business
Dattner Dispoto and Associates and Worldwide Production Agency to Merge
DDA Talent and WPA are combining operations to form a single agency with offices in Los Angeles and London. The new company will represent below-the-line talent across film, television and other media. Financial terms were not disclosed.
DeadlineAudio version
Tap play to generate a narrated version.
Developing·Limited corroboration so far. This page will refresh as more sources emerge.
Dattner Dispoto and Associates and Worldwide Production Agency are merging operations, Deadline reported. The combined agency will maintain offices in Los Angeles and London and will draw on strategic partnerships in Europe, Canada, South America and Australasia. The new entity will represent directors, producers, department heads and artisans in film, television, commercial and digital media.
Its roster includes cinematographers Erik Messerschmidt, Jeff Cronenweth, Malik Sayeed, Larry Fong, Mihai Mălaimare Jr. and Maryse Alberti, along with producer Ralph Winter, editor Ian S. Tan and production designer Danny Vermette.
Bill Dispoto, president of DDA Talent, and Steve Jacob, co-CEO of WPA, said in a joint statement that the announcement follows months of strategic planning for a unified global expansion. Juanita Tiangco, vice president of DDA Talent, said the merger will give clients greater opportunities and resources while preserving an individualized approach.
Frank Balkin, co-CEO of WPA, said demand for world-class creative talent has never been greater and the combined firm will better serve clients across film, television, streaming, advertising and emerging media.
DDA Talent was founded in 1987 by Fay Dattner and has about nine employees. Dispoto became a partner in 2001 and Tiangco in 2016. WPA was co-founded by Jacob in 2010, Balkin joined in 2014 and was named co-CEO in 2021, and the agency has about 25 employees.
The partners are not disclosing financial details of the merger. The combined company’s name will be unveiled later this summer.
