UTA has named partner Blair Kohan to its board of directors, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.
A perennial member of THR’s Women in Entertainment Power 100, Kohan represents top comedy talent including Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, James Franco, Sarah Silverman, Paul Rudd and Chelsea Handler, as well as Jill Soloway. The graduate of Sarah Lawrence College’s writing program joined UTA in 1997 and was promoted to partner in 2004.
“Joining the board of a company that has been my home for 20 years is a defining experience for me both professionally and personally,” Kohan said Wednesday in a statement. “UTA is now a true global entertainment and media company, made up of some of the most talented, innovative and creative people in our business. I’m excited about the opportunity to work with our board and my incredible colleagues to expand and advocate for our business. It is my hope that elevating another woman to the board will have positive ripple effects at every level of our company, and hopefully serve as a model for the industry. It confirms UTA as an inclusive and empowering home for the artists we champion and our entire UTA family.”
It remains rare for women to reach the top leadership positions at a major agency. Tracey Jacobs was one of the first to do so when UTA named her to the board in 2008. With Kohan’s appointment, women now occupy two of UTA’s eight board seats, joining chairman Jim Berkus, CEO Jeremy Zimmer, co-presidents David Kramer and Jay Sures, co-founder Peter Benedek and partner Matt Rice.
“We want our board to reflect the direction and growth of the company, and Blair Kohan does that and more,” said Zimmer. “She is an innovative and passionate partner to her clients and a generous and wise colleague to her UTA family. I am grateful Blair has agreed to take on these added responsibilities. She will be a powerful addition to our board, and her passion, perspective and experience will be invaluable as we navigate the many opportunities and changes shaping our business today.”
Kohan is a member of the industrywide Time’s Up initiative. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband, Will & Grace co-creator David Kohan, and their daughter.
