{{Short description|American talent agency from Los Angeles}} {{Hat note|Not to be confused with the Iranian Independent Artists Group}} {{Use mdy dates|date=February 2022}} {{Infobox company | name = Independent Artist Group | logo = Independent Artist Group logo.svg | type = Private | key_people = {{ubl|Jim Osborne (CEO)|Dennis Arfa (Chairman, Music)|Marsha Vlasic (Vice chairman, Music)<ref name="Variety-IAG" />|Kyle Loftus (President)}} | industry = Talent and literary agency | website = {{url|independentartistgroup.com}} | predecessor = {{Ubl|Agency for the Performing Arts (APA)|Artist Group International (AGI)}} | founded = 2023 | location = Los Angeles, California | num_locations = Los Angeles, New York, Nashville, Atlanta, Toronto, London }} '''IAG''' (also known as '''Independent Artist Group''') is a talent agency in the entertainment industry with headquarters in Los Angeles, New York, Nashville, Atlanta, Toronto, and London.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2016/artisans/news/apa-opens-london-office-signs-pinewood-studios-group-1201770535/|title=APA Opens London Office, Signs Pinewood Studios Group|last=|first=|date=May 10, 2016|website=|publisher=|access-date=}}</ref> the company represented actors, writers, producers, showrunners, directors, performers, physical production services, film studios,<ref name=":0" /> as well as luxury and lifestyle brands across all media platforms worldwide. The company was formed from the merger of two talent agencies, Agency for the Performing Arts (APA) and Artist Group International (AGI). Jim Osborne was named the Agency's CEO and Dennis Arfa was named as the Chairman of the Music Division. Both are members of the board as is IAG President Kyle Loftus<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kit |first=Borys |date=2025-06-18 |title=IAG Names Kyle Loftus President |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/iag-kyle-loftus-president-1236294199/ |access-date=2026-01-27 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}}</ref>.
== History == APA was founded in New York in 1962 by former MCA executives David Baumgarten (c. 1917–1995),<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/1995/scene/people-news/david-baumgarten-99130341/|title=DAVID BAUMGARTEN|work=Variety|date=May 8, 1995}}</ref> Roger Vorce (1929–2018)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2018/film/news/roger-vorce-dead-dies-apa-founder-1202800029/|title=Roger Vorce, Agency for the Performing Arts Co-Founder, Dies at 88|first1=Ariana|last1=Brockington|date=May 7, 2018}}</ref> and Harvey Litwin (1931–2020).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/markets/stocks|title=Stocks|website=Bloomberg.com}}</ref> Early clients included The Doors, Harry Belafonte, Johnny Cash, Tina Turner, Steve Martin, Janis Joplin, Jefferson Airplane, Rosemary Clooney, and Liberace.
The agency also packaged feature films and television series such as ''Away'' on ''Netflix'', ''The Dublin Murders'' on ''Showtime'', ''All Rise'' on ''CBS'', and ''For Life'' on ''ABC'', as well as TV series ''Home Improvement'' and ''Roseanne''. APA was one of the first among the top 5 packaging agencies to sign the WGA's new franchise agreement on January 21, 2020, when the agency integrated its Television and Motion Picture departments under one ''APA Scripted Literary'' banner.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last1=Andreeva |first1=Nellie |last2=Robb |first2=David |date=January 21, 2020 |title=APA Agency Signs Agreement With The WGA – Update |url=https://deadline.com/2020/01/apa-deal-the-wga-agreement-1202837404/ |access-date=May 4, 2021 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref>
On September 4, 2020, financier Ron Burkle's Yucaipa Companies made a non-equity financial investment in APA .<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fleming |first=Mike Jr. |date=September 4, 2020 |title=Ron Burkle Makes Big Investment In APA |url=https://deadline.com/2020/09/ron-burkle-equity-stake-apa-1234571078/ |access-date=May 4, 2021 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref>
In 2023 APA and Artist Group International (AGI) merged and rebranded to Independent Artist Group.<ref name="Variety-IAG">{{Cite web |last1=Littleton |first1=Cynthia |last2=Aswad |first2=Jem |date=2023-06-21 |title=APA Merges With Touring Powerhouse Artist Group Intl., Rebrands as Independent Artist Group |url=https://variety.com/2023/biz/news/apa-artist-group-jim-osborne-dennis-arfa-1235650255/ |access-date=2024-11-26 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref>
=== Divisions === The agency's divisions include Alternative & Factual Programming, Scripted Literary, Talent, Intellectual Property, Branding Partnerships, Comedy & Live Podcasts, Global Touring, Physical Production,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2013/12/montana-artists-agents-matt-birch-ralph-berge-join-apa-below-the-line-department-646355/|title=Six Montana Artists Agents & Executives Led By Toppers Matt Birch & Ralph Berge Join APA|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|date=December 3, 2013|website=Deadline Hollywood|publisher=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=February 15, 2014}}</ref> Theater and Speakers. Predecessor APA was the 5th largest talent agency in the United States after Creative Artists Agency, United Talent Agency, William Morris Endeavor, and ICM Partners. They are larger in size than Paradigm Talent Agency, The Gersh Agency, Innovative Artists, Abrams Artists Agency, and Don Buchwald & Associates.<ref>[http://labusinessjournal.com/lalists/?djoPage=bridge&djoPid=6856/ Largest Talent Agencies in Los Angeles (2019)] 2019</ref>
The agency's on-camera and theatrical talent include such actors as Gary Oldman, Sylvester Stallone, Taraji P Henson, Regina Hall,Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson, Cole Hauser, Lindsay Lohan, Chris Tucker, William H. Macy, Mary J. Blige, Donnie Yen, Sharon Stone, Nathalie Emmanuel, Ken Jeong, Marc Maron, Maria Bello''',''' Lili Taylor, Kate Bosworth, Famke Janssen,<ref>{{Cite web|date=September 2, 2020|title='X-Men' Star Famke Janssen Signs with APA (Exclusive)|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/x-men-star-famke-janssen-signs-with-apa-exclusive|access-date=May 4, 2021|website=The Hollywood Reporter|language=en}}</ref> Tyrese Gibson, Eddie Izzard,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2019/07/covers-movie-diplo-bill-pullman-eddie-izzard-cast-1202654124/|title=Bill Pullman, Eddie Izzard, Diplo Join 'Covers' Comedy|last=Hipes|first=Patrick|date=July 25, 2019|website=Deadline|language=en|access-date=September 23, 2019}}</ref> and Lucas Till.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2016/03/lucas-till-cast-macgyver-cbs-pilot-x-men-1201723767/|title='X-Men's Lucas Till To Play MacGyver In CBS Reboot Pilot|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|date=March 21, 2016|website=Deadline|language=en|access-date=September 23, 2019}}</ref>
The agency also represents such touring musical artists as Billy Joel, Metallica, 50 Cent, Mary J. Blige, Def Leppard, Rod Stewart, Motley Crue, Ghost, Sleep Token, Disturbed, Neil Young, BigXthaPlug, Ne-Yo, The Strokes, Cage The Elephant, Daryl Hall, Norah Jones, Smashing Pumpkins, Elvis Costello and comedy touring artists, Ronny Chieng, Josh Johnson, Mike Epps, Martin Lawrence, Eddie Izzard, and Ms. Pat.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Aswad |first=Cynthia Littleton,Jem |date=2023-06-21 |title=APA Merges With Touring Powerhouse Artist Group Intl., Rebrands as Independent Artist Group |url=https://variety.com/2023/biz/news/apa-artist-group-jim-osborne-dennis-arfa-1235650255/ |access-date=2026-01-27 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref>
APA was a driving force behind such non-fiction series as ''Dance Moms'' (Lifetime), ''Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath'' (A&E), ''Dr. Pimple Popper'' (TLC), ''Unidentified'' (History), and ''Blown Away'' (Netflix). The agency also represents the Executive Producers of hit non-fiction series such as ''Nailed It'' (Netflix), ''So You Think You Can Dance'' (Fox), ''Let’s Make a Deal'' (CBS), and ''Pyramid'' (ABC).
The agency represents numerous authors and storytellers in the area intellectual property, whose works have been adapted for film, streaming, television and Broadway, including author Gregory Maguire,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2014/film/news/universal-wicked-egg-and-spoon-1201164233/|title=Universal Lands Book From 'Wicked' Author, 'Egg and Spoon'|last=Kroll|first=Justin|date=April 25, 2014|website=Variety|language=en|access-date=September 24, 2019}}</ref> author Lee Child,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2019/07/amazon-developing-jack-reacher-drama-series-based-books-nick-santora-1202646465/|title=Amazon Developing Jack Reacher Drama Series From Nick Santora Based On Lee Child Books|last=Petski|first=Denise|date=July 15, 2019|website=Deadline|language=en|access-date=September 24, 2019}}</ref> Charlaine Harris ,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/true-blood-author-adapting-midnight-835469|title='True Blood' Author Adapting 'Midnight, Texas' Book Series for NBC|website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=October 29, 2015 |language=en|access-date=September 24, 2019}}</ref> New York Times bestselling fantasy author Brandon Sanderson (''Mistborn''),<ref>{{Cite web|title=APA Signs 'The Reckoners' Author Brandon Sanderson|url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/apa-signs-reckoners-author-brandon-sanderson-225904954.html|access-date=May 4, 2021|website=www.yahoo.com|date=August 26, 2015 |language=en-US}}</ref> New York Times bestselling author C.J. Box (''The Highway'', adapted by David E. Kelley for the ABC series “Big Sky”),<ref>{{Cite web|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|date=January 30, 2020|title=David E. Kelley PI Drama 'The Big Sky' Ordered To Series By ABC From A+E Studios|url=https://deadline.com/2020/01/david-e-kelley-drama-the-big-sky-series-by-abc-1202846788/|access-date=May 4, 2021|website=Deadline|language=en-US}}</ref> bestselling author James Rollins (''Sigma Force'' franchise),<ref>{{Cite web|last=McNary|first=Dave|date=March 18, 2016|title='Map of Bones' Movie Comes to Life at Lionsgate With 'Black Panther' Writer (EXCLUSIVE)|url=https://variety.com/2016/film/news/map-of-bones-movie-lionsgate-exclusive-1201729958/|access-date=May 4, 2021|website=Variety|language=en-US}}</ref> Patrick O’Brian ''(Master & Commander)'',<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/hollywood-throwback-dinner-at-sam-778133|title=Hollywood Throwback: Dinner at Sam Goldwyn Jr.'s with Charlton Heston and 'Master and Commander' Author Patrick O'Brian|website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=February 26, 2015 |language=en|access-date=September 24, 2019}}</ref> New York Times bestselling author and National Book Award winner Neal Shusterman ''(Challenger Deep)'',<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2019/07/challenger-deep-disney-plus-neal-shusterman-toy-story-4-scribe-will-mccormack-adapting-1202648852/|title=Disney+ Acquires Neal Shusterman Novel 'Challenger Deep' With 'Toy Story 4's Will McCormack Adapting|last=Fleming|first=Mike Jr.|date=July 25, 2019|website=Deadline|language=en|access-date=September 24, 2019}}</ref> the Truman Capote estate,<ref>{{Cite web|date=April 13, 2015|title=The Weinstein Co. Options TV Rights for 'In Cold Blood'|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/cold-blood-tv-rights-optioned-788486|access-date=May 4, 2021|website=The Hollywood Reporter|language=en}}</ref> and the Richard Wright estate,<ref>{{Cite web|date=February 21, 2017|title=Celebrated Black Novel 'Native Son' Gets New Film Adaptation|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/celebrated-black-novel-native-son-gets-new-film-adaptation-978080|access-date=May 4, 2021|website=The Hollywood Reporter|language=en}}</ref> among others.
==Controversies== In 2017, then APA agent Tyler Grasham was accused of assaulting several current or former child actors, including Blaise Godbe Lipman (who stated that Grasham assaulted him ten years earlier when he was looking for representation) and Lucas Ozarowski, a film and TV editor who stated that he was also assaulted by Grasham.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Robb|first=David|date=October 20, 2017|title=APA Investigating Agent As Two Men Come Forward With Sexual Assault Allegations|url=https://deadline.com/2017/10/hollywood-agent-accused-sexual-assault-claims-apa-1202192012/|access-date=February 16, 2021|website=Deadline|language=en-US}}</ref> ''Stranger Things'' actor Finn Wolfhard, who was represented by Grasham at the time, parted ways with both the agent and APA in the wake of the allegations.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Busch|first=Anita|date=October 20, 2017|title='Stranger Things' Finn Wolfhard Exits APA Over Sexual Assault Allegations Against His Agent|url=https://deadline.com/2017/10/stranger-things-finn-wolfhard-exits-apa-sexual-assault-allegations-1202192147/|access-date=February 16, 2021|website=Deadline|language=en-US}}</ref> After a prompt investigation, the agency terminated Grasham's employment.<ref>{{Cite web|date=October 20, 2017|title=APA Agent Tyler Grasham Fired Amid Sexual Abuse Claims|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/apa-agent-tyler-grasham-fired-sexual-abuse-claims-1050883|access-date=February 16, 2021|website=The Hollywood Reporter|language=en}}</ref>
In 2017, a former agent of APA accused the agency of sexual discrimination, harassment and assault, alleging that a partner at the firm sent her graphic text messages and threatened to have her fired for refusing the advances. A private investigation commissioned by APA concluded that the agent fabricated her claims to extort money from the agency. APA subsequently filed a Demand for Arbitration pursuant to the agent's employment agreement.<ref>{{Cite web|date=December 13, 2019|title=Ex-APA Employee's Suit Alleging a "Sexually Abusive Environment" Moved to Arbitration|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/apa-employees-suit-alleging-a-sexually-abusive-environment-moved-arbitration-1262529|access-date=February 16, 2021|website=The Hollywood Reporter|language=en}}</ref> In response, the former agent filed a lawsuit with the California Superior Court, citing the same allegations. APA successfully moved to compel the matter be decided by arbitration.<ref>{{Cite web|date=June 19, 2019|title=Ex-APA Worker Files Sexual Harassment Suit; Agency Claims Extortion|url=https://www.thewrap.com/ex-apa-employee-files-sexual-harassment-lawsuit-agency-accuses-her-of-extortion/|access-date=February 16, 2021|website=TheWrap|language=en-US}}</ref>
In 2020 APA's president Jim Osborne and his client, Oscar winner actor Gary Oldman, were defendants in a lawsuit brought by scriptwriter Ben Kaplan over the script for the film Darkest Hour. Other defendants in the ongoing case include NBC Universal, producer Douglas Urbanski, Working Title Film Group and Focus Features. Ben Kaplan claims the defendants plagiarized part of an original screenplay about Winston Churchill that he'd spent years developing, with drafts to which the defendants had had access. He also claims Mr. Oldman had signed to his Churchill script before dropping the project and joining Darkest Hour.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-09-22 |title=Gary Oldman sued by screenwriter who claims 'Darkest Hour' stole scenes |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/gary-oldman-darkest-hour-lawsuit-winston-churchill-b528228.html |access-date=2022-03-18 |website=The Independent |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Patten |first=Dominic |date=2020-09-21 |title=Gary Oldman & NBCUniversal Sued Over Oscar-Nominated 'Darkest Hour' |url=https://deadline.com/2020/09/winston-churchill-lawsuit-nbcuniversal-gary-oldman-darkest-hour-ben-kaplan-1234581453/ |access-date=2022-03-18 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Maddaus |first=Gene |date=2020-09-21 |title=Gary Oldman Sued by Writer Who Claims 'Darkest Hour' Lifted From Script |url=https://variety.com/2020/film/news/gary-oldman-darkest-hour-lawsuit-1234777784/ |access-date=2022-03-18 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref>
== References == <references />
== External links == * {{Official website|http://www.apa-agency.com/}} * [https://pro.imdb.com/company/co0078069/ IMDBPro Information]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Agency For The Performing Arts}} Category:Talent and literary agencies Category:Companies based in Beverly Hills, California Category:2023 establishments in the United States