AceShowbiz - Rick Levy has been appointed as the new CEO of Paladin Artists, coinciding with the agency entering advanced negotiations to acquire Entourage Talent Associates, a boutique agency based in New York founded by Wayne Forte, it was announced on Monday, May 4.

With 25 years of senior leadership under his belt, Levy brings extensive experience from his previous roles, including being a founding partner, COO, and general counsel at ICM Partners. He also served as interim CEO of Just for Laughs and remains a partner at the London-based agency Primary Talent International.

Paladin Artists, launched in 2021 by veteran agents Steve Martin and Andy Somers—later joined by Bruce Solar—was created in partnership with Entourage and Karrie Goldberg’s The Kagency. Now, with Entourage poised to become part of Paladin, the collaboration strengthens the agency's position in the live entertainment and artist representation landscape.

Founded in 1992 and specialized in representing artists primarily within rock, blues, and progressive music genres, Entourage Talent Associates has been led by Wayne Forte, who has served on Paladin’s board since its inception. Forte currently holds the presidency of the National Independent Talent Organization (NITO) and has an impressive history of representing and developing legendary acts such as David Bowie, The Cure, The Clash, and Joan Armatrading.

In a statement, Forte emphasized the strong informal relationship between Paladin and Entourage over the years, highlighting their shared dedication to artist-first representation. He expressed confidence that formally combining the two entities will enhance resources available to clients while maintaining the independence and personalized service that both agencies are known for. "I am confident it will be the first of many impactful combinations for Paladin," he said.

Regarding his new role, Levy remarked that his attraction to Paladin was driven not by the company's size but by the extraordinary opportunity it represents. "Our edge is our ability to be nimble in the face of rapid changes in the ecosystem in which we operate," he said. With a solid foundation, a respected roster, and a culture centered on artists, Levy expressed enthusiasm for leading Paladin through its next phase of strategic growth. His vision is to build the leading independent booking and live entertainment company in the industry.

Martin and Somers jointly welcomed Levy, praising his experience in building and scaling agency businesses as ideal for guiding Paladin into its next chapter. They conveyed excitement about the opportunities this new leadership brings for their clients.

Joining the sentiments, Bruce Solar remarked that this move is about expanding Paladin’s capabilities to build for the future. He highlighted the importance of strengthening the leadership team to foster an environment where ambitious agents and clients can flourish and grow.

The potential acquisition of Entourage by Paladin Artists represents a significant development in the live entertainment agency sector. It signals a strategic consolidation aimed at enhancing services and resources for artists across genres, particularly within the rock and blues communities where Entourage has deep roots.

As Paladin continues to evolve, the combination of experienced leadership and expanded client rosters positions it as a formidable independent agency focused on personalized artist representation and adaptability in an ever-changing music and entertainment marketplace.

With the official announcement of Levy as CEO and the progress toward bringing Entourage Talent Associates into the Paladin family, the agency is poised for impactful growth and increased influence in the talent booking industry.