UTA goes to war with Hollywood news giant

United Talent Agency (UTA) CEO David Kramer has publicly accused Variety, a leading Hollywood trade publication, of attempting to damage the agency's business. This came after a story published by Variety reported on a significant number of high-profile clients leaving UTA, leading to speculation about potential departures to rival agencies.

In a memo to UTA staff, Kramer alleged that Variety reporter Matthew Donnelly held a "clear bias against our business," citing a series of emails and texts in which Donnelly reportedly referred to UTA as a "flagrant and hostile enemy" and threatened consequences against both the publication and Kramer himself. Kramer also alleged that Donnelly treated several female executives in a "hostile and unprofessional" manner, violating editorial standards.

Despite Kramer's accusations, Variety defended the integrity of its reporting, stating that the quoted comments were taken out of context and that UTA did not dispute the article's core facts. The incident highlights the escalating tensions between entertainment agencies and media conglomerates, which have increasingly consolidated their control over industry news, giving them a near-monopoly on major reporting.