UTA’s Andrea Nelson Meigs and Andrew Thau to Exit, Agency Makes Round of Cuts

Two high-profile UTA execs — partner Andrea Nelson Meigs and co-head of sports Andrew Thau — are leaving the company. In addition, UTA has made a small round of layoffs among its agent ranks.

Both Thau and Nelson Meigs will be exiting UTA at the end of 2024.

Nelson Meigs joined UTA in 2020 as partner after she spent 14 years at ICM and before that more than a decade at CAA. Clients she has worked with include Beyoncé, Courtney B. Vance and Ellen Burstyn.

In a statement provided to Variety, UTA co-chiefs of talent Chris Hart and Jay Gassner said, “Andrea has had a remarkable career that has spanned decades, representing and helping build the careers of some of the biggest names in entertainment. We thank Andrea for her many contributions to UTA. We are sad to see her go and support her in her transition as she starts her next chapter.”

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Nelson Meigs “will take a hiatus to pursue other opportunities and spend much-needed time with her family after 25+ years of agenting,” Hart and Gassner wrote in a memo to UTA staffers that was obtained by Variety.

In a memo Thursday regarding Thau’s exit, UTA president David Kramer wrote in part, “In his time here, Andrew has made a huge impact – as our COO, general counsel and a managing director, he has been a vital part of building the successful, resilient, and unique place we are today.” Kramer also noted that Thau was the company’s first non-agent board member and partner.

Thau, in his own note to UTA staff, wrote that “I’m confident that the company will continue to thrive in the years ahead. Personally, though, I feel it’s time for me to move on and tackle some new challenges.”

Prior to joining UTA in 2007, Thau was a senior executive at 20th Century Fox, where he oversaw domestic and international cable TV networks and businesses before assuming leadership roles at several technology and entertainment startups.

Also this week, UTA cut a handful of agents — said to be fewer than 10 — while during 2024 the firm added 20 agents. Overall, UTA employs more than 2,000 people.