👋 This is Warner Bailey. Connect with me here.
❤️ HUGE thank you to everyone who showed up to our AvA Happy hours last night. We had 2,300+ of you in 11 markets. From Lagos to London and Sydney to L.A. Heart is full!
🎙️ Today I sit down with Jade Sherman who is the Head of Digital at Gersh.
💼 Looking for open Entertainment jobs? Scroll to the bottom of this email. Our Job Board now has 160 early career Entertainment roles.
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1) An AI-generated song has reached the top of a Billboard chart for the first time ever.
Walk My Walk’ by AI act Breaking Rust, and it topped the Billboard’s Country Digital Song’s Sales chart.
This news comes less than a week after Xania Monet, another AI-generated act, reached #33 on the Digital Sales chart for R&B.
Ew.
2) A24 poured their most expensive film budget yet into Timothée Chalamet’s ‘Marty Supreme.’
Cost? $60-70 million.
Previous high for A24? ‘Civil War’ at $50 million.
People are saying Timothée Chalamet is the Oscar frontrunner already after one trailer.
3) MTV died so Spotify music videos could be born
Music videos will be available on the platform in the U.S. and Canada.
As platforms fight for user retention, this is one of many features including a ChatGPT integration, language switching, and more .
4) YouTube is as much of a studio than any “studio” out there
Using the playbook from traditional players, YouTube previewed a slate of exclusive shows and the ad industry is all in.
“The number one thing I hear from you as advertisers and partners is, how can I do more with creators, to get integrated, to be a part of this authentic storytelling, other than just running advertising”
Creators are building the new networks. YouTube is the new distribution.
Madison Ave (the ad industry) is finally treating it like real TV
5) Disney+ is welcoming AI-UGC
These “game-like features” will allow for “a much more engaged experience, including the ability for them to create user generated content and to consume user generated content.”
RETENTION. It’s the name of the game now that cable died and there are 500000 streaming services begging for your attention.
Our new job board features 160+ early career roles in Entertainment, including:
💼 Temporary Junior International Publicist - A24 - Apply Here
💼 Booking Specialist - Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. - Apply Here
💼 Creative Marketing Coordinator (TV/Film) - Sony Music Publishing - Apply Here
💼 A&R Manager - Universal Music Group - Apply Here
💼 Associate Creator Network Partner Manager - TikTok LIVE - Apply Here
💼 Post Production Assistant - TMZ - Apply Here
💼 Publicity Assistant - Penguin Random House - Apply Here
💼 Production Associate (Special Projects) - Disney - Apply Here
💼 Production Finance Coordinator (Stand Up & Comedy) - Netflix - Apply Here
💼 Coordinator, Acquisitions - NBCU - Apply Here
💼 Account Coordinator - Warner Bros. Discovery - Apply Here
💼 Licensing Assistant - Sony Music - Apply Here
🎒 Music Programming Operations Intern Spring 2026 - SiriusXM - Apply Here
🎒 Creative Intern (Spring 2026) - AGBO - Apply Here
Jade Sherman is Head of Digital and Senior Partner at Gersh, where she oversees the agency’s industry-leading digital department, guiding top creators across brand partnerships, social media, podcasts, non-traditional touring, and unscripted content. Known for leveling up digital talent into cross-platform brands, Sherman and her team have played a pivotal role in shaping the careers of clients like Reece Feldman, Michelle Khare, SMOSH, Shawn Johnson East, and the Love Island trio of standouts Ariana Madix, JaNa Craig, and Amaya Espinal.
Sherman joined Gersh in 2024 following her success at A3 Artists Agency, where she built and scaled the digital department into a major revenue driver, turning online influence into long-term, multifaceted careers. With a deep understanding of audience engagement and monetization, she is widely credited for redefining how digital creators build sustainable, mainstream entertainment platforms.
Sherman’s strategic vision and industry impact have earned her accolades on Business Insider’s Top Creator Talent Agents list, Variety’s New Leaders, and The Hollywood Reporter’s Creator A-List.
Our conversation is below:
AvA: To start, break down your role at Gersh like you’re explaining it to someone who’s never heard of “digital representation.” What does being Head of Digital actually mean day-to-day?
Sherman: As much as I joke that being Head of Digital means scrolling TikTok all day, the reality is much broader. My role is about both big-picture strategy and day-to-day execution to ensure the success of our department. I manage my own roster of clients while also supporting the agents on my team in building and sustaining their businesses. A big part of my job is being fully available to my team - helping problem-solve, guiding career development, and celebrating wins. My favorite part of the day is recognizing those wins, giving my team their flowers, and making sure they have the resources to keep excelling. I’m also fortunate to work alongside incredible leaders like Keith Bielory, Melissa DeMarco, and Sam Schmidt, whose insights and collaboration make our team thrive.
AvA: What was your first job in Entertainment, and what did you take away from that experience that still guides how you work with talent today?
Sherman: My first role was in the Highlights department at Fox Sports, where I cut together highlight reels from various sporting events. The biggest lesson I took away was that when you place yourself in an industry you’re genuinely passionate about, every opportunity can be a steppingstone. That mindset has stayed with me - no matter the role, there’s always something to learn that will get you closer to where you want to be.
AvA: Why is the digital world an area that the next generation of professionals should want to work in, and how can they get their foot in the door?
Sherman: The beauty of the digital space is that creators are inherently multi-hyphenates, they write, star in, produce, and distribute their own content. That control allows them to monetize across multiple areas of entertainment. For the next generation of professionals who want a career that’s entrepreneurial, fast-paced, and unpredictable in the best way, digital is the place to be. My advice for breaking in: stay curious, build relationships, and look for ways to add value in an ecosystem that’s always evolving.
AvA: You’ve worked with breakout names from Love Island to Vanderpump Rules. When you’re evaluating new clients, what qualities tell you they’re ready to build an empire vs. just chase followers?
Sherman: The number one thing I look for is an engaged audience. Engagement is the difference between passive viewership and a true community. A talent with real audience connection can translate that into action, whether it’s “go watch my new show” or “check out my favorite brand.” That depth of engagement is the foundation for building something long-lasting.
AvA: You’ve been recognized by Business Insider, Variety, and THR’s Creator A-List. Beyond the headlines, what’s one moment with a client that felt like, “okay, this is why I do this?”
Sherman: One of those moments was with Kahlana Barfield Brown. I signed her in 2016 when she was transitioning from her role as an editor at InStyle Magazine. At the time, she wasn’t a traditional influencer and had a small social footprint — but she had an undeniable presence. I wanted to be part of wherever her journey led. This past September, we launched her fashion line, KBB by Kahlana, and it exceeded all expectations in its first week. Watching her vision come to life on such a major scale was incredibly rewarding and reminded me why I love doing this work.
AvA: What is one piece of advice you have for someone early in their career?
Sherman: Be a good person. Skills and knowledge are important, but kindness, respect, and integrity will take you further than anything else.
AvA: First concert?
Sherman: Montell Jordan opening for TLC.
AvA: Show you are binging right now?
Sherman: TikTok… always TikTok.
AvA: Who was on your Spotify Wrapped (don't lie)
Sherman: Taylor Swift.
AvA: Least favorite corporate buzzword?
Sherman: Authenticity.
AvA: Whose career do you admire most?
Sherman: Peyton Manning. Not only HOF QB, but an incredible leader who made his teammates better. His post career has been just as impressive – he’s a great businessman, investor and philanthropist.
AvA: What would you be doing for a career if working in Entertainment wasn't an option?
Sherman: Sports representation.
👋 Enjoy the weekend and 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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