Creative Artists Agency (CAA) has promoted Emma Banks, Darryl Eaton and Rick Roskin to new leadership roles at the agency. The three veteran agents have been named co-heads of the agency’s global touring division, leading 340 employees across music, comedy and podcast touring as well as brand partnerships, tour marketing, private events and crossover opportunities in film, TV and books.
The promotions follow the elevation of CAA veteran Rob Light, who served for more than 25 years as CAA’s head of global touring. Light was recently named a CAA managing director, working alongside other company leaders in guiding the agency’s overall strategic direction. The promotion came in the wake of last year’s sale of CAA by majority owner TPG to Artémis, the investment firm controlled by François-Henri Pinault, CEO of fashion firm Kering and billionaire scion of a French luxury goods fortune.
“With the most talented team of agents ever at one agency, and serving the most influential artists in the world, we see unlimited opportunities ahead,” a statement attributed to Roskin, Eaton and Banks reads.
“The live business has never been stronger nor had more momentum, and artists have never had more ways to express themselves and grow their careers, making this an absolutely incredible time to help chart CAA’s path for the future,” the statement continues. “We’re fortunate to have shared in the success, stability and uniquely strong culture that the department has enjoyed under Rob’s outstanding leadership. Our vision, and commitment moving forward, is to foster cutting-edge ideas that drive the market and ensure that CAA remains the most exciting and empowering agency for the industry’s best agents and artists to thrive.”
Banks has co-led the CAA’s now 60-person London music office since joining the agency in 2006. In addition to her new leadership position in touring, she serves on CAA’s internal agency board that focuses on the company’s culture of service, collaboration and excellence. She was the first female executive to receive the music industry’s coveted Music Industry Trust (MITS) Award in 2018, was honored with the prestigious Strat award in 2023 for outstanding contributions to the music business and serves on the board of Nordoff Robbins, the United Kingdom’s premier music therapy charity.
Eaton and Roskin became co-heads of contemporary music for North America in 2015, running the day-to-day operations of the North American touring department and supporting more than 100 agents and 280 employees. Eaton, who joined CAA’s mailroom in 1991, has played a pivotal role in the department’s expansion, leading its efforts to launch and grow its electronic, Latin, and hip-hop/R&B divisions. Roskin began his career at CAA and has worked in the touring department for 35 years. He was an original member of CAA’s internal agency Board and was part of the leadership group that completed the successful integration of talent agency ICM.
“CAA remains the dominant music and comedy touring agency thanks to a profoundly deep culture of collaboration, innovation, and unyielding devotion to clients,” said Light, who recently signed a long-term contract to remain at the agency. “For years, Darryl, Rick and Emma have been extraordinary partners to me in leading our touring group in North America and London, respectively. I am immensely proud of all that we have achieved to date and look forward to what they will create in the years ahead. Along with my new strategic responsibilities, I look forward to continuing to sign and empower great artists, creatively build long-term careers, and mentor young executives.”
CAA co-chairman/CEO Bryan Lourd added, “Rick, Darryl and Emma have long been among the most talented and widely admired leaders in the industry, not to mention three of the best agents in the world.” He continued, “The leadership role they each already play at CAA has earned them deep respect and trust among our colleagues across all departments.”
With employees in Los Angeles, Nashville, London, New York, Austin, Miami and Toronto, CAA’s global touring department boasts a roster that includes The Weeknd, Harry Styles, Katy Perry, Dua Lipa, John Mayer, Rüfüs Du Sol, Jelly Roll, Kelly Clarkson, Blink-182, Kelsea Ballerini, Peso Pluma, Lady Gaga, Bruce Springsteen, Trevor Noah, Red Hot Chili Peppers and David Guetta. Since the end of the pandemic, CAA has signed Shawn Mendes, My Chemical Romance, Janet Jackson, Cody Johnson, Koe Wetzel, The 1975 and Bleachers, among many others. In the past year, the agency has booked more than 38,000 shows.
