Richard Leibner, news officer, retires

Richard Leibner — the agent best known for mentoring top news talents including Dan Rather, Mike Wallace, Ed Bradley, Morley Safer and Diane Sawyer — retired this week, earning rave reviews from the public. industry.

UTA co-chair Jay Sures told staffers in a memo, “Richard’s impact is unparalleled… The highlight of his career could have been an entire segment of ’60 Minutes’. .”

CNN’s Brian Stelter wrote in his “Trusted Sources” keynote: “To me, Richard is like a father figure, offering witty observations and hard facts and hugs along the way. .”

Leibner is in the Cable and Television Hall of Fame. His wife, Carole Cooper, is also a skilled agent at UTA with clients including Anderson Cooper, Dan Abrams, Bill Hemmer, Dana Bash, and Juju Chang.

Variety wrote: “His departure from UTA would mark the end of an era. Leibner is an intelligent and passionate customer advocate, and has never been shy about giving his opinion on the latest happenings in the ever-changing news arena – as long as he’s not quoted. guide. ”

He has spent more than 50 years in the business, including leading NS Bienstock, the news and television agency that UTA acquired in 2014.