Who got signed, promoted, hired or fired? The Hollywood Reporter’s Rep Sheet rounds up the week in representation news. To submit announcements for consideration, contact rebecca.sun@thr.com.
Strong Female Character
CAA has signed Dina Shihabi, who plays Suleiman’s wife Hanin on Amazon’s Jack Ryan. In his review of the Tom Clancy drama series, THR critic Daniel Fienberg praised her performance, writing that “she takes an arc that’s little more than a mother wanting to protect her kids into an unexpected series highlight.” The Saudi Arabian native, who was raised in Dubai, is the first woman born in the Middle East to be accepted to both Juilliard and NYU’s graduate acting programs and will next be seen in the Hulu comedy Ramy from stand-up Ramy Youssef. Shihabi continues to be repped by Gasparro Management and Cohen & Gardner.
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CAA also has promoted trainees Benji Bar-David and Andrew Tsoules to motion picture agent, Jordan Gropper to CAA Sports basketball agent and Jake Krantz to brand consulting executive.
More Than Talk
Endeavor embarked on its 11th annual Walk the Walk on Sept. 27. Thousands of its employees worldwide participate in community service projects that this year revolved around organizations focused on one of four core issues:
– Equity: The Little Village (London), Project C.U.R.E. (Nashville), Ronald McDonald House (Los Angeles), Harmony House (India), Food Angel (Hong Kong)
– Democracy: Southern Poverty Law Center (L.A. and New York), The Ball Project (L.A. and New York), League of Women Voters (L.A. and New York), Tennessee Immigrant & Refugee Rights Coalition (Nashville), Sandy Hook Promise (New York)
– Inclusion: A Place Called Home (L.A.), Corearts (London), Inside Out Writers (L.A.), Young Storytellers (L.A.)
– Sustainability: National Resources Defense Council (L.A.), National Animal Welfare Trust (London), Grow NYC (New York), Green City (Germany), Azraq (United Arab Emirates)
Brit Boy
Luber Roklin managers Matt Luber and Jomer Calma have signed Anand Desai-Barochia, who plays Janzo as a series regular on The CW’s The Outpost. His other credits include the Lena Khan feature The Tiger Hunter as well as The Fresh Beat Band, Days of Our Lives and Tyrant. The alumnus of both London’s Italia Conti Academy of Performing Arts and Los Angeles’ Lee Strasberg Institute will next be seen in the indie features Lake Mead and Foster Boy. Desai-Barochia continues to be repped by Tanner Pittman at Special Artists and Tom Jeggo and John Summerfield at the U.K.’s Waring and McKenna.
Public Announcement
Veteran publicist Danica Smith has joined Kovert Creative after 14 years at PMK*BNC, bringing her roster that includes Colin Farrell, Zach Braff, Wanda Sykes, Dave Bautista, Ruby Rose, Ben Feldman, Kim Cattrall, Mike Epps and Cat Deeley. “Not only is Danica an exceptional personal representative, she is also one of the most respected and well-liked people in our industry,” Kovert co-CEO Lewis Kay said in a statement. “We couldn’t be more excited to have her join our team.”
Abrams Additions
Abrams agent James Murray has been promoted to head of the voice department. He began his career as an assistant in the New York office 10 years ago and moved to Los Angeles in 2014. Murray’s clients have voiced projects including Toy Story 4, Abominable and Rango; animated shows for Disney, DreamWorks, Fox, Cartoon Network and Netflix; and national commercials for Sprint, Ross for Less, Capital One, Bank of America and Blue Cross/Blue Shield.
Abrams also has hired Brittney Weiskopf, who will report directly to Murray and spent the last three years at CESD. She began her entertainment career working with publicist Michael Levine, and she also has worked as a voice agent at Sutton, Barth Vennari Agency in Los Angeles.
Acting Out
LA Talent, the sister company to LA Models and New York Model Management, has hired Natalie Kollar to head its new theatrical department. The CSU Fullerton alumna began her career at Hervey/Grimes (now known as Smith & Hervey/Grimes), where she rose to head of theater and helped book clients on UnReal, Shameless, Westworld and 13 Reasons Why, as well as the national tour of Bright Star, God Looked Away at the Pasadena Playhouse and Mamma Mia at the Hollywood Bowl. “I’m proud to be a part of a company that is still growing and willing to venture into new territory 30 years after opening its doors,” LA Talent vp Ashley Partington said in a statement, “and I have no doubt that Natalie will lead us successfully into this new phase of our business.”
Others on the Dotted Line
DDA Talent has signed:
– Sharp Objects cinematographer Ronald Plante
– Sleepy Hollow cinematographer Bing Sokolsky
– Lethal Weapon costume designer Genevieve Tyrrell
J Public Relations has signed Malibu Country Mart.
Wallman PR has signed Jenni Pulos, who executive produces and appears on Bravo’s Flipping Out.
Global brand experience agency Jack Morton has hired Audrey Eden as Los Angeles-based director of entertainment and four group creative directors: Julian Rad (San Francisco), Michael Kort (New York), Keith Manning (Boston) and Alex Esguerra (Los Angeles).
Bruin Sports Capital has acquired Chicago-based strategic branding, design and creative agency Soulsight.
L.A.-based production company Hound has signed Australian-raised director Ken Karpel, who has directed spots for clients including Adidas, Jeep, Netflix, Nestle, UniCredit Bank and E.ON.
Production company Minted Content has partnered with Bespoke360 founder Meredyth Mann, who will handle Minted’s East Coast sales and representation.
Elsewhere in Rep World:
CAA Signs ‘Little America’ Producer Epic MagazineCAA Fired Adam Berkowitz After He Allegedly Groped Bad Robot ExecAPA Promotes Lit Agent Kyle Loftus to PartnerVeteran Agent Harry Abrams Sells Namesake AgencyLionsgate Exec Olive Uniacke Joins WMECAA Television Co-Head Adam Berkowitz Is Out
