UTA Adds Main Street Advisors CEO Paul Wachter and Nexus Management Group Founder Ceci Kurzman to its Board of Directors as independent directors; Wachter replaces Jim Berkus as chairman

UTA has added Main Street Advisors CEO Paul Wachter and Nexus Management Group founder Ceci Kurzman to its board as independent directors.

Wachter becomes CEO, replacing UTA co-founder Jim Berkus.

Wachter and Kurzman join ten other board members, seven from the company and three from UTA investors.

Across Main Street, Wachter played a key role in the business relationships of LeBron James (off the court), Fenway Sports Group and Beats by Dre with Jimmy Iovine and Dr. Dr Kurzman, a former music company, founded Nexus as an artist management company but has since evolved into a platform for private investment across consumer, media and technology.

Recently in expansion mode, UTA acquired UK talent and literary agency Curtis Brown Group and entertainment and marketing consultancy MediaLink. Last July, it formed a strategic partnership with private equity firm EQT, becoming the company’s largest minority investor.

“The addition of Paul and Ceci, with their expertise in entertainment and technology, finance and corporate leadership, is another powerful sign of the direction of our company and the work we do for our clients,” said Jeremy Zimmer, co-founder and CEO. from UTA. When EQT took a stake, he added: “Together we saw the value in adding experienced external voices to the board to help us continue to pursue our goals. Both Paul and Ceci have a passion for artists and culture and understands the importance of UTA continuing to lead the way in the future.”

In addition to his Main Street responsibilities, Wachter has served on the boards of Time Warner, Virgin America and Beats Electronics. In 2005, he was a key member of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s recall and served as an outside advisor to the governor during his tenure, including as a director of the UC Board of Regents from 2004 to 2016.

“I have watched Jeremy and UTA build one of the most dynamic companies in entertainment, sports and media. These industries are going through a generational shift and UTA is in a unique position to be one of the companies at the center of this shift,” said Wachter. “I am very honored to step in as CEO and excited to be a part of how UTA continues to drive innovation for its customers and investors.”

In addition to founding Nexus, Kurzman has served on public, private and non-profit boards since 2012, including current directorships at Warner Music Group, Man Group and Lanvin Group. Prior to founding Nexus in 2004, Kurzman was an executive at Sony Music’s Arista Records and Epic Records.

“Culture, entertainment and sports are universal across the globe, creating new forms of disruption and opportunity every day. By touching every corner of these ecosystems, UTA has the growing reach and capabilities to continue to drive the success of the extraordinary artists, athletes and clients they represent,” she said.