YMU launch US entertainment division 19 May 2022
SPEARHEADED BY VETERAN AGENT APRIL TOMBS, JOINED BY UTA'S SPENCER GOLDSTEIN AND ICM’S JARED GREENWALD
Leading transatlantic talent management company, YMU, launches its US Entertainment division under the leadership of highly coveted and respected agent, April Tombs. The company - which holds offices in Los Angeles, New York and Washington, as well as London and Manchester in the UK - boasts over 30 years’ experience in serving elite clients in Music, Sport, Entertainment, Art, Social, Books, and Business Management across all of their business endeavors. A snapshot of global clients include Steve Aoki, The Rolling Stones, Nick Cave, Pentatonix, Common, Graham Norton, Ant & Dec, Tyler Adams, Clint Dempsey, 3LAU and Slime Sunday, amongst others.
The launch of the US Entertainment arm aims to replicate the success and ambition of the UK Entertainment division, with the 60+ UK team led by Global MD of YMU Entertainment, Holly Bott. Former United Talent Agency veteran, April Tombs, joins YMU after an extensive career at UTA where she previously navigated partnerships for multi-hyphenate clients including Hilary Duff, Queen Latifah, Anthony Anderson, Jenna Dewan, and Brooke Shields, amongst others. As Managing Director, YMU Entertainment, US, Tombs will be joined at the YMU US offices by two additional and exceptional appointments; former long-term colleague and UTA senior agent Spencer Goldstein and senior agent Jared Greenwald from ICM, who between them have previously worked with an elite list of talent including Emily Ratajkowski, Cillian Murphy, Jessica Alba, Laverne Cox, Don Cheadle, Madelyn Cline, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Hero Fiennes Tiffin, Maitreyi Ramakrishan, Eric Andre and Christopher Walken. The pair have executed some of the most forward thinking and innovative entertainment partnerships within the US market. The trio are expected to launch the US Entertainment division with an impressive client list.
April Tombs, Managing Director, YMU Entertainment, US:
“As the entertainment landscape continues to evolve, I've admired - and share - YMU's client-first business approach executed through creativity and innovation. I am thrilled to join this amazing team and lead the expansion of the Entertainment division within the US.”
Built on a client-first approach, YMU provides a platform for their clients to create genuine 360-degree, multi-faceted brands, through a breadth of knowledge and depth of expertise. Leveraging their divisions in Music, Sport, Entertainment, Art, Social, Books, and Business Management, with services spanning creative, social strategy, commercial, publishing, live experiences, IP, public speaking, design, and data, they are home to an industry-leading global team of 350+ executives, who are fully integrated across international offices, complementary divisions and operations departments. The launch of YMU Entertainment US speaks to the Group's commitment to further grow and invest in the US market and replicate YMU’s market leading success in the UK.
Mary Bekhait, Group CEO, YMU:
"The launch of a US Entertainment division is incredibly exciting and is the first in a number of investments the Group will be making as we further establish our reach in the US. In April we found an exceptional leader who will work closely with our Group Entertainment MD, Holly Bott, to deliver first class 360 client service. I am excited to build and replicate the success we have enjoyed in the UK within the US.”
Holly Bott, Global MD, YMU Entertainment:
“April’s appointment feels like an exciting, natural expansion to the YMU Entertainment division and furthers our commitment to delivering world-class, talent-first management. We have a unique opportunity in the US market with this outstanding number of appointments in April, Jared and Spencer, and I look forward to working with them to deliver an exceptional service and business offering for our elite YMU talent.”
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THE HEADLINES
Did things really get better in 2025 for the UK's music business? (see Comment)
BRIT Awards 2026: Nominations and reactions (see News)
Music Venue Trust annual report highlights ongoing issues, and optimism (see News)
Do Spotify’s AI Playlists change how algorithmic discovery actually works? (see Features)
A&R 2026: We lost "R" (see Opinion)
Do most artists peak with their first album? (see Analysis)
Court battle over unpaid royalties could have implications for the industry in the streaming era (see News)
Luminate released its 2025 year-end music report (see Reports)
Impala sets out crucial questions on UMG/Downtown, AI, sovereignty and more for EU & music sector (see Comment)
Spotify’s new co-CEOs highlight what’s ahead for the company (see Digital)
Music publishers sued by X in growing licensing battle (see News)
Call on EU to clamp down on unauthorised ticket reselling (see News)
