CAA Promotes 6 From Trainee Program to Agent Ranks

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorLaPolt Law, the Los Angeles-based music and entertainment firm founded by Dina LaPolt in 2001, is elevating five of its attorneys to partner. The promotions, effective immediately, reflect their contributions to the firm, which specializes in intellectual property law, music law and public policy.The new partners — pictured above (back row, l-r) Kristin Wenning, Mariah Comer, Lindsay Arrington and (front row, l-r) Dominic Chaklos and Tom Dean, with LaPolt in front — have expertise in a range of issues, including brand partnerships, catalog sales, executive contracts, and projects in emerging media such as NFTs, Web3.“They are all zealous advocates for our clients,” LaPolt said of the attorneys.

Elizabeth Olsen and her husband Robbie Arnett are authors!

Christine Simmons is out as COO of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences as new CEO Bill Kramer takes the Oscar org’s reins today, weeks ahead of his scheduled start date.

EXCLUSIVE: Relevant has promoted Alex Kahn to Senior Vice President, Julia Scorupco to Junior Publicist and has added Alexa Tombs as a Senior Publicist in the New York Office.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorPink, Sony Music Publishing Chairman/CEO Jon Platt and the late songwriter/producer Busbee will be honored at the Songwriters of North America’s second annual SONA Warrior Awards, taking place as a hybrid celebration comprised of an in-person gala on July 23 at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles and a virtual livestream via mandolin.com on July 24. SONA is one of the only advocacy organizations for songwriters, formed by professional songwriters to advocate for fair pay, safety, equality and a collective voice.The announcement notes that each of the honorees is known for their accomplishments within the industry, the Warrior Awards provide an opportunity to amplify their advocacy.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorLegendary rocker Alice Cooper, who should need no introduction, has signed with CAA to represent his touring in North America.He has sold more than 50 million albums over the years and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2011. His nightly radio show, “Nights With Alice Cooper,” continues to air in nearly 100 cities in the U.S., Canada, Australia, and the U.K.

Jordan Moreau Adam Venit, who was formerly a top Hollywood agent at WME and was accused of groping client Terry Crews, has been sued by his  estranged wife, Trina Venit, for alleged assault, sexual battery, domestic violence, false imprisonment, stalking and defamation.Triva Venit filed a lawsuit, obtained by Variety, in federal court in Los Angeles on Sunday. The suit alleges that during their 20-year marriage, Adam Venit “strangled her, punched her, kicked her and threw objects and food at her, forcibly restrained her robbing her of her freedom of movement for the sole purpose of continuing to abuse her, leaving her bloodied, bruised and physically and emotionally scarred.”In one incident of abuse, Trina allegedly called the police after Adam strangled her, but Adam told officers that Trina was the one being abusive and that she had tried to kill herself.

CAA has promoted Chris Burrus, Inder Gill, Sophie Kavanagh, Zakaria Laaboudi,  Arlen Papazian and Kara Petit to Agent following the participation of each in CAA Elevate, the agency’s program for agents and executives in training.

Wilson Chapman editorCreative Arts Agency has promoted six trainees from its CAA Elevate program to the position of full agents.Chris Burrus, Inder Gill, Sophie Kavanagh, Zakaria Laaboudi, Arlen Papazian and Kara Petit were selected from Elevate, the agency’s program for executives and agents in training. All six begin their new positions effective immediately.Burrus is based in CAA’s Nashville, Tenn.

William Earl Jennifer Dorn has been promoted to visual content director at Variety.The four-year Variety veteran oversees all photography and photo imagery for the brand. She reports to incoming co-editor-in-chief Ramin Setoodeh and Variety co-editor-in-chief Cynthia LittletonBased in Los Angeles, Dorn has significantly expanded Variety‘s investment in original photography.

Outfest has announced the complete lineup for its 40th-anniversary Outfest Los Angeles LGBTQ+ Film Festival, which will take place from July 14-24 at multiple locations throughout Los Angeles.

Cooper Raiff has been embracing a nomadic lifestyle, crashing with friends in Los Angeles and traveling to national parks while he’s in between jobs. But the lack of a permanent residence does have its drawbacks. He moved into a new sublet in Queens — where he’s preparing to shoot a movie — late last week and opened the door to a disaster zone, the kind of mess that compels one to immediately wash the bed sheets.“If I’m going be put up by this movie for a year, I don’t want to pay for something during that,” he says, noting that producers of his upcoming film will soon supply housing.

EXCLUSIVE: A3 Artists Agency has promoted three to agent — Nick Beldoch, in the Motion Picture Literary Division; Jillian Holch in the TV Literary Division and Lucy Powis in the Theatrical Literary Division.

After decades of serving as the CEO of the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), Vince McMahon is stepping down.

Digital sports firm Fanatics has hired former Dick Clark Productions chief Mike Mahan in the newly created role of CEO of its trading cards and collectibles business.

Nathalie Didier has left ICM Partners and has joined Paradigm as a talent agent based out of its Los Angeles office.

Two top executives at an L.A.-based Latin music conglomerate were arrested by FBI agents today on charges that they conspired to violate the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act by conducting business with a concert promoter with ties to Mexican drug cartels.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorSony Music Entertainment has named Vanessa Picken to the role of chair and CEO of Sony Music Entertainment Australia and New Zealand. Reporting to Sony Music Group Chairman Rob Stringer, she will begin her new role in September.Based in Sydney, Picken will oversee all operations, artist signings, marketing, and business partnerships for the company, according to the announcement.

EXCLUSIVE: Zahir McGhee has signed with CAA for representation. Additionally, the Queens creator/executive producer has extended his existing overall deal with ABC Signature for an additional two years.