Sparkle (stylized in all caps, formerly known as GMA Artist Center, also formally as GMA Talent Development and Management Department and Sparkle GMA Artist Center) is the talent agency owned by GMA Network Inc. based in Quezon City, Philippines that was founded on August 12, 1995.[1][2]
History
GMA Artist Center
GMA Artist Center or GMAAC conducted several auditions prior to launching its first batch of talents in 1998. It also launched the "Metropop Star Search" from 1996 to 1998 where winners automatically became part of GMAAC. It was originally headed by veteran talent manager Wyngard Tracy until 2000. When Felipe Gozon took over as GMA Network's president and CEO in 2000, the Artist Center was placed under the network's Entertainment Division led by Wilma Galvante. In 2003, GMAAC hired Ida Henares as their newest head. Under her leadership, GMAAC launched the reality artista search Starstruck which became the main launching pad for most star hopefuls since then.[3] In 2007, GMA Artist Center invoked the exclusivity clause. For 2011, GMA Artist Center's slogan was "Making Stars Shine".
In 2013, Henares retired from her position. In 2014, Simoun Ferrer and Gigi Santiago-Lara became the new heads of GMAAC. During their tenure until present day, GMAAC experienced growth and increased popularity, with most of its artists being given recognition here and abroad. On July 13, 2021, former Star Magic Chairman Emeritus Johnny Manahan signed up as GMAAC consultant.[4] On September 5, 2021, GMAAC organized "Signed for Stardom", a digital multi-platform event where current and new talents were signed up and introduced to the public.[5]
On December 31, 2021, during GMA Network's New Year's Eve special, it was announced that the agency had been renamed "Sparkle": the rebranding was stated to be an effort to "reinvigorate" the agency.[6][7] It also launched its theme song, "Let It Spark", which is sung by Psalms David, XOXO, and Thea Astley, on February 8, 2022.[8] Senior Vice President Atty. Annette Gozon-Valdes was appointed as the Head of Sparkle.[9]
Batches
Sparkle Era
Sparkle's Next Brightest Stars of 2022
Along with the launch in 2022, Sparkle reintroduced 8 artists from its roster, dubbed as the "Sparkle's Next Brightest Stars".[10][11]
In April 2022, Sparkle first introduced onscreen a new roster of talents, collectively named as the "Sparkada", on the weekly variety show, All-Out Sundays.[15] The group consists of 17 young artists.[16]
In April 2023, a new batch of 19 teenage artists debuted as the "Sparkle Teens".[17][18][19] Prior to their launch, the batch originally had 20 talents, until the death of one of the members, Andrei Sison, due to a vehicular accident in March 2023.[20][21]
In April 16, 2024, On the Peek this Summer. The blazing summer heat just got hotter with Sparkle GMA Artist Center's recently released summer campaign video, which features the "Sparkle Boys of Summer".
