ARTISTdirect is exiting the talent agency business after its board of directors determined the company faced limited prospects for increasing the value of its agency business and faced potential conflicts with its expanding record label interests.
Former ARTISTdirect Agency President Don Muller and agent Marlene Tsuchii will join CAA and continue to book the artists they represented at ARTISTdirect. An agreement between ARTISTdirect and CAA provides that Muller and CAA will work to support ARTISTdirect's proprietary concert tours, Fan Nation, Sno-Core and Revolucion. In addition, CAA will offer ARTISTdirect's online concert ticket pre-sale service and proprietary brand advertiser entertainment marketing initiatives to its roster of artists.
Rob Light, head of CAA's Music Department and CAA partner, said, "Don and Marlene will be an exciting addition to our department and our company. Their experience with and knowledge of ARTISTdirect will be an invaluable asset as we move forward with this relationship to create more opportunity for the artists and fulfilling experiences for the fans.''
"Upon joining the company last summer, I undertook a review of our business segments to evaluate their long-term value," said Ted Field, ARTISTdirect chairman and CEO. "We concluded that in the current competitive marketplace, ARTISTdirect's agency business would face challenges maintaining its historical growth and profitability. Also considering potential conflicts with our record label initiative, we determined that the company would be better served by exiting the agency business and creating a relationship with industry leader CAA.''
ARTISTdirect will continue to operate its online music network, artistdirect.com.
Muller brings 31 acts to CAA: Alice In Chains, Beastie Boys, Beck, Butthole Surfers, Chris Cornell, Fantomas, Foo Fighters, Hank Williams III, Hayden, Jerry Cantrell, Junkster, Les Claypool's Frog Brigade, Murder City Devils, Nikka Costa, Pearl Jam, Pete Yorn, Powderfinger, Primus, Quarashi, Rage Against The Machine, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Remy Zero, Scapegoat Wax, Sean Lennon, SnoCore Icicle Ball Tour, SnoCore Rock Tour, Sparta, The Surfers, System of a Down, Taproot and Weezer.
Tsuchii brings with her 17 acts: Air, Ben Folds, Buckshot LeFonque featuring Branford Marsalis, Buffalo Daughter, Elliot, Smith, Face to Face, The Get Up Kids, Girls Against Boys, Incubus, L7, Long Beach Dub Allstars, Money Mark, Mr Bungle, Phoenix, Shaquille O'Neal, Sonic Youth
