EXCLUSIVE: Talent agency KMR Talent is grappling with a “talent payment breakdown,” a set of logistical and staffing issues that have resulted in late payments to clients, owner and President Mark Measures tells Deadline.
The revelation come following outreach to Deadline on the part of multiple talent reps, who say money owed to clients is now several months late. The situation triggered a wave of rumors that the agency may be going under.
Highlighting banking issues, the crashing of a database involved with payment, and the loss of the agency’s Head of Talent Payment as factors behind issues with pay-out, Measures stressed that the agency is actively “working [its] way out” of the situation, in dialogue with talent payment companies, as well as talent reps and unions.
When further pressed about the situation at KMR Talent, Measures stressed that the agency is “not under threat of closure,” as proved the case recently at the mid-size A3 Artists Agency, given its “vibrant client list” and host of “dedicated agents.” He added that the only threat to the agency would be the prospect of “a rumor mill” run awry in an extended game around town of “coconut telegraph.”
Also known by the name Kazarian/Measures/Ruskin & Associates, KMR Talent began as The Wormser Agency, which in 1957 became the first voice-over and commercial agency in Los Angeles. While still one of the industry’s smaller agencies, KMR expanded over the years into new areas of representation, including Film, TV, Theatre, Sports and Dance, with Measures joining as partner and President in 2013. Expanding its voice-over staff and establishing a Youth department between 2017 and 2020, the company also during that period expanded its commercial department, which retains a strong reputation.
With offices in Los Angeles, New York and Atlanta, KMR Talent’s notable clients actress and comedian Lauren Weedman (Horse Girl, Date Night), Ghosts star Sheila Carrasco, who is repped for commercials, and Karen Allen (Indiana Jones franchise, The Sandlot).
