EXCLUSIVE: Longtime Industry Entertainment managers Laura Hersh, Ava Jamshidi, Kyle Luker and Lars Theriot have been elevated to Partner for the talent and literary management and production company. The move is the latest in the company’s expanding vision focused on promoting from within.
Hersh, a 15-year company veteran, will co-lead the talent department in L.A., alongside Kyle Luker who will oversee NYC. Hersh is credited with being instrumental to the growth of the company, especially in developing rising talent. Her clients include Manish Dayal (The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon — The Book of Carol, The Resident), Zoe Colletti (The Family Plan, Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark), Alexis Floyd (Grey’s Anatomy, Inventing Anna) and Darrell Britt-Gibson (She Taught Love) Kelli Berglund (Heels, Now Apocalypse), Daniel Webber (Billy the Kid, The Dirt), and Ed Oxenbould (Irreverent, Wildlife).
Luker moved to Industry in 2015 after his time with The Group Entertainment where he was a partner. He previously produced the Slamdance film Find Love and worked on other features such as Sweet Land, Loggerheads, Mentor and others. He continues to represent Krysten Ritter, Christopher Briney, Michelle Gomez, Vella Lovell, Kelly Aucoin, Genevieve Angelson, Michelle Visage, Patrick Heusinger, Zack Robidas etc.
Jamshidi joined Industry in 2012 after ten years as a motion picture literary agent at ICM and APA. She will oversee the lit department with L.A. counterpart Lars Theriot. Jamshidi’s clients include Chris Yost (Tiger’s Apprentice, Thor Ragnarok), Mike Vukadinovich (Greedy People, Kidding), Oanh Ly (Sweet Tooth), Tamara Chestna (Something from Tiffany’s, Moxie), Ash Brannon (Arcane, Toy Story 2) as well as comic book publishers Oni Press and Vault Comics.
Theriot joined Industry as a literary manager in 2017 after 20 years in the Motion Picture Literary Department at ICM. Among his clients are Gary Dauberman (IT: Anabelle Comes Home, Salem’s Lot) Blair Butler (Helstrom: The Invitation, Until Dawn) Michael C. Martin (Brooklyn’s Finest; Empire; Wu Tang: An American Saga) Christopher Monfette (12 Monkeys; Star Trek: Picard; Magic The Gathering) and Vault Comics. Theriot will continue to lead the Lit department along with Ava Jamshidi.
The new partners join founding partners Sara Bottfeld, Tracey Murray, Andrew Deane and Dan Spilo, NY founding partner Bill Butler, and partners Dianne Fraser and Helena Heyman.
“It has been an extraordinary gift to have so many of our staff be with us for over a decade and our new partners have really shown a passion and understanding for our philosophy,” Industry founding partners said in a joint statement. “Industry has always been revered for finding and representing the best with a hands on personal approach supported by the over 50 people in our management family knowing every client’s success matters. These four have leaned in and we know will continue that commitment. We are excited about this first round of new partners and look forward to more as we continue to grow.”