Best Talent Agencies for 2023

If you want to make it big in the world of arts and entertainment, you need to partner with one of the best talent agencies to secure the best audition opportunities and forge strong relationships with the world’s biggest brands. 

There are hundreds of excellent talent agencies out there, so it can be difficult to compare them. Well, we’ve done the hard work, selecting and reviewing the 10 best talent agencies in this comprehensive guide so you can find the right one for you. 

The Top 10 Talent Agencies for 2023

If you’re looking for a reputable talent agency to represent you but don’t know where to start, here’s our pick of the 10 best talent agencies in 2023:

1. William Morris Endeavor (WME) — The Longest-Lasting, Most Renowned Talent Agency in the World
2. Creative Artists Agency (CAA) — Best Sports Talent Agency With 360-Degree Representation
3. Agency for the Performing Arts (APA) — The Best Talent Agency for Performers, Creators, Artists, and Storytellers
4. The Gersh Agency — Best for Aspiring Actors and Film Producers
5. IMG Models — Elite Modeling Agency With Offices in all Major Fashion Centers
6. United Talent Agency (UTA) — Best for Performers, Artists, and Creators that Value Innovation
7. CESD Talent Agency — Best Talent Agency for Youth Voiceover, Commercials, and Dancing Talent
8. Octagon — Full-Service Talent Agency for Professional Athletes, Entertainers, and Media Personalities
9. A3 Artists Agency — Best Talent Agency for Podcast Creators
10. ICM Partners — Great Talent Agency for Already Established Actors, Screenwriters, TV hosts, and Musicians

The Top Talent Agencies Reviewed

Whether you’re an aspiring actor, a musician, or a model, it’s difficult to reliably land large brand deals and gigs on your own. Simultaneously, paying a sub-par talent agency a huge sum of money for obscure auditions and low-paying gigs is just going to leave you broke and depressed. 

Here are in-depth reviews of the best talent agencies in 2023, so you can choose the one that’s best for you and will provide you with great opportunities to showcase your talent.

1. William Morris Endeavor (WME) — The Longest-Lasting, Most Renowned Talent Agency in the World

Founded in 1898, William Morris Endeavor is one of the world’s most renowned talent agencies.

From signing big screen legends like Charlie Chaplin and Marylin Monroe to the King of Rock himself — Elvis Presley — WME has helped thousands of exceptionally talented artists achieve global fame. 

With over 120 years of experience in talent management, WME has vast expertise in representing talent in virtually any field — music, motion picture, literary, culinary, comedy, digital media, sports, theater, public speaking, and voiceover. The agency also offers endorsements and helps secure brand partnerships and media campaigns for its talents and experts. 

WME works both with already established artists and performers, and aspiring new talent looking for their big break. The agency also works with kids and has represented superstars like Chloë Grace Moretz and Selena Gomez in the past.

The biggest advantage of WME compared to other talent agencies is its vast network of integrated companies. These include major brands like IMG, Miss Universe, The Harry Walker Agency, and UFC. 

2. Creative Artists Agency (CAA) — Best Sports Talent Agency With 360-Degree Representation

Creative Artists Agency specializes in sports and entertainment, providing everything from representation and auditions to coaching, training, and client business ventures.

The agency works with thousands of top talents, including athletes, actors, writers, musicians, producers, comedians, coaches, chefs, designers, models, and even entire professional teams. 

CAA is much more than a talent agency — it offers 360-degree representation to its clients. For example, for basketball talent, the agency provides NBA draft preparation and brand building, as well as helping with contract negotiation.

It also offers sports endorsements, helping the world’s best athletes find success off the field by connecting them with the world’s leading brands. 

As far as entertainment goes, CAA can help aspiring authors find reputable publishers, assist with setting up comedy tours, help models connect with renowned fashion brands, find critically-acclaimed programming for TV talent, and much more.

Apart from supporting top talent in sports and entertainment, CAA also offers brand development and management services, which include ideation, creation, and brand launches.

While CAA’s headquarters is in the United States, the company has offices across Europe and Asia. 

3. Agency for the Performing Arts (APA) — The Best Talent Agency for Performers, Creators, Artists, and Storytellers

Agency for the Performing Arts was founded in 1962, and it empowers diversified talent with representation, connections, tools, and resources to this day.

The agency supports talent across all media platforms, including theater, television, motion picture, streaming, music, literary, and even public relations.

APA also features a dedicated Brand Partnership division, which helps talent connect with global brands and secure lucrative deals that will help propel their careers.

The powerful advertising activations APA offers range from TV commercials and social media campaigns to PR events and conventions, all of which help build influence and generate awareness for its clients. 

This makes APA one of the best talent agencies for new actors, aspiring musicians, models, and influencers, who are eager to show off their talent and establish themselves on the global scene. 

APA also covers comedy tours, live podcasts, concert touring, and events in all performance genres, including ballet, Broadway, magic & illusion, and family entertainment. 

Finally, the Intellectual Property department also makes APA an excellent talent agency for journalists, non-fiction authors, blog writers, and content creators in a wide variety of niches. 

4. The Gersh Agency — Best for Aspiring Actors and Film Producers

Gersh is a talent agency based in New York and Beverly Hills, with over 70 years of experience in talent management and representation.

The agency has twelve distinct departments and works with talents across literary, film, theater, and digital fields. 

The Gersh agency works closely with hundreds of world-famous producers, directors of photography, production designers, costume designers, editors, and hair & makeup artists. This gives aspiring actors and performers an opportunity to establish meaningful connections and score auditions with big brands that can catapult their careers. 

Gersh also enables aspiring comedians, public speakers, activists, and musicians to reach wider audiences by booking in-person events and handling all the logistical aspects of concerts, stand-up shows, and lectures.

The agency’s clients have appeared in world-renowned theaters, universities, and even the White House.

What makes Gersh unique in the sea of talent agencies is the fact that it offers film finance services.

It’s not only one of the best acting agencies but also an excellent agency for aspiring movie producers who require financing, packaging, and promotional services to turn their independent film ideas into cinematographic masterpieces. 

5. IMG Models — Elite Modeling Agency With Offices in all Major Fashion Centers

IMG Models is one of the best modeling talent agencies, with hundreds of world-famous models on its roster.

With offices in New York, LA, London, Paris, Milan, and Sydney, IMG Models is always at the center of modern fashion trends.

The agency has relationships with world-famous designers and fashion magazines, such as Vogue, Bazaar, Elle, and many more. 

IMG Models provides both talent discovery and model management services. All the models the agency partners with have their portfolios on IMG’s website, featuring some of their best work, including both photos and videos. 

The agency is often praised for its diverse client roster, and it works with male, female, non-binary, and transgender models of all ages, cultural, and social backgrounds.

IMG Models helps establish newly discovered talent, as well as revitalize the careers of established models. 

On top of model management services, IMG Models hosts a bi-annual health initiative, known as Model Prep, that’s devoted to the physical and mental well-being of young models. The agency is also currently working on developing a more sustainable, year-round effort that will provide ongoing support to modeling talent.

6. United Talent Agency (UTA) — Best for Performers, Artists, and Creators that Value Innovation

United Talent Agency is among the best creative talent agencies, with a strong focus on innovation.

It focuses on helping creative individuals express their talents and invent new ways to develop their art and reach global audiences. 

UTA works with talent in film, television, music, theater, fine arts, video games, and other forms of social and digital content. 

The agency’s approach to talent management is largely based on entrepreneurship, meaning that UTA doesn’t only seek to help talent establish meaningful business relationships with other businesses but also come up with new ways to market themselves.

This gives aspiring artists and performers an opportunity to leverage digital media and make a name for themselves without a proxy or a middle man. 

UTA’s talent agents and executives are experienced in a wide variety of business-related disciplines, including data analysis, trend forecasting, and public relations. They won’t only act as managers but also as trusted advisors and business partners who can help you with anything from branding and design to outreach and marketing. 

7. CESD Talent Agency — Best Talent Agency for Youth Voiceover, Commercials, and Dancing Talent

CESD is one of the best talent agencies for kids and teens who want to get into voiceover and commercial acting and build their careers from there.

The agency offers voiceover opportunities in radio, TV shows, gaming, narration, animation, and promotional videos. As one of the best voiceover talent agencies, CESD offers youth voiceover talent management services for both English and Spanish-speaking talent.

Apart from voiceover, CESD is also among the best talent agencies for dancers and puppeteers, especially since these two fields aren’t typically represented by major talent agencies.

If you have a passion for dancing and ventriloquism, the experienced talent managers at CESD will help you book gigs and performances and can help you turn your unique talent into a prosperous career.

CESD is one of the best child talent agencies, but it also represents teenagers and young adults.

8. Octagon — Full-Service Talent Agency for Professional Athletes, Entertainers, and Media Personalities

Octagon is more than just a talent management agency.

On top of traditional talent management, Octagon provides brand building, marketing, PR, content development, post-career transition, and financial management services to professional athletes, entertainers, authors, and celebrities. 

Octagon also offers career development services and helps connect established talent with a global network of world-renowned brands, teams, leagues, and Fortune 500 companies. 

Apart from sport, which is Octagon’s main focus, the agency covers other areas such as entertainment, content & production, public speaking, and media & broadcasting. 

Unusuall, Octagon also offers wealth management services. These include everything from budgeting and investments to tax and estate planning and alternative career options. 

9. A3 Artists Agency — Best Talent Agency for Podcast Creators

A3 Artist Agency takes a unique approach to talent management.

Instead of managing each client individually, the agency focuses on a team approach and combines compatible talent together to find long-term deals and partnerships rather than just the next gig.

The agency primarily works with performers, filmmakers, influencers, podcast creators, and voiceover talent. A3’s agents tailor their approach to individual client needs and support them in building their brands, maximizing exposure, and generating income from all available sources.

A3 is also one of the best talent booking agencies for voiceover talents, representing hundreds of voiceover artists in TV, film, animation, games, narration, and other fields. 

The unique aspect of A3 is the fact that the agency provides talent with a state-of-the-art digital production and podcasting studio. The 800-square feet space features a movable setup, professional lighting, microphones, computers, and other supporting equipment.

10. ICM Partners — Great Talent Agency for Already Established Actors, Screenwriters, TV hosts, and Musicians

ICM Partners is one of the best acting talent agencies, representing award-winning actors who have risen to superstar level with the agency’s help.

Apart from television and film, ICM Partners supports talents in the literary, broadcasting, commercial production arts, and podcasting spheres. 

The agency also represents news anchors, reporters, TV hosts, play-by-play announcers, and sports analysts. 

With extensive experience in the industry and a hands-on approach to media representation, ICM Partners allows its clients to get their voices heard, showcase their talent, and propel their careers. 

Whether you’re interested in endorsement and marketing opportunities, book deals, or speaking engagements, you’ll have all the agency’s resources at your disposal.

Best Talent Agencies Compared 

What Do Talent Agencies Do?

Talent agencies offer talent representation, meaning they promote talent, help them build their brand and increase exposure, and leverage their vast networks to secure lucrative business opportunities for their clients. 

In practice, the services of talent agencies can differ greatly, depending on the type of agency and their areas of focus.

The best boutique talent agencies represent everyone from artists, musicians, and comedians to book authors, models, and athletes. Small talent agencies, on the other hand, typically focus on fewer industries, sometimes even offering representation to clients in a single field, like modeling. 

That said, here’s a quick overview of the most common services talent agencies offer, so you have a better idea of how exactly a talent agency can help you build your brand and fast-track your career. 

Client Representation

Client representation can mean many different things depending on the type of agency and the sphere the client is in.

For example, music talent agencies will showcase the client’s work, negotiate with production houses, look for collaboration with other established musicians, book concert tours, represent their clients in front of different labels, etc. 

A fashion agency, on the other hand, will do everything from organizing photoshoots and developing client portfolios to negotiating with leading brands, designers, and fashion show organizers.

Brand Building

Being talented is almost never enough to make it big. In a fiercely competitive environment, it all comes down to having your talent noticed by the key players.

The top talent agencies don’t just find you the next gig; they help you build your brand, increase exposure, and forge meaningful connections in the industry so you can develop a prosperous and lucrative career. 

Finding New Work

Talent agencies are constantly networking and are at the very center of all the new happenings in the industries they specialize in.

As a result, they are typically the first to know when a new business opportunity arises and will try to snatch it for their clients. 

Negotiating Contracts

Whether you’re a new talent or a well-established athlete, artist, or performer, it’s always wise to have a team of professionals with legal backgrounds negotiate the details of your contracts.

That way, you’ll be able to get the best deal, secure the most money for your work, and will know your rights are fully protected in the event of a disagreement or falling out with the employer.

Booking Events

Talent agencies will find venues, book concerts, speaking opportunities, and comedy shows, as well as find a reputable company to handle security and logistics for in-person events.

Conclusion — What is the Best Talent Agency in 2023?

Every agency we reviewed in this guide has an outstanding reputation and an impressive client portfolio, so you can’t go wrong with any of them. 

That said, some talent agencies specialize in certain fields and are best suited for sports, modeling, or acting talent. Simultaneously, some of them only work with well-established athletes, artists, and performers, while others welcome aspiring talent and work with children and teens as well. 

If we have to choose, our top overall pick is William Morris Endeavor (WME).

As one of the longest-lasting talent agencies in the world that has worked with legends like Elvis and Marylin Monroe, WME can open virtually any door to aspiring new talent.

On top of that, WME is a boutique talent agency, meaning that it represents talent in all the different areas, from music, theater, and sports to motion picture, television, and voiceover. 

The only thing WME doesn’t provide is model representation. If you’re looking to get into modeling, then we strongly recommend IMG Models. 

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