Talent Partners Hires Julie Balster

On the heels of the announcement of a major investment to fuel its growth by The Carlyle Group, Talent Partners, the leader in talent and production support services for more than 750 agency and advertiser clients representing 1,500 brands, has appointed Julie Balster to the newly created position of Business Affairs Manager for the company’s European unit.

The announcement was made here today at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, the advertising industry’s largest annual global gathering.

Ms. Balster is joining Talent Partners Europe at a fortuitous time, as the fast-growing, nearly two-year old unit provides services to an expanding roster of prestige agencies, brands and production companies. The company’s “Passport to America” service provides expert support for a growing number of European agencies shooting in the U.S. and Canada or who are using marque North American talent, before or behind the camera. Balster will also be a central resource for European agencies and production companies working to produce spots in other countries across the Continent. Talent Partners Europe has already provided full scale talent and production support to a number of U.S. agencies shooting in Europe, and in destinations as far afield as South Africa. Talent Partners Europe’s client roster includes Grey London & Paris, Volvo Global, Prodigious Paris, Ogilvy London & Paris, Disney EMEA, TAG London, Adam & Eve DDB London, W+K Amsterdam and many others.

Last month, Talent Partners announced that global asset management giant, The Carlyle Group, was making a major investment in the company. A game changer for the industry, Carlyle’s investment is earmarked to grow Talent Partners’ increasingly technology-based offerings to the industry in its core U.S. market, and to fuel the fast-expansion of its global footprint, an effort that will be anchored by Talent Partners Europe.

The addition of Ms. Balster, a 10-year veteran with deep experience with agencies in the U.S. and Europe, will serve to further strengthen the company’s growth and operational excellence.

“Julie brings a wholly unique well of knowledge, skills and creativity to the Talent Partners Europe team,” stated Paul Muratore, President and Chief Executive Officer of Talent Partners. “This comes from years of experience with the best agencies in North America and in Europe, a set of unique talents we can now offer to our growing list of European clients.”

Ken Holden, Managing Director of Talent Partners Europe, adds: “Julie is the first truly multi-talent-lingual business affairs expert that I know of. We’re delighted to have her come from the client-side to help us expertly serve our clients, and help grow the international fortunes of Talent Partners.”

Prior to joining Talent Partners Europe, Balster worked as Senior Business Affairs Manager at Crispin Porter + Bogusky/London, where she created the business affairs unit and supervised production, talent, music and insurance agreements for clients such as Milka, Paddy Power, Diesel Watches, Xbox, and McCoys. From 2010 – 2011, she served as Business Affairs Manager for Wieden + Kennedy Amsterdam, on high-profile campaigns including the 2010 Nike World Cup. From 2008 – 2010, Balster was Business Affairs Manager at TBWA/Media Arts Lab in London, managing legal, licensing and localization for commercials in seven European countries for clients including Apple. Prior to this, she was Business Affairs Manager for Mother Advertising Limited in London. From 1999 – 2006, Balster enjoyed her first stint at Wieden + Kennedy, working in business affairs at its Portland headquarters before moving to its Amsterdam unit in 2002.

“I am thrilled to be a part of Talent Partners Europe, joining a forward-thinking company that is poised to grow to even greater heights,” adds Balster. “I look forward to working with old colleagues, meeting new clients and being a part of Talent Partners as they grow on the global stage.”

In its nearly 50-year history, Talent Partners has grown from a specialty payroll company focused on commercial talent to a powerhouse provider of more than 125 essential services, including talent negotiations and business affairs, traffic and clearance, rights and royalty management, signatory services, and more. The firm’s 750+ client roster includes 23 of the Top 25 largest U.S. advertising agencies and 23 of the Top 25 largest U.S. advertisers. The company’s 250+ person staff provides round-the-clock services from offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London and Toronto.