Bridget Smith & Austin Aronson Join Stride As Managers
Stride is expanding its team, bringing on Bridget Smith and Austin Aronson as managers.
Smith moves to Stride from Impression Entertainment where she spent the last 13 and a half years as a talent manager. Smith brings with her talent including Robbie Magasiva (Rescue HI-Surf), Trace Lysette (Monica), Katie Stevens (The Bold Type), Josh Close (Killers of the Flower Moon), McKaley Miller (Ma), Ben Geurens (Rebel Moon), Rong Fu (Star Trek: Strange New Worlds), and Monique Coleman (High School Musical) with more expected to follow. Prior to Impression, Smith worked for several years at CAA and ICM as an agent trainee as well as Buchwald. She started her career with independent producer Matt Rhodes.
More from Deadline
“I am thrilled to reunite with Mike [Stride co-founder Mike Nilon] after working with him early in my career. Mike has built many long-term relationships in the business and helped clients achieve incredible success. Matt [Stride co-founder Matt Shelton] is someone I’ve known professionally for many years. Matt has a keen eye for discovering talent and propelling them to significant careers in all areas of entertainment. Under their leadership, the company has a commitment to excellence and I am excited to join their team of incredible managers.”
Added Shelton: “Bridget is a seasoned representative with an undeniable eye for spotting and signing talent, an encyclopedic knowledge of the material in the marketplace, and the dogged persistence to utilize those qualities to elevate her clients’ careers to the highest levels.”
Aronson has spent the last four years with Wonder Street as a talent/literary manager. Aronson brings with him talent and literary clients including Nico Hiraga (Booksmart, Moxie), Temple Baker (Everybody Wants Some!!, Rent Free), Tug Coker (Now We’re Talking, The Office), Adelynn Spoon (Watchmen, Luck), Greg Barker (Ghost of Beirut, The Final Year, Manhunt), Jeff McKibben (Mr. Robot, The Walking Dead), James Bird (We Are Boats, Wifelike) and more. He also Executive Produced the feature film Wifelike. Prior to Wonder Street, Aronson started his career at One Entertainment.
“I’m thrilled to be joining the exceptional team at Stride,” said Aronson. “Matt and Mike have built an incredible roster of managers and clients, and have a clear vision for the future in these still-uncertain times.”
“Austin possesses such a rare ability to recognize talent across so many diverse fields, and leverage their unique talents into real business across multiple verticals,” said Shelton. “We’re excited to help foster his continued growth across the board.
Best of Deadline
Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.