Introducing 'The Ladder', The Ankler's Program For Early-Career Professionals

By invitation only. Apply today to attend our first event in NYC

Today The Ankler is proud to announce The Ladder, an invitation-only program for those in their first decade of their entertainment industry career. In a time of uncertainty for the industry at large, we know that developing the next generation of leaders is not a nice-to-have: It is essential. We believe the exceptional talent who will rise to the top over the next generation will come armed with both deep knowledge about this business and a sense of engagement as a community, not to mention a deep appreciation for creativity executed in its highest form.

The Ladder intends to help foster those values through a series of events and happy hours throughout the year in L.A. and N.Y., along with access to the smartest information about this business, only from The Ankler. Our promise: No frivolous gossip, no rewritten press releases, no pointless clickbait. Instead, The Ladder will deliver — curated from The Ankler — the same analysis and information that CEOs, top agents and Oscar winners already consume from us.

Some highlights of The Ladder:

• Memberships are by application only. To apply for membership, please fill out this form. We will respond shortly. This is not meant to dissuade anyone from applying, but rather as a way to ensure members demonstrate a level of commitment to a career in the entertainment business.

• Each membership will include:

  • One discounted annual subscription for access to curated content from The Ankler, information we consider essential for someone climbing The Ladder. Each member will receive a one-time code good for one year.

  • A members-only private community on Substack

  • The ability to meet and connect with others in the entertainment community via quarterly mixers and panels  

  • Periodic private, off-the-record AMA Zooms about the industry with top Ankler talent, including Sean McNulty, Elaine Low and Richard Rushfield

  • Merch and much more

Our first Ladder event will be held on Nov. 3 at The Bell House in Brooklyn. Join The Ankler and The Cramer Comedy Newsletter for NEWCOMERS. Founded in 2021 by Carly Hoogendyk, a manager at Omnipop Talent Group and CEO of Cramer Comedy Newsletter, NEWCOMERS is an emerging comedy showcase that connects the scene’s brightest rising standup comedians with a community of high performing peers and exposes them to industry. The show regularly provides comics with their first credit, and has, in many instances, led them to connect with representation, as well as staffing on SNL and late-night shows. In addition, performers have ultimately secured segments on late-night shows and spots in Just For Laughs’ New Faces.

A private, free happy hour will commence at 6 p.m., followed by complimentary tickets to the show at 7:30 p.m.

If we miss you at this one, there will be plenty more. Follow us on X, Instagram, Threads, LinkedIn, and Facebook for event news.