Artémis, holding of the Pinault family, will take control of the American talent agency Creative Artists Agency (CAA), one of the largest in the world and present in entertainment and sport. The agreement between the parties provides for the purchase by Artémis of the majority stake held by the American investment company TPG, which entered the capital of CAA 13 years ago, according to a joint press release published on Thursday.
According to several media, TPG had increased its stake from 35% in 2010 to 53% in 2014. The investment company Temasek, headquartered in Singapore, will remain a minority shareholder, the statement said. The amount of the transaction, which is expected to be finalized by the end of the year, was not disclosed.
Several American media reported, a few days ago, an investment worth around $7 billion. Founded in 1975, the agency represents artists as well as brands particularly in entertainment (cinema, television, fashion, publishing, video games, theater, etc.) and sport (football, basketball, baseball, American football, etc. ). Included in its very extensive and very diverse portfolio are the singers Ariana Grande, Aerosmith and Beyoncé, the actors Tom Hanks, Helen Mirren, Brad Pitt and even Salma Hayek – who is none other than the wife of François-Henri Pinault –, as well as Real Madrid team coach Carlo Ancelotti.
“The company’s exceptional insight, relationships and access to different key sectors, combined with a very broad level of collaboration and innovation, puts the company in a formidable position to provide global opportunities to its diverse clients.” , estimated François-Henri Pinault, boss of Artémis, quoted in the press release. “CAA fulfills all the characteristics to be part of the Artémis family, bringing to our other assets increased diversity in terms of geographic presence and activities,” he added.
CAA’s management trio – Bryan Lourd, Kevin Huvane and Richard Lovett – called Artémis a “strategic investor of the highest level” with “global reach and resources in many sectors of interest to [their] clients”. All three have made a long-term commitment to remain at the helm of the company. CAA is headquartered in Los Angeles, but the agency has a global presence with offices in London, Beijing, Geneva, Munich, Stockholm, Toronto, and more. In 2022, it finalized the acquisition of its Hollywood competitor ICM Partners – for $750 million according to media reports.
Artémis, founded in 1992, is the majority shareholder of the French luxury group Kering (Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent, Bottega Veneta, Balenciaga) and also owns the auction house Christie’s, several vineyards and sports assets such as Stade Rennes FC (Football League 1).