Equinox and SoulCycle launch management agency tasked with turning 'talent into influencers'
POSTED 27 Jul 2018 . BY Tom Walker
New York-based boutique cycling studio operator SoulCycle has joined forces with its parent company Equinox to create a talent management agency, aiming to help turn their in-house fitness talent into wellness influencers.
The as yet unnamed agency will work exclusively with Equinox and SoulCycle instructors, supporting them with their social media development and follower growth – as well as helping with securing lifestyle sponsorship deals.
The long-term plan is, however, to "transcend the Equinox and SoulCycle portfolios" and provide talented fitness instructors and personal trainers across all disciplines with the "tools, skills and training to cultivate their brands, accelerate digital exposure and secure meaningful partnership and sponsorship opportunities".
To help develop these services, the agency will work together with entertainment and sports giant William Morris Endeavor (WME), which represents a number of high-profile stars across movies, music and sport.
“If we’ve learned one thing in our 27 years of innovation and leadership, it’s that our people define our experience and excellence," said Equinox Group executive chair and managing partner Harvey Spevak.
"While we have always been recognised for the impact that our talent has on our community, our fitness experts will become exponentially more influential with the creation of our talent agency.
“We are now poised to offer our star employees an exclusive, monumental opportunity. With our support, guidance and representation, our top talent can meaningfully grow their personal brands, develop key partnerships and ultimately generate additional income.”
The agency will be rolled out in phases with a pilot currently underway.
It follows the launch of Equinox's talent incubator, Project by Equinox, which is open to existing and upcoming fitness stars to launch their own concepts and build their own brands with the support of the Equinox ecosystem.
Meanwhile, SoulCycle launched a service called SoulAnnex in 2017, which empowers SoulCycle instructors to develop formats off the bike. The concept was conceived in part as a response to feedback that riders wanted to spend even more time with SoulCycle’s star talent.
Equinox, which launched in 1991, has more than 80 high-end health clubs in the US, Canada and the UK. Founded in 2006 by former real estate broker Elizabeth Cutler and former talent agent Julie Rice, SoulCycle has gained a cult following in the US, enhanced by celebrity fans such as David Beckham and Tom Cruise.
SoulCycle’s business model is based on a premium offering and riders pay around US$34 (€32, £27) for a single class, with no option for monthly unlimited class rates.
RELATED STORIES
Equinox to open luxury health club in converted London bank POSTED 30 Nov 2017. BY Kim Megson Luxury health club operator Equinox has converted a historic bank building in London's
Mayfair into a gym, spa and member’s lounge, with the opening scheduled for next month.
Exclusive: Equinox reveals hotel spa plans POSTED 14 Sep 2017. BY Jane Kitchen High-end health club operator Equinox has plans to enter the hotel space – starting with a
location in New York City’s Hudson Yards in 2019 that will have a “major spa”. The
company plans expansion beyond New York, with up to 50 hotels; all will focus on
movement and health – and all will have spas.
SoulCycle announces plans for IPO POSTED 31 Jul 2015. BY Jak Phillips Another day, another US fitness IPO. Following the news this week that budget chain
Planet Fitness is to go public, US-based boutique cycling studio operator SoulCycle has
confirmed it too will float on the stock market.
Italian Exhibition Group – the organiser behind industry events Dubai Active and Dubai Muscle
Show – has been appointed to deliver the Health and Wellness Expo and Fire and Safety Expo at
the 16th World Firefighters Games.
It’s been five years since the fitness industry reopened after the last lockdown – long enough
to look back on the impact the pandemic had on the sector and what might come next.
Panatta brought together four of the most influential figures in bodybuilding history on the
stage of RiminiWellness 2026: Phil Heath, Lee Haney, Ronnie Coleman and Hany Rambod. [more...]
Equinox and SoulCycle launch management agency tasked with turning 'talent into influencers'
POSTED 27 Jul 2018 . BY Tom Walker
New York-based boutique cycling studio operator SoulCycle has joined forces with its parent company Equinox to create a talent management agency, aiming to help turn their in-house fitness talent into wellness influencers.
The as yet unnamed agency will work exclusively with Equinox and SoulCycle instructors, supporting them with their social media development and follower growth – as well as helping with securing lifestyle sponsorship deals.
The long-term plan is, however, to "transcend the Equinox and SoulCycle portfolios" and provide talented fitness instructors and personal trainers across all disciplines with the "tools, skills and training to cultivate their brands, accelerate digital exposure and secure meaningful partnership and sponsorship opportunities".
To help develop these services, the agency will work together with entertainment and sports giant William Morris Endeavor (WME), which represents a number of high-profile stars across movies, music and sport.
“If we’ve learned one thing in our 27 years of innovation and leadership, it’s that our people define our experience and excellence," said Equinox Group executive chair and managing partner Harvey Spevak.
"While we have always been recognised for the impact that our talent has on our community, our fitness experts will become exponentially more influential with the creation of our talent agency.
“We are now poised to offer our star employees an exclusive, monumental opportunity. With our support, guidance and representation, our top talent can meaningfully grow their personal brands, develop key partnerships and ultimately generate additional income.”
The agency will be rolled out in phases with a pilot currently underway.
It follows the launch of Equinox's talent incubator, Project by Equinox, which is open to existing and upcoming fitness stars to launch their own concepts and build their own brands with the support of the Equinox ecosystem.
Meanwhile, SoulCycle launched a service called SoulAnnex in 2017, which empowers SoulCycle instructors to develop formats off the bike. The concept was conceived in part as a response to feedback that riders wanted to spend even more time with SoulCycle’s star talent.
Equinox, which launched in 1991, has more than 80 high-end health clubs in the US, Canada and the UK. Founded in 2006 by former real estate broker Elizabeth Cutler and former talent agent Julie Rice, SoulCycle has gained a cult following in the US, enhanced by celebrity fans such as David Beckham and Tom Cruise.
SoulCycle’s business model is based on a premium offering and riders pay around US$34 (€32, £27) for a single class, with no option for monthly unlimited class rates.
RELATED STORIES
Equinox to open luxury health club in converted London bank POSTED 30 Nov 2017. BY Kim Megson Luxury health club operator Equinox has converted a historic bank building in London's
Mayfair into a gym, spa and member’s lounge, with the opening scheduled for next month.
Exclusive: Equinox reveals hotel spa plans POSTED 14 Sep 2017. BY Jane Kitchen High-end health club operator Equinox has plans to enter the hotel space – starting with a
location in New York City’s Hudson Yards in 2019 that will have a “major spa”. The
company plans expansion beyond New York, with up to 50 hotels; all will focus on
movement and health – and all will have spas.
SoulCycle announces plans for IPO POSTED 31 Jul 2015. BY Jak Phillips Another day, another US fitness IPO. Following the news this week that budget chain
Planet Fitness is to go public, US-based boutique cycling studio operator SoulCycle has
confirmed it too will float on the stock market.
Italian Exhibition Group – the organiser behind industry events Dubai Active and Dubai Muscle
Show – has been appointed to deliver the Health and Wellness Expo and Fire and Safety Expo at
the 16th World Firefighters Games.
It’s been five years since the fitness industry reopened after the last lockdown – long enough
to look back on the impact the pandemic had on the sector and what might come next.
Wattbike has announced a new integration with EGYM, which enables the bikes to contribute to
the Cardio BioAge score of individuals via a VO2 max result.
Les Mills has launched a reformer Pilates workout. The 45-minute workout blends traditional
reformer movements and more contemporary exercises, choreographed to music.
Panatta brought together four of the most influential figures in bodybuilding history on the
stage of RiminiWellness 2026: Phil Heath, Lee Haney, Ronnie Coleman and Hany Rambod. [more...]