The Business of Comedy
Join us for this rare panel featuring top industry experts, including veteran comedians, talent bookers, agents, and network executives, as they dive into the evolving dynamics of the comedy world.
Join us for this rare panel featuring top industry experts, including veteran comedians, talent bookers, agents, and network executives, as they dive into the evolving dynamics of the comedy world.
Tamra Goins, Comedy Executive, Producer, Influencer, and Talent Innovator.
Tamra is a business leader, and talent agent to some of the world’s leading actors and comedians.
She brings more than 25 years of experience in artist representation, show production, aligned branding and deal making. Tamra is known for producing and promoting Shaquille O’Neal’s All-Star Comedy Jam before being recruited as an agent.
Currently, Tamra serves as the Head of Comedy/Partner at Innovative Artists where she manages a team of agents responsible for comprehensive artist representation. She has found her niche in developing self-made multi-hyphenates bridging the gap between the streets and Hollywood mainstream as well as helping veteran comics reestablish themselves and maintaining relevance in an ever-changing industry.
She continues to create opportunities for comedic stand-ups, actors, writers, producers, and directors on a multitude of platforms. Additionally, she serves as executive leader for Innovative Artists’ Advisory Committee.
Tamra leverages her influence and recruits non-traditional industry executives affording them opportunities to build careers within the agency.
Tamra is a graduate from San Jose State University. She is a native of Oakland California, and currently lives in Los Angeles. She is the dedicated mother to three amazing kids.
It’s hard to keep a straight face when talking to Chris Spencer. Extremely talented and hilarious, this quick-witted funnyman has a resume spanning over 30 years since his start in the business at six years old. Today, his resume ranges across several sectors of the industry.
Chris co-created and executive produced the award-winning hit original series on BET entitled Real Husbands of Hollywood starring Kevin Hart, Nick Cannon and Robin Thicke to name a few In addition to Real Husbands of Hollywood, Chris has been the head writer for countless award shows featuring hosts such as Samuel L. Jackson, Jamie Foxx, Wanda Sykes and Cedric the Entertainer. If Chris Spencer looks familiar, it’s probably because you may have seen his Showtime Special “Chris Spencer…the Other Chris” or his TV credits, which include Blackish, Being Mary Jane, Black Love, Jimmy Kimmel, Def Comedy Jam or his own late-night talk show, VIBE. He currently has a radio show on Siriux/XM with his wife entitled Date Night with Chris and Vanessa which is in its second season.
He has published the bestselling book 150 Ways to Tell If You’re Ghetto. His notable writer/producer projects also include The Emmy’s, The ESPY Awards, The BET Awards, SNL and the MTV Video Music Awards…to name a few.
Chris has also moved behind the lens, directing episodic television, several music videos, game shows, comedy specials, various commercials and his first feature called Back On The Strip starring Tiffany Haddish and Wesley Snipes.
Legendary Producer, Talent Scout, Star-maker, and Entrepreneur Bob Sumner is best known as the cocreator of HBO’s Russell Simmons Def Comedy Jam and is a recognizable force in the world of comedy. With over 30 years of experience, Bob has discovered many of the top gifted comedians that have graced stages and the big screen worldwide. A short list of comedians that Bob has helped become superstars include, Bill Bellamy, Mike Epps, Dave Chappelle, Sheryl Underwood, Jo Koy, Chris Tucker, Deon Cole, Bill Burr, Cedric the Entertainer, the late great Bernie Mac and many others. Currently Bob serves as the CEO of Bob Sumner Presents LLC, Co-Owner of Legacy Entertainment Group, Executive Partner of Laff Mobb, Curator of Comedy at the Apollo Theater in Harlem NY, and he has produced projects for HBO, SHOWTIME, ASPIRE, BET, and TRU television networks.
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