Creative Artists Agency has reintroduced managing directors, naming nine today, and announced a big expansion of its agency board as its leadership structure evolves.
Managing directors, a group reintroduced after years, include leaders across select areas, who will work alongside CAA Co-Chairman and CEO Bryan Lourd, Co-Chairmen Kevin Huvane and Richard Lovett, and President Jim Burtson on a wide range of strategic business and operational matters.
Named Managing Directors are: Rob Light (music), Howard Nuchow (sports), Joe Cohen (TV), Michael Levine (sports) , Joel Lubin (motion picture), Maha Dakhil (motion picture), Chris Silbermann (TV), Tiffany Ward (TV), and Paul Danforth (sports). Of the nine, all but Silbermann come from the CAA side of the company.
CFO Carol Sawdye and Chief Legal Officer Hilary Krane continue to serve in their leadership roles.
CAA’s expanded Agency Board will now hone in on specific goals. It will work with the CAA Co-Chairmen and...
Managing directors, a group reintroduced after years, include leaders across select areas, who will work alongside CAA Co-Chairman and CEO Bryan Lourd, Co-Chairmen Kevin Huvane and Richard Lovett, and President Jim Burtson on a wide range of strategic business and operational matters.
Named Managing Directors are: Rob Light (music), Howard Nuchow (sports), Joe Cohen (TV), Michael Levine (sports) , Joel Lubin (motion picture), Maha Dakhil (motion picture), Chris Silbermann (TV), Tiffany Ward (TV), and Paul Danforth (sports). Of the nine, all but Silbermann come from the CAA side of the company.
CFO Carol Sawdye and Chief Legal Officer Hilary Krane continue to serve in their leadership roles.
CAA’s expanded Agency Board will now hone in on specific goals. It will work with the CAA Co-Chairmen and...
- 4/11/2024
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
Creative Artists Agency has appointed nine managing directors and changed up its agency board membership.
The new managing directors include Rob Light, Howard Nuchow, Joe Cohen, Michael Levine, Joel Lubin, Maha Dakhil, Chris Silbermann, Tiffany Ward and Paul Danforth. CFO Carol Sawdye and chief legal officer Hilary Krane will continue in their roles.
The managing directors will work alongside CAA co-chairman and CEO Bryan Lourd, co-chairmen Kevin Huvane and Richard Lovett and president Jim Burtson on varying strategic business and operational matters.
The agency board will work with the CAA co-chairmen and president “on ensuring the continued strength of the company’s highly regarded culture of service, collaboration, and opportunity, built for personal client service,” including dealmaking, training and development and innovation. The move marks the latest rework for the agency since its sale to Artémis, the investment firm controlled by François-Henri Pinault, last September.
Members of the agency board include Katie Anderson,...
The new managing directors include Rob Light, Howard Nuchow, Joe Cohen, Michael Levine, Joel Lubin, Maha Dakhil, Chris Silbermann, Tiffany Ward and Paul Danforth. CFO Carol Sawdye and chief legal officer Hilary Krane will continue in their roles.
The managing directors will work alongside CAA co-chairman and CEO Bryan Lourd, co-chairmen Kevin Huvane and Richard Lovett and president Jim Burtson on varying strategic business and operational matters.
The agency board will work with the CAA co-chairmen and president “on ensuring the continued strength of the company’s highly regarded culture of service, collaboration, and opportunity, built for personal client service,” including dealmaking, training and development and innovation. The move marks the latest rework for the agency since its sale to Artémis, the investment firm controlled by François-Henri Pinault, last September.
Members of the agency board include Katie Anderson,...
- 4/11/2024
- by Caitlin Huston
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Updated, 4:27 Pm: CAA’s offices are closed for the rest of the day due to a security threat, but things will be returning to normal tomorrow.
Everyone will be back in the office Friday, sources at the uber-agency tell Deadline. The threat that led to its Los Angeles headquarters to be evacuated this afternoon has been resolved, we hear.
Previously, 1:29 Pm: CAA’s headquarters in Century City has been evacuated after a threatening phone call was made to the uber-agency Thursday, prompting the quick exit of all personnel from the building at 2000 Avenue of the Stars.
Los Angeles police are on the scene as all of the staffers have left the offices of the agency led by Bryan Lourd, Kevin Huvane and Richard Lovett. No word yet on when the building might reopen.
“It’s a crazy f*cked-up world, and it hit us today,” one...
Everyone will be back in the office Friday, sources at the uber-agency tell Deadline. The threat that led to its Los Angeles headquarters to be evacuated this afternoon has been resolved, we hear.
Previously, 1:29 Pm: CAA’s headquarters in Century City has been evacuated after a threatening phone call was made to the uber-agency Thursday, prompting the quick exit of all personnel from the building at 2000 Avenue of the Stars.
Los Angeles police are on the scene as all of the staffers have left the offices of the agency led by Bryan Lourd, Kevin Huvane and Richard Lovett. No word yet on when the building might reopen.
“It’s a crazy f*cked-up world, and it hit us today,” one...
- 1/26/2024
- by Erik Pedersen and Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
Major talent agency giant CAA has promoted 16 rising employees to agent or executives.
Khalil Roberts becomes an executive in the agency’s book department after he joined CAA in 2019 as a receptionist, and most recently served as a coordinator. And London-based Sarah Phillips, who also joined the agency in 2019, has been upped to executive in CAA Search, which recruits C-level and other top corporate executives worldwide across the sports, media, entertainment and technology arenas.
Elsewhere, London-based Gabrielle Fetters and Peppa Mignone have been promoted to agents in the agency’s books department. And Megan Glendinning, Evan Greenberg, Alex Hubert and Ashley King have been promoted to agents in the music touring department, based in Los Angeles.
The latest promotions at the talent agency giant led by Bryan Lourd, Kevin Huvane and Richard Lovett follow CAA selling a majority stake to Artémis, the investment firm controlled by François-Henri Pinault, the CEO...
Khalil Roberts becomes an executive in the agency’s book department after he joined CAA in 2019 as a receptionist, and most recently served as a coordinator. And London-based Sarah Phillips, who also joined the agency in 2019, has been upped to executive in CAA Search, which recruits C-level and other top corporate executives worldwide across the sports, media, entertainment and technology arenas.
Elsewhere, London-based Gabrielle Fetters and Peppa Mignone have been promoted to agents in the agency’s books department. And Megan Glendinning, Evan Greenberg, Alex Hubert and Ashley King have been promoted to agents in the music touring department, based in Los Angeles.
The latest promotions at the talent agency giant led by Bryan Lourd, Kevin Huvane and Richard Lovett follow CAA selling a majority stake to Artémis, the investment firm controlled by François-Henri Pinault, the CEO...
- 12/13/2023
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Longtime CAA film agent Risa Gertner is set to retire in January after nearly 30 years with the agency.
Gertner’s list of clients over the years has included such writers, directors and producers as Tony Gilroy, Barry Jenkins, Kenya Barris, Ron Howard and Simon Kinberg. At present she serves on the CAA board and as served as co-head of the agency’s motion picture group for the past 20 years.
“I am profoundly grateful to have worked with artists whose brilliance and creativity has shaped popular culture for decades,” Gertner said. “And to have done so surrounded by the most inspired and passionate colleagues has been a gift.”
Richard Lovett, CAA co-chairman, praised Gertner as having served for years as a “guiding force” for the agency. She has helped grow the agency’s film bench, serving as a mentor to such notable agents as Maha Dakhil, Todd Feldman, Joel Lubin, Dan Rabinow and Ida Ziniti.
Gertner’s list of clients over the years has included such writers, directors and producers as Tony Gilroy, Barry Jenkins, Kenya Barris, Ron Howard and Simon Kinberg. At present she serves on the CAA board and as served as co-head of the agency’s motion picture group for the past 20 years.
“I am profoundly grateful to have worked with artists whose brilliance and creativity has shaped popular culture for decades,” Gertner said. “And to have done so surrounded by the most inspired and passionate colleagues has been a gift.”
Richard Lovett, CAA co-chairman, praised Gertner as having served for years as a “guiding force” for the agency. She has helped grow the agency’s film bench, serving as a mentor to such notable agents as Maha Dakhil, Todd Feldman, Joel Lubin, Dan Rabinow and Ida Ziniti.
- 11/29/2023
- by Cynthia Littleton
- Variety Film + TV
Longtime Creative Artists Agency motion picture agent Risa Gertner is set to retire, the firm announced Wednesday.
After around 27 years at CAA, she will depart the talent agency after it acquired a new majority owner in Jan. 2024. Gertner’s A-list talent roster includes Tony Gilroy, Barry Jenkins, Kenya Barris, Ron Howard and Simon Kinberg.
During her tenure at CAA as a power agent, she has been an internal board member and co-head for 20 years of the Motion Picture Group. Gertner first joined CAA in 1996, representing, among others, Seth MacFarlane, Alex Kurtzman, Susannah Grant and J.C. Chandor.
She also hired many Motion Picture Literary Department’s agents, including Maha Dakhil, Todd Feldman, Joel Lubin, Dan Rabinow and Ida Ziniti.
“I am profoundly grateful to have worked with artists whose brilliance and creativity has shaped popular culture for decades. And to have done so surrounded by the most inspired and passionate colleagues has been a gift,...
After around 27 years at CAA, she will depart the talent agency after it acquired a new majority owner in Jan. 2024. Gertner’s A-list talent roster includes Tony Gilroy, Barry Jenkins, Kenya Barris, Ron Howard and Simon Kinberg.
During her tenure at CAA as a power agent, she has been an internal board member and co-head for 20 years of the Motion Picture Group. Gertner first joined CAA in 1996, representing, among others, Seth MacFarlane, Alex Kurtzman, Susannah Grant and J.C. Chandor.
She also hired many Motion Picture Literary Department’s agents, including Maha Dakhil, Todd Feldman, Joel Lubin, Dan Rabinow and Ida Ziniti.
“I am profoundly grateful to have worked with artists whose brilliance and creativity has shaped popular culture for decades. And to have done so surrounded by the most inspired and passionate colleagues has been a gift,...
- 11/29/2023
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Risa Gertner, for decades a top rep of writers and directors at Creative Artists Agency, has turned in her retirement papers. She spent 27 years in the CAA motion picture department, and will depart the agency in January.
Among the careers Gertner has helped build include Tony Gilroy, Barry Jenkins, Kenya Barris, Ron Howard, Simon Kinberg and many others. She has been a member of the CAA Board and co-head for 20 years of its Motion Picture Group. Gertner also hired many of the Motion Picture Literary Department’s agents, including a coterie of CAA star dealmakers including Maha Dakhil, Todd Feldman, Joel Lubin, Dan Rabinow, and Ida Ziniti.
“I am profoundly grateful to have worked with artists whose brilliance and creativity has shaped popular culture for decades,” Gertner said. “And to have done so surrounded by the most inspired and passionate colleagues has been a gift.”
Said CAA Co-Chairman Richard Lovett...
Among the careers Gertner has helped build include Tony Gilroy, Barry Jenkins, Kenya Barris, Ron Howard, Simon Kinberg and many others. She has been a member of the CAA Board and co-head for 20 years of its Motion Picture Group. Gertner also hired many of the Motion Picture Literary Department’s agents, including a coterie of CAA star dealmakers including Maha Dakhil, Todd Feldman, Joel Lubin, Dan Rabinow, and Ida Ziniti.
“I am profoundly grateful to have worked with artists whose brilliance and creativity has shaped popular culture for decades,” Gertner said. “And to have done so surrounded by the most inspired and passionate colleagues has been a gift.”
Said CAA Co-Chairman Richard Lovett...
- 11/29/2023
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
Last November, CAA held a town hall on antisemitism, part of a series hosted through CAA’s Amplify Presents program, described as “a network of changemakers” working toward “systemic change for communities of color.” The program was introduced by agent Maha Dakhil, who said it was “focused on fighting antisemitism and promoting allyship.” Next up was CAA co-chairman Richard Lovett. “This morning, we will learn once again how much words matter,” he said, “and the damage caused by human beings with large platforms who do not use their platforms responsibly.”
Twelve months later, Dakhil finds herself at the center of a firestorm ignited by her own use of a large platform: Instagram, where she had 27,000 followers before she locked her account and deleted her posts. In the wake of her comments on the Israel-Hamas War, Aaron Sorkin fired her. High-level Hollywood executives including Spyglass Media chairman and CEO Gary Barber,...
Twelve months later, Dakhil finds herself at the center of a firestorm ignited by her own use of a large platform: Instagram, where she had 27,000 followers before she locked her account and deleted her posts. In the wake of her comments on the Israel-Hamas War, Aaron Sorkin fired her. High-level Hollywood executives including Spyglass Media chairman and CEO Gary Barber,...
- 10/31/2023
- by Kim Masters
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
CAA reminded its staff about its common sense social media policy.
The agency held an all-hands meeting this afternoon and one of the topics that came up related to agents and others posting on services and apps such as Instagram and X, formerly known as Twitter.
The short of it? Use good judgement.
Social media has once again come into focus with the situation in Israel and Palestine. On one hand, it has been a useful tool to share information, but on the other some of that information is not always correct. Posting and commenting on social media, particularly in turbulent times, can also lead to harassment.
Sources at CAA told Deadline that today’s meeting was about reinforcing these points and making sure that agents and others represent themselves and the company well on the web. There was no PowerPoint presentation about the company’s social media policy, we were told.
The agency held an all-hands meeting this afternoon and one of the topics that came up related to agents and others posting on services and apps such as Instagram and X, formerly known as Twitter.
The short of it? Use good judgement.
Social media has once again come into focus with the situation in Israel and Palestine. On one hand, it has been a useful tool to share information, but on the other some of that information is not always correct. Posting and commenting on social media, particularly in turbulent times, can also lead to harassment.
Sources at CAA told Deadline that today’s meeting was about reinforcing these points and making sure that agents and others represent themselves and the company well on the web. There was no PowerPoint presentation about the company’s social media policy, we were told.
- 10/26/2023
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Aaron Sorkin has dropped CAA and returned to WME over a post critical of Israel made by its co-chief of the motion pictures department, Maha Dakhil.
“Maha isn’t an antisemite, she’s just wrong. She’s a great agent, and I’m very proud of the work we did together over the last six years. I’m excited to be returning to WME,” the prolific scribe told The Hollywood Reporter. The writer behind The Social Network and The West Wing had been repped by WME until a 2017 move over to rival CAA.
Dakhil, whose A-list client roster includes Tom Cruise, Natalie Portman and Reese Witherspoon, came under scrutiny for an Instagram repost that referenced “genocide” on the part of Israel amid a war in Gaza. That post was later deleted and Dakhil apologized for the remarks.
As the repost reverberated in the industry, the agent stepped away from her...
“Maha isn’t an antisemite, she’s just wrong. She’s a great agent, and I’m very proud of the work we did together over the last six years. I’m excited to be returning to WME,” the prolific scribe told The Hollywood Reporter. The writer behind The Social Network and The West Wing had been repped by WME until a 2017 move over to rival CAA.
Dakhil, whose A-list client roster includes Tom Cruise, Natalie Portman and Reese Witherspoon, came under scrutiny for an Instagram repost that referenced “genocide” on the part of Israel amid a war in Gaza. That post was later deleted and Dakhil apologized for the remarks.
As the repost reverberated in the industry, the agent stepped away from her...
- 10/25/2023
- by Kim Masters and Erik Hayden
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
After apologizing for a social media post critical of Israel made amid the country’s war against Hamas, CAA’s co-chief of the motion pictures department Maha Dakhil is stepping away from her leadership role in the division for now. Additionally, she’s resigning from the Century City-based firm’s internal agency board.
Dakhil, whose clients include Tom Cruise, Natalie Portman, Reese Witherspoon and Anne Hathaway, came under scrutiny for an Instagram repost that referenced “genocide” as the war escalates. That post was later deleted and the agent apologized for the remarks.
“I made a mistake with a repost in my Instagram story, which used hurtful language,” Dakhil wrote in an Oct. 19 statement. “Like so many of us, I have been reeling with heartbreak. I pride myself on being on the side of humanity and peace. I’m so grateful to Jewish friends and colleagues who pointed out the implications and further educated me.
Dakhil, whose clients include Tom Cruise, Natalie Portman, Reese Witherspoon and Anne Hathaway, came under scrutiny for an Instagram repost that referenced “genocide” as the war escalates. That post was later deleted and the agent apologized for the remarks.
“I made a mistake with a repost in my Instagram story, which used hurtful language,” Dakhil wrote in an Oct. 19 statement. “Like so many of us, I have been reeling with heartbreak. I pride myself on being on the side of humanity and peace. I’m so grateful to Jewish friends and colleagues who pointed out the implications and further educated me.
- 10/22/2023
- by Erik Hayden
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Maha Dakhil, who was Co-Head of Motion Pictures at CAA, has temporarily stepped away from day to day leadership and resigned from the agency’s internal board after her controversial comments on Israel’s response to the Hamas terror attacks.
Dakhil represents stars including Tom Cruise and Natalie Portman and the move comes after talks with the Bryan Lourd, Kevin Huvane and Richard Lovett-led agency.
She will, however, continue working with clients.
CAA just sent out an internal note with the changes.
It comes after she reposted an Instagram story earlier this week that said, “You’re currently learning who supports genocide”.
Dakhil, who also represents the likes of Anne Hathaway, Reese Witherspoon and Olivia Wilde, subsequently apologized in a statement and admitted that she made a “mistake”.
“I made a mistake with a repost in my Instagram story, which used hurtful language. Like so many of us, I have been reeling with heartbreak.
Dakhil represents stars including Tom Cruise and Natalie Portman and the move comes after talks with the Bryan Lourd, Kevin Huvane and Richard Lovett-led agency.
She will, however, continue working with clients.
CAA just sent out an internal note with the changes.
It comes after she reposted an Instagram story earlier this week that said, “You’re currently learning who supports genocide”.
Dakhil, who also represents the likes of Anne Hathaway, Reese Witherspoon and Olivia Wilde, subsequently apologized in a statement and admitted that she made a “mistake”.
“I made a mistake with a repost in my Instagram story, which used hurtful language. Like so many of us, I have been reeling with heartbreak.
- 10/22/2023
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Gal Gadot, Jerry Seinfeld, Jamie Lee Curtis, Chris Pine, Mayim Bialik, Liev Schreiber, Amy Schumer and Michael Douglas are among more than 700 celebrities and entertainment executives who are standing in support of Israel.
They signed an open letter, created by the nonprofit organization Creative Community for Peace, condemning the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas’ attack on Israel and calling for the return of hostages.
The letter also called on the entertainment community to refrain from sharing misinformation about the war.
On Saturday morning, the terrorist organization Hamas launched attacks on southern Israel. The escalating conflict has led to a rising death toll that has surpassed 2,700 victims on both sides as of Thursday, according to the Associated Press.
“My heart is aching for the lives lost and families shattered,” Gadot shared in a statement. “I’m praying for everyone who has been affected by Hamas’ terrorism and brutality. And I hope that...
They signed an open letter, created by the nonprofit organization Creative Community for Peace, condemning the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas’ attack on Israel and calling for the return of hostages.
The letter also called on the entertainment community to refrain from sharing misinformation about the war.
On Saturday morning, the terrorist organization Hamas launched attacks on southern Israel. The escalating conflict has led to a rising death toll that has surpassed 2,700 victims on both sides as of Thursday, according to the Associated Press.
“My heart is aching for the lives lost and families shattered,” Gadot shared in a statement. “I’m praying for everyone who has been affected by Hamas’ terrorism and brutality. And I hope that...
- 10/12/2023
- by Carly Thomas
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
In a strong sign of support of Israel from Hollywood, more than 700 figures from the entertainment industry have signed an open letter to condemn Hamas and demand the safe return of hostages being held in Gaza.
The letter is the first major move from the entertainment industry, as Israel has been under attack.
Released by the nonprofit Creative Community for Peace, the letter has been signed by celebrities and Hollywood leaders including Gal Gadot, Jamie Lee Curtis, Chris Pine, Mayim Bialik, Liev Schreiber, Amy Schumer, Michael Douglas, Jerry Seinfeld, Debra Messing, Ryan Murphy, Greg Berlanti, Haim Saban, Irving Azoff, Ynon Kreiz, Mark Hamill, Howie Mandel, Bella Thorne, Antoine Fuqua and more.
The open letter calls on the entertainment community at large to speak out forcefully against Hamas, to support Israel, to refrain from sharing misinformation about the war and to do whatever is in their power to urge Hamas terrorists...
The letter is the first major move from the entertainment industry, as Israel has been under attack.
Released by the nonprofit Creative Community for Peace, the letter has been signed by celebrities and Hollywood leaders including Gal Gadot, Jamie Lee Curtis, Chris Pine, Mayim Bialik, Liev Schreiber, Amy Schumer, Michael Douglas, Jerry Seinfeld, Debra Messing, Ryan Murphy, Greg Berlanti, Haim Saban, Irving Azoff, Ynon Kreiz, Mark Hamill, Howie Mandel, Bella Thorne, Antoine Fuqua and more.
The open letter calls on the entertainment community at large to speak out forcefully against Hamas, to support Israel, to refrain from sharing misinformation about the war and to do whatever is in their power to urge Hamas terrorists...
- 10/12/2023
- by Elizabeth Wagmeister
- Variety Film + TV
Creative Artists Agency and Artémis have closed their previously announced agreement for the Pinault family’s investment company to become majority stakeholders in the entertainment and sports agency, the companies said Monday.
As previously reported in TheWrap, Bryan Lourd, Kevin Huvane and Richard Lovett will remain co-chairmen of CAA. Lourd will be named chief executive officer while Jim Burtson will remain president. Singapore-headquartered global investment firm Temasek will remain a minority investor in CAA. Cmc Capital will remain a CAA strategic partner.
Artémis CEO Francois-Henri Pinault had been in discussions to buy the stake in the talent agency — which underwent company-wide layoffs in early August — since at least July.
Tpg will exit the investment of 35% of the agency that it made in 2010, which it increased to a majority stake in 2014. The secondary investment was reported to be $225 million for the 53% majority stake. It was a landmark moment for growth for CAA,...
As previously reported in TheWrap, Bryan Lourd, Kevin Huvane and Richard Lovett will remain co-chairmen of CAA. Lourd will be named chief executive officer while Jim Burtson will remain president. Singapore-headquartered global investment firm Temasek will remain a minority investor in CAA. Cmc Capital will remain a CAA strategic partner.
Artémis CEO Francois-Henri Pinault had been in discussions to buy the stake in the talent agency — which underwent company-wide layoffs in early August — since at least July.
Tpg will exit the investment of 35% of the agency that it made in 2010, which it increased to a majority stake in 2014. The secondary investment was reported to be $225 million for the 53% majority stake. It was a landmark moment for growth for CAA,...
- 10/2/2023
- by Benjamin Lindsay
- The Wrap
Updated with deal closing: CAA and Artémis on Monday said that its deal for Artemis to acquire a majority stake in CAA has officially closed.
Artemis, run by French billionaire Francois-Henri Pinault, agreed to acquire the stake (thought to be in the 50%-60% range) from investment firm Tpg on September 7 after months of talks. There were no new details about the financials on the deal today, but the sale was previously reported to be for around $7 billion.
The two sides in their joint release today also confirmed that Singapore-based Temasek will remain a minority investor in CAA, while Cmc Capital remains a strategic partner.
Previously, September 7 Am: Creative Artists Agency has a new majority owner in French billionaire Francois-Henri Pinault. After months of negotiations. Artémis, the Pinault family’s investment company, has agreed to acquire the majority stake in CAA that was previously held by global investment firm Tpg.
No...
Artemis, run by French billionaire Francois-Henri Pinault, agreed to acquire the stake (thought to be in the 50%-60% range) from investment firm Tpg on September 7 after months of talks. There were no new details about the financials on the deal today, but the sale was previously reported to be for around $7 billion.
The two sides in their joint release today also confirmed that Singapore-based Temasek will remain a minority investor in CAA, while Cmc Capital remains a strategic partner.
Previously, September 7 Am: Creative Artists Agency has a new majority owner in French billionaire Francois-Henri Pinault. After months of negotiations. Artémis, the Pinault family’s investment company, has agreed to acquire the majority stake in CAA that was previously held by global investment firm Tpg.
No...
- 10/2/2023
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
For those of a certain age who like to think that they’re still young — and who doesn’t? — it is sobering to realize that when Michael Ovitz bowed out of the agency business in 1995, neither Tom Holland nor Zendaya had even been born.
People who weren’t around in those days can’t begin to appreciate the fear that Ovitz inspired in Hollywood. He wielded the kind of power that no agent has mustered since and no agent ever will again. How the times and the town have changed.
One thing has remained constant in all the years since Ovitz left the building: Three then-young men who had emerged as future leaders of CAA well before Ovitz departed are still at the helm. Perhaps in spite of himself, Ovitz nailed the succession question that has led to so much drama at Disney and Paramount. But those three men — now...
People who weren’t around in those days can’t begin to appreciate the fear that Ovitz inspired in Hollywood. He wielded the kind of power that no agent has mustered since and no agent ever will again. How the times and the town have changed.
One thing has remained constant in all the years since Ovitz left the building: Three then-young men who had emerged as future leaders of CAA well before Ovitz departed are still at the helm. Perhaps in spite of himself, Ovitz nailed the succession question that has led to so much drama at Disney and Paramount. But those three men — now...
- 9/20/2023
- by Kim Masters
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
A studio head once told me that CAA’s top three leaders – Bryan Lourd, Kevin Huvane and Richard Lovett – had claws beneath their velvet gloves. It was a backhanded compliment, as the CEO was praising the trio’s devotion to their incredibly famous clients while also bemoaning their hard-driving negotiating style.
Those gloves will now be made by one of the biggest luxury fashion houses in the world, as the mega-agency sold a majority stake to Francois-Henri Pinault’s family investment fund Artemis this week. In a still-incomplete transaction, the French billionaire has snatched up controlling interest in the legendary talent shop and will nestle it in a portfolio that includes Gucci, Saint Laurent and the thousand-dollar–a-bottle winery Château Latour.
It’s impeccable brand placement for CAA, whose clients include Zendaya, Tom Cruise, Gwyneth Paltrow’s Goop and sports stars like Dwayne Wade. And in any other Hollywood...
Those gloves will now be made by one of the biggest luxury fashion houses in the world, as the mega-agency sold a majority stake to Francois-Henri Pinault’s family investment fund Artemis this week. In a still-incomplete transaction, the French billionaire has snatched up controlling interest in the legendary talent shop and will nestle it in a portfolio that includes Gucci, Saint Laurent and the thousand-dollar–a-bottle winery Château Latour.
It’s impeccable brand placement for CAA, whose clients include Zendaya, Tom Cruise, Gwyneth Paltrow’s Goop and sports stars like Dwayne Wade. And in any other Hollywood...
- 9/8/2023
- by Matt Donnelly
- Variety Film + TV
Paris – The intersection of Hollywood with the luxury industry just took an enormous leap forward with the acquisition of Creative Artists Agency by the French fashion and luxury giant led by Artemis CEO Francois-Henri Pinault.
While historic in the sense that a fashion-led company has never before made this kind of investment in Hollywood, it also says a lot about the changing face of entertainment economics. Endorsement deals and fashion contracts for actors, musicians and sports figures represent a significant source of income for top talent (especially during a labor shutdown).
And relationships to talent are a burning necessity for fashion brands, who effectively use actors rather than models to sell their wares.
The competition for relationships for those at the top of the talent chain — Rihanna, Beyonce, Zendaya, Ryan Gosling, Cate Blanchett — is stiff. Having an in-the-family relationship with a talent agency will make a difference.
But that’s...
While historic in the sense that a fashion-led company has never before made this kind of investment in Hollywood, it also says a lot about the changing face of entertainment economics. Endorsement deals and fashion contracts for actors, musicians and sports figures represent a significant source of income for top talent (especially during a labor shutdown).
And relationships to talent are a burning necessity for fashion brands, who effectively use actors rather than models to sell their wares.
The competition for relationships for those at the top of the talent chain — Rihanna, Beyonce, Zendaya, Ryan Gosling, Cate Blanchett — is stiff. Having an in-the-family relationship with a talent agency will make a difference.
But that’s...
- 9/7/2023
- by Sharon Waxman
- The Wrap
Transaction demonstrates synergy between film and fashion worlds.
In a major move that brings the fashion and film industries closer together, French billionaire François Henri-Pinault’s Artémis has acquired the majority stake in Creative Artists Agency (CAA) previously held by global investment firm Tpg.
The founder, chairman and CEO of Kering Group’s investment company announced on Thursday that Artemis had officially signed a deal with the Hollywood superagency following months of speculation.
The deal adds to Artémis’s asset portfolio valued at $40bn. Financial terms of were not disclosed for the deal, which is expected to be completed later...
In a major move that brings the fashion and film industries closer together, French billionaire François Henri-Pinault’s Artémis has acquired the majority stake in Creative Artists Agency (CAA) previously held by global investment firm Tpg.
The founder, chairman and CEO of Kering Group’s investment company announced on Thursday that Artemis had officially signed a deal with the Hollywood superagency following months of speculation.
The deal adds to Artémis’s asset portfolio valued at $40bn. Financial terms of were not disclosed for the deal, which is expected to be completed later...
- 9/7/2023
- by Rebecca Leffler
- ScreenDaily
French billionaire Francois-Henri Pinault has completed his acquisition of a majority stake in Creative Artists Agency. Through his family investment company Artemis, Pinault replaces private equity player Tpg as the primary holder of one of Hollywood’s two talent agency superpowers.
CAA, a diversified shop that makes deals on behalf of clients from Tom Cruise to the top-selling kids toys Squishmallows, joins Artemis’ $40 billion asset portfolio which includes Kering (the luxury goods group that houses names like Gucci and Saint Laurent), Christie’s auction house and winery Château Latour. The transaction, not yet completed, will value CAA in its entirety at $7 billion. The exact size of Artemis’ stake is not clear but it is is firmly majority control.
The agency’s ruling triumvirate of Bryan Lourd, Kevin Huvane and Richard Lovett have all committed to remaining in leadership, though terms were not immediately disclosed, a formal announcement on Thursday said.
CAA, a diversified shop that makes deals on behalf of clients from Tom Cruise to the top-selling kids toys Squishmallows, joins Artemis’ $40 billion asset portfolio which includes Kering (the luxury goods group that houses names like Gucci and Saint Laurent), Christie’s auction house and winery Château Latour. The transaction, not yet completed, will value CAA in its entirety at $7 billion. The exact size of Artemis’ stake is not clear but it is is firmly majority control.
The agency’s ruling triumvirate of Bryan Lourd, Kevin Huvane and Richard Lovett have all committed to remaining in leadership, though terms were not immediately disclosed, a formal announcement on Thursday said.
- 9/7/2023
- by Matt Donnelly
- Variety Film + TV
Artémis, the Pinault family’s investment company, is buying Creative Artists Agency with the acquisition of a majority stake in the Hollywood talent agency, which was previously held by the global investment firm Tpg.
Bryan Lourd, Kevin Huvane and Richard Lovett will remain co-chairmen of CAA. Lourd will be named chief executive officer while Jim Burtson will remain president. Singapore-headquartered global investment firm Temasek will remain a minority investor in CAA. Cmc Capital remains a CAA strategic partner.
The deal has been previously reported to value CAA at $7 billion, though the companies declined to disclose the number. Artémis CEO Francois-Henri Pinault has been in discussions to buy the stake in the talent agency — which underwent company-wide layoffs in early August — since at least July.
“CAA has all the relevant characteristics to be part of the Artémis family, adding increased diversity, both in terms of geographical footprint and business activities, to our other assets,...
Bryan Lourd, Kevin Huvane and Richard Lovett will remain co-chairmen of CAA. Lourd will be named chief executive officer while Jim Burtson will remain president. Singapore-headquartered global investment firm Temasek will remain a minority investor in CAA. Cmc Capital remains a CAA strategic partner.
The deal has been previously reported to value CAA at $7 billion, though the companies declined to disclose the number. Artémis CEO Francois-Henri Pinault has been in discussions to buy the stake in the talent agency — which underwent company-wide layoffs in early August — since at least July.
“CAA has all the relevant characteristics to be part of the Artémis family, adding increased diversity, both in terms of geographical footprint and business activities, to our other assets,...
- 9/7/2023
- by Scott Mendelson
- The Wrap
CAA has a new majority owner.
The talent agency giant led by Bryan Lourd, Kevin Huvane and Richard Lovett has sold a majority stake to Artémis, the investment firm controlled by François-Henri Pinault, the CEO of fashion firm Kering and the billionaire scion of a French luxury goods fortune.
CAA’s leadership team of Bryan Lourd, Kevin Huvane and Richard Lovett will remain in place, with all three men signing “long-term commitments to continue leading the agency.” Lourd is expected to be named CEO of the company under its new ownership. Jim Burtson will remain president.
CAA has been majority owned by Tpg since 2014 (the private equity firm first took a 35 percent stake in the company in 2010). The sale is a big exit for Tpg, which valued the talent agency at $1.1 billion when it acquired its majority stake.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed, though Tpg was said to...
The talent agency giant led by Bryan Lourd, Kevin Huvane and Richard Lovett has sold a majority stake to Artémis, the investment firm controlled by François-Henri Pinault, the CEO of fashion firm Kering and the billionaire scion of a French luxury goods fortune.
CAA’s leadership team of Bryan Lourd, Kevin Huvane and Richard Lovett will remain in place, with all three men signing “long-term commitments to continue leading the agency.” Lourd is expected to be named CEO of the company under its new ownership. Jim Burtson will remain president.
CAA has been majority owned by Tpg since 2014 (the private equity firm first took a 35 percent stake in the company in 2010). The sale is a big exit for Tpg, which valued the talent agency at $1.1 billion when it acquired its majority stake.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed, though Tpg was said to...
- 9/7/2023
- by Alex Weprin
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Amid a production halt during a double strike, major talent agency CAA is undergoing a round of layoffs.
About sixty employees are set to be impacted — including agents, executives and support staff — within the next week, a source tells The Hollywood Reporter. The figure is a relatively small percentage of the thousands of staffers that work at the Century City-based representation giant led by Kevin Huvane, Richard Lovett and Bryan Lourd.
Multiple departments had been evaluating staffing levels even prior to when the Writers Guild of America strike began on May 2. When performer’s union SAG-AFTRA joined the strike on July 13, Hollywood settled in to a long summer as the dealmaking ecosystem ground to a halt.
Several talent agencies have cut staff in the ensuing months as the guilds faced off with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, which bargains on behalf of studios. For instance, Endeavor, the...
About sixty employees are set to be impacted — including agents, executives and support staff — within the next week, a source tells The Hollywood Reporter. The figure is a relatively small percentage of the thousands of staffers that work at the Century City-based representation giant led by Kevin Huvane, Richard Lovett and Bryan Lourd.
Multiple departments had been evaluating staffing levels even prior to when the Writers Guild of America strike began on May 2. When performer’s union SAG-AFTRA joined the strike on July 13, Hollywood settled in to a long summer as the dealmaking ecosystem ground to a halt.
Several talent agencies have cut staff in the ensuing months as the guilds faced off with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, which bargains on behalf of studios. For instance, Endeavor, the...
- 8/10/2023
- by Erik Hayden
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Karen Bass, the mayor of Los Angeles, turned down a Skims “swag bag” from Kim Kardashian.
Reuters editor Ben Welsh reported the Kardashian family sent the mayor items worth $600 from Kim’s shapewear and clothing company, according to a log received through a public records request. The swag bag included Skims goods, liquor, hot sauce, makeup items and more.
But of the more than 130 gifts sent to Bass, including a $40 picture frame from CAA president Richard Lovett, the gift from the Kardashians she received in April was one of the few she declined to accept. According to the city’s ethics commission, elected officials are required to report gifts valued at $50 or more, and gifts are limited to $590 per entity or person each year.
Other items Bass declined include a $97 necklace from Maya Brenner, jerseys worth $260 from Los Angeles Fc, a jersey and gift bag from the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Kristin McCowan,...
Reuters editor Ben Welsh reported the Kardashian family sent the mayor items worth $600 from Kim’s shapewear and clothing company, according to a log received through a public records request. The swag bag included Skims goods, liquor, hot sauce, makeup items and more.
But of the more than 130 gifts sent to Bass, including a $40 picture frame from CAA president Richard Lovett, the gift from the Kardashians she received in April was one of the few she declined to accept. According to the city’s ethics commission, elected officials are required to report gifts valued at $50 or more, and gifts are limited to $590 per entity or person each year.
Other items Bass declined include a $97 necklace from Maya Brenner, jerseys worth $260 from Los Angeles Fc, a jersey and gift bag from the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Kristin McCowan,...
- 5/27/2023
- by Carly Thomas
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
With an unprecedented number of Oscar nominations for Irish talent and films this year, everyone was celebrating the green wave at the 17th annual Oscar Wilde Awards, held Thursday night — before the rain arrived — at Bad Robot in Santa Monica. “It’s amazing, there are 7 million people on that island, and all of them were nominated and are here tonight,” host J.J. Abrams joked, in a year when 25 percent of the Academy Award acting nominations are held by Irish actors.
The Oscar Wilde honorees this year were Irish actresses Kerry Condon (The Banshees of Inisherin), Jessie Buckley (Women Talking), Eve Hewson (Flora and Son) and An Cailίn Ciúin (The Quiet Girl), the first Irish language film nominated for an Academy Award. Created by the US-Ireland Alliance, the Oscar Wilde Awards celebrate the work of those from Ireland — and some who are not — who contribute to the movies, television and music.
The Oscar Wilde honorees this year were Irish actresses Kerry Condon (The Banshees of Inisherin), Jessie Buckley (Women Talking), Eve Hewson (Flora and Son) and An Cailίn Ciúin (The Quiet Girl), the first Irish language film nominated for an Academy Award. Created by the US-Ireland Alliance, the Oscar Wilde Awards celebrate the work of those from Ireland — and some who are not — who contribute to the movies, television and music.
- 3/10/2023
- by Mike Barnes
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
After closing a deal valued at $750 million to acquire its rival ICM Partners last June, the pieces of Creative Artists Agency’s megamerger are shaking out for Hollywood’s representation landscape. In the latest move, an ICM-owned talent agency is now breaking away after making a buyout offer to the Century City-based giant.
Primary Talent International, the U.K.-based music agency founded in 1990 and acquired by ICM just before the shuttering of major events and productions in March 2020, is exiting CAA and reestablishing itself under independent ownership, the firm said March 6. Nearly 460 clients, including The 1975, The Cure, Lana Del Rey, Noel Gallagher, Ziggy Marley, Mitski and Patti Smith will be staying with the newly independent Primary and leaving the CAA fold.
Primary Talent had been run as an indie agency until it was snapped up by ICM with an eye toward bolstering ICM’s international touring business. That...
Primary Talent International, the U.K.-based music agency founded in 1990 and acquired by ICM just before the shuttering of major events and productions in March 2020, is exiting CAA and reestablishing itself under independent ownership, the firm said March 6. Nearly 460 clients, including The 1975, The Cure, Lana Del Rey, Noel Gallagher, Ziggy Marley, Mitski and Patti Smith will be staying with the newly independent Primary and leaving the CAA fold.
Primary Talent had been run as an indie agency until it was snapped up by ICM with an eye toward bolstering ICM’s international touring business. That...
- 3/6/2023
- by Erik Hayden
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The closing of CAA’s closely watched megadeal for rival ICM last June and the reverberations of the Writers Guild’s years-long standoff with agencies over packaging fees and affiliate productions have reshaped Hollywood’s representation landscape. With only three majors left — CAA, UTA and Endeavor-owned WME — there’s now a race among midsize firms to become the de facto No. 4.
One of the firms eyeing an expansion is A3 Artists Agency, which had its outside counsel send letters of purchase inquiry to three of its rivals — Verve, APA and an undisclosed agency — in mid-January. A3 chairman Adam Bold says the Bill Weinstein-led Verve dismissed the offer to open discussions (Verve had no comment), while APA president Jim Osbourne tells The Hollywood Reporter that “a sale to anyone, much less A3, was never entertained and simply not true.”
Bold says he’s in early talks with a third agency.
One of the firms eyeing an expansion is A3 Artists Agency, which had its outside counsel send letters of purchase inquiry to three of its rivals — Verve, APA and an undisclosed agency — in mid-January. A3 chairman Adam Bold says the Bill Weinstein-led Verve dismissed the offer to open discussions (Verve had no comment), while APA president Jim Osbourne tells The Hollywood Reporter that “a sale to anyone, much less A3, was never entertained and simply not true.”
Bold says he’s in early talks with a third agency.
- 2/22/2023
- by Jonathan Handel
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
When director Harold Ramis and producing partner Trevor Albert stumbled upon the screenplay for Groundhog Day, no one knew it would become a film that viewers would (voluntarily) watch over and over.
Having followed National Lampoon’s Vacation with 1986’s underperforming Club Paradise, Ramis wanted his next project to aim outside the box. CAA’s Richard Lovett tipped him off to Danny Rubin’s spec script for a philosophical comedy about jaded TV weatherman Phil Connors, who gets snowbound covering the Groundhog Day festival in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania; he soon finds himself unable to stop reliving the titular holiday.
“I don’t remember much about what I was doing 30 years ago — or three years ago — but I remember sitting down and reading that script, and by the time I got to page 20, yelling to Harold, ‘I think I have a script you’re gonna want to read,'” Albert tells The Hollywood Reporter.
Having followed National Lampoon’s Vacation with 1986’s underperforming Club Paradise, Ramis wanted his next project to aim outside the box. CAA’s Richard Lovett tipped him off to Danny Rubin’s spec script for a philosophical comedy about jaded TV weatherman Phil Connors, who gets snowbound covering the Groundhog Day festival in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania; he soon finds himself unable to stop reliving the titular holiday.
“I don’t remember much about what I was doing 30 years ago — or three years ago — but I remember sitting down and reading that script, and by the time I got to page 20, yelling to Harold, ‘I think I have a script you’re gonna want to read,'” Albert tells The Hollywood Reporter.
- 2/1/2023
- by Ryan Gajewski
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Click here to read the full article.
Drama Club
The Don’t Worry Darling gang
Much like the film itself, a psychological thriller set in a Mad Men-era utopia, the PR campaign for Don’t Worry Darling saw a web of cracks undermine a picture-perfect facade. The internet obsession of late summer consisted of a series of mysteries: Was original co-star Shia Labeouf fired because of director Olivia Wilde’s “no assholes policy,” as Wilde said, or did the actor quit for “lack of rehearsal time,” as he claimed and for which he supplied evidence? At what point did Wilde become romantically involved with Labeouf’s replacement, Harry Styles? Was star Florence Pugh, seen sashaying around the Venice fest (Aperol spritz in hand) as her castmates suffered through press for the premiere, playing hooky because of a fracas with Wilde, or did she indeed have a conflict? And, most perplexingly, did...
Drama Club
The Don’t Worry Darling gang
Much like the film itself, a psychological thriller set in a Mad Men-era utopia, the PR campaign for Don’t Worry Darling saw a web of cracks undermine a picture-perfect facade. The internet obsession of late summer consisted of a series of mysteries: Was original co-star Shia Labeouf fired because of director Olivia Wilde’s “no assholes policy,” as Wilde said, or did the actor quit for “lack of rehearsal time,” as he claimed and for which he supplied evidence? At what point did Wilde become romantically involved with Labeouf’s replacement, Harry Styles? Was star Florence Pugh, seen sashaying around the Venice fest (Aperol spritz in hand) as her castmates suffered through press for the premiere, playing hooky because of a fracas with Wilde, or did she indeed have a conflict? And, most perplexingly, did...
- 12/27/2022
- by Julian Sancton
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
CAA has promoted five graduates of its CAA Elevate training program: Justin Corporan-Browning, Allison Lin, Pj Picon, Tiziana Vazquez and Sophie Wiener.
Corporan-Browning has been promoted to Agent in the Motion Picture Literary department, led by Dan Rabinow and Ida Ziniti, with Lin to serve as Strategic Communications Manager in the company’s Corporate Communications department.
Picon will work as an Agent in the Motion Picture Literary department, with Vazquez now serving as a Talent Agent, working alongside Christian Carino to create new business opportunities for a range of notable artists and companies.
Wiener has been elevated to Agent in the Digital Media department, where she will join the teams that work with leading gamer Ninja, internet personality Zach King and singer-songwriter Meghan Trainor, among others. All of the five training program grads promoted at CAA are based in Los Angeles.
Corporan-Browning began his career at CAA as an intern...
Corporan-Browning has been promoted to Agent in the Motion Picture Literary department, led by Dan Rabinow and Ida Ziniti, with Lin to serve as Strategic Communications Manager in the company’s Corporate Communications department.
Picon will work as an Agent in the Motion Picture Literary department, with Vazquez now serving as a Talent Agent, working alongside Christian Carino to create new business opportunities for a range of notable artists and companies.
Wiener has been elevated to Agent in the Digital Media department, where she will join the teams that work with leading gamer Ninja, internet personality Zach King and singer-songwriter Meghan Trainor, among others. All of the five training program grads promoted at CAA are based in Los Angeles.
Corporan-Browning began his career at CAA as an intern...
- 11/4/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Click here to read the full article.
Amid upheaval in Hollywood, as entertainment giants invest in their direct-to-streaming efforts, and as they try to find a balance between subscriptions, advertising, theatrical releases and other business models, the major talent agencies are scaling up, betting that the demand for content — and for top-shelf talent — will keep growing.
And it’s all backed, at least in part, by private equity cash betting that “peak content” concerns are overblown. On July 18, UTA revealed an investment from the Swedish firm Eqt. UTA CEO Jeremy Zimmer said he and his leadership team chose Eqt as an investor because they felt the firm “would really help us drive growth while protecting our culture.”
UTA’s investment, meanwhile, arrived shortly after CAA, led by Bryan Lourd and Richard Lovett, completed its June 28 acquisition of ICM, which is topped by Chris Silbermann, forging a representation giant backed by its majority owner,...
Amid upheaval in Hollywood, as entertainment giants invest in their direct-to-streaming efforts, and as they try to find a balance between subscriptions, advertising, theatrical releases and other business models, the major talent agencies are scaling up, betting that the demand for content — and for top-shelf talent — will keep growing.
And it’s all backed, at least in part, by private equity cash betting that “peak content” concerns are overblown. On July 18, UTA revealed an investment from the Swedish firm Eqt. UTA CEO Jeremy Zimmer said he and his leadership team chose Eqt as an investor because they felt the firm “would really help us drive growth while protecting our culture.”
UTA’s investment, meanwhile, arrived shortly after CAA, led by Bryan Lourd and Richard Lovett, completed its June 28 acquisition of ICM, which is topped by Chris Silbermann, forging a representation giant backed by its majority owner,...
- 7/19/2022
- by Alex Weprin
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Hollywood’s biggest agency is now even bigger after CAA’s acquisition of ICM Partners was (finally) made official earlier this week. While headlines have focused on how the behemoth is set to reshape the business, and how the four-agency town has been chopped down to three, competitors WME and UTA aren’t exactly taking their balls and going home.
This merger, UTA’s own spree of acquisitions, and WME’s crucial place in Ari Emanuel’s publicly traded Endeavor (Edr on the New York Stock Exchange) empire all speak to how the agency business of today (and of tomorrow) are about so much more than competing to represent A-listers. There are podcasts and advertising and books and influencers and marketing and data analytics all at play here — not to mention the changing media landscape led by tech-backed (read: incredibly rich and powerful) streamers.
Sometimes you have to fight consolidation with consolidation.
This merger, UTA’s own spree of acquisitions, and WME’s crucial place in Ari Emanuel’s publicly traded Endeavor (Edr on the New York Stock Exchange) empire all speak to how the agency business of today (and of tomorrow) are about so much more than competing to represent A-listers. There are podcasts and advertising and books and influencers and marketing and data analytics all at play here — not to mention the changing media landscape led by tech-backed (read: incredibly rich and powerful) streamers.
Sometimes you have to fight consolidation with consolidation.
- 7/2/2022
- by Chris Lindahl
- Indiewire
Merger creates new agency giant as Hollywood consolidation continues.
The acquisition by Creative Artists Agency (CAA) of ICM Partners has finally closed, nine months after the companies agreed a deal that continues a wave of Hollywood consolidation and shakes up the furiously competitive agency business.
Since it was announced last September the deal has been awaiting regulatory approval from the US Department of Justice. With the that approval now secured the deal is going through with a reported value of 750m, creating a combined company with assets worth 5bn.
The acquisition is the biggest Hollywood agency merger since Wma and...
The acquisition by Creative Artists Agency (CAA) of ICM Partners has finally closed, nine months after the companies agreed a deal that continues a wave of Hollywood consolidation and shakes up the furiously competitive agency business.
Since it was announced last September the deal has been awaiting regulatory approval from the US Department of Justice. With the that approval now secured the deal is going through with a reported value of 750m, creating a combined company with assets worth 5bn.
The acquisition is the biggest Hollywood agency merger since Wma and...
- 6/28/2022
- by John Hazelton
- ScreenDaily
Almost nine months to the day after the surprise Deadline scoop that CAA would acquire ICM Partners, the deal finally got government approval and closed. This creates a mega agency in the biggest linkup in the space since the Wma-Endeavor merger. Sources close to the situation said the Department of Justice finally approved the deal late last night or this morning, and it closed. It is valued around 750 million, and a combined enterprise value around 5 billion. The merged company’s leadership is expected to address staff at a town hall Thursday, with the newly combined departments set to begin their integration process with get-togethers on July 11, we hear.
First, though, comes the pain.
Around 105 positions will be eliminated, all from ICM, and coming from all areas. There will be 425 ICM agents and staffers from the agency joining CAA, meaning around 80 will be retained by CAA. These conversations will happen quickly.
First, though, comes the pain.
Around 105 positions will be eliminated, all from ICM, and coming from all areas. There will be 425 ICM agents and staffers from the agency joining CAA, meaning around 80 will be retained by CAA. These conversations will happen quickly.
- 6/28/2022
- by Nellie Andreeva and Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
CAA’s mega acquisition of ICM Partners has been completed after nearly 10 months of seeking regulatory approval, CAA announced on Tuesday. The deal is valued at 750 million with a pro forma combined enterprise value of around 5 billion, TheWrap has learned.
A source adds that 105 positions from ICM across all areas will be eliminated as part of the transition, while 425 ICM staffers and agents will be joining CAA.
The merger between the two 46-year-old rivals leaves just three major talent agencies in Hollywood — WME, CAA and UTA. The deal also marks the largest acquisition of its kind since Wma and Endeavor merged in 2009 and WME acquired the sports marketing giant Img in 2014.
“Today marks a new chapter in the history of our company, positioning us better than ever to deliver extraordinary opportunities for many of the world’s preeminent artists, athletes, thought leaders, brands, and organizations in entertainment, sports, and culture,...
A source adds that 105 positions from ICM across all areas will be eliminated as part of the transition, while 425 ICM staffers and agents will be joining CAA.
The merger between the two 46-year-old rivals leaves just three major talent agencies in Hollywood — WME, CAA and UTA. The deal also marks the largest acquisition of its kind since Wma and Endeavor merged in 2009 and WME acquired the sports marketing giant Img in 2014.
“Today marks a new chapter in the history of our company, positioning us better than ever to deliver extraordinary opportunities for many of the world’s preeminent artists, athletes, thought leaders, brands, and organizations in entertainment, sports, and culture,...
- 6/28/2022
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
CAA has closed its acquisition of fellow mega Hollywood talent agency ICM Partners, the companies said Tuesday.
The deal is valued at 750 million, resulting in a pro-forma enterprise valuation of 5 billion for the enlarged agency. The closing comes nearly a year since the deal was announced in September 2021. The transaction was delayed due to increased scrutiny from the Department of Justice and Federal Trade Commission as M&a fervor rages in Hollywood.
The official closing of CAA’s acquisition of ICM marks a shift in the Hollywood agency landscape that reduces the Big Four agencies to the Big Three, with WME and UTA as CAA’s largest competitors. It is also likely to result in reductions in staff at CAA and ICM Partners — which together total more than 3,200 employees operating in 25 countries — though no details have emerged yet regarding layoff plans.
“Today marks a new chapter in the history of our company,...
The deal is valued at 750 million, resulting in a pro-forma enterprise valuation of 5 billion for the enlarged agency. The closing comes nearly a year since the deal was announced in September 2021. The transaction was delayed due to increased scrutiny from the Department of Justice and Federal Trade Commission as M&a fervor rages in Hollywood.
The official closing of CAA’s acquisition of ICM marks a shift in the Hollywood agency landscape that reduces the Big Four agencies to the Big Three, with WME and UTA as CAA’s largest competitors. It is also likely to result in reductions in staff at CAA and ICM Partners — which together total more than 3,200 employees operating in 25 countries — though no details have emerged yet regarding layoff plans.
“Today marks a new chapter in the history of our company,...
- 6/28/2022
- by Jennifer Maas
- Variety Film + TV
Click here to read the full article.
In a move that consolidates the Hollywood talent agency landscape into three major players, CAA has closed its acquisition of ICM Partners, the companies said.
CAA, led by Bryan Lourd, Kevin Huvane and Richard Lovett, and ICM, led by Chris Silbermann, first unveiled the deal in September, saying that “ICM is one of the best representation companies that has ever existed.”
“Today marks a new chapter in the history of our company, positioning us better than ever to deliver extraordinary opportunities for many of the world’s preeminent artists, athletes, thought leaders, brands, and organizations in entertainment, sports, and culture,” said Huvane, Lourd, and Lovett in a joint statement. “We are thrilled to welcome our new ICM colleagues to CAA, and look forward to combining their expertise, relationships, and resources with those of our agents and executives around the world. Our diverse range...
In a move that consolidates the Hollywood talent agency landscape into three major players, CAA has closed its acquisition of ICM Partners, the companies said.
CAA, led by Bryan Lourd, Kevin Huvane and Richard Lovett, and ICM, led by Chris Silbermann, first unveiled the deal in September, saying that “ICM is one of the best representation companies that has ever existed.”
“Today marks a new chapter in the history of our company, positioning us better than ever to deliver extraordinary opportunities for many of the world’s preeminent artists, athletes, thought leaders, brands, and organizations in entertainment, sports, and culture,” said Huvane, Lourd, and Lovett in a joint statement. “We are thrilled to welcome our new ICM colleagues to CAA, and look forward to combining their expertise, relationships, and resources with those of our agents and executives around the world. Our diverse range...
- 6/28/2022
- by Alex Weprin
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Click here to read the full article.
There is a Planned Parenthood in South L.A. five minutes from USC, where Storm Reid goes to college.
“I have friends who have been in situations where they’ve had to go to Planned Parenthood,” the Euphoria star said in a conversation with Ava DuVernay and Nina Shaw on Thursday afternoon in Ojai. “That right could possibly be taken away from the people I care about and people who don’t have the resources to be able to be a normal young human and make a mistake or whatever the case may be.
“The [possibility] they don’t have the ability to have a choice of what they do to their body is devastating,” Reid continued, beginning to cry onstage. “I hate calling myself an activist because I’m not on the ground doing the work activists do, but I try through my...
There is a Planned Parenthood in South L.A. five minutes from USC, where Storm Reid goes to college.
“I have friends who have been in situations where they’ve had to go to Planned Parenthood,” the Euphoria star said in a conversation with Ava DuVernay and Nina Shaw on Thursday afternoon in Ojai. “That right could possibly be taken away from the people I care about and people who don’t have the resources to be able to be a normal young human and make a mistake or whatever the case may be.
“The [possibility] they don’t have the ability to have a choice of what they do to their body is devastating,” Reid continued, beginning to cry onstage. “I hate calling myself an activist because I’m not on the ground doing the work activists do, but I try through my...
- 6/26/2022
- by Rebecca Sun
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
CAA is moving its Los Angeles headquarters to a larger location in Century City as it prepares to absorb hundreds of new employees through its pending acquisition of ICM Partners. The agency will leave its current spot on Constellation Boulevard and head across the street to the under-construction Century City Center tower in 2026.
Per CAA, “Jmb Realty’s 37-story, state-of the-art commercial tower, designed by Johnson Fain, will feature two acres of gardens and courtyards and close access to retail stores, restaurants, hotels, fitness centers and other amenities. The building at 1950 Avenue of the Stars is designed to achieve Leed Platinum certification — the highest achievable rating from the U.S. Green Building Council — reflecting its future status as one of the most environmentally sustainable buildings in Los Angeles.”
See a rendering of the new building above, courtesy of Kilograph. The plan for CAA to move to a new location was...
Per CAA, “Jmb Realty’s 37-story, state-of the-art commercial tower, designed by Johnson Fain, will feature two acres of gardens and courtyards and close access to retail stores, restaurants, hotels, fitness centers and other amenities. The building at 1950 Avenue of the Stars is designed to achieve Leed Platinum certification — the highest achievable rating from the U.S. Green Building Council — reflecting its future status as one of the most environmentally sustainable buildings in Los Angeles.”
See a rendering of the new building above, courtesy of Kilograph. The plan for CAA to move to a new location was...
- 1/19/2022
- by Jennifer Maas
- Variety Film + TV
CAA said Wednesday that it has signed a long-term lease agreement to relocate its headquarters to Century City Center in 2026, when it will become an anchor tenant in a new, 37-story commercial tower across the street from its current building on Constellation Boulevard.
Speculation about the potential move started in September, following the announcement of CAA’s proposed acquisition of ICM Partners, which is going through the regulatory approval process. The new digs, which are within a block from the current CAA and ICM headquarters in Century City, would house the combined entity.
The tower, at 1950 Avenue of the Stars, is from Jmb Realty and designed by Johnson Fain. It will feature two acres of gardens and courtyards and being designed achieve Leed Platinum certification. It will be close to the under-construction Constellation/Century City Metro station.
CAA said today its new headquarters will occupy a “building-within-a-building,” designed by Bjarke Ingels Group...
Speculation about the potential move started in September, following the announcement of CAA’s proposed acquisition of ICM Partners, which is going through the regulatory approval process. The new digs, which are within a block from the current CAA and ICM headquarters in Century City, would house the combined entity.
The tower, at 1950 Avenue of the Stars, is from Jmb Realty and designed by Johnson Fain. It will feature two acres of gardens and courtyards and being designed achieve Leed Platinum certification. It will be close to the under-construction Constellation/Century City Metro station.
CAA said today its new headquarters will occupy a “building-within-a-building,” designed by Bjarke Ingels Group...
- 1/19/2022
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
Tpg, the private equity giant and owner of CAA, announced plans to go public and list its common stock on the Nasdaq under the symbol ‘Tpg.’
It started the process via a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission today.
The proposed offering is subject to market and other conditions, and Tpg said there can be no assurance as to whether or when the offering may be completed, or as to the actual size or terms of the offering. It comes in a hot market for Ipos with hundreds this year (including CAA rival Endeavor) and many others in the pipeline after a 2020 marred by Covid. Reddit just also filed a confidential registration statement to go public.
There’s been lots of some movement in the agency space recently this year, including at CAA — run by Kevin Huvane, Richard Lovett and Bryan Lourd — which in October acquired ICM. Meanwhile,...
It started the process via a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission today.
The proposed offering is subject to market and other conditions, and Tpg said there can be no assurance as to whether or when the offering may be completed, or as to the actual size or terms of the offering. It comes in a hot market for Ipos with hundreds this year (including CAA rival Endeavor) and many others in the pipeline after a 2020 marred by Covid. Reddit just also filed a confidential registration statement to go public.
There’s been lots of some movement in the agency space recently this year, including at CAA — run by Kevin Huvane, Richard Lovett and Bryan Lourd — which in October acquired ICM. Meanwhile,...
- 12/16/2021
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
On Saturday night, Sept. 25, the LAPD dispatched officers to the $16 million Brentwood home of Richard Lovett, a parent and the president of CAA, to respond to a large party of high schoolers from the city’s private school scene. The police didn’t only disperse the gathering at the house — which is near the mansion used as the exterior for The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air — but responded to two drug overdoses, one of which The Hollywood Reporter has learned was the consequence of unintended ingestion of the ultra-powerful synthetic painkiller fentanyl. Both minors survived.
Lovett declined to comment about the previously unreported ...
Lovett declined to comment about the previously unreported ...
- 12/1/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
On Saturday night, Sept. 25, the LAPD dispatched officers to the $16 million Brentwood home of Richard Lovett, a parent and the president of CAA, to respond to a large party of high schoolers from the city’s private school scene. The police didn’t only disperse the gathering at the house — which is near the mansion used as the exterior for The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air — but responded to two drug overdoses, one of which The Hollywood Reporter has learned was the consequence of unintended ingestion of the ultra-powerful synthetic painkiller fentanyl. Both minors survived.
Lovett declined to comment about the previously unreported ...
Lovett declined to comment about the previously unreported ...
- 12/1/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
CAA’s Richard Lovett On Fighting For Client Pay When “Streamers Are Not Anxious To Share Their Data”
CAA co-chair Richard Lovett said the agency’s battle with Warner Bros. and Walt Disney over client compensation – conflicts that in the past have rarely spilled into view publicly – are part of a broad struggle to define value in a streaming landscape where numbers are scarce.
“How do you understand and protect the value of a client? How should a client be paid … when data is something we are chasing,” he said during a Q&a at the WSJ Live conference Tuesday.
“So when Warner Bros. announced late last year that its 2021 film slate would be released day-and-date on HBO Max, “We ended up having to be public in a little bit of a conflict,” Lovett said. And the Walt Disney Co. situation with Scarlett is one that I am not going to comment too much about other than to say that I think our clients want us to fight for them.
“How do you understand and protect the value of a client? How should a client be paid … when data is something we are chasing,” he said during a Q&a at the WSJ Live conference Tuesday.
“So when Warner Bros. announced late last year that its 2021 film slate would be released day-and-date on HBO Max, “We ended up having to be public in a little bit of a conflict,” Lovett said. And the Walt Disney Co. situation with Scarlett is one that I am not going to comment too much about other than to say that I think our clients want us to fight for them.
- 10/19/2021
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
An earthquake hit Hollywood at 8:17 a.m. Pt on Sept. 27, but it didn’t register on the Richter scale.
Leaders of CAA and ICM Partners spent the weekend in marathon negotiating sessions leading up to that precise moment early Monday when the agreement was clinched for CAA to acquire its smaller rival. The acquisition promises to shrink Hollywood’s Big Four talent agency landscape down to a Big Three, if regulators approve it.
The news caught agency insiders by surprise and rocked Monday morning staff meetings all over town. The immediate takeaway was that no corner of entertainment is immune to the consolidation gripping media and entertainment.
More specifically, the tie-up of CAA and ICM promises to deliver aftershocks across the talent representation arena. Industry insiders note how profoundly the talent rep market has been carved up in recent years into superpowers (CAA and WME), with UTA right behind at No.
Leaders of CAA and ICM Partners spent the weekend in marathon negotiating sessions leading up to that precise moment early Monday when the agreement was clinched for CAA to acquire its smaller rival. The acquisition promises to shrink Hollywood’s Big Four talent agency landscape down to a Big Three, if regulators approve it.
The news caught agency insiders by surprise and rocked Monday morning staff meetings all over town. The immediate takeaway was that no corner of entertainment is immune to the consolidation gripping media and entertainment.
More specifically, the tie-up of CAA and ICM promises to deliver aftershocks across the talent representation arena. Industry insiders note how profoundly the talent rep market has been carved up in recent years into superpowers (CAA and WME), with UTA right behind at No.
- 9/29/2021
- by Matt Donnelly
- Variety Film + TV
After Deadline broke the news Monday that CAA said was acquiring ICM Partners in the first major Hollywood agency tie-up since the Wma-Endeavor deal in 2009, the bombshell news has began sinking in around the industry.
One sector that will be interested are the Hollywood unions, and SAG-AFTRA became the first to react with a statement by National Executive Director Duncan Crabtree-Ireland.
“SAG-AFTRA welcomes any change that results in increased negotiating power for talent as they bargain individual deals with the multi-billion dollar corporations that produce content,” Crabtree-Ireland said in a statement. “We will carefully scrutinize this combination of two storied talent agencies to ensure that performers will benefit from, and are not disadvantaged by, the deal.”
Executives at both companies — CAA’s Richard Lovett, Bryan Lourd and Kevin Huvane and ICM Partners head Chris Silbermann — said today they believe the deal will pass muster with the guilds, as well as from an antitrust standpoint.
One sector that will be interested are the Hollywood unions, and SAG-AFTRA became the first to react with a statement by National Executive Director Duncan Crabtree-Ireland.
“SAG-AFTRA welcomes any change that results in increased negotiating power for talent as they bargain individual deals with the multi-billion dollar corporations that produce content,” Crabtree-Ireland said in a statement. “We will carefully scrutinize this combination of two storied talent agencies to ensure that performers will benefit from, and are not disadvantaged by, the deal.”
Executives at both companies — CAA’s Richard Lovett, Bryan Lourd and Kevin Huvane and ICM Partners head Chris Silbermann — said today they believe the deal will pass muster with the guilds, as well as from an antitrust standpoint.
- 9/27/2021
- by Patrick Hipes and Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
With Monday morning’s blockbuster news that CAA is buying ICM Partners came the question of what will happen to each agency’s valuable office building space, just across the street from each other in Century City.
CAA president Richard Lovett told The Hollywood Reporter that, when combined, the companies “are all going to be in one location together as soon as time allows for that to be,” meaning that one or both will likely have to get out of longterm leases. (The merger itself isn’t expected to close until later this year.)
CAA signed a four-year lease renewal in July for ...
CAA president Richard Lovett told The Hollywood Reporter that, when combined, the companies “are all going to be in one location together as soon as time allows for that to be,” meaning that one or both will likely have to get out of longterm leases. (The merger itself isn’t expected to close until later this year.)
CAA signed a four-year lease renewal in July for ...
- 9/27/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
With Monday morning’s blockbuster news that CAA is buying ICM Partners came the question of what will happen to each agency’s valuable office building space, just across the street from each other in Century City.
CAA president Richard Lovett told The Hollywood Reporter that, when combined, the companies “are all going to be in one location together as soon as time allows for that to be,” meaning that one or both will likely have to get out of longterm leases. (The merger itself isn’t expected to close until later this year.)
CAA signed a four-year lease renewal in July for ...
CAA president Richard Lovett told The Hollywood Reporter that, when combined, the companies “are all going to be in one location together as soon as time allows for that to be,” meaning that one or both will likely have to get out of longterm leases. (The merger itself isn’t expected to close until later this year.)
CAA signed a four-year lease renewal in July for ...
- 9/27/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
The talks that led to CAA acquiring ICM Partners came together in secret over a short period of time — so much so that longtime insiders at both agencies learned of the deal moments before the news was formally announced on Monday.
To CAA’s trio of leaders — Bryan Lourd, Richard Lovett and Kevin Huvane — and ICM Partners’ chief Chris Silbermann, the fact that the talks were kept quiet was a sign that the leaders are temperamentally in sync and trust one another. The deal was finalized Monday at 8:17 a.m. Pt, barely an hour before CAA issued the news release, the key players confirmed.
“It’s a testament to the reason for the partnership” that word of the talks didn’t leak, Lovett told Variety.
Lourd conceded that the idea of a tie-up had been broached in the recent past. During the past 12 months, amid all the upheaval in the entertainment industry,...
To CAA’s trio of leaders — Bryan Lourd, Richard Lovett and Kevin Huvane — and ICM Partners’ chief Chris Silbermann, the fact that the talks were kept quiet was a sign that the leaders are temperamentally in sync and trust one another. The deal was finalized Monday at 8:17 a.m. Pt, barely an hour before CAA issued the news release, the key players confirmed.
“It’s a testament to the reason for the partnership” that word of the talks didn’t leak, Lovett told Variety.
Lourd conceded that the idea of a tie-up had been broached in the recent past. During the past 12 months, amid all the upheaval in the entertainment industry,...
- 9/27/2021
- by Cynthia Littleton and Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
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