As it looks to bolster its executive search business, Creative Artists Agency has acquired a boutique firm that has specialized in helping clients recruit C-suite candidates in human resources and diversity, equity and inclusion roles.
The major talent agency said Tuesday it bought the Chicago-based firm Hanold Associates, led by co-founders Neela Seenandan and Jason Hanold, and will bring over its 20 employees into its executive search division. CAA launched the unit, co-founded by Joe Becher and Asher Simons, in 2017 to develop ancillary revenue beyond its large market share in talent representation.
“The addition of Hanold Associates, and its unique expertise, will amplify our efforts in this important service area and we are excited to see what these two teams can accomplish together,” said Paul Danforth, CAA’s managing director and president of CAA Sports. This transaction marks the first acquisition for CAA’s executive search division since it was established.
Founded in 2010, Hanold Associates counts among its blue-chip clients the NFL, the MLB, The New York Times, Google, Paramount Global and A+E Networks, and works to recruit candidates for boards of directors. Its partners are also based in Boston, New York, Salt Lake City, Detroit, and Phoenix.
“The recruitment of effective Human Resources leadership is vital to the growth and success of any organization, and Neela, Jason, and the team at Hanold Associates are without peer in this space,” stated Becher. “Hanold’s culture and approach to client service is complementary to ours, and we are thrilled to join forces to bring these world class resources to our clients globally.”
The executive search space has been of increasing interest to the major Hollywood agencies. Last year, United Talent Agency acquired New York-based James and Co. to build out a new UTA division focused on the sector.
“This partnership allows us to serve our existing and new clients more broadly, bringing the full reach, connectivity, and relationships of CAA into our client service offerings,” added Hanold, who will hold the title of president, CAA Executive Search.
Seenandan, whose title at the agency will be president, CAA Leadership Advisory, added, “Our team will bring consultative excellence and deep technical knowledge to an already strong CAA team. Working closely with Joe and Asher, we will continue to build on their world class reputation across the whole of CAA’s client portfolio.”
