The UK film and television industry has navigated a stormy sea over the past year, characterized by significant layoffs and a climate of uncertainty. However, against this backdrop of doom and gloom, a surprising twist has emerged: talent agencies are flourishing. According to a report from Sumo, shared exclusively with Deadline, from February 2024 to February 2025, agencies across the UK grew their staff by 13%. This growth is akin to a phoenix rising from the ashes, illustrating that even when the larger environment is fraught with challenges, certain sectors can not only endure but thrive.
What is particularly compelling about this growth is the stark difference between small to medium-sized agencies and their larger counterparts. While many established agencies faced stagnation or minor contractions, the nimble and adaptable smaller firms recorded staggering growth rates—between 16% to 17%. This demonstrates a critical shift in the industry. The evolution of consumer preferences, particularly toward niche markets and talent diversity, may be catalyzing this rapid expansion. Smaller agencies can pivot quickly and adopt innovative operational strategies, proving that sometimes size isn’t everything in a volatile market.
Retention as a Key Challenge
Despite the promising growth figures, Sumo’s report unveils a critical challenge facing these smaller agencies: employee retention. The average tenure at these agile companies is around two years, considerably lower than the four-year average in larger organizations. This raises an essential question—how can smaller agencies not only attract talent but also cultivate a work environment that encourages longer commitments? The disparity hints at deeper issues within workplace culture and incentives, suggesting that smaller firms must implement innovative retention strategies to keep their burgeoning teams engaged and motivated.
Larger traditional agencies like Curtis Brown and United Agents appear to wield an advantage in this area, thanks to stable workflows stemming from their established reputations. However, while they grapple with restructuring to adapt to current demands, they may lose ground in agility and innovation. The dynamism present in smaller firms—a quality that tends to foster creativity and attract unique talents—should not be undervalued. This could be an essential area for future research and insight for the industry as a whole.
The Rise of Digital Agencies
One notable segment consistently outpacing others is the digital agency space, boasting a remarkable 15% increase in staffing. This underscores a significant cultural shift, as consumer engagement increasingly shifts towards digital platforms. The burgeoning influence of social media and online streaming services has transformed the landscape, creating a need for agencies that specialize in representing digital influencers and new media creators.
However, while scripted agencies struggle with slower growth, they possess an intriguing comparative advantage in employee stability, with team members often remaining for an impressive six years. This stability might be critical for nurturing creative projects that require sustained collaboration—an advantage that should not be overlooked despite the allure of rapid growth from digital sectors.
In sum, the current landscape of the UK film and TV industry paints a complex picture. While traditional avenues face trials, innovation and adaptability are driving agile talent agencies into a favorable position. The ongoing transformations in this sector present opportunities for those willing to embrace change and prioritize a workplace culture that fosters loyalty and creativity.