Rebrand brings the full power of Wasserman’s global sports, music & entertainment business to the region
Global sports, music and entertainment company Wasserman has rebranded the Middle East business units of CSM Sport & Entertainment (CSM), announced today by Matt Vandrau, President – EMEA & APAC at Wasserman.
The verticals are overseen by the regional leadership team of Ben Faber, David Sanderson and Mike Davis, Regional Managing Directors, together with Jayne Reader, EVP and Aaron Reader, Group VP, both of Wasserman Live, Wasserman’s branding, signage and event operations business.
The rebrand follows Wasserman’s acquisition of CSM in 2023 and its subsequent rebranding of the majority of the business in 2024. The announcement completes the integration process in full, further solidifying Wasserman’s presence in a region that sits at the forefront of sports, music and entertainment after experiencing a decade of investment, transformation and growth.
CSM has operated in the Middle East for more than 30 years, working across brand and property marketing, live event operations, talent management and commercial rights sales for many of the leading organizations investing in, and delivering, the region’s extraordinary transformation of the sports and entertainment industries. Wasserman’s clients in the Middle East include NEOM, Saudia, UAE Team Emirates, Qiddiya, Red Sea Global, G42, Riyadh Air, ADNOC and the Esports World Cup Foundation,among others. The business has more than 300 employees across offices in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Qatar, and Riyadh.
Founded in 2002, Wasserman is a leading global marketing and representation business, serving talent, brands, and properties with unmatched reach and scale across 28 countries and more than 70 cities. The company’s client roster includes major brands and properties such as AT&T, American Express, Diageo, Unilever, UEFA, the British & Irish Lions and the WTA, and iconic talent across sports, media and music, including Breanna Stewart, Fede Valverde, Fred again.., Imagine Dragons, Maxx Crosby, Myles Smith, RAYE, Skrillex, Travis Scott, Viktor Hovland, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and many more.
Through Brillstein Entertainment, its iconic entertainment management business, the company manages the careers of Nate Bargatze and Courteney Cox, among many others. Wasserman also encompasses its women-focused global advocacy and advisory business, The Collective, that exists to drive investment in women through research, insights, ideas, campaigns, activations and partnerships.
Casey Wasserman, CEO & Chairman, Wasserman, said: “Our business has remained keenly focused on strategic global growth over the last two decades, and the Middle East is a key component of that expansion. Formally establishing a robust presence in this region through CSM’s legacy businesses – and the relationships the team has built in the market – uniquely positions us to deliver even greater impact for existing and future clients around the world.”
Matt Vandrau – President, EMEA & APAC at Wasserman said: “We’ve experienced phenomenal growth across this region over the past five years, in lock step with the evolution of the Middle East into one of the world’s premier destinations for sport, entertainment and music.
“The rebrand represents an exciting new chapter for the business, strengthening Wasserman’s reputation in market and signifying our long-term commitment to continuing our ambitious global expansion strategy.”
-ENDS-
About Wasserman
Wasserman is a global sports, music and entertainment company that provides representation and marketing services to talent, brands and properties. Headquartered in Los Angeles, Wasserman’s presence spans 28 countries and more than 70 cities. For more information, please visit www.teamwass.com.
