In the media world, we often talk about the “grind,” but few embody the transition from the front lines of content creation to the high-stakes negotiations of a major talent agency like Jake Epstein. A fellow Hofstra University alum and a standout product of the Lawrence Herbert School of Communication, Jake didn’t just graduate summa cum laude—he left Hempstead with a blueprint for excellence.
After interviewing world leaders and producing at the highest levels, Jake has taken his talents to Buchwald, where he’s navigating the complex intersection of talent representation and brand building. I sat down with the “aspiring mogul” to discuss how his “performer’s lens” helps him advocate for clients, what SNL taught him about problem-solving, and why the “art of the vision” is the most critical tool in any deal-maker’s toolkit.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: As a fellow Hofstra alum, I know the grind of the Lawrence Herbert School of Communication. How did winning “Senior of the Year” and graduating summa cum laude prepare you for the reality of the “desk grind” at a major agency like Buchwald?
Jake Epstein: Hofstra teaches you how to put your nose to the ground and outwork everyone. Truthfully, being “Senior of the Year” wasn’t a specific goal—I didn’t even fully understand what summa cum laude meant until I qualified! It was always about the growth and the habits developed along the way. If I’d spent those four years just partying, the agency workload might feel overwhelming now. Instead, I did the reps and built the muscle for multitasking. Having been on so many sets and productions, the workload wasn’t the adjustment—it was learning the specific systems and language of talent representation, which isn’t something typically taught in a classroom.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: You’ve won national awards as on-air talent and a producer. How does that “performer’s lens” help you better understand and advocate for the talent represented by your VP?
Jake Epstein: I once took a directing class where the professor said that to be a good director, you must first take an acting class. The more you understand the people you’re working with—their needs and their process—the better you are at your job. Having been on the talent side, I know what I would have wanted. For example, I understand how much billing and credits matter. When you pour your soul into a project, you want to be properly recognized. That firsthand experience allows me to advocate more passionately for our clients to be rewarded for their work.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: You’ve interviewed Presidents and members of Congress—rooms where the stakes couldn’t be higher. How does the pressure of a presidential interview compare to the high-pressure negotiations you witness daily in the agency world?
Jake Epstein: Pressure is a privilege. Hofstra provided a safe environment to experience that high-level pressure. I knew if I stumbled through a question with a world leader, I could still go back to my dorm and learn from the feedback of my advisors. It gave me the “reps” to know I could hang with the big dogs. By the time I was on-site for Super Bowl 59, asking questions alongside reporters from ESPN and Fox Sports, I didn’t feel like a “goofy kid.” I felt like a colleague. Even the ESPN crews were impressed by how I staked out my spot to get questions to Saquon Barkley. That foundation gives me the confidence to be in these high-pressure agency spaces now, even as I’m still learning the ropes.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: Having worked with SNL and HBO, you’ve seen the pinnacle of production. What “high-level problem-solving” skills from those sets apply most to managing a VP’s chaotic desk?
Jake Epstein: At SNL, “no” is never an answer and “now” is always the answer. That show is magical because they go from nothing to the “best show ever” in just six days. It trains you to find solutions fast. If a network won’t give you a script because they’re being secretive, you start dialing. If a studio claims they’ve hit their pay ceiling, you research what they’re paying others to find the truth. If a client is double-booked, you work with associate directors to find a win-win for both productions. It’s all about understanding the systems well enough to play the game effectively for your clients.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: With your background at 770 WABC, how do you see the intersection of traditional broadcast media and the talent agency world evolving over the next few years?
Jake Epstein: I like to compare it to a pie: the crust stays the same, but the filling changes. The fundamentals of storytelling are paramount and will never change, but the presentation is evolving. Broadcast is moving toward digital and “pocket-sized” content. I wouldn’t even be surprised to see AI digital agents emerge to serve clients 25/8.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: You’ve labeled yourself an “aspiring entertainment mogul.” In the agency ecosystem, what is the most critical skill to master: the art of the deal (agent side) or the art of the vision (manager/producer side)?
Jake Epstein: They are inseparable. I love the agency world because I get to learn both. I grew up watching my father in the music industry sell catalogs and visions to film productions. I learned that whether you’re advocating for an actor or a writer, you’re selling a vision. When you read a script, you’re decoding a puzzle. If you can understand the “vision” the creatives intended, you can sell the “deal” much more effectively.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: You’ve worked with global brands like Nike. When looking at talent or potential deals for the VP, how much weight do you place on a client’s “brandability” versus their raw craft?
Jake Epstein: Both are vital, but I lean toward craft. Michael Jordan famously said that if it weren’t for his raw craft, no one would have bought the sneakers. His dominance created the brand. I tend to agree—excellence in the craft is the strongest foundation for a brand.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: Working for a VP is essentially a front-row seat to a masterclass in leadership. What is one specific leadership trait your VP has that you plan to incorporate into your own “mogul” toolkit?
Jake Epstein: He truly understands people. In a fast-paced environment, it’s easy to get carried away, but he makes sure everyone is taking care of themselves—even just checking in to see if they’ve had lunch. He treats everyone with the same respect, whether they are an intern or a senior executive. He remembers personal details and makes sure everyone feels seen and heard. That “open door” leadership is something I definitely want to emulate.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: Because of your extensive resume, you likely speak the same language as the producers and talent calling in. Does that shared experience make it easier to navigate the “gatekeeper” dynamic?
Jake Epstein: It definitely helps. Hofstra taught me industry-standard tech and terminology, but the agency lifestyle is best learned through immersion. It’s like learning a language—the best way is to move to the country and be forced to adapt. You can’t be afraid to be a beginner again. In this role, any hesitation on the phone can shatter a casting director’s perception of your expertise, so having that background allows me to speak with authority.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: With your Bachelor of Science in Video and TV Production, do you see yourself eventually parlaying your agency experience back into a “Scoop B Originals” style production house or a development role?
Jake Epstein: I’m still evolving as the industry evolves. I know I’m entrepreneurial and I love being surrounded by people at the top of their craft. Whether I’m representing elite talent or creating my own opportunities, I just want to keep challenging myself and learning from the best in the business.
Jake Epstein is a prime example of what happens when preparation meets opportunity. It’s clear that whether he’s staking out a spot at the Super Bowl or managing a chaotic desk for a high-level VP, his foundation remains rooted in the work ethic he sharpened back in New York. As the industry continues to shift toward a digital-first, brand-heavy landscape, Jake’s ability to “speak the language” of both the suit and the creative makes him a name to watch in the agency space. For Jake, the crust of the media pie might stay the same, but he’s certainly proving he has the right recipe for the future.
