Expansion ensures loss for top talent agency

Investments costs in expanding into new British and European markets resulted in Ireland’s best-known talent agency recording a loss last year.

The Dublin-based Lisa Richards Agency represents some of Ireland’s top creative artists, including Love/Hate stars Tom Vau-ghan Lawlor and Robert Sheehan.

New accounts show that the firm’s accumulated profits dropped by 17% from €395,922 to €327,171 in the 12 months to the end of June last.

Co-founder and director Richard Cook said the loss arose from investment by the firm “into growing our operation into the London and — latterly — European market”.

He said: “The company is in a very healthy state financially and we expect to see a return on this investment in the next 24-36 months. The company has taken on three, new, full-time employees over the past 12 months, bringing the total number to 14 between the Dublin and London offices.”

Clients include Hollywood actor Cillian Murphy, creator of Gift Grub Mario Rosenstock, and the actress and author Amy Huberman.

The long-established agency also represents comedians, including Des Bishop, Dara O Briain, Colin Murphy, PJ Gallagher and Neil Delamere.

Other Love/Hate stars represented include Susan Loughnane and Charlie Murphy, 2FM’s Hector Ó hEochagáin and Boyzone star, Keith Duffy.

Cash at the firm dropped from €255,103 to €113,214.

The Lisa Richards Agency was founded in 1989 by Lisa and Richard Cook and was originally established as a theatrical agency.

Today, it represents many of the country’s best-known actors, including Michael McElhatton, Aidan Turner, David Pearse, Garrett Lombard, Tom Hickey and Denis Conway.