It’s no secret that success as a musical artist does not come easy. Although being talented is surely important, it also matters what your circumstances are, and what kind of team you have behind you. This is where artist management companies come in.

These companies represent musical performers and artists. They help artists define their brand and manage all the business that comes with entering the music industry. This includes tour management, music production, and promotion.

Sure, new artists can do this themselves, but there are a number of advantages to having a company to represent you. First, artists can focus on producing material. In addition to this, artists are more likely to become recognized and be successful because the artist will be guided by a team of experts, whose job it is to know the inner workings of the music industry.

But of course, this is not true of all artist management companies, because not all of them are created equal. Here is a conclusive list of the 50 best artist management companies to help you determine which ones really provide artists with good career guidance.

1.Creative Artists Agency (CAA)

Creative Artists Agency is one of the top talent management agencies. They represent some of the top music artists in the world, including Ariana Grande, Jennifer Lopez, and Miley Cyrus. Their roster boasts a wide variety of clients. Not only do they represent music artists, but also comedy artists, athletes, authors, and other kinds of talent.

2. William Morris Endeavor (WME)

Born of a union between William Morris Agency and Endeavor, William Morris Endeavor is the largest talent agency in the world. Their roster of clients includes Adele, Alicia Keys, and Pharrell Williams. They also represent actors, comedians, authors, athletes, and chefs.

3. International Creative Management (ICM) Partners

Having been around for decades, ICM is one of the leading experts in artist management. They are known for representing film and TV actors, comedians, and musicians. They represent a number of famous celebrities, including Nicki Minaj, Keri Hilson, and H.E.R.

4. United Talent Agency

United Talent Agency boasts a diverse roster of some of the world’s leading talents. Among them are Iggy Azalea, LANY, and Nipsey Hussle. Other than recording artists, they also represent e-sports and streaming talent, social media influencers, comic talent, and influential speakers.

5. CK Talent Management

CK Talent Management is known for taking young actors and fostering them into professional actors. They are industry experts and offering personalized representation and service to their clients. They have a diverse talent network, representing supermodels, celebrities, and network executives.

6. Buchwald and Associates, Inc

Buchwald and Associates is an industry leader in talent representation and management. The company offers representation in various areas of every industry. This includes talent found in social media, film and TV, voiceover, broadcast, and syndication.

7. Brilliant Corners Artist Management

Brilliant Corners Artist Management is dedicated to growing and nurturing the careers of artists with rare talent. The company prides itself on its ability to balance creative collaboration and robust client service. Their client list includes Death Cab for Cutie, The New Pornographers, and The Postal Service.

8. Paradigm Talent Agency

Paradigm Talent Agency has locations in the US, Canada, and Europe. What sets their agency apart is their 30-year experience of developing creatively fulfilling careers for their clients. They provide global representation to a diverse group of talent in different industries, such as film, television, music, and publishing.

9. Agency for the Performing Arts (APA)

The Agency for the Performing Arts is one of the largest, most diversified, talent agency in Los Angeles, with offices in Beverly Hills, New York, Atlanta, Toronto, and London. They represent various successful artists, including Mary J. Blige, Greyson Chance, and Alex G. Other than performing artists, they also represent speakers, producers, cinematographers, and production managers.

10. Abrams Artists Agency

The Abrams Artist Agency takes pride in their “drop everything attitude” towards their clients. They make sure that their services are tailor-made for the client’s needs. The company prioritizes the personal and professional growth of the artist.

11. Cinematic Music Group

The Cinematic Music Group offers a wide array of services. Aside from talent and artist management, they are also a record label, a publishing company, as well as a touring company. Although they are a relatively young company, having only been founded in 2007, they have made themselves known for fulfilling their vision of giving their artists total creative control.

12. NEXT Management

Originally named NEXT Model Management, representing only models, the company has transformed into a diversified talent agency. Although a majority of their roster still consist of models, they now also represent digital influencers, actors, and musicians. These include Dua Lipa, Ellie Goulding, and Lana Del Rey.

13. MGMT Artists

MGMT Artists sets themselves apart by focusing on their long-standing relationships with high-level professionals in the entertainment industry. They also capitalize on their own past experiences as performing artists. This, coupled with their strong relationships within the industry, gives them a unique insight that will allow them to develop their clients.

14. Artist Management Group (AMG)

Artist Management Group was founded by former executives at Creative Artists Agency (the very first artist management company mentioned on this list). A majority of their roster is made up of artists who are involved in the classical arts. These include conductors, pianists, stage directors, ballet dancers, and orchestra musicians.

15. The Feldman Agency (TFA)

Being one of the oldest talent agencies on this list, The Feldman Agency has a wealth of experience in a number of client services. Artist representation, talent, booking, and event services are only some of their expertise. Their roster inlcudes Alessia Cara, Rush, and Michael Bublé.

16. Modest! Management

Modest! Management is a multi-service artist management agency based in London. They handle all aspects of the artist’s career, including production, recording, touring, merchandising, and, publicity. Niall Horan, One Direction, and Little Mix are only some of their clients.

17. YMU Group

YMU Group is one of the leading talent management agencies in the world, having offices in various locations in the USA and Europe. They have clients in various areas of the entertainment industry, including sports, film, television, and music. Their mission is to provide smart advice and guidance to talented individuals in order to forward their careers.

18. Silverback Music Management

Silverback Music Management focuses on fostering independent artists in the genres of improvisational rock, dub reggae, psychedelic blues, punk rock, soul, and funk. Their goal is for their creative vision to align with their artists, and to work with them in producing new, “genre-bending” music.

19. Kobalt Music

Kobalt Music’s mission is to provide everything that a modern music creator might need in this ever-changing digital age. Part of their roster are The Chainsmokers, The Lumineers, and Childish Gambino.

20. Red Light Management

Red Light Management is one of the biggest names in artist and talent management, with a focus on independent music. Their focus is to develop sustainable careers and long-lasting legacies for their artists. They boast a roster with artists from various genres. Some of their clients include The Dave Matthews Band, Franz Ferdinand, and Lady Antebellum.

21. CSP Music Group

CSP Music Group is an artist management company and an independent record label. The company offers all the services that an artist could possibly need, including artist development and management, production, promotion, marketing, publicity, and touring.

22. 5B Artists + Media

5B Artist + Media is an artist management and touring company with a focus on metal bands and artists. They also manage and organize some of the most well-known heavy metal music festivals.

23. Brick Wall Management

Brick Wall Management’s artist roster includes Vanessa Carlton and The Clarks. They also helped launch John Mayer’s career, and had a hand in producing his music film, Any Given Thursday. Although it started as an artist management company, they now do consulting in various areas of the entertainment industry.

24. Crush Management

Crush Management guides the careers of global artists, among whom are Lorde, Green Day, Sia, and Fall Out Boy. Based in New York City and Los Angeles, the company aims to influence the music industry with the help of its founders, who are both former performing artists themselves.

25. Direct Management Group

Direct Management offers representation and business services to a select group of artists, one of the most famous being Katy Perry.

26. Big Noise

Big Noise, an artist development and music promotion firm, is home to a number of independent and mainstream artists. They have released the works of Christina Aguilera, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and The Beach Boys. Big Noise has been around since the 90s, and their experience, dedication, and passion sets them apart from other artist management companies.

27. DAS Communications

DAS Communications is a full-service artist management company based in New York City and Los Angeles. Previous artists whose careers they have nurtured include The Black Eyed Peas and John Legend.

28. Q Prime Artist Management

Q Prime Artist Management made their name managing heavy metal artists, including Def Leppard and Metallica. They eventually expanded their roster to include a number of alternative rock bands, such as Muse and Smashing Pumpkins. Some of their clients have gone on to become multiplatinum recording artists.

29. Cast Management

Founded in 1992 and based in Los Angeles, this artist and producer management company has helped launch the careers of artists such as Violent Femmes and The Devil Makes Three.

30. Velvet Hammer Music and Management Group

Velvet Hammer is an artist development and management company, as well as a record label. They handle various aspects of the artist’s career, and strive for their client’s long-term success. Their current roster includes Korn, The Smashing Pumpkins, and Alice In Chains.

31. Vector Management

Vector Management has offices in New York, Los Angeles, and Nashville. The company offers a variety of services to fulfill the needs of their clients. The Fray, The Black Angels, and The B-52s are only some of the artists on their current roster.

32. Union Entertainment Group

Union Entertainment Group strives to provide bands and solo artists the guidance that they need no matter which stage of their career they may be in. Their services include radio promotions, touring, and digital marketing. In addition to artist management, they also have a record label.

33. Milk & Honey

Milk & Honey is focused on two aspects of artist management: talent scouting and marketing. They are a relatively new company, made up of a small team, which they believe puts them on top of larger companies, as they can move faster as a small team.

34. Vanguarde Artists Management

Based in Canada, Vanguarde Artists Management takes pride in the relationships they have created in the Canadian entertainment industry. They use these relationships to help their clients advance their careers, regardless of what stage they were in.

35. Foundations Artist Management

Foundations Artist Management focuses on building their artist’s career from the ground up. They sign on artists who are in the early stages of their career and they aid in building the foundation for a successful future in the music industry.

36. Advanced Alternative Media

Advanced Alternative Media exclusively represents artists, songwriters, producers, mixers, and engineers. This talent management agency is based in London.

37. Full Stop Management

Full Stop Management represents recording artists, and is associated with Irving Azoff, one of the biggest names in the music industry. This company combined the clients of Irving Azoff and his son Jeffrey. With their combined expertise, they were able to successfully manage the likes of Harry Styles, John Mayer, and Journey.

38. Bedlam Music Management

Bedlam Music Management is a full-service talent management agency with offices in Toronto, Nashville, and Los Angeles. Their roster includes Alexisonfire, City and Colour, and The Sheepdogs.

39. Big Hassle Management

Big Hassle Management is a publicity and artist management firm. They focus on fostering independent artists, like Exit Verse and Joywave. They also do publicity for music festivals and events, such as Bonnaroo and Forecastle.

40. American Artists Entertainment

American Artists Entertainment represents performing artists in film, television, and music. Their clients are given various services, including personal and business management, and public relations. All the services they provide are designed to further develop the artist’s career.

41. Bulletproof Artist Management & Booking

In addition to artist management, Bulletproof is also involved in artist merchandising. A small but dedicated team manages their current roster, which includes the following artists: The Nields, Dar Williams, Susan Werner, and Cry Cry Cry. The company also represents David Chalfant as a producer.

42. Revolutions Artist Management

Revolutions Artist Management specializes in high end live music. Their roster includes artists from the Gold Coast of Australia. They are the management company affiliated with Revolutions Records Australia.

43. Goliath Artists

Goliath Artists is a talent management agency that focuses on the representation of hip-hop, rap, and R&B artists, with a few exceptions. Their most well-known client to date is Eminem, and some of their other clients include Blink-182, Danny Brown, and Xzibit.

44. Hoffman Entertainment

Hoffman Entertainment is a bespoke agency based in Florida. They focus on live acts, unique shows, and events management. Their roster of musical artists include Justin Timberlake, Drake, and Coldplay. They also manage unique acts, such as Cirque Entertainment, The Basketball Juggler, and The Sand Artist. Their goal is to find that unique entertainment act that will make your event unforgettable.

45. Invasion Group

Invasion Group is a boutique artist management company. Their collection of artist managers are industry veterans, which gives them an edge over other management companies. Their expertise and specialization allows them to provide their clients with a comprehensive view of the business aspect of the music industry. Aside from artist management, they also provide marketing and distribution services. There are also a number of record labels under the Invasion Group.

46. The Intrigue Group

Artist management and music publishing is only one of the many services provided by The Intrigue Group. Acts on their roster include Old Man Canyon, Waterson, and Stuart Bogie. The company also owns and operates three television stations in the US.

47. Impact Artist Management

Impact Artist Management focuses on the development of long-term careers for unique, talented artists. The company aims to create an impact by bringing to life their client’s vision on a global scale.

48. Maine Road Management

Maine Road is a growing artist management company based in New York. Its founder, David Whitehead, believes in representing artists that uphold a certain aesthetic and reflect his own taste. The Antlers, Helmet, and Joe Henry are some of the artists that he believes aligns with his tastes, and he chose to represent.

49. MAAD Management

MAAD Management focuses on signing and representing rap and hip hop artists. Although they are not as big as some of the more well-known management companies, their number might prove to be an advantage, as this means they can provide more personalized care. This, coupled with their experience in the music industry, is sure to bring success to budding artists.

50. C3 Presents

C3 Presents is one of the world’s largest and most well-known organizer of music festivals. Some of the festivals they have produced include Austin City Limits and Lollapalooza. Under C3 Management, they provide full-service artist management, including digital strategy, day-to-day administration, artist development, radio promotion, and marketing.