CAA Buys Executive Search Firm Hanold Associates to Bolster Division

CAA Buys Executive Search Firm Hanold Associates to Bolster Division

As a seasoned gamer with countless hours spent navigating the dynamic world of virtual corporate mergers and acquisitions, I must say, this latest move by Creative Artists Agency (CAA) is nothing short of a masterstroke! The acquisition of Hanold Associates, a boutique firm specializing in C-suite candidates for HR and DEI roles, signals a strategic expansion that could potentially reshape the gameboard.


To strengthen its executive recruitment sector, Creative Artists Agency has purchased a specialist firm, known for assisting clients in finding top-tier executives for HR and DEI positions.

On Tuesday, the prominent talent agency announced that it had acquired Hanold Associates, a Chicago-based firm run by Neela Seenandan and Jason Hanold, the co-founders. As part of the deal, approximately 20 employees from Hanold Associates will be transferred to the executive search division of the company. In 2017, CAA established this particular unit, which was co-founded by Joe Becher and Asher Simons, with the aim of generating additional revenue beyond its strong position in talent representation.

Paul Danforth, CAA’s managing director and president of CAA Sports, stated that the incorporation of Hanold Associates with its specialized skills will significantly boost our efforts in this crucial service sector. We are eager to observe the results from the collaboration between these two talented teams.” This transaction represents the first acquisition made by CAA’s executive search division since its inception.

Established in 2010, Hanold Associates serves as a trusted partner for prominent organizations such as the NFL, MLB, The New York Times, Google, Paramount Global, and A+E Networks. Their primary focus is on identifying suitable candidates for board positions. Additionally, their partners are strategically located in cities like Boston, New York, Salt Lake City, Detroit, and Phoenix.

Effective leadership in Human Resources is crucial for any organization’s growth and success, and Neela, Jason, and their team at Hanold Associates excel in this field,” Becher said. “Hanold’s work culture and client service style align well with ours, and we are excited to collaborate to offer top-tier resources to our global clients.

Over the past period, the realm of executive recruitment in the entertainment industry, specifically Hollywood, has garnered growing attention from prominent talent agencies. Last year, United Talent Agency made a move to expand its presence within this area by purchasing James and Co., based in New York, with the aim of establishing a fresh UTA department dedicated to this particular sector.

This partnership enables us to offer more extensive services to existing and new customers, using CAA’s extensive reach, links, and connections in our service provision.

In a new role as President of CAA Leadership Advisory, Seenandan stated, “Our group is eager to contribute our consulting expertise and in-depth technical understanding to an already exceptional team at CAA. Working in tandem with Joe and Asher, we aim to further strengthen the outstanding global reputation that CAA has built across its entire client base.

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2024-10-01 19:56