Jim Osborne on APA’s Evolution Into Independent Artist Group: ‘We’re Not Anywhere Near Done Yet’
variety.comCynthia Littleton Business Editor Jim Osborne is a product of the mailroom. The veteran talent agent, who has been named CEO of the newly christened Independent Artist Group, got his start in the representation field the old-fashioned way — by working his way of out of the ICM mailroom and assistant pool.
Osborne has spent the past dozen years at APA, rising to partner in 2015 and to president in 2020. As of today, he advances to the top post, as APA combines into a new entity with Dennis Arfa’s music touring powerhouse Artist Group International.
The deal brings such superstars into the fold as Billy Joel, Metallica, Smashing Pumpkins, Linkin Park and the Strokes, and was orchestrated in part by investor Ron Burkle and his Yucaipa Co. (which owned Artist Intl.
and invested in APA in 2020). RELATED: APA Merges With Touring Powerhouse Artist Group Intl., Rebrands as Independent Artist Group Osborne takes the baton from longtime APA leader Jim Gosnell, who will now serve as one of three board members of the agency, alongside Osborne and Arfa.
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