DDA Talent and WPA Rebranded as Ascent Creatives
The merged agency has adopted a new name to represent its unified global expansion of creative talent.
Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Advertising
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DDA Talent and WPA have officially rebranded their combined agency as Ascent Creatives International. The firms completed their initial merger in June 2026.
Why it matters
The new name reflects the leadership belief that creative careers are defined by continual growth and expansion rather than a singular career peak.
The agency serves clients across multiple creative disciplines, uniting legacy entities founded in 1987 and 2010. The combined firm represents cinematographers, designers, editors, visual effects artists, directors, and producers.
The players
Fay Dattner
She is the founder of DDA, having established the agency in 1987.
Steve Jacob
He is the co-founder of WPA, which he helped establish in 2010.
Frank Balkin
He joined WPA in 2014 and became the agency's co-CEO in 2021.
Bill Dispoto
He became a partner at DDA in 2001.
Juanita Tiangco
She became a partner at DDA in 2016.
The details
The agency combined the operations of DDA Talent and WPA into a single international entity with a presence in both the United States and the United Kingdom. This consolidation brings together a broad spectrum of creative professionals under the new Ascent Creatives International brand.
Timeline
Fay Dattner founded DDA in 1987.
Steve Jacob co-founded WPA in 2010.
DDA Talent and WPA completed their merger in June 2026.
The new agency name was announced on September 29, 2026.
Market Landscape
This merger follows the ongoing trend of agency consolidation within the global film production industry, mirroring shifts seen among major talent representation firms. The move signals a strategic push to capture broader market share by housing various creative roles under one international banner.
For clients and industry partners, the move centralizes talent representation into a single point of contact. This consolidation may streamline hiring processes for production companies seeking directors, editors, and visual effects artists simultaneously.
The takeaway
The merger underscores the industry preference for full-service agencies that can manage every facet of a creative career under one roof. Clients and producers should expect a more integrated approach to talent acquisition as the firm leverages its expanded international footprint.
Further reading
Learn more about industry shifts in the Advertising sector.
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