UTA Boss Sends Companywide Memo Accusing Reporter of Unprofessional Bias
UTA chief executive David Kramer sent staff a strongly worded memo accusing Variety reporter Matt Donnelly of biased and unprofessional reporting after Variety published an article about prominent clients leaving the agency. The dispute matters because it highlights tensions between a major Hollywood talent agency and an influential trade publication, with UTA seeking to rebut concerns about its business and internal morale.
Variety’s report cited departures including Alex Cooper and Nikki Glaser, alongside alleged pressure for consolidation and anxiety among agents. Kramer said UTA had a record-breaking 2025 and was on course to outperform in 2026, while alleging Donnelly had threatened the agency and behaved inappropriately towards women at UTA; Variety said the cited messages were taken out of context, stood by its reporting and said Donnelly regretted being drawn into an earlier heated exchange.
- UTA publicly challenged Variety’s reporting on client departures and internal pressure.
- Kramer alleged reporter misconduct; Variety rejected the characterisation.
- UTA says its business grew strongly in 2025.
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United Talent Agency (UTA) represents actors, writers, performers and other clients, and competes with other agencies for talent and business. Variety is a trade publication that reports on the entertainment industry, including changes at agencies and the people they represent.
Stories about clients leaving can raise questions about an agency’s business and working environment. UTA’s leadership and Variety have different accounts of the reporting and the exchanges around it, so the dispute also touches on how journalists cover powerful companies and how those companies respond to scrutiny.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
UTA contends that Variety's article presented a selectively negative picture by emphasising departures and staff anxiety whilst omitting material context about record-breaking 2025 results and strong 2026 projections. The agency argues that responsible journalism requires balanced presentation of both challenges and achievements, and maintains that concerning conduct by Donnelly—including alleged inappropriate behaviour towards staff—undermines the reporting's credibility and suggests predetermined framing rather than fair inquiry.
The case against
Variety argues that reporting departures and internal concerns represents legitimate journalism regardless of overall financial performance; both can be newsworthy. The publication maintains that UTA's response—attacking the reporter's character without specifics whilst claiming context was omitted—follows a familiar pattern of powerful institutions discrediting unwanted coverage. Variety stands by its reporting and contends that independent journalism requires resisting corporate pressure to suppress or reshape coverage, even when subjects deny allegations.