UTA Names David Kramer President, Jay Sures Vice Chairman

David Kramer photo 1
Photo of David Kramer by Alex J. Berliner/ABImages

Following the news on Monday that music agent Scott Mantell had joined UTA, the company announced new senior leadership roles for longtime agents and board members David Kramer and Jay Sures. The promotions see Kramer named president while Sures will serve as vice chairman. 

The Sept. 13 announcement from UTA explains that “the move elevates the two veteran company executives and allows each to play to their respective strengths as UTA continues to grow in size, scope and ambition.”

Kramer and Sures had served as co-presidents since 2017. The duo both started their careers in mailrooms more than three decades ago and then worked with UTA Co-Founder Peter Benede.

Kramer’s accomplishments include leading UTA’s acquisition of top UK agency, Curtis Brown

Group, earlier this summer and working with UTA co-founder and CEO Jeremy Zimmer to bring in top global finance firm, EQT, as UTA’s largest outside investor. After starting his career focused on film, Kramer has “overseen more than a dozen of UTA’s practices, including all of its motion picture divisions, and started several new areas including publishing and podcasting.”

Jay Sures Photo
Photo of Jay Sures courtesy of UTA

Highlights of Sures’ career include playing a major role in building UTA’s television group and overseeing “UTA’s news, speakers, and culture and leadership practices, while also representing a wide roster of talent.” The Sept. 13 announcement points out that Sures was inducted into the Broadcasting Hall of Fame in 2016 and has served on the UC Board of Regents since 2019.

As previously reported, Mantell has joined UTA as an agent based in Los Angeles. Mantell previously served as a partner and the Co-Head of International Touring at ICM Partners, which was recently acquired by CAA. He’s joined by his roster including LL Cool J, Jill Scott, Toni Braxton, D’Angelo, Postmodern Jukebox, Disney Concerts, The Driver Era, Aly & AJ, Kiana Lede, Macy Gray, Gashi, Jeff Goldblum and the Mildred Snitzer Orchestra.

In August, Robert Gibbs also made the move to UTA from ICM. Gibbs has joined UTA’s Atlanta office as partner and co-head after previously holding the role of partner/co-head of music at ICM Partners. Plus, UTA gained agent Kevin Jergenson, based in New York, and Victoria Gutierrez, based in Los Angeles.