Agency Changes In Toronto

As United Talent Agency closes its Toronto office, Paradigm Talent Agency, APA and Paquin Artists have taken advantage of the situation.

– Paradigm Talent Agency

UTA announced in early August that it was shuttering its Toronto office – formerly known as the Toronto office of The Agency Group before TAG was acquired by UTA . UTA’s Jeremy Zimmer alerted staff that the expansions of the last year, and key hires like David Zedeck as global head of music, positively impacted the company; Canadian operations moved to the New York and L.A. offices.

Paradigm created Canadian office, opening a new office helmed by former UTA agent Rob Zifarelli, who is joined by agents Adam Countryman and André Guérette.

Zifarelli brings with him clients City and Colour, Feist, Phantogram, Vance Joy, Broken Social Scene, Boy & Bear, Dashboard Confessional, Christine And The Queens, Tash Sultana, Alexisonfire, Bahamas, Dan Mangan, James Vincent McMorrow, Meg Mac, Stars, and Xavier Rudd among others.

Guérette is an agent and manager specializing in French Canada for more than 10 years. He brings Patrick Watson, Matt Holubowski, Alex Nevsky, Bobby Bazini, Christine And The Queens, The Barr Brothers, Martha Wainwright and Marie-Pierre Arthur. Countryman brings Hey Rosetta!, Half Moon Run and Andy Shauf.

“We’re honored to launch Paradigm’s first Canadian office, and excited to be a part of this great agent team we’ve long admired,” Zifarelli said.

“Canada is an important source of creative talent for our agency,” Paradigm exec Tom Windish said. “Rob, André and Adam are highly respected as seasoned and cutting edge agents. We’re excited to have their expertise on our side as we continue to strengthen our worldwide network of agents and offerings to our clients.”

The announcement follows Paradigm’s recent partnership with Europe’s X-ray Touring and a 2014 partnership with that continent’s Coda Agency.

Meanwhile, APA took advantage of upheaval by opening a new office in the Canadian city, headed by Ralph James and Jack Ross.

Also joining the new team are former UTA music agents Stefanie Purificati and Mike Graham.

APA President/CEO Jim Gosnell and EVP/Partner Steve Martin made the announcement Aug. 17. Martin is also formerly of UTA, which announced it is “gradually” closing its Toronto shop Aug. 1. In the meantime, Paradigm Talent Agency has announced it will open a new office in the city.

“It’s an honor to be in business with such accomplished and respected industry vets as Ralph and Jack,” Gosnell and Martin said in a joint statement.  “We’re very excited to be investing in Canadian artists and The City of Toronto as we continue to expand APA’s global footprint.”

James’ clients include Nickelback, 54-40, Big Sugar, Billy Talent, I Mother Earth, Danko Jones, Marianas Trench, Walk Off The Earth, The Trews, and The Watchmen, among others.

Ross brings along a roster including Bruce Cockburn, Paul Brandt, Sam Roberts Band, Arkells, Lights, and Coda Agency. 

“We’re thrilled to be joining such a respected team of agents at APA, and to be launching their new Canadian headquarters,” James said.

Ross added, “We’re very excited to be growing the APA brand in Canada, and to be doing so alongside our former TAG colleague, Steve Martin.”

The move marks the latest expansion for APA, which began last year with new offices in London and Atlanta, and moves into larger buildings in Beverly Hills, Calif., New York City and Nashville.