LONDON (CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — Mike Greek has confirmed to CelebrityAccess that he and fellow Helter Skelter agent Emma Banks will be leaving the company to open a London office for Creative Artists Agency.
There has been rampant speculation about major changes in the UK agency scene, with this move coming as the first major shuffle to be made official. Other rumors floating around the industry include talks of William Morris following suit, with former Dire Straits manager Ed Bicknell at the helm of a London headquarters.
The departure of Banks and Greek leave the Sanctuary-owned Helter Skelter in a weakened state, as major acts such as Alicia Keys, Franz Ferdinand, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Arcade Fire, Nine Inch Nails, the Dandy Warhols, and David Grey are expected to be announced on the new CAA London roster.
The company took a hit in January of 2005 as well, when veteran agents Jeff Craft and Ian Huffam left to start X-Ray Touring with Martin Horne and Scott Thomas from ITB.
Sanctuary’s well-documented financial troubles are likely the catalyst behind the recent industry rumors, with moves reaching as far into the company as Merck Mercuriadis leaving to join Irving Azoff’s Frontline Management, and the impending departure of co-founder Rod Smallwood. Between the two, some of Sanctuary’s biggest acts, such as Guns N’ Roses, Iron Maiden and Morrissey, would be moving on.
CAA's new office is located at 2 Queen Caroline Street, London 26 9DX, and can be contacted at 44-20-8323-8016. The company's official roster is expected to be released today. –by CelebrityAccess Staff Writers
