David A. Unger

David A. Unger (born December 30, 1971) is an American talent manager, film producer and CEO of Artist International Group, a talent management and content production company representing clients in the fields of film, television and technology.[1][2]

David A. Unger
Born (1971-12-30) December 30, 1971
London, England

Professional career

Unger began his career at Propaganda Films,[3] a division of PolyGram, where he nurtured the careers of directors David Fincher, Michael Bay, Antoine Fuqua and Mark Romanek among others. He developed award-winning commercial projects for Coca-Cola, Levi's and Nike as well as music videos for artists such as Madonna, The Rolling Stones and U2.

At the age of 27, Unger was chosen for The Hollywood Reporter's Annual "Next Gen" special issue,[4] which lists "the town's best and brightest – 35 men and women, age 35 and under, poised to become the industry's future leaders." He was also recognized by Fade In magazine as one of their "Top 100 People in Hollywood You Need to Know."[5]

Artist International Group, founded in 2017, focuses on identifying and nurturing talent, developing IP and sourcing diversified media and entertainment opportunities all with a global insight. The company represents actors, writers, directors, musicians and models and specializes in media finance, brand advisory and international business development.[2]

Prior to joining Artist International Group, Unger served as Co-Chief Executive Officer and Partner of Three Six Zero Entertainment,[6] a full service management company that focuses on representing actors, directors and writers in the film, television, and digital industries. The company offers branding and financial services to clients[7] and operates in partnership with Jay Z's Roc Nation.[8]

Prior to joining Three Six Zero Entertainment in February 2015, Unger was a talent and literary agent at Resolution and member of Resolution's Media Finance Group for two years. Resolution was created by former ICM Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Jeff Berg. Unger was the first ICM agent to join Berg at Resolution.[9]

Unger represents leading international artists.[10] Clients include Gong Li,[5] Michelle Yeoh,[11][12] Anil Kapoor,[13] Elsa Zylberstein, Tom Welling, Dita Von Teese, Nastassja Kinski, Natalia Vodianova,[14] Mallika Sherawat and Saïd Taghmaoui as well as directors Amanda Sthers, Michael Haussman,[15] Francesco Carrozzini, Antony Hoffman, Emanuele Della Valle and Tony Kaye,[16] among others.

Unger was also a vice-president and talent agent at International Creative Management for 15 years.[17] He represented actors, directors, writers, models, and recording artists, as well as advised the agency's branding and film financing groups.[18][19]

Additionally, as a member of the Board of Advisors of Big Life Foundation, Unger has been contributing to its efforts in protecting the wildlife and habitats of East Africa ecosystem.[20]

Film production

Unger is known for representing international talent, often successfully transforming local language stars into global stars.[21]

He is credited with resurrecting the career of Mickey Rourke,[22][23][24] who thanked Unger in his Best Actor-winning speeches[25] for his role in The Wrestler at the BAFTA Awards[26] and Golden Globe Awards.[27]

Unger regularly attends and is often asked to lecture at the major international motion picture and television festivals and markets such as the Moscow Business Square at the Moscow International Film Festival[14] and Asian Film Summit at the Toronto International Film Festival,[18] among others.

He is the executive producer of 2017's Wetlands, the 2020 documentary Bonnie as well as three 2021 films, Habit, Rajah and Ambush.

Background

Unger was born in London and raised in London, Madrid, Paris, and Los Angeles.[25] He is a graduate of Boston University[4] and has lectured at Harvard Business School. He is fluent in English, Spanish, Italian, and French.[5]

Unger comes from a long line of successful entertainment industry executives. His father, Anthony B. Unger, produced numerous motion pictures including the highly acclaimed[28][29] Don't Look Now, starring Donald Sutherland and Julie Christie which he executive-produced.[5] His grandfather, Oliver A. Unger, was an award-winning film producer, distributor and exhibitor. And his uncle, Stephen A. Unger, is a leading executive recruiter for the entertainment and media industries.

References
  1. Frater, Patrick (May 13, 2019). "Cannes: David Unger Formally Launches Artist International Group". Variety. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  2. Faughnder, Ryan (April 2, 2018). "Hollywood rolls out the red carpet for Saudi Arabia's crown prince, hoping to cash in on a new market". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 22, 2018.
  3. "Talent Agent David Unger: Creative Management". BNET. March 18, 2008. Retrieved February 15, 2012.
  4. "Hollywood Reporter 6th Annual Next Generation Special Issue". The Hollywood Reporter. November 2, 1999. p. S-21.
  5. "Mojo Rising: The Top 100 People in Hollywood You Need to Know". Fade In. Fall 2005. p. 97.
  6. Fleming, Mike (February 12, 2015). "Vet Talent Agent David Unger Launches Three Six Zero; Foray Into Film/TV Rep Biz". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 17, 2015.
  7. Flanagan, Andrew (February 12, 2015). "Jay Z's Roc Nation and Three Six Zero Partner to Launch Film and Television Management Arm". Billboard. Retrieved April 17, 2015.
  8. Donnelly, Matt (February 12, 2015). "David Unger Joins Three Six Zero Group, Agency to Partner With Jay-Z's Roc Nation". The Wrap. Retrieved April 17, 2015.
  9. Kay, Jeremy (February 12, 2015). "David Unger forms Three Six Zero Entertainment". Screen Daily. Retrieved April 17, 2015.
  10. Kay, Jeremy (February 21, 2013). "David Unger becomes first ICM agent to join Resolution". Screen Daily. Retrieved February 22, 2013.
  11. Miller, Daniel (April 2, 2013). "Village Roadshow hits jackpot with Chinese-language films". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 6, 2013.
  12. Miller, Daniel (March 4, 2014). "Resolution talent agency lands Chinese investor". Hartford Courant. Retrieved January 30, 2021. David Unger, who represents Michelle Yeoh, star of "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon," the most successful Chinese-American co-production of all time, will coordinate Resolution's business in China.
  13. Bhushan, Nyay (December 7, 2011). "'Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol's' Anil Kapoor on Balancing Bollywood and Hollywood (Q&A)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved April 26, 2015.
  14. Holdsworth, Nick (June 26, 2012). "Hollywood eyes Russian opportunities: Paula Wagner, David Unger see room for growth". Variety. Retrieved July 2, 2012.
  15. Lyons, Charles (October 23, 2000). "Vid helmer up for 'Down'". Variety. Retrieved January 22, 2012.
  16. Simon, Lizzie (May 13, 1998). "David Unger Creates Stars". L.A. Confidential. p. 67. Retrieved January 22, 2012.
  17. Harris, Kathryn (October 2002). "LA Home". Los Angeles Magazine. pp. 110–112.
  18. Knegt, Peter (August 13, 2012). "TIFF Announces Program For Asian Film Summit". IndieWire. Retrieved January 30, 2021. The Summit’s programming will include... a global talent panel featuring ICM’s David Unger...
  19. "2012 U.S.-China Film Summit". Asia Society. October 30, 2012. Retrieved January 30, 2021. This panel will focus on how the new paradigm of US-China co-production is affecting the management of talent.
  20. David Unger at Big Life Foundation website
  21. Bhushan, Nyay (December 7, 2011). "'Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol's' Anil Kapoor on Balancing Bollywood and Hollywood (Q&A)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved April 26, 2015. ...it was my agent David Unger, who made a conscious decision to pitch me as an international star and not an Indian star.
  22. O'Mahony, Olivier (November 26, 2011). "Mickey Rourke Rugit Encore". Paris Match. Retrieved January 22, 2012.
  23. Goldstein, Patrick (September 11, 2008). "Rourke is back in the ring". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 22, 2012.
  24. Lyman, Rick (April 13, 2003). "FILM; Mickey Rourke Is Sorry. Very, Very, Very Sorry". The New York Times. Retrieved January 22, 2012.
  25. Janofsky, Michael (January 21, 2009). "Rourke's Agent Rehabilitates Bad-Boy Actor into Oscar Contender". Bloomberg L.P. Retrieved January 22, 2012.
  26. "Rourke gives salty BAFTA speech". UPI. February 9, 2009. Retrieved January 22, 2012.
  27. Finn, Natalie (January 12, 2009). "Golden Globes Span Slumdog, Kate (Twice!), Mickey, Heath & Tina". E! Online. Retrieved January 22, 2012.
  28. Singh, Anita (2011). "The 100 best British films". Time Out London. Archived from the original on January 6, 2013. Retrieved January 22, 2012.
  29. "Don't Look Now: best British film of all time?". The Daily Telegraph. February 9, 2011. Retrieved January 22, 2012.
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