If you work in entertainment, you very likely know Assistants vs. Agents, the viral Instagram account spotlighting the humor in Hollywood’s absurdities, including bizarre requests of assistants on the part of their bosses. UTA announced on Wednesday that they have signed Warner Bailey, the founder of the larger media company Assistants vs. Agents, for representation in all areas.
Bailey launched AvA during his tenure as a talent agent assistant, where what began as a viral meme page evolved into a multi-platform media company and educational ecosystem. Today, Assistants vs. Agents extends far beyond social media, offering events, panels, editorial content, a job board, newsletter, and tech all built to connect and empower the rising class of entertainment professionals, in a time when it’s pretty brutal for those coming up. Under Bailey’s leadership, AvA has partnered with 30+ universities and leading companies including Netflix, Meta, Amazon MGM Studios, Red Bull, Warner Bros. Discovery, Disney, Paramount+, Apple TV+, and more.
Bailey writes the industry newsletter AvA Connection, hosts a podcast, and recently launched AvA Live at ZCON, the only major conference to ever feature exclusively Gen Z speakers, where he interviewed high-profile talent and business leaders on career strategy.
Prior to AvA, Bailey ran a creative agency,and oversaw festivals including M3F Fest in Phoenix, AZ, a non-profit festival that showcased acts including Leon Bridges, Odesza, Maggie Rogers, Kaytranada, ZHU, and Jamie XX. Bailey also spearheaded the M3F Fund, which has donated more than $2.3M to 35 charities, and launched a program funding the arts in underserved communities.
Bailey’s additional philanthropic efforts include producing Live From Los Angeles: A Fire Relief Benefit, which raised over $100,000 for MusiCares. He currently serves on the Music Industry Advisory Board for Save The Music, one of the nation’s leading nonprofit organizations for music education.