Jay Sures
Born1966 or 1967 (age 56–57)[1]
NationalityAmerican
Alma materUniversity of California, Los Angeles
EmployerUnited Talent Agency
Board member ofJonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center

Jay Sures is an American entertainment industry executive and talent agent, currently serving as co-president of United Talent Agency.

Early life and education edit

Sures was born in Canada and raised in Los Angeles. He graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles, where he has also served as an assistant visiting professor for the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television.[2]

Career edit

Sures' career with United Talent Agency (UTA) began with the agency's establishment in 1991, working in the mailroom and assisting co-founder Peter Benedek.[2][3][4] He became a talent agent when UTA first formed,[5] and was promoted to partner in 1998.[6] Sures joined the board of directors in 2003.[5] He and David Kramer held managing director roles starting in 2010,[3][7] and both became co-presidents in September 2017.[3][7] Sures is also a co-founder of the UTA Foundation, the agency's non-profit organization.[2]

Sures leads the agency's television departments,[3] which focus on broadcasting, news, and television (non-scripted and scripted) talent, as well as the acquired Greater Talent Network speakers division.[2][4][7] He began managing UTA's news and broadcast division after leading the agency's 2014 acquisition of N.S. Bienstock.[2][8][9]

Sures was appointed to the Television Academy's Executive Committee in 2014,[10] and inducted into Broadcasting & Cable's Hall of Fame in 2016.[11][12][13] In June 2017, Sures and Kramer, along with UTA's chief executive officer, Jeremy Zimmer, ranked number 33 on The Hollywood Reporter's list of the 100 "most powerful people in entertainment".[1]

In the 2018 edition of journalism-focused website MediaIte’s annual list of top players in the news business,[14] Sures was the sole agent recognized because “being influential from behind the scenes often results in having more power than those names you know.” The piece added that Sures “is that guy in the news world.  In fact, there is no one else even close.”

Throughout his career, Sures has represented Glenn Beck, Henry Bromell,[15] Don Lemon, Steve Levitan, Chuck Lorre, Norah O'Donnell, Darren Star, Jake Tapper,[16] Chuck Todd, Elizabeth Vargas, and Larry Wilmore, among others.[2][11][17]

Personal life edit

Sures is a political activist and a longtime supporter of the Democratic Party.[8][11] In 2016, he hosted a fundraiser luncheon for Senator Tim Kaine, then Hillary Clinton's selection for vice president in the U.S. presidential election.[18][19] Earlier in the race, he had supported Joe Biden.[20][21] He pledged his support for Democratic candidate Gavin Newsom, in California's 2018 gubernatorial race.[22]

Sures joined the Entertainment Industry Foundation's board of directors in 2008,[23] and later held the vice chair role.[24] He currently serves as co-vice chair on the Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center's board,[25][26] and received the Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center Foundation's Gil Nickel Humanitarian Award in 2007.[27] In 2014, Sures was honored at Chrysalis' annual Butterfly Ball, which recognizes professionals in the film, music, and television industries for their "creative excellence and philanthropic endeavors".[28][29]

References edit

  1. ^ a b "The THR 100: Hollywood Reporter's Most Powerful People in Entertainment". The Hollywood Reporter. June 21, 2017. ISSN 0018-3660. Retrieved February 2, 2018.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "Jay Sures". Variety. Penske Media Corporation. ISSN 0042-2738. OCLC 810134503. Retrieved February 2, 2018.
  3. ^ a b c d Littleton, Cynthia (September 6, 2017). "UTA Promotes David Kramer and Jay Sures to Co-Presidents". Variety. Retrieved February 2, 2018.
  4. ^ a b Wyche, Elbert (September 6, 2017). "David Kramer, Jay Sures named co-presidents of UTA". Screen International. ISSN 0307-4617. Retrieved February 2, 2018.
  5. ^ a b Schneider, Michael; Adalian, Josef (October 20, 2003). "UTA partner Sures tapped for tenpercentery's board. (United Theater Artists appoints Jay Sures to board of directors)". Daily Variety. Retrieved February 2, 2018 – via HighBeam Research. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |subscription= ignored (|url-access= suggested) (help)
  6. ^ Petrikin, Chris (April 23, 1998). "UTA ups 5 agents". Variety. Retrieved March 26, 2018.
  7. ^ a b c Sun, Rebecca (September 6, 2017). "UTA Ups David Kramer and Jay Sures to Co-Presidents". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 1, 2018.
  8. ^ a b "The Playbook Interview: Jay Sures". Politico. Capitol News Company. April 1, 2017. Retrieved February 2, 2018.
  9. ^ Rose, Lacey; Guthrie, Marisa (January 22, 2014). "UTA Acquires New York TV News Power Agency N.S. Bienstock". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 26, 2018.
  10. ^ "TV Academy Names John Landgraf, Michael Lombardo, Steve Mosko, Ted Sarandos, Jay Sures, Nina Tassler To Executive Committee". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved March 26, 2018.
  11. ^ a b c Malone, Michael (November 9, 2016). "UTA's Sures: Give Trump a Chance". Broadcasting & Cable. NewBay Media. ISSN 1068-6827. Retrieved February 2, 2018.
  12. ^ "B&C Hall of Fame Class of 2016 Set". Broadcasting & Cable. August 4, 2016. Retrieved February 5, 2018.
  13. ^ "Broadcasting & Cable Names 2016 Hall of Fame Class". Twice. NewBay Media. July 26, 2016. ISSN 0892-7278. Retrieved February 2, 2018.
  14. ^ "Mediaite's Most Influential in News Media 2018". Retrieved 2018-12-14.
  15. ^ Malcolm, Shawna (June 28, 2013). "Henry Bromell's Legacy Looms Large Over 'Homeland'". Variety. Retrieved February 5, 2018.
  16. ^ Andrews-Dyer, Helena (June 15, 2015). "Jake Tapper celebrates new gig at the Palm". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. OCLC 2269358. Retrieved February 2, 2018.
  17. ^ Rosman, Katherine (March 20, 2012). "A Man of Many Screens". The Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. OCLC 781541372. Retrieved February 2, 2018.
  18. ^ "Tim Kaine headlining fundraiser at Eva Longoria's home". Los Angeles Daily News. Digital First Media. September 15, 2016. Retrieved February 5, 2018.
  19. ^ "Tim Kaine to Begin 2-Day Fundraising Swing Through Los Angeles". KCAL-TV. September 19, 2016. Retrieved February 2, 2018.
  20. ^ Chalfant, Morgan (September 22, 2015). "George Clooney Considering Backing Biden Over Hillary Clinton, Hollywood Sources Say". The Washington Free Beacon. Retrieved February 5, 2018.
  21. ^ Johnson, Ted (September 25, 2015). "Hollywood Donors Weigh a Hillary Clinton vs. Joseph Biden Race". Variety. Retrieved February 5, 2018.
  22. ^ Johnson, Ted (April 27, 2018). "UTA's D.C. Bash Will Reflect Era of Trump, Even if He's a Correspondents Dinner No Show". Variety. Retrieved June 4, 2018.
  23. ^ Kivel, Matthew (July 17, 2008). "EIF organization announces board". Variety. Retrieved February 5, 2018.
  24. ^ Tamberg, Tod (September 18, 2013). "University of California launches social media campaign to raise scholarship funds". University of California, Los Angeles. Retrieved February 5, 2018.
  25. ^ Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center:
  26. ^ "Board of Directors". Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center. Retrieved February 2, 2018.
  27. ^ "Toast of the valley". Napa Valley Register. Lee Enterprises. July 7, 2007. Retrieved June 4, 2018.
  28. ^ Seikaly, Andrea (June 8, 2014). "Chrysalis Butterfly Ball Raises $1.4 Million-Plus to Help Homeless in L.A." Variety. Retrieved March 26, 2018.
  29. ^ "Health Happenings—Memories in the Making Exhibition Features Works by Alzheimer's Patients, and More…". The Beverly Hills Courier. May 31, 2016. ISSN 0892-645X. Retrieved March 26, 2018.

Category:1960s births Category:Living people Category:People from Los Angeles Category:Talent agents Category:University of California, Los Angeles alumni