CAA has named Dasha Smith as chief operating officer, bringing the NFL executive into the talent agency’s senior leadership, according to Variety and The Hollywood Reporter.
Smith most recently held the title of executive vice president and chief administrative officer at the NFL, a role that put her on Goodell’s executive operating committee. She will now step into CAA’s senior management ranks to help run the talent agency’s day-to-day operations.
The details behind the hire
At the NFL, Smith oversaw a wide portfolio of business functions, according to both outlets. That included technology, artificial intelligence and innovation, data analytics, strategy, business intelligence, human resources, inclusion, social responsibility, philanthropy and league office administration. Variety reported she also helped shape the league’s enterprise strategy during her tenure.
CAA co-chairman and CEO Bryan Lourd praised the hire in a statement shared with both outlets. “Dasha is a remarkably talented, accomplished and energetic leader with a deep understanding of how global organizations operate at their very best,” Lourd said. “We look forward to welcoming her to our senior management team and benefiting from her significant experience helping to guide leading media and sports organizations.”
Smith responded with her own statement on the move. “I have tremendous respect for the industry leadership position that CAA and its management team continue to build on every year,” she said. “Even greater is my appreciation for its widely admired, consistent mission to deliver the best possible service and resources to its clients. Joining a culture with that kind of clarity and purpose is an extraordinary opportunity.”
What it means for CAA and its clients
As chief operating officer, Smith will work alongside CAA’s senior leadership to manage the agency’s internal operations, according to The Hollywood Reporter. CAA represents talent across film, television, music and sports, and bringing in an executive with Smith’s business and administrative background from one of the country’s largest sports leagues signals the agency is looking to strengthen its operational backbone as it continues to grow across media and sports representation.
Dasha Smith’s career background
Before joining the NFL, Smith served as executive vice president and global chief human resources officer for Sony Music Entertainment, according to both outlets. She also held the role of managing director at the global investment firm GCM Grosvenor, where she oversaw the office of the chairman, Variety reported.
Smith spent nearly 10 years at Time Inc., later part of WarnerMedia, where she led global employee relations and employment law functions and also worked as a senior attorney in the company’s business and legal affairs department focusing on mergers and acquisitions, Variety reported. She began her legal career at the firms Latham & Watkins, Covington & Burling, and Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison, according to Variety.
What’s next
Smith’s start date and any additional leadership moves tied to the appointment have not been announced.
Reporting from The Hollywood Reporter and Variety contributed to this story.
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