Notes from the Rep Biz - 4-27-2018

A new filmmaker to WME, a lifestyle influencer and news anchor to CAA, new promotions at UTA, and Kanye and his manager split (but not for the reason you think)…all this and more in today’s edition of Notes from the Rep Biz!
 
At WME:
 
Irish filmmaker Anthony Byrne has signed with Rich Cook and Solco Schuit. Byrne is set to direct the fifth season of Peaky Blinders, and his next film, In Darkness (co-written with star Natalie Dormer), will be released in May. He is manager by Josh Varney at 42 in the U.K.
 
At CAA:
 
YouTube star Mariale Marrero has signed with Arleta Fowler. Marrero is a lifestyle influencer and has more than 13.5 million subscribers across her three YouTube channels. CAA will work with her to create opportunities in all areas including TV, motion pictures, and touring. She’ll continue to be repped by managers Kimberly Perplies and Vanessa DelMuro at James Grant Management.
 
News anchor Gayle King has signed with Darnelle Strom. King has been the co-anchor of CBS This Morning since 2012, and is the editor-at-large of O, the Oprah Magazine.
 
At UTA:
 
Music agent Sarah Casey has left the Leighton-Pope Organisation and joined UTA. Casey brings with her such acts as Dagny, All Tvvins, Beoga, All Our Exes Live in Texas, and many more. Casey will work out of the London office.
 
Screenwriter Surjuakiran Das has signed with Charles Ferraro and Anna Berthold. Das’ script The Confection Connection won one of the top spots in the Tracking Board’s Launch Pad competition.
 
Eight coordinators have been promoted to agents: Brett Duchon and Sarah Kowaney in Licensing, Branding and Endorsements; Kellen Alberstone in Alternative Television; Max Karpen in Speakers; Jessica Preciado in Marketing; Sara Schoch in Music Brand Partnerships; Miae Shin in News and Broadcast; and Stephanie Smith in UTA IQ.
 
Other Notes around town:
 
After new allegations surfaced against R. Kelly regarding the cult-like environment he cultivated around young women, both his publicist, Trevian Kutti, and lawyer, Linda Mensch, have dropped him as a client.
 
Management Notes:
 
Kanye West and manager of two years Scooter Braun have parted ways. The move reportedly comes from Kanye’s decision to “leave the traditional music business.” However, according to sources, both West’s and Braun’s companies will continue to work together.

Sources, Deadline, Variety, Hollywood Reporter, The Tracking Board, The Fader, Billboard