20 top YouTube managers of billionaire creators

Ever wonder who’s behind your favorite YouTube star? Are they doing it all by themselves or is there a team and a talent manager behind their success? Of course there is! These top YouTube managers are often the force making it all happen.

They don’t just upload videos and look at the charts. They help create content concepts, growth strategies, and get the best brand deals, while keeping their creators focused on creating content. Behind many viral channels and overnight success stories, there’s often someone thinking about thumbnails, retention curves, and lasting progress.

In this article, we’re taking a closer look at the people who work behind the scenes but play a huge role in building some of the biggest channels on the platform. Because YouTube success rarely happens by accident.

What makes a top YouTube manager?

If you spend time on YouTube, TikTok, or Instagram, you’ve probably seen creators suddenly grow fast. One month, they’re posting videos from their bedroom. A few months later, they’re working with brands, launching products, or appearing at events. From the outside, it looks effortless.

But behind many of these creators is someone helping manage the chaos. That person is often a talent manager.

A talent manager works with creators, influencers, artists, or public personalities and helps them handle the business side of their careers. That is the person who keeps things organized while the creator focuses on creating. Videos, podcasts, and content take time and energy. Negotiating brand deals, answering emails, planning long-term growth, and protecting someone’s reputation is a whole different job.

Their role can include things like negotiating sponsorships, finding partnership opportunities, managing contracts, planning career moves, and sometimes even helping shape a creator’s personal brand. In simple terms, they help turn attention into a sustainable career.

This job has become much more visible in the creator economy. Ten years ago, talent managers mostly worked with actors, musicians, or athletes. Today, many of them work with YouTubers, streamers, podcasters, and social media personalities. As content platforms grew, so did the need for someone who understands both entertainment and business.

A good talent manager does more than book deals. They often act as an advisor. Creators may ask them questions like:

• Should I accept this brand collaboration?

• Is this contract fair?

• What direction should my channel take next?

Instead of guessing, the creator has someone experienced to guide those decisions.

Of course, not every creator needs a talent manager right away. Many start by handling everything themselves. But once opportunities begin piling up, it becomes difficult to manage it all alone.

At that point, having someone in your corner can make a big difference.

Why are top YouTube managers necessary for being successful?

Before we get to the list, let’s briefly talk about the significance of having a talent manager for YouTube’s success.

Being a creator and having a talent manager is not just about negotiating deals… it is also about being sustainable as a brand and being able to maximize opportunities across the digital space.

Talent managers can help creators in influencer marketing, digital marketing, and casting calls, ensuring that they are seen and that they are still relevant.

They’re THE people when it comes to making brand deals, putting on live events, and getting opportunities with production companies that can introduce them to larger audiences. They also book speaking engagements, which can help the creator grow their reach beyond the sites they’re active on.

What this means is that these managers also help creators diversify their reach by exploring new platforms like TikTok, producing short-form video content, and even breaking into traditional media.

If it weren’t for these talented managers, YouTube creators would have a hard time keeping up with the ever-changing pace of the industry and would surely miss out on important partnerships. And now, here’s the list!

The list of 20 top YouTube managers [2026]

1. Sarah Weichel

Sarah is a seasoned digital talent management professional with experience working with top creators in different genres. She has successfully managed to orchestrate branded campaigns that suit the audience of the creator. Her career has been built independently by focusing on brand partnerships that suit the audience.

Today, alongside her design studio work (Swike Design), she is often referenced as a talent manager and executive who manages creators and produces content with major online video stars.

• Clients: Her portfolio includes A-list YouTubers who have successfully leaped into mainstream media, working across TV, film, and book deals.

2. Larry Shapiro

He has worked in digital talent management through Ensemble Digital Studios, as well as more recently through The Creator Society, which is a merger of Ensemble Digital Studios and 2Social Co, a creator management agency that works with YouTube creators but also with other creators across platforms like TikTok, Instagram and Snap.

• Skills: Larry is highly skilled in creating sustainable revenue models, and he frequently helps creators transition their online following into revenue streams beyond YouTube.

4. WME Group (formerly known as William Morris Endeavor )

It works as a leading united talent agency out of Hollywood, with a digital division that works with top YouTube creators and influencers.

• Skills: They represent major YouTube stars like Lilly Singh, The Dolan Twins, David Dobrik, Casey Neistat, PewDiePie, and, more recently, Topper Guild, helping them secure brand partnerships, DTC products etc.

5. Reed Duchscher

Founder and CEO of Night (formerly Night Media), Reed has played a key role in turning creators (like MrBeast) into global brands.

• Claim to Fame: Known for his work with big names on YouTube and TikTok, Reed’s strategy focuses on content diversification and entrepreneurial expansion.

6. Whalar Group (Neil Waller and James Street)

It started off as an influencer, digital marketing agency and has now grown to encompass six companies under its umbrella.

• Skills: They explicitly mention a “talent arm” for building long-term careers via management, community growth, and partnerships.

7. Michael Gordon

He spent over six years at Fullscreen as Director/Senior Talent Manager, signing and managing high-profile clients. Since 2020, he’s been the VP of Talent Management (now SVP) at Night.

• Strengths: He’s known for helping creators leverage multiple revenue streams, from YouTube monetization to merchandise. He’s YouTube Certified in audience growth and has awards for top performance in talent management.

8. Off Limits

It is a leading UK-based talent management agency that represents digital creators, including YouTube and TikTok influencers.

• Focus: They take a 360° approach, which includes negotiating brand deals, TV bookings, PR, live events, podcasts, books, and social media management, among others, for their clients, who come from TV, film, music, sport, and online industries.

9. Michael Gruen

He continues to be an active talent manager as of 2026, co-founding and running TalentX Entertainment, which has become a top talent agency for YouTubers, TikTokers, and Twitch streamers. Michael works at TalentX to grow the careers of Gen Z influencers, whom he thinks are the future of media.

• Notable Work: TalentX is a platform that launched in 2019 and focuses on “creator-first” monetization of creators through merchandise, tours, sponsorships, IP development, and studio deals (like the first overall influencer deal at a major studio for Josh Richards).

10. Dan Weinstein

Weinstein’s reputation at Studio71 was that of an influencer/digital marketing expert who could help influencers expand their digital footprint. 

Weinstein has been a Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Underscore Talent, a next-gen talent company that offers 360° management services to YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Twitch creators in gaming, lifestyle, fashion, culinary, and podcasts since 2020.

• Role: Weinstein’s clients have been able to benefit from his knowledge of how to work across multiple platforms to increase their Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube following.

11. Julian Andrew

He is a talent manager who focuses his practice on digital creators and celebrities talents from the LGBTQ+ and BIPOC/underrepresented communities. 

As the founder of Talentiish (which was launched in June 2022), his service offerings include brand partnerships, PR and events, video content strategy, film/TV/podcast, and consumer goods development.

• Clients include: Dexter Mayfield (OUT100), Kevin Aviance, Anthony Bowens, Jae Gurley , Jay Choyce Tibbitts, Glow By Ramon, Lamar Dawsone, etc.

12. Andrew Raymond Graham

Graham, the Head of Digital Talent at Brillstein Entertainment Partners, plays a key role in bridging the gap between digital talent and traditional entertainment.

• Expansion: He works on behalf of clients to secure roles in TV and film, helping them build a more dynamic presence in entertainment.

13. Adam Wescott

Currently, since 2022, Adam Wescott holds the role of CEO and founder at Mind Chatter Media, LLC. He offers consulting, advisory, production, and investment services to innovative companies within the creator economy.

• Responsibilities: Known for guiding creators into diversified income streams, Adam’s strategies ensure his clients achieve financial stability beyond YouTube.

13. Moe Shalizi

The Shalizi Group represents some of the most influential digital and music talents, including creators with large followings on YouTube.

• Notable Talent: He’s known for blending digital and music worlds, supporting creators interested in expanding their reach through music and live performances.

14. Adam Loria

Currently VP of Digital & Talent Manager at Night Media (since June 2023), where he helps scale mega-creators like MrBeast through brand deals, licensing, and platform monetization.

• Specialty: He helps influencers gain representation that can connect them with opportunities in TV, film, and beyond.

15. Evegail Andal

She provides many services as the founder and CEO of Matter Media Group since 2016, including large brand partnerships with companies such as BMW, Starbucks, L’Oréal, Pantene, Macy’s, and Sephora. 

Other services she provides are SEO optimization, event coordination, merchandise launch, and traditional media opportunities.

• Client base: Her clients include YouTube heavyweights like Alisha Marie, Adelaine Morin, Aja Dang, Mia Sayoko, Katy Bellotte, and Azlia Williams etc.

16. Dom Smales

Dom Smales built the UK’s first influencer agency, Gleam Futures, back in 2010. He managed huge YouTube stars like Zoella (11 million subscribers), Alfie Deyes, Tanya Burr, and the Pixiwoo sisters.

• Focus: Now in 2026, he’s co-running GloMotion Studios, making creator-focused shows.

17. Jack Reed

At Patreon, Reed focuses on helping creators build community-driven revenue models through crowdfunding and member engagement.

• Support: By going beyond brand building and deals, he encourages sustainable business models for creators, focusing on community engagement.

18. Lucia Ayson

She is a talent manager focused on underrepresented millennial/Gen Z creators in beauty, fashion, and lifestyle.

• Experience: She’s now a Senior Talent Manager at Portrait Management (joined late 2024). Before that, she worked at Palette MGMT, Digital Brand Architects (DBA), Slash Management, and StyleHaul MCN, etc.

19. Lauren Schnipper

At Jellysmack (2020-2024), Lauren assisted influencers in understanding the complexities of growing their audiences across various social media platforms.

• Where is she now: She is VP Corporate Development at Oaklins (2024+), advising on digital investments. She’s the playbook for turning creators into media brands.

20. Jeff Levin

Known for managing Jake Paul’s Team 10, Levin has experience working with talent agents to establish and grow collective content groups.

• Specialty: He is skilled in group management, coordinating partnerships and collaborations.

How to Become a Top YouTube Talent Manager

To become one of the best YouTube talent managers, one has to have business skills, have the ability to network, and have an understanding of the online media environment.

Get familiar with influencer and digital marketing

• Understand Platforms: Understand what YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, etc., are. Be aware of the trends and practices followed on these platforms.

• Study digital marketing strategies: Understand what influencer marketing is, what kinds of collaborations are most effective, and how influencer or digital marketing varies across platforms.

• Know the Key Metrics: Understand what metrics like engagement rate, target audience, growth rate mean. Understanding this data will help you in deciding what kind of content needs to be pushed by influencers.

Improve your negotiation skills and business knowledge

• Contract Negotiation: To be a talent manager, one needs to be a good negotiator because they negotiate for their talent or client. The most effective way to develop skills in negotiating deals and contracts is to learn to extract the most favorable deal for your client while being courteous..

• Understand Brand Partnerships: It is important to know what brands are looking for in a partnership with a creator so that you can find the right brand for your client. Research successful brand collaborations.

• Financial Management:  It is also important to know the principles of financial management so that you can teach your client about income, investment, and expenses for content creation and personal branding.

Maintain Good Relationships within the Industry

• Network: Network with brand managers, marketers, other managers, brand creators, etc. Go to events, both virtual and live, to build your network that can get your clients into.

• Be a Connector: A good talent manager is one who connects creators of content. It is always a win-win situation for all parties involved. It is also a win for you because it will help you grow your network as well.

Get Familiar with Content Creation

• Learn Production Basics: Learn what are the raw materials used to produce a video, how they are produced, edited, and when they are published. A large number of talent managers have been part of videos. Therefore, they would be able to assist content creators with production issues.

• Stay Informed on Trends: It would be helpful to know what type of content performs well and why, to be able to guide your clients’ creativity more effectively. Listen to what is popular nowadays and search for novelties, e.g., short or live videos.

Maintain Good Interpersonal Communication Skills

• Listen Actively: It will be beneficial to understand your clients’ goals, skills, and possibly their weaknesses as well. Good talent managers focus a lot on their clients, helping them plan their goals.

• Manage Expectations: Help creators understand their expectations, as well as understand how brand collaborations or changes in content will affect them in the future.

• Handle Public Relations: Just as important as the above, it is important to understand public relations management as well. It will be beneficial to brush up your knowledge regarding crisis management, as well as understand how you will communicate during a crisis.

Maintain Order and Keep the Eyes on the Prize

• Time Management: Since the consultant works with different clients at the same time and has different projects to complete at one time, then they must be good at organizing. There are always different management tools to use in order to keep track of time, brands, and clients’ needs.

• Focus on Long-Term Goals: Help your clients to build a long-lasting brand. It is also beneficial to encourage them to venture in other fields.

Establish a Personal Branding and Get Recognized in Talent Management

• Share succes stories: Another way to market your services is to share your clients’ achievements with their consent. Potential clients will want to know what changes you have brought to other creators.

• Stay Visible: You may also want to create your personal branding through your own social media accounts or website to share your knowledge with others. Gaining recognition in the field will help attract more clients to build your personal brand as a talent manager.

The Following Should Be Taken into Consideration

Most of the experienced talent managers start with either influencer agencies or digital marketing agencies. This will not only give you an insight into the industry, but you will have a chance to work with popular authors or companies.

As time goes on, you will gain experience, and you will have dedicated yourself to this industry, and you will be able to master all the qualities that are required to be a good YouTube talent manager.

Things to Remember When Choosing a Talent Manager

Alignment with Your Goals

Make sure that the manager’s strategy is aligned with your goals.

Industry Connections

Having a network of people to collaborate with can be beneficial to a talent manager.

Contract Clarity

Clear contracts will help protect your interests while protecting the manager’s.

Multi-Platform Expertise

Having experience with YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and other platforms can open doors to growth.

Considerations in Hiring a Talent Manager

Industry Reputation

Seek a manager with a reputation for integrity and strong client relationships.

Focus on Your Niche

Consider a manager with experience in your content niche, as they will likely understand your audience and brand goals.

Ability to Scale

Seek a manager with the ability to scale your career with you, including expanding into other media if needed.

Level Up Now!

The industry of managing talents on YouTube is still growing, so the opportunities for digital creators are increasing. These top 20 managers are the who’s who of the industry, guiding influencers to create and maintain successful careers, not only on YouTube but elsewhere as well. Creating a successful YouTube channel can be a huge challenge, but with the proper help, one can only grow to new heights.

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