Creative Artists Agency buys ICM Partners

Leading entertainment and sports agency Creative Artists Agency (CAA) is to acquire rival ICM Partners (ICM).

ICM brings to CAA a global roster of artists in film, television, music, comedy, theater, games, politics, and podcasting. ICM’s industry-leading books division complements CAA’s content-driven motion pictures, television, and podcasting businesses, in addition to its speakers arm, and other divisions.

ICM’s London-based ICM Stellar Sports serves more than 800 clients around the globe and maintains offices in 10 countries.

CAA’s Bryan Lourd, Kevin Huvane, and Richard Lovett made a joint statement: “Our strong financial position enables us to continue to expand and diversify our businesses, with service and representation remaining central to what we do and who we are. We’re fortunate to have a partner in ICM who shares our commitment to the widest and most inclusive vision possible for what our clients and company can accomplish together.”

ICM’s Chris Silbermann will join CAA’s shareholder board.

Founded in 1975, CAA is headquartered in Los Angeles, and has a significant presence in New York, Nashville, London, Beijing, and Shanghai, as well as offices in Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Geneva, Jacksonville, Las Vegas, Memphis, Miami, Munich, Orlando, Stockholm, and Toronto, among other locations globally.

ICM is a leading entertainment, media, sports agencies, for the global representation of artists, content creators, broadcasters, authors, artisans, journalists, and athletes in film, television, sports, publishing, theater, music, live performance, podcasting, branding, endorsements, product placements, sponsorship, commercials, broadcasting, speaking, and politics. Originally founded in 1975 as International Creative Management, then rebranded as ICM Partners in 2012, ICM has offices in Los Angeles, New York, Washington D.C., and London, and strategic partnerships in Europe, Asia, and beyond.

The transaction is expected to close later this year, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including the receipt of regulatory approvals.

Financial terms were not disclosed.