Talent Collectives

Sixteenth Names Paramount Veteran RJ Larese As U.S. President, Elevates Four To Partner Roles

Published on August 11, 2025

Sixteenth, a global creator talent management company within Whalar Group, announced RJ Larese as the new President of Sixteenth U.S.

Larese brings nearly two decades of experience across media, entertainment, and talent development, most recently serving as VP of Talent and Influencer Marketing at Paramount Global, where he led creator strategy and talent partnerships across major platforms including Paramount+, Nickelodeon, and MTV.

He worked with global franchises such as “SpongeBob SquarePants,” “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,” and “Yellowstone,” integrating creators into various content formats and branded campaigns.

“We’re in a moment where Creators aren’t just influencing culture. They are culture,” Larese said in a press release. “They’re building companies, launching movements, and operating as multi-hyphenate powerhouses.”

The appointment follows Victoria Bachan’s departure, who previously led Sixteenth through its integration with Whalar Talent following Whalar Group’s acquisition of the UK-based firm in October 2024.

Alongside Larese’s appointment, Sixteenth has elevated four Senior Talent Managers to Partner roles: Brendan Nahmias, Megan Frantz, and Rick Bhatia. These internal promotions recognize their contributions to creator development and will expand their responsibilities across team leadership and talent growth initiatives.

All four partners will report directly to Larese, who will report to James Street, co-founder and co-CEO of Whalar Group.

Expanding Ecosystem

These leadership appointments come as parent company Whalar Group continues to build its creator economy infrastructure. The group recently secured investment from Salesforce founder Marc Benioff, Shopify, and Hollywood producer Neal H. Moritz, reaching a $400 million valuation. In May, the group acquired The Business of Creativity, the media company co-founded by advertising veteran Sir John Hegarty.

As for Sixteenth, the company now represents over 300 creators across various verticals, including comedy, food, beauty, gaming, and wellness. It operates as part of Whalar Group’s broader ecosystem, which spans talent management, brand partnerships, product incubation, and physical spaces for creators.

Earlier this year, Sixteenth appointed Tom Caplan as head of its UK arm, further strengthening its global presence.