Creative Artists Agency has acquired Beanstalk, a firm focused on brand licensing and management for major companies.
The deal will see Beanstalk, which was founded in 1992, integrated with CAA Brand Management. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Beanstalk and CAA Brand Management work with companies and brands on licensing arrangements that extend their reach (i.e., apparel, jewelry and home goods, or collaborations into other product categories). Beanstalk’s clients include P&G, Kellogg’s, The Met and Audi, among many others, while CAA Brand Management’s clients include Coca-Cola, Anheuser-Busch and Formula 1.
The acquisition continues CAA’s push into new lines of business, which are seen as a growth area alongside the traditional talent-focused agency. Earlier this year it acquired Portas Consulting, which helps manage and advise clients in the sports world; and it launched a new division called CAA Global Family Office Advisory which will advise family offices. Last year it acquired the executive search firm Hanold Associates.
CAA, of course, is now owned by Artémis, the investment firm controlled by François-Henri Pinault, the CEO of fashion firm Kering and the billionaire scion of a French luxury goods fortune.
“CAA Brand Management and Beanstalk share a common belief in the power of creativity, collaboration and integrity to create lasting brand value,” said Perry Wolfman, CEO of CAA Brand Management. “We have long admired Beanstalk’s reputation for excellence and their dedication to client service. Bringing our teams together integrates two industry leaders that view brand stewardship not as a transaction, but as a trusted partnership grounded in purpose and performance.”
“When two forces of creativity unite, the possibilities don’t just grow, they multiply,” added Allison Ames, CEO of Beanstalk, who will become co-president of CAA Brand Management. “Our companies share a deep commitment to client excellence and a long-term vision for what brand management can achieve. Together, we’re not just shaping the future of brand licensing — we’re redefining it. I am very excited about amplifying our impact and setting a new standard of leadership in our industry.”
“This combination represents a tremendous opportunity to accelerate growth for our clients,” said Noah Gelbart, president of CAA Brand Management. “Together, we can offer deeper category expertise, a broader global footprint and greater strategic innovation. By combining our complementary capabilities, we are creating a platform that can unlock new value and opportunity for brands in every corner of the world.”
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