Pacesetter: Creative Artists Agency

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Creative Artists Agency remained the largest talent agency in Los Angeles County with 270 agents in its local office, up 15 from a year ago.

The company has seen growth across its divisions over the past year. It has agents dedicated to talent in traditional segments such as motion pictures and television, and has grown divisions for new media, sports and corporate clients.

Some of the biggest names in motion pictures are CAA clients, including actors Tom Hanks, Will Smith, Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman, Julia Roberts, Brad Pitt and George Clooney. The agency also represents directors Steven Spielberg and Ron Howard.

In the sports area, CAA added agents in two sports: tennis and soccer. Two of its tennis agents are based in Israel and will remain there rather than join one of the agency’s established offices in Los Angeles; New York; Nashville, Tenn.; London; and Beijing.

CAA’s football division represented six of the top 21 picks in last year’s National Football League draft. The division also represented the New Yankee Stadium for its primary sponsorship rights.

On the corporate marketing side, CAA signed apparel maker Gap Inc. and electronics manufacturer Dell Inc. as clients.

As digital media grows, CAA continues to pursue opportunities for clients on the Web. A company called Funny or Die Inc. that was incubated by CAA has seen tremendous growth of its video clip site.

Many of the agency’s clients have ideas for original Internet content and the company has seen more production of high-quality and high-budget programming specifically for distribution online.