EXCLUSIVE: Paradigm has hired Ivana Martinez as a Talent Agent and Michelle Goldfine Houghton as a Motion Picture Literary Agent, Deadline has learned. Both will be based out of the agency’s Los Angeles office.
Martinez joins from Verve, where she represented actors across film and television for the last four years. She began her career in the WME mailroom before transitioning to management at Fourward. Martinez also serves as a mentor for both the Reel Champs’ Executive Diversity Mentorship Program, as well as the Group Effort Initiative Mentorship Program, which strives to create a pipeline for members of underrepresented communities to establish long-term careers within entertainment. Prior to launching her own, she graduated from Baylor University with degrees in Music & Entertainment Marketing as well as Media Business.
Houghton joins the agency from Castle Rock, where she served as VP of Development, managing the company’s overall deal with Warner Bros TV and developing a full slate of scripted feature projects. During her time there, she became a credited producer on three titles, including Albert Brooks: Defending My Life for HBO, which was nominated for four Emmys. Prior to Castle Rock, she worked in International TV at Kew Media, as a part of eOne’s Television studios, working in the Global Team and at Fake Empire. Like Martinez, she began her career at WME.
In a statement on the hirings, Paradigm Managing Partner Andrew Ruf said, “We’re thrilled to welcome Ivana and Michelle to the team as we continue to enhance our collective strength as an agency. Their experience, passion, and forward-thinking approach will significantly bolster our capabilities and deepen our commitment to providing top-tier service to our clients.”
