Underscore Talent, the digital-first management company launched in 2021, has established a dedicated comedy division led by industry veteran Michael Green, who previously co-founded The Firm and Studio71. The new unit aims to provide comedians with representation spanning traditional venues and digital platforms.

Michael Green

Green will oversee a diverse roster that includes established performers and emerging digital stars. Notable signings include Zachariah Porter, Kareem Rahma (creator of the viral “Subway Takes” series), and Kendahl Landreth. The division represents 17 additional comedians including Mackenzie Barmen, Pooja Tripathi (“Brooklyn Coffee Shop”), and Mara Wilson.

To build out the division, Green has appointed Chris Burns (formerly of AGI) and Kyle Stevens (Slash Management) as co-heads. The management team also includes Andy Farag, who previously worked at CAA and Brillstein, and Andrew Topel, whose experience includes Atlas Artists, Primary Wave, and Gersh.

Green brings significant industry experience to the role. At The Firm, he managed global entertainers including Backstreet Boys, Martin Lawrence, and Ice Cube. During his tenure at The Collective, he worked with artists such as Kanye West, Linkin Park, and Katt Williams, for whom he financed and produced three comedy specials.

He also has experience in digital content development, having produced the “Fred” movies with YouTube star Lucas Cruikshank for Nickelodeon before co-founding Studio71 alongside Underscore’s Reza Izad and Dan Weinstein.

Business Strategy

The division aims to address how digital platforms have transformed traditional career pathways in comedy.

“The traditional path for comedians of touring clubs and chasing late-night bookings is no longer enough,” Dan Weinstein, co-founder and co-CEO of Underscore Talent, said in a press release. “This division provides comedians with a true 360-degree management model to expand their reach and unlock long-term creative and commercial opportunities.”

Green noted the fundamental shift in how comedians build audiences: “Today, comedians can build global audiences first and then deliver them directly to all content distribution platforms. It’s become an inverted system – artists aren’t waiting for the industry to validate them, they’re bringing their audiences with them.”

Company Expansion

The comedy division launch represents continued growth for Underscore Talent, which is a division of TheSoul Publishing. Earlier this year, the company promoted Mallory Llewellyn to Partner for its Beauty, Fashion, and Lifestyle division.

Underscore Talent has also recently expanded its production capabilities with the launch of Shorthand Studios, a digital production and distribution company.