passion  hard-work  results

OUR STORY

Rob Woodburn Agency (RWA) is the Talent division of Rise Talent & Literary Agency Pty Ltd (RISE), which is focused on bringing commercially viable Artists to the national and international markets.

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RWA's Founder, Rob Woodburn, has extensive experience in the United States, Australia and international markets as a talent agent, manager, and executive producer. The result is a hybrid in terms of talent representation, which is much needed in today's rapidly changing industry.

RWA currently represents clients in Australia, New Zealand, USA, Canada, United Kingdom, and Mexico. 

PHLOSOPHY

Think "outside of the box" and work with honour, courage and commitment.

MISSION

Our priority is to create entertainment-based opportunities at home in Australia while pursuing work overseas as well. This enables our clients to compete for a wide variety of projects across all mediums without geographic limitations. At the end of the day, we want our Artists to work on projects that excite and challenge them.

GLOBALISATION

RWA was strategically structured to capitalise on its international relationships, experience and virtual capabilities. While based in Sydney, we have the ability to work across numerous markets.

The globalisation of the film and television industry has been under way for years, but has gone up another level with COVID. The breaking down of borders has accelerated in the new age of Zoom meetings - It doesn't matter where talent representatives are based. It's simply about working with the best agent, and it doesn't matter if that agent is in LA, Nashville, London or Sydney. This is the way of the future. 

TEAMWORK

Overseas, RWA has partnered with some of the world's most powerful talent agencies, management companies and entertainment law firms to assemble teams that will best serve our clients' career aspirations.

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On the flip side, RWA is often the first point-of-call for international agents and managers looking to expand and diversify their client's career opportunities into the Australian marketplace. As a result, we are currently partnered with agents and managers from USA, Canada, United Kingdom and New Zealand in this capacity. 

DEALS

RWA has negotiated deals for feature films, television, theatre, commercials, endorsements and partnerships on behalf of our clients in: Australia, New Zealand, USA, Canada, United Kingdom, France, Denmark, Singapore, Hong Kong, Dubai, Latin America, Indonesia, Thailand, Bahrain and Abu Dhabi, amongst others. 

THE RWA DIFFERENCE

• Unrivalled knowledge, experience and training at the highest levels of the Entertainment Industry

• First talent agent in Australia to successfully package a feature film in accordance with US standards & practices

• Devoted to setting industry precedents

• Superior contract analysis and negotiation skills

• Comfortable working across multiple countries and indeed continents - Forget bi-coastal, we're intercontinental

• Driven by results, not notoriety

CORE SERVICES

• Feature Film, Television, Theatre, Commercial and Digital Booking

• Endorsements, Sponsorships and Partnerships

• Personal Appearances

• Contract Negotiation

• Media Relations

• Career Strategy & Guidance

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WHO WE WORK WITH

• Artists

SUBMISSIONS

Due to the overwhelming amount of submissions RWA receives, we are now accepting submissions by professional referral only. RWA will review your material, and will be in touch only if there is interest in setting a meeting. No phone calls please.

SELECTION CRITERIA

​RWA is interested in working with Artists that are exceptionally talented, commercially viable, loyal and dedicated to their craft. Our client list is highly selective and reflective of RWA's belief in "quality over quantity." We'd rather work with a skilled "up and comer" who is a good person than a 'star' who is not.

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BEHIND THE SCENES

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Born in New York and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, Rob Woodburn has over two decades of experience in the entertainment industry.  He started his career at the legendary William Morris Agency in Los Angeles and ultimately became a Talent Manager at ROAR before relocating to Sydney in 2006. In Australia, he was quickly promoted to Partner and Head of the Film & Television Department of Artist & Entertainment Group (AEG), which was Australia's largest and only ASX listed talent agency via a successful IPO. He launched RWA|RISE in late 2009 and became a dual citizen of the USA and Australia in 2020.

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MEMBERSHIPS

• Australian Academy Cinema Television Arts

  • Professional Voting Member ​

  • A-List Agent & Executive Producer Classifications

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EDUCATION

• Bachelor of Science in Social Sciences w/ a minor in International Relations

  • California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo​

• Diploma in Leadership

  • University of Illinois at Chicago​

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PERSONAL

Avid stand-up-paddleboarder, former NCAA and semi-professional baseball player, former beach lifeguard (10 years), and a proud United States Navy Veteran

ARTISTS

TESTIMONIALS

"Ive known Rob [Woodburn] for around 18 years now and I’ve always been impressed with his ability to connect with clients and that’s not always been the case with other agents or managers that I’ve had. He’s really accessible. If there’s a role that maybe you’re not intrinsically right for, he has a way of selling you on it, ‘hey, let’s give this a shot’. He’s a good guy, he gets film, and he really gets comedy. I couldn’t be more excited to be represented by him."

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- Matt Wheeler | RWA Artist (PUNK'D, KEY AND PEELE, HUNG, GREY'S ANATOMY, RENO 911!, WITHOUT A TRACE)

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"Rob [Woodburn] is an agent who acts like a manager. I have witnessed first hand the 110% he devotes to each of his clients. His honesty and integrity is surpassed by his hard work and professionalism. I have no hesitation in recommending Rob when asked for advice by actors or graduates seeking representation."

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- Denise Roberts | CEO & Principal Director, Screenwise Film & TV School for Actors

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"As an industry professional, I pride myself in my ability to identify extraordinary talent. I recognised Rob Woodburn's ability and professionalism immediately. He is an extremely gifted agent /manager whom I have had great pleasure in working with for over 10 years. Rob is highly respected in the industry. He is also friendly, dedicated, focused and ever hungry to further the careers of his clients. Rob has no trouble establishing a healthy rapport with actors, writers, directors and all within the industry and is an asset to our country."

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- Sandra Lee Patterson | CEO, On Camera Connections Pty Ltd

"Rob [Woodburn] and I worked together at the William Morris Agency early in our careers where he was an absolute super star. If you wanted something done and done well- Rob was your man. In a large international company like WMA, Rob not only knew everyone, but everyone knew- and also adored - Rob. It's not an easy feat to have everyone love you in an industry as competitive as Hollywood but somehow Rob managed to do it. He was able to not only service a superior roster of top talent clients, but also navigate across multiple departments of the agency (Film, Television, Music, Commercials) fostering both internal relationships with colleagues and celebrity clients alike, as well as keeping external stakeholders happy (including advertisers, studio execs and casting agents). Rob is a team player and a natural born leader and no one fights more passionately for his clients than him. He's also a lovely, down to earth guy and one of the most genuine and helpful people I have ever met in the entertainment industry. "Show biz" is lucky to have him in it."

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- Avi Melniker | Former William Morris Agency

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CONTACT

SAY HELLO

Phone: +612 8001 6622

Email: 

OUR POSTAL ADDRESS

Rob Woodburn Agency

A division of

Rise Talent & Literary Agency P/L

PO Box 1390

Manly (Sydney) NSW 2095

Australia

OPENING HOURS

Mon - Fri: 10am - 6pm