Creatorverse: breaking down the Alex Cooper and Unwell mess. Cooper left UTA before receiving a $500 million valuation. Here's how thewrap got here (Alix Earle drama included) August 19, 2026 @ 1:00 PM Hey Creatorverse readers, Daddy is cleaning house. On Sunday, word got out that "Call Her Daddy" host and Unwell co-founder Alex Cooper left UTA back in July, the creator's home for the past six years. Any time a major client leaves an agency, it's big news, but this latest chapter in the "Call Her Daddy" and Unwell saga is especially complicated. News of Cooper's departure emerged after Unwell hit a $500 million valuation thanks to an investment from WTSL, the firm from WME co-founder Patrick Whitesell. Cooper's departure also comes while Unwell is in the midst of a series of toxic workplace allegations and Cooper is publicly feuding with fellow creator and former Unwell talent Alix Earle. It's a lot, especially since Cooper and Earle seem hellbent on making snarky comments rather than explaining their beef. Start your 2-week trial for Annual Plan $1 trial, then $199/year * Unlimited access to TheWrap * Data insights & deep-dive features * Weekly PRO newsletters * Exclusive videos & analysis * Invite-only member events $1 for the first 14 days. After your trial, you'll be billed $199/year until you cancel. Cancel before Day 14 and you won't be billed for the annual plan. Already have an account?

UTA expands London team with two new agents. LONDON (vip-booking) - United Talent Agency (UTA) has expanded its London music operation with the appointment of agents Becky Drouet and Anthony Brown, as part of a wider round of six executive hires and 11 internal promotions across its music division. Brown joins UTA after more than 13 years at CAA, where he worked on global touring strategies for international artists, with a particular focus on hip-hop and R&B. Drouet arrives after 18 years at LPO, where she booked major tours and live events for international artists. At UTA, she will work across touring as well as the agency's corporate and private events business. The appointments further strengthen UTA's UK and European music team following the promotion of James Wright to Co-Head of UK Music last month. Three of the agency's 11 newly promoted coordinators are also based in London: Dylan Bryant, Brooke Newton and Emily Rhodes. The wider coordinator group will support agents and executives across touring, marketing, brand partnerships, music crossover and A&R. "We're thrilled to welcome this exceptional group of agents and executives to UTA Music, and look forward to working together in support of our clients," said Sam Kirby Yoh and David Zedeck, Co-Heads of Global Music at UTA. The agency has also added Chris Anderson, Randy Freedman, Jordan Golenberg and Lauren Katzakian to its Los Angeles office.

Movers and shakers: UTA reveals six executive appointments. Plus: senior hires from The Team, Legends Global, and Live Nation Belgium make up the latest appointments round-up News By Ciaran Donnelly | 17 August 2026 Leading the latest round of industry appointments, United Talent Agency (UTA) has announced six new executive appointments, as well as 11 internal promotions across its music division. The company said the moves represent "the latest in a series of advancements" for the music department, following the recent elevation of James Wright to co-head of UK Music. Agents Anthony Brown and Becky Drouet join the firm's London office. Brown brings over thirteen years of industry experience from CAA, where he "shaped global touring careers and built long-term strategies for international artists, specialising in hip-hop and R&B", UTA said. Drouet will work across touring and the corporate/ private group, following a career spanning more than eighteen years at LPO, where she booked major tours and live events for international artists. Chris Anderson (agent), Randy Freedman (agent and music brand partnerships), Jordan Golenberg (agent), and Lauren Katzakian (executive, business affairs) have joined the Los Angeles office. "With over a decade of experience at Universal Music Group (UMG) and elsewhere, Katzakian is the newest member of the UTA Business Affairs team focusing on touring and Music Brand Partnerships," UTA said. The firm added: "Freedman also arrives via UMG, and will focus his efforts within the Music Brand Partnerships division, where he brings more than a decade of experience creating talent partnerships for some of the world's leading artists and brands. Golenberg joins from Day After Day Productions, and will bring several years of booking experience to his new role." Meanwhile, the company said Anderson "joins UTA following nearly two decades in artist management and talent representation, and is tasked with developing tour strategy for a diverse roster of artists at UTA". The agency haw also revealed its newest "coordinator class", which will support agents and executives across multiple divisions within the music department, including touring, marketing, brand partnerships, music crossover, A&R and more. The announcement includes promotions for Juan Aguirre, Lindsey Cole, Alia Lopotanak, and Mark Soleymani, who become the newest coordinators in the Los Angeles office, as well as for Julian Huff, Pearse Matteson, and Jenna Shatzman, who have been upped to coordinators in New York. Cat Ingersoll is the latest to be elevated to coordinator in Nashville, And Dylan Bryant, Brooke Newton, and Emily Rhodes are the latest coordinator promotions in London. In other agency news, The Team last week announced the hiring of David Valdez and Danielle Diab as director of tour marketing, both to be based in Los Angeles. The agency said the appointments "reflect The Team's continued expansion of its global tour marketing and ticketing capabilities". Valdez brings experience leading marketing campaigns for major tours, venues, and festivals, including in stints at Intuit Dome, Crypto.com Arena, and AEG Presents. Diab has also served in marketing roles at Live Nation and AEG Presents. At the same time, the company has promoted Sophie Maltby to associate director of integrated music and sports partnerships within the company's Artist Services group. "We're continuing to strengthen our team with exceptional talent at every level," said Lee Anderson, co-president of music at the agency. "David and Danielle bring significant experience and knowledge to our tour marketing operation, while Sophie's promotion reflects our commitment to developing talent from within. Each of these moves makes us better equipped to deliver for our artists." Meanwhile, Legends Global has appointed Aimee Carroll as president of merchandise, with the firm saying the hire will bring "two decades of brand-building leaderships across retail, fashion, and consumer goods". In the role, Carroll will oversee Legends Global's worldwide retail and merchandising platform, spanning eCommerce, in-venue retail, large-scale live events, brick-and-mortar operations, licensing, and branded solutions for an extensive lineup of global partners across sports and entertainment, Legends Global said. "With a track record of driving growth across some of the industry's most recognised brands, Aimee combines large-company experience with a strong commercial focus and a consumer-first mentality that will deliver results for our partners," said Legends Global president and CFO Brett Parker. Live Nation Belgium has also appointed Jean Jacques Velkeniers as its new managing director, effective from 1 September. "What we have built over the past years is the result of the dedication, passion, and hard work of an outstanding team. By welcoming Jean Jacques, we are adding valuable expertise, and I look forward to working alongside him and our management team," said Herman Schueremans, president of Live Nation Belgium. Get more stories like this in your inbox by signing up for IQ Index, IQ's free email digest of essential live music industry news.