Karmaloop Signs With United Talent Agency for Representation

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. and BOSTON, Oct. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Karmaloop, the name behind the world's most successful online streetwear retail platform and the new multi-platform TV network targeting cutting-edge youth culture, has signed with leading Hollywood talent and literary agency UTA for representation.  Under the terms of the agreement, UTA will help Karmaloop continue its rapid growth beyond retail into its new position as the leading multi-platform retail, lifestyle, entertainment and social network brand serving "Verge Culture" – the emerging community of multiracial young people who connect digitally and globally to share trends in fashion, music, lifestyle, art and entertainment.  

"Karmaloop is a very special brand with a rabid following of young influencers who cherish the environment they've built," said UTA's Jeremy Zimmer. "The opportunity to create content, marketing and talent partnerships that makes this continued evolution a high-profile success is an exciting one for us." 

"UTA has an impeccable track-record of making forward-thinking, high-impact alliances for the greatest entertainment brands," adds Greg Selkoe, CEO of Karmaloop.com and Karmaloop TV. "We are pleased to have them carry our vision and banner into boardrooms of Hollywood and Corporate America to make smart, forward-thinking deals that will continue our growth across all the platforms where young people connect."  

Under the leadership of CEO Greg Selkoe, Karmaloop has grown to become a virtual hot house covering the emergent Verge Culture.  Defined by the 18-34 demographic, "Verge Culture" reflects the first generation raised on the internet, who communicate digitally and globally to create a new "mashup" culture based on their shared interests. Karmaloop inspires its millions-strong audience to interact in a cutting-edge community encompassing online fashion retailing and entertainment as well as social and activist networks.

The 10-year-old Karmaloop.com currently attracts more than 4 million unique visitors per month and has projected 2010 revenues of $100 million from retail sales of more than 250 influencer streetwear and consumer ready to wear brands from around the globe. Reacting to its position in the center of this new market, in 2008 Karmaloop launched KarmaloopTV.com, a broadband entertainment network, and more recently Globaloop, a programming strand within its broadband channel designed to raise awareness and support for important social issues concerning its audience.  Karmaloop is now in the midst of launching a social network site for cultural creatives from the world of music, fashion, art and entertainment, called Junglelife.com.  

In May 2010, Karmaloop announced its intention to launch Karmaloop TV, a multi-platform HD television network designed to help cable and satellite providers "reclaim" viewership among the 18 to 34 year-old demographic.  Funded in part by venture capital firm Insight Venture Partners and spearheaded by former AMC President Katie McEnroe, Karmaloop TV is slated to debut in first quarter 2011 with programming appealing to the trend-conscious young people who make up Verge Culture.  

United Talent Agency is one of the entertainment industry's premier talent and literary agencies, representing many of the world's most widely-known figures in every current and emerging area of entertainment, including motion pictures, television, books, music, digital media and live entertainment.  Collectively, UTA agents represent a significant cross-section of today's most acclaimed artists and entertainers, including winners and nominees of Academy, Emmy, Grammy, Screen Actors Guild, Directors Guild, Writers Guild, Producers Guild, Golden Globe, People's Choice and Webby awards. The agency is also globally recognized in the areas of film finance, film packaging, corporate consulting, branding & licensing, endorsements and the representation of production talent.  UTA also operates New York City-based United Entertainment Group, a joint venture firm focusing on branded entertainment for Fortune 500 companies.

Karmaloop is the name behind the leading brand tapping emergent "Verge Culture," the multiracial community of tech-savvy young people who communicate digitally to share the latest trends in fashion, lifestyle and entertainment.  Launched in 2000, Karmaloop.com is the world's largest online retailer of streetwear styles, with anticipated revenue of $100 million for 2010.  The company also operates the broadband entertainment network, KarmaloopTV.com, the social issues advocacy network, Globaloop, and Junglelife.com, a new social network exclusively for cultural creatives from the worlds of fashion, film, music and art.  Slated to launch 1^st quarter 2011, Karmaloop TV is a new multi-platform HD TV network that will feature a mix of movies and originals targeted at the interests of Verge Culture, covering edge-pushing fashion, underground music, street art, sports and more.

SOURCE United Talent Agency