United Talent Agency has acquired U.K.-based literary agency Curtis Brown Group. The deal, UTA said, makes Curtis Brown the first U.K. lit firm to become part of a global talent agency.
Under the terms of the deal, Curtis Brown, which was founded in 1899, will continue to operate under its existing management structure and name. This, UTA said, will allow both firms to "continue their fruitful and longstanding relationships with other agency partners in the U.K. and U.S." Curtis Brown CEO Jonny Geller is also staying on board, continuing in his current role.
The move will allow UTA to bring a number of high profile authors into its orbit; CB clients include Margaret Atwood, Nigella Lawson, and Jojo Moyes. Among its literary estates are those of James Bond creator Ian Fleming, John le Carré, Daphne du Maurier, and Winnie the Pooh creator A.A. Milne. Over the last decade, CB has also expanded its client base, bringing in other creatives—including, among others, actors, screenwriters, and producers—into the fold.
Speaking to the deal, Geller said it "will allow Curtis Brown to grow and to respond to the demands of an increasingly globalized world." Cofounder and CEO of UTA, Jeremy Zimmer, added: "As the world of media grows and contorts, UTA is looking for great partnerships to drive our growth. In Curtis Brown, we believe we have found just such a partnership.”
