Two of Hollywood’s leading agencies representing below-the-line creative talent, Dattner Dispoto and Associates (DDA Talent) and Worldwide Production Agency (WPA), have announced that they are merging operations.
This merger will “create a new global agency dedicated to the film, television, commercial and digital media industries’ most sought-after artisans, department heads, directors and producers”.
“The merger combines decades of industry expertise and international reach, to create one of the entertainment industry’s most respected roster of cinematographers, production and costume designers, editors, visual effects artists, directors and producers under a single banner,” said a press release.
The newly combined agency will operate from offices in Los Angeles and London, supported by strategic partnerships throughout Europe, Canada, South America and Australasia.
A new corporate identity and agency name will be unveiled later this summer.
“This announcement follows months of strategic planning between our agencies as we prepared a unified expansion strategy focusing on serving creative talent globally,” said Bill Dispoto, president of DDA Talent, and Steve Jacob, co-CEO of WPA, in a joint statement.
“Our agencies have always shared the same philosophy: exceptional representation begins with putting artists first. We have each built our businesses by championing creative excellence, personal service and long-term career development,” added Juanita Tiangco, vice president of DDA Talent.
“Bringing our teams together allows us to offer our clients greater opportunities, deeper resources and a truly global platform while preserving the individualised approach that defines both agencies.”
“The entertainment industry is evolving rapidly and the demand for world-class creative talent has never been greater,” concluded Frank Balkin, co-CEO of WPA.
“This merger creates one of the largest independent agencies dedicated to below-the-line talent.
“It positions us to better serve our clients across film, television, streaming, advertising and emerging media while continuing to advocate for the artists who bring stories to life.”
The combined roster includes Academy Award, Emmy, BAFTA and guild-recognised talent, including: Academy Award-winning cinematographer Erik Messerschmidt ASC (Mank); two-time Academy Award-nominated cinematographer Jeff Cronenweth ASC (The Social Network); Malik Sayeed (Clockers, Belly, After the Hunt); producer Ralph Winter (X-Men franchise); editor Ian S. Tan ACE (Avatar: The Last Airbender); production designer Danny Vermette ADG (Backrooms); John Mathieson BSC (Gladiator); cinematographer Larry Fong ASC (Watchmen); cinematographer Mihai Mălaimare Jr. (The Master, Jojo Rabbit); and cinematographer Maryse Alberti (Creed).
