👋 This is Warner, creator of Assistants vs. Agents. Connect with me here.
Happy Friday. I think some big Artist released some music today I have no idea.
📞 Today we sit down with a longtime friend who went from mailroom to Agent in the Global Talent Brand Partnerships department at WME.
📰 Plus who is more dead: The Internet or apparently L.A.?
💼 Our Job Board now has 120+ early career Entertainment roles, and we highlight our favorites in this email.
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Before we begin.. take 2 minutes out of your Friday to watch this and remember to always bet on yourself!
🐝 The Weekly Buzz
1) Is the Internet dead?
46 of the top 50 major news websites have seen a drop in traffic year over year. The crazy part is that 3 out of the 4 that haven’t gone negative, have only stayed positive by 1-2%.
The big winner? Substack with a +47% increase in traffic. Traditional media is shrinking, but individuals and brands with POVs and communities are seeing growth through.
Credit: Similarweb via Press Gazette
Why? Trust and the rise of “niche” shared interest communities.
I was probably the most average student ever (when I went to class), but writing this newsletter the last 2 years has allowed me to connect with a community in a way no other platform allows. So:
Thank you for reading this newsletter
Send me your newsletter if you write one. I’d love to read it and support.
If you have anything you’re passionate about, go start writing your own (I use Beehiiv).
2) The UK is pushing to become the next Global TV & Film hub
They are investing $1.3B film and TV studios and community close to central London called the “Camden Film Quarter.”
Conversely, the WSJ just put out an article declaring: “L.A.’s Entertainment Economy Is Looking Like a Disaster Movie.” I’ll have many thoughts on that which I’ll share on Monday.
💼 AvA Job Board
Our new job board features 120+ early career roles in Entertainment:
Some standouts:
💼 Executive Assistant - Recording Academy - Apply Here
💼 Summer 2026 Brand Partnerships Training Program - UTA - Apply Here
💼 Summer 2026 Music Touring Training Program- UTA - Apply Here
💼 Global Marketing Coordinator - Universal Music Group - Apply Here
💼 Creative Producer - Warner Bros. Games - Apply Here
💼 Executive Assistant - Disney Experiences - Apply Here
💼 Admin Assistant - Sony Pictures - Apply Here
💼 DreamWorks TV Production Coordinator - NBCUniversal - Apply Here
💼 Commercial Talent Manager - Condé Nast - Apply Here
💼 Experiential Production Coordinator - alo - Apply Here
💼 Event Coordinator - Los Angeles Dodgers - Apply Here
💼 Senior Partner Manager - Spotify - Apply Here
💼 Foundation Assistant - UTA - Apply Here
💼 Corporate Communications Event Assistant - CAA - Apply Here
💼 Strategic Partnerships Coordinator - The Neal Agency - Apply Here
💼 People Coordinator (Benefits) - Wasserman - Apply Here
📞 The Call Log: Julia May, Agent, Global Talent Brand Partnerships
Julia May is one of my favorite people in the Industry. We’ve known each other for 16+ years and it’s been inspiring to see her grow from the mailroom to Agent at WME.
She now works with some of the biggest Music Artists, Actors, Athletes and Influencers on the brand side.
Her story, in her own words, is below:
AvA: Ok before we jump in, break down your role like you're trying to explain it to your parents.
May: In the simplest terms, I broker brand partnership deals for talent - any scenario where talent is paid to publicly endorse a brand. At the strategic level, I’m helping them tell bigger stories by aligning with brands that reinforce their narrative and identity.
AvA: How did you get your foot in the door at WME, and what tips would you have for someone trying to land a role in Entertainment?
May: When I started, it was all about networking - I networked like crazy and built a relationship that led to an interview. Relationships were everything back then and remain important, but they’ve since leveled the playing field. Anyone can apply, but the competition is steep. Your experience matters, but what will set you apart is articulating why you want to work at that specific agency. They’re all different, so do your homework. A thoughtful, well-researched answer will get you further than another bullet point on your resume.
AvA: You've helped to put together some incredibly innovative and forward thinking partnerships for your clients. Can you talk about 2 and why you felt they were the right fit for each other?
May: One example was Victoria Monét’s partnership with Meta Ray-Ban during her iHeart performance. It was a seamless integration - she was able to express her artistry through a product that highlighted its functionality in a way that felt natural and elevated her performance.
Another was Dove Cameron’s recent collaboration with Urban Decay during their brand refresh. The campaign was built to reassert the brand’s legacy rooted in unapologetic self-expression, which seamlessly mirrored Dove’s own journey as an artist. It wasn’t just a transactional deal - it was a true alignment of brand DNA and personal voice.
AvA: Talent are becoming founders and entrepreneurs more than ever before. Launching brands, media companies, even funds. What do you think separates the ones who succeed from the ones who fizzle?
May: Authenticity is everything. For talent to succeed as founders/owners, they have to be invested beyond what’s written in the contract. If building the business feels like pulling teeth, it’s not going to work. The ones that thrive are the ones that are wholeheartedly supported by their partners.
AvA: What are the three most important qualities you see in successful peers?
May: Curiosity, fearlessness, and integrity. Curiosity keeps you evolving, fearlessness pushes you into new spaces, and integrity ensures you’re building something sustainable and real.
AvA: What advice do you have for current assistants looking to stand out and move up the ladder?
May: People often overthink this, but the answer is actually pretty simple: put ego aside and be excellent at the fundamentals of your role in a way that earns trust. The admin work can feel perfunctory, and a lot of people weed themselves out early by getting impatient. Hang in - there’s a reason the system works the way it does. Every agent who came up from the mailroom started by pushing a cart.
Your boss is your first client, and nothing is more valuable to their business than a great assistant. Take care of them, build that trust, and they’ll open doors for you when the time is right.
AvA: First concert?
May: Kenny Chesney - Merriweather Post Pavilion.
AvA: Favorite concert?
May: Billie Eilish, Coachella 2022.
AvA: Show you are binging right now?
May: The Pitt.
AvA: Who was on your Spotify Wrapped? (don't lie)
May: Metro Boomin’.
AvA: Least favorite corporate buzzword?
May: “Soup to nuts” and “low-hanging fruit” - both a huge bummer.
AvA: Whose career do you admire most?
May: Michelle Jubelirer.
AvA: What would you be doing for a career if working in Entertainment wasn't an option?
May: The Wolf - IYKYK.
👋 See you back here on Monday
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This newsletter is written by Warner Bailey and edited by Riley Furey and Dominik Sansevere.
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