I heard you loud and clear, hermana.

If you’re an actor, model, or influencer looking to break into commercial work in NYC or the Tri-State area, this one’s for you.

Too many creators get stuck at the “who do I reach out to?” stage. So we pulled together a categorized list of talent agencies…from full-service union shops to influencer-friendly boutiques—to help you skip the guesswork.

No gatekeeping. Just real contacts.

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Here is the list…

Full-Service Union Agencies

• William Morris Endeavor (WME) – Website: wmeagency.com; Contact: 11 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10010; Tel: (212) 586-5100; Email: [email protected]. Represents: A-list and emerging actors, filmmakers, writers, musicians, and more (film, TV, theater, digital) on a global scale. Union Status: SAG-AFTRA franchised. Specialties: One of the “big three” agencies, known for its powerhouse talent roster and broad industry reach.

• Creative Artists Agency (CAA) – Website: caa.com; Contact: 405 Lexington Ave., 22nd Fl., New York, NY 10174; Tel: (212) 277-9000caa.com. Represents: Top-tier talent across film, TV, music, theater, sports, and digital media. Union Status: SAG-AFTRA franchised. Specialties: Full-service industry leader with departments spanning motion pictures, television, sports, endorsements, publishing, and more, offering a one-stop solution for celebrity talent needs.

• United Talent Agency (UTA) – Website: unitedtalent.com; Contact: 888 Seventh Ave., 9th Fl., New York, NY 10106; Tel: (212) 659-2600; Email: [email protected]. Represents: Artists and creators in film, TV, music, digital content, books, sports, and video gamesen.wikipedia.org. Union Status: SAG-AFTRA franchised. Specialties: Global full-service agency known for packaging film/TV projects and brand partnerships, with ~1,400 employees worldwide driving careers across all entertainment sectorsen.wikipedia.orgen.wikipedia.org.

• Agency for the Performing Arts (APA) – now part of Independent Artist Group (IAG) – Website: apa-agency.com (IAG); Contact: 135 W. 50th St., 17th Fl., New York, NY 10020; Tel: (212) 205-4320castingdirectorslist.comcastingdirectorslist.com. Represents: Actors and artists in film, TV, theater, music, and more (a diversified roster of stars and emerging talent). Union Status: SAG-AFTRA franchised. Specialties: Established 1962, APA (rebranded as IAG in 2023) is a large talent agency that prides itself on no delineation between film, television, and theatre – a single talent department covers all areascastingdirectorslist.com, with clients ranging from Oscar and Tony winners to new voicescastingdirectorslist.com.

• The Gersh Agency – Website: gersh.com; Contact: 41 Madison Ave., 29th Fl., New York, NY 10010; Tel: (212) 997-1818gersh.com; Email: [email protected]. Represents: Actors (Broadway, Hollywood, TV), writers, and creatives; also literary rights. Union Status: SAG-AFTRA franchised. Specialties: A family-run agency established 1949, now the fourth-largest talent & literary agency in the worldgersh.com. Gersh offers personal attention with big-agency resources, bridging NYC theater and Hollywood film/TV opportunities.

• Buchwald (Don Buchwald & Associates) – Website: buchwald.com; Contact: 10 E. 44th St., New York, NY 10017; Tel: (212) 867-1200; Email: info@buchwald.comcastingdirectorslist.comcastingdirectorslist.com. Represents: Actors in commercial, film, TV, theater, as well as voiceover artists, broadcasters, digital influencers, literary talent, and youthcastingdirectorslist.com. Union Status: SAG-AFTRA franchised. Specialties: Founded in 1977 with commercial and broadcast departments as its cornerstone, Buchwald has grown into a bi-coastal full-service agency offering representation in all areas – on-camera, voiceover, literary, branding, and even a young talent departmentcastingdirectorslist.com.

• Innovative Artists – Website: innovativeartists.com; Contact: 235 Park Ave. South, 10th Fl., New York, NY 10003; Tel: (212) 253-6900; Email: [email protected]. Represents: A mix of established stars and working talent in film, TV, theater, commercials, voiceover, hosting, and morebackstage.com. Union Status: SAG-AFTRA franchised. Specialties: Mid-sized full-service agency that “remains resolutely focused on service” while covering all entertainment sectorsbackstage.com. Innovative Artists is noted for its strong commercial and voiceover department, alongside theatrical representation.

• A3 Artists Agency (A3) – Website: a3artistsagency.com; Contact: 350 Fifth Ave., 38th Fl., New York, NY 10118; Tel: (646) 486-4600; Email: [email protected]. Represents: Actors and media talent in film, TV, theater, digital content, commercials, and voiceover. Union Status: SAG-AFTRA franchised (formerly Abrams Artists). Specialties: A boutique agency with bicoastal offices, known for a hands-on approach and strong Broadway, Hollywood, and digital media connectionsbackstage.combackstage.com. A3 has a legacy of over 40 years in the business and actively scouts fresh talent (agents are often spotted at NYC theater showcases)backstage.com.

• Stewart Talent – Website: stewarttalent.com; Contact: 318 W. 53rd St., Suite 201, New York, NY 10019; Tel: (212) 315-5505; Email: [email protected]. Represents: Actors and creatives in television, film, Broadway/Off-Broadway theater, commercials, voiceovers, plus designers and stylists. Union Status: SAG-AFTRA franchised. Specialties: A premier boutique agency with roots in Chicago, Stewart’s NYC office (opened 2004) is praised for placing talent on Broadway and network TVbackstage.combackstage.com. It offers full-service representation (including a busy voice-over department) while maintaining a “long-haul” career mindset for its actorsbackstage.com.

Mid-Size and Boutique Commercial Agencies

• CESD Talent Agency (CESD) – Website: cesdtalent.com; Contact: 333 Seventh Ave., 11th Fl., New York, NY 10001; Tel: (212) 477-1666; Email: [email protected]. Represents: Commercial and voiceover actors, on-camera hosts, models for commercial print, and youth talent. Union Status: SAG-AFTRA franchised. Specialties: A top-tier commercial agency with bi-coastal offices, CESD is known for its commercials and voice-over dominance. It originated as Cunningham-Escott and has a strong foothold in lifestyle print and youth representation, making it a go-to for advertisers and animated projects alike.

• Avalon Artists Group – Website: avalonartists.com; Contact: 225 W. 35th St., Suite 1701, New York, NY 10001; Tel: (212) 868-3200; Email: [email protected]. Represents: A mix of theatrical and commercial talent – adults and children for TV, film, commercials, voiceovers, and theater. Union Status: SAG-AFTRA franchised. Specialties: A bi-coastal boutique agency offering “hands-on, personalized attention”backstage.com. In New York, Avalon focuses on commercial and legit (theater/film) opportunities, leveraging its owner’s dual presence in LA and NY to give clients coast-to-coast auditionsbackstage.com. (Notably strong in NY theater, but also boasts network TV bookings and commercial campaigns.)

• DDO Artists Agency – Website: ddoagency.com; Contact: 16 Madison Square West, 12th Fl., New York, NY 10010; Tel: (212) 379-6314; Email: [email protected]. Represents: Commercial actors (on-camera and voiceover), dancers/choreographers, and young talent for advertising, live events, and print. Union Status: SAG-AFTRA franchised (represents both union and non-union projects). Specialties: A boutique with offices in NY, LA, Chicago, and Atlanta, DDO is known for its strength in commercials and dance. In fact, DDO has a 40+ year reputation in the youth commercial marketddoagency.com. The NY office has expanded to include a Kids Division for commercials and voiceoversddoagency.com, making it a one-stop agency for child and adult commercial talent.

• Atlas Talent Agency – Website: atlastalent.com; Contact: 15 E. 32nd St., 6th Fl., New York, NY 10016; Tel: (212) 730-4500; Email: [email protected]. Represents: Voice-over artists and on-air broadcast talent for commercials, promos, animation, and narration; also on-camera commercial actors and hosts. Union Status: SAG-AFTRA franchised. Specialties: A bi-coastal commercial talent agency focusing on voice and on-camera work. Atlas is a major player in the VO world, representing clients in commercials, promo/trailer narration, animation, and even children’s programmingcastingdirectorslist.com. Known for its deep bench of announcers and spokespersons, Atlas prides itself on strong industry relationships in the advertising and broadcasting arenas.

• Kazarian/Measures/Ruskin & Associates (KMR) – Website: kmrtalent.com; Contact: 110 W. 40th St., Suite 1801, New York, NY 10018; Tel: (212) 582-7572; Email: [email protected]. Represents: Commercial actors (film/TV ads), voiceover artists, plus a roster in legit theater/TV/film and specialty acts. Union Status: SAG-AFTRA franchised. Specialties: A long-running boutique (founded in 1957) with offices in NY and LAinstagram.com, KMR is praised as a “full-service talent representation” firm that still feels boutique. In NYC, KMR is especially sought-after for commercials (both on-camera and VO) and often bridges actors from Off-Broadway into TV pilotsbackstage.com. It’s known for a diverse roster and an embrace of talent across mediums (e.g. stage actors who also book recurring TV ads).

Commercial Print and Modeling Agencies

• Bella Agency – Website: bellaagency.com; Contact: 270 Lafayette St., Suite 802, New York, NY 10012; Tel: (212) 965-9200; Email: [email protected]. Represents: Women and men (adults 18+) for commercial and fashion print campaigns, lifestyle modeling, and commercial on-camera work. Union Status: Non-union (modeling agency). Specialties: A boutique commercial print agency known for connecting models with advertising and catalog jobs. Bella specializes in “commercial and fashion print advertising”bellaagency.com – meaning you’ll see Bella models in everything from lifestyle brand lookbooks to nationwide billboards. (NY office handles adults only, while their LA branch also reps kids/teensbellaagency.com.)

• Wilhelmina Models – Website: wilhelmina.com; Contact: 192 Lexington Ave., 15th Fl., New York, NY 10016; Tel: (212) 473-0700wilhelmina.com. Represents: Fashion models (women and men), as well as fitness, plus-size, and editorial models; also has a commercial/lifestyle board and talent divisions for influencers and entertainers. Union Status: Non-union (modeling agency). Specialties: One of the world’s leading modeling agencies, Wilhelmina is a powerhouse for high-fashion booking and commercial campaigns. In addition to runway and editorial, Wilhelmina’s New York office has divisions for Lifestyle/Commercial Print and fitness models to supply talent for brand campaigns and commercials. (Clients range from couture designers to mass-market retailers.) With its global network, Wilhelmina often launches models who cross into acting and brand ambassadorship.

• Ford Models – Website: fordmodels.com; Contact: 11 E. 26th St., 14th Fl., New York, NY 10010; Tel: (212) 219-6500; Email: [email protected]. Represents: Models of all genders for fashion, commercial print, catalog/e-commerce, and runway; also talent for endorsements and digital campaigns. Union Status: Non-union (modeling agency). Specialties: An iconic agency (founded 1946), Ford has evolved to include a robust commercial division alongside its fashion powerhouse status. Ford’s “Lifestyle/Commercial” boards provide advertisers with relatable faces – from real families and seniors to glamour talent – for print and on-camera commercials. They also have a strong influencer and talent division, reflecting the blending of modeling with social media celebrity. Ford’s legacy and scouting network make it a top choice for brands seeking both new faces and supermodels.

• State Management – Website: statemgmt.com; Contact: 525 7th Ave., Suite 904, New York, NY 10018; Tel: (212) 302-7792; Email: [email protected]. Represents: Fashion and lifestyle models (women, men, and children) for runway, editorial, fitness, e-commerce, and commercial printstatemgmt.commodels.com. Union Status: Non-union. Specialties: A newer agency with a modern approach, STATE has multiple divisions under one roof – from fitness and swimsuit models to “real people” commercial models and kids. They place models in traditional editorial jobs as well as TV commercials and digital ads. Known for a focus on inclusivity and social media savvy, State Management connects talent with a range of gigs (one day a model may do a Vogue shoot, the next a Target ad). Their Lifestyle/ Fitness department in particular caters to the booming athleisure and wellness advertising marketfrancispolo.com.

Youth and Influencer-Focused Agencies

• Carson-Adler Agency – Website: carsonadler.com; Contact: 250 W. 57th St., Suite 729, New York, NY 10107; Tel: (212) 307-1882; Email: [email protected]. Represents: Children and teenagers for film, TV, commercials, Broadway, and print. Union Status: SAG-AFTRA franchised. Specialties: A legendary kids-only agency headed by Nancy Carson, Carson-Adler has over 25 years of experience launching young actors’ careerscastingdirectorslist.com. This agency has strong relationships with casting directors for Broadway and network television – if you see a Broadway show or a TV commercial starring a child, there’s a good chance Carson-Adler had a hand in it. They emphasize nurturing talent from a young age and guiding parents through the industry. (Notable: Former Carson-Adler kids have gone on to major careers.)

• Carson Kolker Organization (CKO) – Contact: 240 W. 44th St., PH #12, New York, NY 10036; Tel: (212) 221-1517. Represents: Primarily young talent – children and teens – in theater (especially Broadway musicals), television, and filmbackstage.com. Also handles some adult actors for TV/film and commercials. Union Status: SAG-AFTRA franchised. Specialties: A small, selective agency ideal for talented kids who sing, dance, and act. Barry Kolker’s team is known for finding “kids/teens with a lot of personality” and a true passion for performingbackstage.com. CKO clients have landed roles in Broadway blockbusters (“Frozen,” “Ain’t Too Proud”) and TV showsbackstage.com. The agency often advises parents on the commitment required and prefers to work with families in it for the long haul. (CKO also represents a limited roster of adults, often those who started with them young.)

• Take 3 Talent Agency – Website: take3talent.com; Contact: 1411 Broadway, 16th Fl., New York, NY 10018; Tel: (646) 289-3915. Represents: Children and adults for commercials, voice-overs, film/TV, and theater; also social media influencers and content creators. Union Status: SAG-AFTRA franchised (handles both union and non-union projects). Specialties: A boutique agency with a strong reputation in the youth market. Take 3 is described as “a premier talent agency” for kids and adults in TV/film and commercialstake3talent.com. On the youth side, they’ve had success placing kids in Nickelodeon/Disney projects and national commercials. Uniquely, Take 3 also has an Influencer and social media division – recognizing that today’s young talent may be YouTube or TikTok stars as well as actors. Clients appreciate Take 3’s personal approach and its owners’ hands-on management of careers.

• Zuri Model & Talent – Website: zurimodelandtalent.com; Contact: 40 Hudson St., Suite 10K, New York, NY 10013; Tel: (646) 462-3422; Email: [email protected]. Represents: Newborns, children, and teens (and select young adults) for commercial print, television, film, and theater projectscastingdirectorslist.com. Also has a teen/young adult division and an influencer roster. Union Status: SAG-AFTRA franchised. Specialties: Zuri is a bicoastal agency that has made a name by supplying adorable babies, charismatic kids, and fresh-faced teens for major campaigns (Gap Kids, Disney, Nickelodeon, etc.)castingdirectorslist.com. They truly cover “all ages” – from infants to college-age – and place them in everything from print ads to Broadway shows. Zuri’s client list ranges from kids in fashion catalogues to young actors on TV series. The agency emphasizes a modern, social-media–aware approach (they even run separate Instagram accounts for youth vs. adult divisionsx.com), which helps their young talent build brands in the influencer space too.

• Central Entertainment Group (CEG) – Website: cegtalent.com; Contact: 251 W. 39th St., New York, NY 10018; Tel: (212) 921-2190; Email: (varies by agent, e.g. [email protected])castingdirectorslist.com. Represents: Reality TV personalities, social media influencers, musical artists (DJs, bands), and pop-culture celebrities for brand endorsements, appearances, and entertainment projects. Union Status: Non-union (focuses on personalities and influencers outside traditional unions). Specialties: A “full-service boutique pop culture agency” headquartered in Times Squarecastingdirectorslist.com, CEG bridges the gap between traditional entertainment and new media. They represent some of the biggest names from reality TV, music, and YouTube – leveraging those personalities for appearances, influencer campaigns, and licensing deals. For example, CEG might secure a Bravo TV star a commercial deal, or place an Instagram influencer in a lifestyle campaign. In the rapidly growing creator economy, CEG’s strategy of mixing talent representation with brand marketing know-how stands out. (Established in 1998, they offer one-stop consulting to build long-term careers for their clientscastingdirectorslist.com.)

Each agency above offers a unique mix of talent and opportunities. By organizing the New York talent agency landscape into these categories, industry professionals can quickly scan and find the right fit – whether you’re a casting director seeking a SAG-AFTRA actor from a top agency, a commercial producer looking for fresh faces, or a parent searching for reputable youth representation. This directory provides a snapshot of key players, from iconic full-service agencies to niche boutiques, to help navigate NYC’s vibrant talent market.