Kirk Sommer

Education
AA '97, General Studies, New York University

<p>Kirk M. Sommer is a senior partner and global co-head of music at William Morris Endeavor. Starting as a mailroom trainee at William Morris in 2000, Sommer has spent nearly 25 years building WME’s music department into one of the most powerful in the business and has become one of the most revered and respected agents in the industry. </p>
<p>Today, Sommer directly oversees a robust and varied roster of multi-platinum, award-winning artists including Adele, Arctic Monkeys, Benson Boone, Billie Eilish, Camila Cabello, Hozier, The Killers, Lewis Capaldi, Maren Morris, Morrissey, Nine Inch Nails, Sam Smith, Steve Aoki, Teddy Swims, Weezer, and the late Amy Winehouse, amongst many others. </p>
<p>Sommer has helped his artists from their earliest days grow their live shows from clubs to stadiums. Sommer has been recognized on the Billboard Power List (for eight consecutive years, beginning in 2017), Variety’s Top 500, and Pollstar’s Impact 50. He has been nominated for Pollstar Agent of the Year for multiple years in a row and IEBA Talent Agent of the Year. Sommer was also named on Billboard’s 30 Under 30 and 40 Under 40 lists, and won Best Agent at the International Music Awards presented by Shazam. PAPER Magazine declared Sommer “the most influential booking agent in the world.” </p>
<p>Sommer and his family are proud supporters of a number of organizations focused on children and children’s health.</p>
It was while at NYU, in this—the most vibrant city in the world—that I first fell in love with the business of music. Being immersed in my education while simultaneously having access to opportunities in the industry, helped pave my path. Nearly three decades later, I remain so grateful to my NYU education for surrounding me with creative and inspiring peers and incredible professors who helped me realize that my love of music and appreciation for artists could be a lifelong and fulfilling career."