Kirk Sommer

Kirk M. Sommer
Born1977 (age 48–49)
New York, New York
Alma materNew York University
OccupationTalent agent
Years active2000–present
EmployerWME
TitleSenior partner and global head of music
SpouseChloe Sommer (m. 2006)
Children2
AwardsBillboard Power 100
Variety 500
Pollstar Agent of the Year

Kirk M. Sommer is an American entertainment industry executive and talent agent. Based in New York and Los Angeles, he is senior partner and global head of music at WME.

Early life and education

Sommer was born in New York. A music fan, he played several instruments growing up. In high school he played football, basketball, and soccer. He was the captain of several competitive soccer teams, and represented the United States at an international tournament in 1993.[1] [2]

Sommer attended New York University. He created, booked and promoted concerts and events during the four years he was an NYU student. He also interned for promoter Ron Delsener.[3] [4]

Career

Sommer moved to Los Angeles following his graduation, and in 2000 was hired as an agent trainee at William Morris Agency. He started in the mailroom. [5]

Sommer's early signings included The Killers (in 2003), Amy Winehouse (in 2006), and Adele (in 2007). [6] [7][8] Following William Morris's merger with Endeavor Talent Agency in 2009, he was promoted to parner.[9] In 2013, he signed Sam Smith, Arctic Monkeys, and Hozier. [10] [5]

Sommer was named global co-head of music in 2015 and senior partner and global head of music in 2026. [2] In addition to the Killers, Adele, Arctic Monkeys, Smith, and Hozier, Sommer represented artists including Steve Aoki, Andrea Bocelli,[11] Benson Boone, Lewis Capaldi, Miley Cyrus, Billie Eilish,[12] Carín León,[13]Morrissey, Nine Inch Nails, Rage Against the Machine, Rihanna, Sienna Spiro,[14] Teddy Swims, Weezer, and Lola Young.[15][16] [17]

WME booked an estimated 40,000 shows globally in 2023. As of 2026, there were approximately 300 agents across six global offices in WME's music division. [5]

Personal life

Sommer and his wife, Chloe—a jewelry designer and former journalist—were married in 2006. They have two daughters.[18]

He is a mentor for agents and others early in their music industry careers. He and his family support several children's charities and non-profit organizations including Support and Feed, ABF, the Tegan and Sara Foundation, and Sam Smith's The Pink House.[4]

Recognition

Year Award By Ref
2005 30 Under 30 Billboard [19]
2014-2026 Power 100 ("Touring Power Players" in 2025) Billboard [20][21][22][23][24][25]
2015 40 Under 40 Billboard [19]
2021-2024 Variety 500 Variety [26]
2022-2026 Impact 50 Pollstar [27].[28][29][12]
2024 New York University Hall of Fame NYU [30]
2025 Bobby Brooks Award/Agent of the Year Pollstar [31]
2026 MUSEXPO International Music Person of the Year MUSEXPO [32]

References

  1. ↑ Newall, Kevin (October 16, 1993),The Record
  2. 1 2 Karp, Hannah (2024-01-31). "Agencies on Billboard's 2024 Power 100 List". Billboard. Retrieved 2024-05-11.
  3. ↑ "Kirk Sommer, Partner and Co-Head of Music, WME - Pollstar News". 2021-05-12. Retrieved 2024-05-08.
  4. 1 2 Hanley, James (2024-12-02). "WME's Kirk Sommer talks touring's top trends". IQ Magazine. Retrieved 2026-01-07.
  5. 1 2 3 "Executive Profile: Kirk Sommer - Pollstar News". 2016-05-06. Retrieved 2024-05-13.
  6. ↑ Newkey-Burden, Chas (2015). Adele: The Biography. Abrams. p. 20. ISBN 9781468313390. Retrieved May 14, 2014.
  7. ↑ DEALMAKERS. (2022, Dec 28). Variety, p. 94-108.
  8. ↑ Govan, Chloe (2013), Amy Winehouse The Untold Story, Thistle Publishing, 2013, ISBN 9781909609518
  9. ↑ Cieply, Michael (2009-04-28). "A Merger of Agencies Shakes Up Hollywood". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-05-15.
  10. ↑ "Fall Album Preview: October 2014". Billboard. 2014-08-22. Retrieved 2024-05-14.
  11. ↑ Aswad, Jem (2025-05-06). "Andrea Bocelli and AEG Presents Sign 'Landmark' Live-Performance Contract". Variety. Retrieved 2025-05-07.
  12. 1 2 Pittman, Sarah (2026-06-22). "2026 Impact 50 Honoree: Kirk M. Sommer - Pollstar News". news.pollstar.com. Retrieved 2026-06-23.
  13. ↑ Ratner-Arias, Sigal (2025-12-02). "Carín León Signs With WME in All Areas to 'Expand Into Other Global Territories'". Billboard. Retrieved 2025-12-03.
  14. ↑ Leight, Elias (2026-02-18). "Britain May Finally Have Its Next Big Pop Star". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 2026-02-19.
  15. ↑ Shah, Neil. "From Lady Gaga to Bad Bunny: What to Know About Live Music's Return". WSJ. Retrieved 2024-05-14.
  16. ↑ Sisario, Ben (2022-04-14). "Coachella Kicks Off a High-Stakes, Still Uncertain Concert Season". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-05-14.
  17. ↑ "Kirk M Sommer: The Music Week Interview". www.musicweek.com. Retrieved 2026-04-19.
  18. ↑ Tettamante, Maria (February 7, 2019). "This Miami Beach Native is Making the World a Cooler Place, One Bangle at a Time". Miami Herald. Retrieved May 12, 2024.
  19. 1 2 Billboard Staff (2015-09-24). "40 Under 40: Music's Top Young Power Players Revealed". Billboard. Retrieved 2024-05-17.
  20. ↑ Rys, Dan (2026-01-28). "Billboard 2026 Power 100 List Revealed". Billboard. Retrieved 2026-01-29.
  21. ↑ Billboard Staff (2022-01-26). "The 2022 Billboard Power List Revealed". Billboard. Retrieved 2024-05-11.
  22. ↑ Billboard Staff (2017-02-09). "No. 16: Marc Geiger, Sara Newkirk Simon, Kirk Sommer & Rob Beckham | Power 100". Billboard. Retrieved 2024-05-11.
  23. ↑ Billboard Staff (2020-01-24). "The 2020 Billboard Power List Revealed". Billboard. Retrieved 2024-05-11.
  24. ↑ DiGiacomo, Frank (2023-02-02). "Billboard's 2023 Power 100: Executives List Revealed". Billboard. Retrieved 2024-05-11.
  25. ↑ Karp, Hannah (2024-10-24). "Billboard Touring Power Players: 2024 List Revealed". Billboard. Retrieved 2024-10-26.
  26. ↑ Variety staff (2021-12-17). "Kirk Sommer". Variety. Retrieved 2024-12-22.
  27. ↑ "2022 Impact 50: Kirk M. Sommer - Pollstar News". 2022-05-16. Retrieved 2024-05-11.
  28. ↑ "2025 Impact 50 Honoree: Kirk Sommer - Pollstar News". news.pollstar.com. 2025-06-16. Retrieved 2025-06-17.
  29. ↑ "2023 Impact 50: Kirk Sommer - Pollstar News". 2023-05-15. Retrieved 2024-05-11.
  30. ↑ "Celebrating 90 Years of Applied Learning Excellence at NYU SPS" (PDF). New York University. August 2024. p. 9. Retrieved October 26, 2024.
  31. ↑ "Pollstar Awards 2025: Chappell Roan, Stevie Nicks, Missy Elliott, Jelly Roll, Taylor Swift, Bad Bunny & Billie Eilish Among Honorees - Pollstar News". news.pollstar.com. 2025-04-17. Retrieved 2025-04-17.
  32. ↑ Garcia, Thania (2025-08-11). "Music Industry Moves: WME's Kirk Sommer Named Musexpo's International Music Person of the Year". Variety. Retrieved 2025-08-12.
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