APA and AGI Merge Agencies, Rebrand as Independent Artist Group
thewrap.comAgency for the Performing Arts and Artist Group International, the premier independent music touring agency, have joined forces to create a more powerful full-service agency with one of the top music divisions in the industry.
The two agencies have merged and will rebrand as Independent Artist Group, the companies said Wednesday.Jim Osborne, current president of APA is being named CEO of IAG, while Dennis Arfa, founder and CEO of AGI, is being named chairman of the music division of IAG, effective immediately.The board of IAG will consist of Osborne, Arfa and former longtime APA CEO Jim Gosnell, who will spearhead vertical growth opportunities for IAG while passing the baton of running the day-to-day operations of the agency to Osborne.
The formation of IAG comes after an agreement was reached between APA and Ron Burkle’s Yucaipa Entertainment LLC.AGI was founded 35 years ago by Arfa and ranks among the top grossing and most respected touring agencies in the business by Billboard and Pollstar magazines.
AGI’s superstar client roster that it brings to IAG includes Billy Joel, Metallica, Def Leppard, Rod Stewart, Motley Crue, Linkin Park, Janes Addiction, Darryl Hall & John Oates, Norah Jones, Neil Young, The Strokes, Smashing Pumpkins, Ghost, Elvis Costello, Cage The Elephant and Five Finger Death Punch.AGI president Marsh Vlasic is being named vice chair of the IAG music division.
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