EXCLUSIVE: Former ICM political strategist Brandon Sharp founded Agenda, a management and production company dedicated to advancing inclusive entertainment and media projects. The company will work with television and film writers, actors, directors, musicians, authors, artists, public intellectuals, playwrights and entrepreneurs from mostly untapped communities to bring their projects to more just causes.
“Representation for the sake of representation is not enough,” said Sharp. “The steps we’ve taken for people of color in front of and behind the camera are significant, but the business side of media and entertainment remains largely unchallenged. The people who benefit most from the blessing of ‘diverse’ content are not the creators of that content, and that needs to change.”
Agenda represents and produces with more than 20 creatives, including Linda Johnson Rice, heir to the Johnson Publishing Company of Ebony and Jet Magazine; Rashad Robinson (how much is hollywood); Tony Award winner Zach Stafford (A Strange Loop, Vibe Check), MacArthur Genius Award winner Safiya Noble (algorithms of suppression); Kirkus Prize-winning author Saeed Jones (Alive at the end of the world, vibe check); Josie Duffy Rice (The starting point, what a day); Sylvia Obel (Okay, now listen, get a me); Ariana Afsar (Hamilton, wedding season); Taylor Vaughn Lasley (family reunion, moon girl); Richie Reseda (Abolition X); Anna Malaika Tubbs (three mothers); Jenna Wortham (Still busy); SISTER (American Horror Story, Oklahoma!). and Emily Jenda (Book of Mormon, Hamilton).
In 2018, Sharp was appointed to the policy department of ICM Partners to serve clients such as Spike Lee, Karamo Brown and Khalid on politics, advocacy and activism. He also worked to pave paths into the entertainment industry for underrepresented communities in Los Angeles. Sharp left ICM Partners in 2020 and has been building the agenda ever since.
Sharp’s production credits include Spotify Abolition X Podcast and an EP on Stitcher/Sirius XM’s Check atmosphere podcast. He has several projects in development, including a TV project with Chernin Entertainment and a film project with Megan and David Dobkins Big Kid Pictures.
Brandon previously worked in finance in New York before running for President Obama’s 2012 re-election campaign. He worked at the Chicago headquarters in the ticket office, covering hundreds of campaign events, concerts and gatherings. He continued this work in the White House and in the Office of the First Lady in the Obama administration, hosting events such as Detroit’s first College Signing Day, a national incentive that Michelle Obama still sponsors and attends annually. Brandon was also a member of the founding team of Birch Benders, a health food brand recently acquired by Sovos Brands.
Agenda is represented by CAA for Podcasts.
Writer: Lynette Reis
Source: Deadline
Joseph Fearn is an entertainment and television aficionado who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a keen eye for what’s hot in the world of TV, Joseph keeps his readers informed about the latest trends and must-see shows.
