In bolstering its brand partnerships division — which pairs clients with major commercial advertising campaigns — WME has promoted Ikenna Ezeh from agent to partner, the representation firm said. He will become one of 15 partners in the division, which has a roster of 40 agents working on brand deals.
Ezeh, who began in the division in 2021 with a focus on celebrity endorsements, will be tasked with business development across the agency’s roster including for WME clients like Tyler, The Creator, Jonathan Majors, Sean ‘Love’ Combs, Lil Baby, Donald Glover, John Legend and J Balvin. His promotion took effect in December and Ezeh will now broaden his focus on deals for acting talent as well as music clients.
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At the Endeavor-owned agency, Ezeh has negotiated deals including Michael B. Jordan’s PepsiCo deal to be the face of Propel Water, Kid Cudi’s turn in a Louis Vuitton jewelry campaign, rapper Future’s inclusion in a Hugo Boss campaign (branded #BeYourOwnBOSS), SZA’s promotion of Cadillac, Serena Williams and Jake Gyllenhaal’s ads for plant-based egg substitute brand Just Egg and Chrissy Teigen and John Legend’s role as “first family in residence” at Airbnb rival Vrbo.
Before joining the Beverly Hills-based firm, Ezeh operated his own strategic management consulting firm, held the svp of entertainment title at licensing giant Authentic Brands Group and had been vp of branding and strategy at Jay-Z’s Roc Nation. He also spent two years at CAA, from 2011-2013, working in the Sports Sponsorships and Sports Endorsements divisions.
In its latest reported quarter, on Nov. 8, Endeavor disclosed that its representation unit (which includes WME and fashion-focused IMG) saw revenue of $388 million. On an earnings call, CEO Ari Emanuel said the company was “not feeling any decrease in the spend” from buyers and partners at the time, amid a pullback from some marketers.
The entertainment and sports conglomerate, whose stock has risen 8 percent year to date, will report its fourth-quarter and full year earnings for 2022 on Feb. 28.
