Lessons from LA: Insight & Inspiration

Alex is the Managing Director of major UK talent agency InterTalent. He represents his clients alongside overseeing the agency's creative strategy, day-to-day operations & acquisitions.

Nov 25, 2024

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🇺🇸 Lessons from LA: Insight & Inspiration

Hello from 36,000 feet.

I’ve started writing this month’s blog en route from LAX back to Heathrow after an incredible 10-day work trip to LA. Well, it’s 11 days as we tried to get home last night but only got as far as Vegas before the plane had a leak and turned straight back to LAX. So after one final unexpected 24 hours in Hollywood, I’m now somewhere over Utah finishing the new Bruce Springsteen documentary Road Diary on Disney+. For those who know me, nothing gets in the way of my love of The Boss.

As always LA is an incredible, magical place. My colleagues and I had 20+ meetings across the week with agents, managers, global streaming platforms, networks, collaborators and more. Our schedule took us to West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Malibu, Studio City, Santa Monica, Culver City and Downtown. It was a non-stop, action-packed trip talking to our LA counterparts about our incredible clients at InterTalent, our new business ventures (to be announced soon) and the vision for 2025.

On top of a relentless work schedule, I got to witness the US Presidential election from Hollywood - a true ‘I was there’ moment. Our superstar client Sydnie Christmas, winner of BGT 2024, performed at the Hollywood Bowl on a line-up that also included Jennifer Hudson, Michael Bublé, Andrea Bocelli, Charlie Puth, Tori Kelly, Kristin Chenoweth, Josh Groban, Katherine McPhee & more. It was a night I’ll never forget. Seeing Andrea Bocelli sing Nessun Dorma under the LA stars was extraordinary.

InterTalent loves a networking event and on the first evening we took over Soho House Holloway to treat our LA friends to dinner and drinks. Later that week I attended the gala night of Back To The Future The Musical at the Pantages as a guest of lead producer Colin Ingram, who I first collaborated with nearly a decade ago when my client Pixie Lott headlined Breakfast at Tiffany’s in the West End. Colin & I had drinks in LA in 2016 where he told me he had just got back from Spielberg’s office having pitched a musical version of my favourite film. I told him it would never happen. To be with him 8 years later at the gala opening of the LA opening was a full circle moment.

My colleagues & I rounded out the week as guests in the Crypto.com box for the Lakers v Sixers NBA game. I’m a Sixers fan but right now we’re in a bad way and it was a relatively easy win for Lebron James & the Lakers that night at the Crypto.com Arena. The result didn’t matter, I loved every second. They know how to entertain.

It was an incredible week seeing the best that LA has to offer, and it always reminds me that there is no place like Hollywood. It’s truly the entertainment capital of the world. The history, the artistry, and the opportunities.

Whenever I get to spend time in LA for work, especially when I visit my fellow agents and managers across the pond, I always learn a hell of a lot. It gives me ideas and insight, and I thought I’d share some of that with you. I’m not going to let you in on what was said in the meetings themselves (that’s just for me and my team) but here are some more general things I noticed that have left a lasting impression.

Let’s go! ⬇️

➡️ Here are some things I spotted during my meetings with LA Agents & Managers.

Marketing. In LA, it is about going big and being bold. All available space becomes prime real estate for self-promotion, from company logos to billboards. Perception is everything. While Brits tend to be more reserved, Americans embrace the art of showing off their achievements. They’re proud of everything and they want you to know it. Every agency I visited showcased glossy showreels highlighting their most recognisable clients’ work. Self-promotion and projecting success are fundamental to their industry culture, a stark contrast to the more introverted approach often seen here.
Which also leads me to embarrassment or lack thereof. One of the most striking differences between LA & London. Agents and managers over there are unapologetically confident about their clients, their work, their lifestyle and their appearance. This level of self-assurance is empowering and refreshing. Every person I met exuded a sense of certainty about everything. It’s a reminder to own your actions, thoughts and decisions.
The lifestyle isn’t just in the offices but everywhere. Starting with the weather. Great weather makes people happier, healthier, fitter, calmer, positive and full of energy. There’s a lot less anxiety and stress. I love the LA lifestyle for those reasons. I’m not even sure I saw anyone vape the whole time I was there. Everyone wants to look their best, dress their best and feel their best all day even if they’re just going to Trader Joe’s. Given I came home to snow in London I’m looking to channel the LA energy.
Every Agent & Manager I met was an optimist. Until I was there to see Trump get elected. Other than that, everyone felt like they were going to win and achieve their goals even in the face of an extremely troubling TV market or life post Strikes. So many hurdles, so many problems and so many market changes… but no one felt pessimistic or defeatist. It’s easy to slip into negativity, but optimism is what drives progress and success.
I need to talk about offices. From boutique offices to powerhouses like CAA and UTA, every workspace I visited was spotless - bright, clean and organised. No mess anywhere. It’s clearly a non-negotiable. I often find offices in London get very tired very quickly. It’s a real challenge. Over there It’s not just aesthetic, there is a real pride in keeping the office looking smart and tidy all day every day. A tidy office = a tidy mind.
I was in one office and walked past about 30 assistants and agents. Everyone had this silent focus. The care, passion and intensity is impressive and I could see it just walking past them. When I commented on it to the person I had just finished meeting, they replied, “This is the talent team. It’s serious business.” I don’t think I’ll ever forget that comment. It really is. You represent the career and finances of other people. As an agent, you have real sway in how successful your clients are. They need to eat and pay their bills. The stakes are high and they need you on your A-game 24/7.
Phone calls. They make calls in LA. A lot. Non-stop. I feel agents and managers in the UK negotiate 98% of the time over email which is very impersonal and also usually ineffective when it comes to achieving wins. In LA, they make hundreds of calls a day and achieve results. They’re not scared to pick up the phone. Seeing this reminded me of the power of simply picking up the phone. If you truly want to make something happen, call.
I met one person who had risen from intern to Senior Vice President of their company. Her best advice for those starting out? “Make yourself indispensable.” Go above and beyond, exceed expectations, do more than what is asked and become the person no one can imagine being without. It was simple but invaluable advice for anyone beginning their journey in talent management.
Don't be passive. Be front-footed, stand by your intentions, never be indecisive. I always learn this on my LA trips. They’re very good at feeling comfortable in the uncomfortable. It’s a real skill but it’s one worth learning.
LA truly feels like the global home of entertainment. Whether it’s the marketing, the confidence, or the sheer scale of investment, everything hits harder and resonates bigger. Yet, it’s also a testament to how our small country punches well above its weight in creativity. We compete globally with our talent and ideas, and that’s something we can all be proud of. For example, Netflix’s Top 3 dramas of 2024 were all British (Fool Me Once, The Gentlemen & Baby Reindeer).
Oh and I loved this quote about representing talent: ‘You have to always accept it is going to be Joy on line 1 and Pain on line 2’