projects ranging from film/TV production to speaking engagements.
 
Earlier this week, UTA announced that lit agent Emerson Davis and talent agent Chelsea McKinnies have both made partner.
 
Elsewhere Around Town:
 
ICM Partners has signed Fox 1 sports host Rachel Bonnetta.
 
TV writer/producer Vera Herbert (This Is Us) has signed with Gersh.
 
In the book-to-film space, former Paradigm agent Kim Yau has joined Echo Lake Entertainment as a manager, while managers Charlie Scully and Tara Timinsky have left Anonymous Content to join Gotham Group.
 
Sources: The Hollywood Reporter, Deadline, Variety