For more updates about the The BoF 500 subscribe to the Daily Digest newsletter

For more updates about the The BoF 500 subscribe to the Daily Digest newsletter

{alt missing} David Armstrong

Jed Root

Founder, Jed Root, Inc

He worked his way up to found his own global agency which represented creatives like Olivier Zahm, Anya Ziourova and Scott Schuman before shuttering in 2017.

Biography

Jed Root founded Jed Root Inc., previously one of the leading artist management agencies, in 1989. His company represented a broad spectrum of creative professionals, including photographers, makeup artists, hair stylists, stylists, illustrators and set designers, before it shuttered in 2017 after 28 years.

Root told Lookbooks, “I was introduced to this business as soon as I moved to New York in 1981. I held a number of various jobs, hair assistant, stylist’s assistant, worked in a fur boutique on Madison Ave, etc. My first real, full-time job was working at Name Models from 1986-1988. That made me realise I enjoyed being an agent but didn’t especially love the model business at that point. So I started Jed Root, Inc. in the beginning of 1989.”

Root later told The Ground Mag that he was inspired to be an agent by “Roger Davies, although he was technically a ‘manager’ rather than an ‘agent.’ He was responsible for remaking Tina Turner’s career back in the early ’90s. He also managed Cher, Janet Jackson, and others. I really try to be more of a manager to my artists than just an agent.”

Jed Root, Inc. went on to become an internationally acclaimed agency with over 50 employees and offices in New York, Los Angeles, London, Paris and Tokyo. In June 2015, the agency was acquired by RPRT, led by Chief Executive Officer Oliver Fiechter and Chief Financial Officer Wolfgang Schmid. However, less than two years later, all of the employees, including Root, were fired amidst internal reports of unpaid debts and mismanagement. 

Career

Jed Root, Inc.

Jed Root, Inc.

Founder

1989 - Present

London, United Kingdom

Education

University of Louisiana

University of Louisiana

Vital Statistics

Nationality

United States

Location
United States
Member since
2013

Similar Profiles

Omoyemi Akerele

Omoyemi Akerele, Founder, Lagos Fashion Week & Style House Files

Erik Torstensson & Jens Grede

Founders, Frame & Co-Chairmen, Wednesday Agency Group

Mumi Haiati

Founder & Chief Executive, Reference Studios

Dr. Precious Moloi-Motsepe

Founder and Executive Chair, African Fashion International


What is The BoF 500?

The people shaping the global fashion industry, curated by the editors of The Business of Fashion, based on nominations and on-the-ground intelligence from around the world.