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43-406: In May 2021, the podcast signed with Creative Artists Agency . In June 2021, the podcast was acquired by Amazon.com, Inc. for around US$ 80 million. With the deal, the podcast will be made available on Amazon Music and Wondery + one week before other podcast and streaming platforms. SiriusXM acquired the podcast from Amazon in 2024 for a reported US$ 100 million. On May 23, 2023, Max premiered

86-492: A bitter lawsuit and countersuit between CAA and UTA in 2015, which began after a slew of CAA's agents departed for UTA, there were accusations of fraud, malicious untruths, lying, and a range of charges including a "breach of duty of loyalty" as well as "conspiracy to breach fiduciary duty." Rivalry is not limited to rank-and-file agents, but can take the form of public barbs by company CEOs. Grudges can last for years; for example, movie producer Jay Weston sued CAA in 1979 about

129-484: A controlling stake to TPG Capital in October 2014. In 2015, TPG Capital was reported to own 53% of CAA. CAA is co-owner with an investment bank. CAA has diversified into different businesses such as sports marketers and leagues and digital commerce. In 2014, CAA has been undergoing a transformation from relying solely on booking talent, into engineering multimedia deals worldwide. To this end, CAA established CAA Ventures,

172-563: A larger share of sports-related clients. The rivalry can get cantankerous: in one instance, the William Morris Endeavor agency placed dozens of ads around the city using Creative Artists Agency's red-and-white color signature with the headline being CAAN'T, a "playful nod to the CAA acronym." The agencies compete by "regularly poaching agents and clients from one another." In Jay McInerney 's short story "The Business" from How It Ended ,

215-500: A marketing campaign for the Coca-Cola Company. In 2003, it opened a New York City office to manage theater clients. CAA began expanding into sports in 2006. From 2005 to 2015, CAA developed greater fiscal discipline, with more emphasis on profits, possibly as the result of the influence of private equity firms. During these years, CAA doubled in size, from 750 to 1,500 employees. In 2010, new technological developments such as

258-483: A simulated sex act on a man in a rabbit costume." In the late 1980s, CAA commissioned architect I. M. Pei to design a new headquarters building at the corner of Santa Monica and Wilshire Boulevards in Beverly Hills . The 75,000-square-foot (7,000 m ) building consists of two curved wings set around a central atrium with a skylight that rises into a conical glass tower. The 57-foot (17 m) high atrium

301-457: A six-episode documentary -style special following the podcast's North American six-city tour, which began in February 2022, featuring behind-the-scenes footage and celebrity interviews. SmartLess won "Best Comedy Podcast" at the 2022 iHeartRadio Podcast Awards . In a positive review for The Irish Times , Fiona McCann stated that "the camaraderie between hosts and guests often works to disarm

344-448: A team player" and "return phone calls promptly." CAA used its writer clients to attract actors to the agency. Ovitz and CAA were the first to package films like TV shows. Representing numerous A-list actors and having about $ 90 million in annual bookings in the late 1970s, Ovitz led the agency to expand into the film business. By the mid-1990s, CAA had 550 employees, about 1,400 of Hollywood's top talent, and $ 150 million in revenue. In

387-494: A venture capital fund that has supported products such as the Whisper app. The WGA , which in 2019 held a dispute between the top four Hollywood talent agencies ( William Morris Endeavor , Creative Artists Agency, United Talent Agency and ICM Partners ), on September 30, 2020, asked CAA to sell a majority stake in their Content company wiip for reaching a deal, with CAA accepting their divestment on December 16, 2020 and selling

430-503: Is now the current headquarters of WME. The Wilshire office was designed by UCLA professor and architect Neil Denari with wall graphics by 2x4 of New York City . For this project, NMDA Inc. , the company of Neil Denari, and associate architect Interior Architects received the 2007 Institute Honor Award for Interior Architecture from the American Institute of Architects (AIA). In 2006, agent Nancy Josephson left ICM after

473-610: Is regarded as shunning media attention and keeping a low profile. Lovett took the job position at CAA in 1995, and he was described as a "skillful agent" with a "trademark ever-ready smile" adept at schmoozing and hobnobbing with colleagues and studio heads. Lovett was described in The Wall Street Journal as being "elegantly aggressive." Top agencies frequently raid each other's staff, and when key people defect to rivals, it makes news headlines and often leads to legal battles over breach-of-contract claims. When agents defect,

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516-483: The Los Angeles Times . CAA agent Jay Moloney led a colorful yet self-destructive life. Moloney interned at CAA while studying at USC , became the right-hand man of Michael Ovitz, worked with clients such as Leonardo DiCaprio and made millions, dated actresses such as Jennifer Grey and Gina Gershon , and "battled personal demons" and became a "slave to cocaine"; Moloney committed suicide at age 35. In 2004,

559-522: The CAA Foundation in 1996 to create positive social change by encouraging volunteerism , partnerships, and donations. In 2012, it worked with Insight Labs for education reform, and contributed to its School Is Not School reform effort. CAA established CAA Marketing in 1998 to work with brands and clients for promotion purposes. CAA Marketing developed Chipotle's Back to the Start video and created

602-590: The 1990s, CAA was owned mostly by several key agents, including Ovitz, Meyer, and Haber. Ovitz was good at "packaging talent for movies and TV projects" and negotiating large deals between Japanese conglomerates, such as Sony and Matsushita, with Hollywood studios, such as Columbia/TriStar and MCA. Ovitz expanded the agency into advertising and telecommunications. In 1992, the Coca-Cola Company placed CAA in charge of much of its marketing campaign, to work alongside advertising agency McCann Erickson . In 1995, CAA

645-463: The HBO production entitled Entourage was made about a fictional Hollywood agent named Ari Gold. According to one report, the fictional Ari Gold character may have been based on a hybrid between an "even-keeled" Creative Artists Agency agent named Jeff Jacobs and an "abrasive 'go-for-the-jugular'" William Morris Endeavor agent named Ari Emanuel . The report suggested that images like these may contribute to

688-466: The Year" list. Following the disappearance of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi on 2 October 2018, and reports that a Saudi hit squad had assassinated him , Endeavor vowed to sever its ties with Saudi Arabia. Emanuel reportedly called White House senior adviser and Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner to relay his frustration and discuss withdrawing the agency from a $ 400 million financial deal with

731-551: The acquisition of a majority stake in CAA, in an agreement valued at 7 billion dollars. The purchase was made through his investment company, Groupe Artémis . Creative Artists Agency (CAA) was formed by five agents at the William Morris Agency in 1975. At a dinner, Michael Ovitz , Michael S. Rosenfeld , Ronald Meyer , Rowland Perkins , and William Haber decided to create their own agency. The agents were fired by William Morris before they could obtain financing. CAA

774-412: The agency by packaging actors and directors with literary clients, but the scope of deal-making has widened in recent decades. For example, CAA crafted a deal between toy-maker Hasbro , DreamWorks and Paramount Pictures , along with numerous CAA writers and directors, to make the movie franchise Transformers . Sometimes deal-making entails creating new technology firms. CAA even manages deals with

817-536: The agency's comedy department. In 2008, Emanuel and Whitesell began preliminary discussions with the William Morris Agency about a company merger. By April 2009, the announcement was made and William Morris Endeavor was formed. WMA ultimately relocated to Endeavor's Beverly Hills office and Emanuel and Whitesell retained the titles of Co-CEOs. Their successful partnership ultimately led Fortune to name Emanuel and Whitesell on their 2010 "Businessperson of

860-495: The career tracks of 1,000 stars, and specialists in investment banking , consulting, advertising and digital media. The agency can use its more glamorous clients in film and TV to craft deals with steadier income streams; for example, using clients such as Julia Roberts , they can assemble marketing programs for less glamorous clients, such as Nationwide Insurance . When Hollywood agents change firms, and take stars and talent with them, it can have major financial repercussions for

903-739: The company went through an ownership change. Endeavor quickly brought in Josephson and her clients – Friends creators Marta Kauffman and David Crane, Craig Ferguson , Tyra Banks , and director David Frankel. Soon after, ICM agents Matt Solo and Robert Newman joined as well. Solo's roster included The Shield creator Shawn Ryan, while Newman's brought esteemed film directors Guillermo del Toro , Baz Luhrmann , Danny Boyle and Robert Rodriguez . 2008 brought four key additions from UTA , including talent agents Sharon Jackson and Nick Stevens. Their clients, Will Arnett , Jack Black , Jonah Hill , Amy Poehler , and Ben Stiller , bolstered

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946-700: The departing agency, and can lead to much confusion as lawyers pour over the fine print of numerous contracts. To market themselves, talent agencies often cater exclusive parties following awards ceremonies such as the Golden Globes . In 2013, CAA threw a party at the Sundance Film Festival which caused embarrassment and a public relations backlash, where "guests mingled with lingerie-clad women pretending to snort prop cocaine, erotic dancers outfitted with sex toys and an Alice in Wonderland look-alike performing

989-585: The development of the agency's list of feature film headliners, with a talent pool that included Ben Affleck , Christian Bale , Matt Damon , Hugh Jackman , and Jude Law . The group also signed several comedy stars during that period, including Sacha Baron Cohen , Kevin James , and Charlie Sheen . By 2003, Endeavor had become one of the industry's fastest-growing talent agencies. In June of that year, they relocated to 9601 Wilshire Boulevard in Beverly Hills, which

1032-520: The digital distribution of movies put strains on the industry. There was pressure to diversify into television, publishing, concerts, and find other ways to grow. In that year, private equity firm TPG Capital invested $ 165 million with an additional $ 200 million in debt financing. CAA began an expansion into sports in 2006, under the leadership of CEO Richard Lovett. A report in USA Today suggested that CAA's development of its sports-related clientele

1075-483: The estates of long-dead clients such as reggae musician Bob Marley , who died in 1981. CAA helped one former politician create an online career institute. CAA sold sponsorship rights for a baseball stadium in San Francisco. While talent agencies can grow by making acquisitions, CAA has generally grown organically by bringing in new clients. The company divided its agents into two camps: traditional agents who manage

1118-442: The feature directors that Endeavor needed to solidify its standing as a full service agency. Robinson and Venit were the first actors' agents and had a client list that included Hank Azaria , Adam Sandler , and David Spade (all of whom are now represented by WME). The Endeavor talent department grew dramatically during the next eight years, mainly with the 2001 addition of former CAA talent head, Patrick Whitesell . Whitesell led

1161-555: The former Islands Restaurant in South Beverly Hills. Co-founder Ari Emanuel and the Endeavor Agency were the basis for the character Ari Gold , and his Miller Gold Agency, on HBO 's Entourage . In 1996, Endeavor moved to a new high-rise building at 9601 Wilshire Boulevard in Beverly Hills . Three new partners from CAA quickly joined the company: David Lonner, Doug Robinson, and Adam Venit. Lonner's clientele included

1204-561: The latter and allow for something fresher than your usual famous-person-talking show". Creative Artists Agency Creative Artists Agency, LLC ( CAA ) is an American talent and sports agency based in Los Angeles , California. With 1,800 employees in March 2016, it is regarded as an influential company in the talent agency business and manages numerous clients. In September 2023, French billionaire François-Henri Pinault completed

1247-469: The main character is a screenwriter represented by CAA. CAA's building is featured in the video game Midnight Club: Los Angeles . In December 2017, there were reports that the agency was actively involved in coverups relating to abuse and harassment by disgraced Miramax executive Harvey Weinstein . Variety , citing a report in The New York Times , reported that at least eight agents knew about

1290-518: The majority of it to a South Korean studio, JTBC . In June 2022, nine months after it was announced that CAA would acquire ICM Partners , a deal valued at $ 750 million was reached between the agencies. - following the acquisition, about 425 ICM staffers and agents were slated to join CAA. In September 2023, French billionaire François-Henri Pinault agreed to buy a majority stake. CAA has employed top sports agents such as Tom Condon , Jeff Berry , and Tory Dandy . CAA president Richard Lovett

1333-509: The ongoing harassment yet continued to do business with Weinstein, and even sent actresses to meet with him in situations where they might have been vulnerable to his predations. Actress Uma Thurman accused the agency of being connected to Weinstein's predatory behavior. In 2005, Courtney Love advised young actresses in an interview, "If Harvey Weinstein invites you to a private party in the Four Seasons , don't go." Love later said that she

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1376-483: The public perception of agents as foul-mouthed and aggressive bullies. Perhaps because of its dominance in the industry, CAA agents have a reputation for being "coldhearted Hollywood power brokers," according to one report in The Wall Street Journal . The agency has been accused of blacklisting people who did or said things that the agency did not want publicized; for example, Courtney Love said that she

1419-415: The rights to a film, and years later, it was revealed that Weston was "totally ostracized" by the agency. In effect, CAA would do the minimally required legal tasks of passing along required offers but otherwise staying uninvolved. Some agents have had a reputation in the public's mind of living in a world of "fast cars, rooftop bars and foul-mouthed, phone-throwing power brokers," according to an account in

1462-528: The rivalry can quickly devolve into vicious battles played out in courtrooms and in the media. When key CAA clients Will Ferrell and Chris Pratt defected to rival United Talent Agency (UTA) in 2015, and were later followed by ten agents, it erupted into a full-frontal legal battle between the warring agencies. In the lawsuit, CAA accused UTA of conducting a "lawless, midnight raid" as part of an "illegal and unethical conspiracy" with agents deliberately delaying meetings with clients to divert business to UTA. In

1505-501: The street from its existing office in 2026. CAA was formed in 1975 from defections from the William Morris Agency, and there continue to be about four or five major talent agencies. In 2009, William Morris Agency and Endeavor merged to form William Morris Endeavor (WME). As of 2015, CAA and WME are the largest agencies in the business. In 2014, WME bought IMG Worldwide, a fashion and sports agency, for $ 2.4 billion. In 2014, WME had 4500 employees while CAA had 1500 employees. WME had

1548-546: Was incorporated in Delaware and had a $ 35,000 line of credit and a $ 21,000 bank loan and rented a small Century City office. Within a week, they sold a game show called Rhyme and Reason , the Rich Little Show , and The Jackson 5ive . An early plan was to form a medium-sized full-service agency, share proceeds equally, and do without nameplates on doors or formal titles or individual client lists, with guidelines like "be

1591-493: Was "banned" by CAA for speaking out about Weinstein. In October 2023, Maha Dakhil resigned from the agency’s internal board after making comments on social media critical of Israel during Israel-Hamas war. The post read, “You’re currently learning who supports genocide,” and she added her own caption: “That’s the line for me.” This was in reference to the CAA making a statement in support of Israel in an Instagram post. Endeavor Talent Agency The Endeavor Talent Agency

1634-505: Was "eternally banned" beginning 2005 by CAA after making a negative comment about Miramax producer Harvey Weinstein . Uma Thurman left CAA on November 22, 2017, the day before making an Instagram post addressing accusations against Harvey Weinstein. With many clients, agents charge a percentage fee based on monies that their clients make; one estimate was that CAA charges 10% of what its movie and television clients are paid. CAA chiefs including Michael Ovitz, Ron Meyer and Bill Haber built

1677-411: Was a Beverly Hills -based talent agency founded by Ari Emanuel , Rick Rosen, Tom Strickler, and David Greenblatt. It was launched in March 1995 and went on to represent a wide variety of acclaimed film and television stars. In April 2009, Emanuel and Endeavor executive Patrick Whitesell orchestrated a merger with the William Morris Agency , resulting in William Morris Endeavor. William Morris Endeavor

1720-674: Was described as the industry's most powerful agency. In 1995, Ron Meyer was appointed as the head of MCA , and Ovitz left for Disney . After Ovitz and Meyer left, talent agent Jay Moloney took over the company but struggled with a drug addiction and left the agency soon afterward. After Ovitz, the agency was taken over by Richard Lovett, who was made the president, along with Kevin Huvane, Rob Light, Bryan Lourd , Rick Nicita , and David O'Connor as managing partners. In 1996, several CAA agents defected to rival agency Endeavor , taking with them prominent directors and actors. The partners founded

1763-716: Was designed as an art-filled formal reception hall with a 100-seat screening room and gourmet kitchen and displays a 27-foot (8.2 m) by 18-foot (5.5 m) mural by Roy Lichtenstein . The design used feng shui principles. In 2007, CAA relocated to a new building in Century City , a district of Los Angeles . The new headquarters are sometimes referred to as "The Death Star " by entertainment professionals. CAA has offices in Los Angeles , New York , Nashville , London , Beijing , Atlanta , Miami , Chicago , Memphis , Stockholm , Munich and Switzerland . In January 2022, CAA announced it would move its headquarters across

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1806-491: Was renamed Endeavor in October 2017. The roots of Endeavor can be traced to ICM Partners , where founders Emanuel, Rosen, Strickler, and Greenblatt were all top television agents. In early 1995, they formed a plan to start their own agency, which was ultimately discovered by ICM Chairman Jeff Berg. On March 29, the four agents were fired from ICM and immediately formed Endeavor. The agency began operations on March 30, working mainly with television clients from an office above

1849-673: Was significant in 2007. A report in Nexus magazine in 2015 suggested that CAA was well-positioned to develop the E-Sports market. CAA puts together deals for sports stars such as writing their clients into fitness apps. CAA's agents scrambled to deal with a strike by the Screen Actors Guild in 2008. In 2010, TPG Capital gained a 35% interest in the agency and pledged $ 500 million for investments. The transaction enabled acquisitions in areas such as sports and overseas operations. It later sold

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