Proud Management appointed Samantha Marcus as Senior Talent Manager, bringing strategic leadership to its growing talent roster after her notable career at Digital Brand Architects (DBA) and Authentic Brands Group.

Founded by CEO Michael Curtis, Proud Management is championing a relationship-driven approach to creator management, emphasizing career longevity and sustainable growth for digital talent. The Los Angeles-based company, recently ranked #23 on Adweek’s Fastest-Growing Agencies of 2025 list with 139% year-over-year growth, has continued its expansion while maintaining its core values of integrity and personalized management.

“Samantha represents everything we look for in leadership – experience, empathy, and integrity,” Michael explains. “She understands that creator management isn’t just about deals; it’s about building trust and legacy. As Proud continues to grow, we’re being very intentional about who we bring into the fold, and Samantha’s alignment with our values makes her a perfect fit.”

For Samantha, the move to Proud Management represents not just a career advancement but a return to her passion for talent management with a company whose values align with her approach to creator representation.

“I couldn’t be more excited to return to talent management with the amazing team at Proud Management,” Samantha says. “Getting back into the world of creators has reminded me just how much I love this industry. I can’t wait to work with new talent and explore innovative ways to expand their brands beyond digital.”

Experience Across Digital and Legacy Brands

Samantha brings dual expertise to Proud Management, having managed both digital creators and iconic legacy brands throughout her career. Her tenure at DBA, where she progressed from Talent Assistant to Talent Manager over nearly five years, gave her first-hand experience guiding some of the industry’s earliest and most successful digital creators, including Golloria George, Yummertime, and Mada Graviet.

“Her tenure at DBA gave her first-hand experience managing some of the industry’s earliest and most successful digital creators, from emerging TikTok talent to legacy names, giving her a nuanced understanding of how to build careers with longevity,” Proud’s announcement reads.

This creator management experience was further enhanced by her subsequent role at Authentic Brands Group, where she worked with globally recognized legacy brands, including Marilyn Monroe, Elvis Presley, Sports Illustrated, and Muhammad Ali. This combination of both digital and entertainment brand experience has given Samantha a distinctive perspective on long-term brand building.

“At Authentic Brands Group, Samantha worked with global legacy brands, gaining valuable experience in IP management and brand stewardship,” the announcement continues. “That exposure to protecting and expanding iconic brands better informs her approach to guiding creators at Proud and building careers with lasting value.”

Expanding Creator Management Operations

In her new role, Samantha will report directly to VP of Talent Shannon Martin-Resnick, focusing on strengthening Proud’s creator management operations while helping attract top-tier talent and accelerate the growth of the company’s rising creators.

“At this stage, we’re focused on scaling with intention – bringing in leaders who not only have deep industry experience, but who also share Proud’s human-first, relationship-driven approach to management,” Michael says. “Samantha immediately stood out for her proven ability to champion creators authentically while navigating the complexities of large-scale brand partnerships, making her a perfect fit as we enter this next phase of growth.”

The addition of Samantha comes during a period of momentum for Proud Management, which was recently honored with a CUSE50 award for the third consecutive year, recognizing it as one of the fastest-growing Syracuse University alumni-led businesses. The company has also added major creators to its roster, including Grace Helbig.

Shannon Martin-Resnick (VP of Talent), Michael Curtis (CEO & Founder), and Kym Conley (COO)

Talent Management Experience with IP Development

What distinguishes Samantha in creator management is her demonstrated ability to navigate both the fast-moving digital creator space and the more established world of traditional intellectual property (IP) management.

“After exploring the IP side, Samantha has made an exciting return to talent management, championing creators and helping them thrive authentically,” Proud Management states. “Known for her steady leadership, strategic insight, and deep industry expertise, she takes pride in guiding clients toward long-term, sustainable success in an ever-evolving landscape.”

Samantha holds a Bachelor of Arts in Human Dimensions of Organizations from The University of Texas at Austin, where she developed skills in understanding organizational dynamics.

“This hire reflects Proud’s continued commitment to growing with purpose; expanding our team thoughtfully while staying true to our values,” the company adds. “We’re focused on bringing in experienced leaders who strengthen our foundation and embody the integrity and trust that define Proud. Samantha’s arrival marks another step toward building a company that scales without losing its soul.”

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