Rick Levy Named CEO of Paladin Artists Amidst Entourage Talent Acquisition

Independent agency Paladin Artists announced the hiring of industry veteran Rick Levy as chief executive officer, signifying the boutique company’s growth.

Levy boasts more than 25 years of senior leadership, previously serving as a founding partner, chief operating officer and general counsel of ICM Partners. He was essential to the agency’s strategic expansion, operational modernization and mergers and acquisitions, including the 2012 management-led buyout from private equity.

“What attracted me to Paladin was not the size of the company, but the size of the opportunity,” Levy said in a statement. “Our edge is our ability to be nimble in the face of rapid changes in the ecosystem in which we operate. With an exceptional foundation, respected roster, and artist-centric culture already in place, I’m excited to lead the next phase of strategic growth to build the leading independent booking and live entertainment company in the business.”

Levy also served as interim CEO of Just For Laughs/Juste Pour Rire, and he’s still a partner at Primary Talent International, which is based in London.

“Rick’s experience building and scaling agency businesses makes him ideally suited to help us guide Paladin through its next chapter,” said Paladin founders Andy Somers and Steve Martin. “We are thrilled that he has chosen to join our team. We look forward to creating new opportunities for our clients.”

Bruce Solar, who reunited with Somers and Martin at Paladin in 2023, added, “This is about expanding our capabilities to build for the future, strengthening our leadership team and creating an environment where ambitious agents and our clients can grow and thrive.”

In addition to the new hire, the company confirmed that it is in advanced discussions to acquire New York-based agency Entourage Talent Associates, founded by Wayne Forte and representing acts such as Tedeschi Trucks Band and Joe Satriani.

Forte is currently president of the National Independent Talent Organization, or NITO, and has been a member of Paladin’s Board since 2021. Throughout his career, Forte has worked with notable touring acts such as David Bowie, The Cure, The Clash and many more.

“Paladin and Entourage have built a strong informal working relationship over the years, grounded in a shared commitment to artist-first representation,” Forte said. “When we formally bring our two businesses together, we will be positioned to expand resources for our clients while preserving the independence and personal service that define both organizations. I am confident it will be the first of many impactful combinations for Paladin.”

Paladin is headquartered in Los Angeles and New York and represents more than 250 acts, including Blondie, Sublime, CAKE, War, The Monkees, The Afghan Whigs, Stevie Van Zandt, OMD and David Gilmour.

_Originally reported by [Pollstar](https://news.pollstar.com/2026/05/04/paladin-artists-appoints-rick-levy-as-ceo-agency-acquiring-entourage-talent-associates/)._