Veteran Agent Valarie Phillips Joins Verve

Verve has hired longtime agent Valarie Phillips. The agency also recently hired Non-Fiction Agent Jacy Schleier.

Phillips, who brings more than two decades of agency experience to Verve, was most recently Co-Head of the Motion Picture Literary department at A3 Artists Agency, and prior to that, spent two decades at Paradigm Talent Agency where she started as an assistant, and worked her way up to Department Head.

Following Phillips to Verve are several of the busiest and highly sought after writers in town, including Guy Busick, Greg Erb and Jason Oremland, and Tory Kamen. Also following Phillips to Verve, Charles Leavitt, Anthony Jaswinski, Shiwani Srivastava and directors Andy Tennant, Tom Dey, Sasie Sealy, Todd Robinson and Patrick Lussier.

Throughout her career, Phillips has consistently demonstrated her commitment to excellence and a keen eye for discovering and nurturing talent, previously working with Nzingha Stewart, Eric Tuchman, Ehren Kruger and Kenny Ortega.

In addition to her professional achievements, Phillips is an advocate for social causes and has served on several boards supporting the families of unhoused people and has actively raised funds for personal causes, including Cystic Fibrosis and Colon Cancer. She has also been a Big Sister of America to Los Angeles High School Seniors, helping them navigate the college application process, and introducing them to women working in the corporate culture.

“Perhaps my greatest achievement lies in the incredible journeys of the numerous women I’ve had the privilege to mentor over the years,” said Phillips. “Witnessing them go on to carve out amazing careers within the entertainment business is truly gratifying. Empowering and supporting women in this industry has been a personal mission, and seeing their success is the most fulfilling reward.”

“I am thrilled to join this innovative group of agents and executives, some of whom I’ve known for years. Their exemplary work ethic and unwavering advocacy for their clients has consistently impressed me. The dedication to client success at Verve is palpable, and I am eager to contribute to this culture of excellence. I also want to express my gratitude to Bryan Besser and Adam Levine for their warm welcome and unwavering support. Their leadership reflects the agency’s commitment to fostering an environment where talent thrives, and clients feel not just represented but truly championed. Here’s to an exciting journey ahead, filled with groundbreaking collaborations and the continued success of our clients.”

“We could not be happier to welcome Valarie to Verve. Her unparalleled expertise and her passion for talent make her an invaluable addition to our family/company/team,” said the Verve partnership in a statement. “But, beyond her impressive professional achievements, Valarie’s steadfast advocacy for women in the entertainment industry aligns seamlessly with Verve’s commitment to diversity and empowerment. Together, we look forward to achieving new heights and reshaping the landscape of entertainment, championing inclusivity and continuing to work towards amplifying creative voices.”