Elevating narratives with our cultural leaders for brands globally.
An independent brand partnerships agency
CEA is an independent partnerships agency proudly founded in Melbourne, Australia with offices in Sydney, Byron Bay and UAE.
We specialise in unlocking the intellectual property rights of our global portfolio of artists, actors, and creatives—amplifying their influence while celebrating cultural diversity and championing our clients’ unique values and ambitions.
Our expertise spans the full spectrum of partnership opportunities, from talent featured in brand campaigns, content creation and events, music licensing and production, international talent buying, product placement, media opportunities including appearances, performances and editorial, while also providing legal services and talent lead concepts that inspire, empower, and endure.
What We Do
Delivering Cultural Leaders
We create meaningful moments by delivering cultural leaders for brands, events and destinations across the globe.
Cultural leaders who hold influence and authority within a specific cultural context or community, using insights to align with true authenticity for each project.
Strategy
The how because of the why.
We harness our talent’s insights, analyse their audience and statistics alongside current trends, presenting the most relevant concepts to strengthen every partnership, driving authenticity to create genuine connections with their audience to amplifying a brand’s message.
A fundamental tool for success in campaigns, design, and problem-solving.
Curation
We specialise in curating memorable moments tailored to meet specific KPIs and themes for launches, branded performances, campaigns and media outputs.
Unique performances including choreography, DJ sets, vocal and live performances from headline or emerging artists, with full-service production options available including lighting design.
Crafted guest lists from media to key opinion leaders within music, fashion, sports or film to maximise reach and awareness.
Creative Direction + Production
Delivering ideas comes easy, but execution is everything.
We produce talent lead creative concepts that drive PR-ability, or work alongside existing creative teams to ensure delivery is the level of output required for success with our talent.
We work with trusted teams for high-end execution from; brand identities and art direction, to creative direction, scripting and delivery for TVCs and digital campaigns with top relevant directors and DOPs.
Network of Creatives
Without creativity, there would be no progress.
Creatives breathe life into ideas, transforming abstract concepts into tangible realities. We work with a wide range of global creatives across across music, film, fashion, dance, design and advertising.
With access to writers, directors and photographers, stylists and HMUA teams, musical directors and composers, illustrators and visual artists, lighting designers and set designers, fashion designers for custom pieces or collaborations.
Legal + Visa Requirements
Contracting is the backbone of what CEA does, to ensure both talent and brand are protected and deliverables are upheld.
Negotiating terms knowing current industry rates across both talent and brand industry standards for content creation, endorsements, sponsorships, appearances and performances for events, as well as licensing of music with publishers and record labels.
Understanding core advertising standards and marketing practices for industries including alcohol, automotive and retail distribution for advice and business plans to be drafted.
International talent require visas at last minute notice, our immigration contacts can expedite requirements to carry out work in APAC, UAE, US and EU regions on behalf of global brands.
Licensing + Product Collabs
CEA can license existing music for TVC or digital campaigns of all scale, from internationally renowned tracks to unreleased tracks from emerging artists.
We also work with talent to create a bespoke music composition, record a cover of an existing track, or remixing an existing track for use. We can share cost effective options to brands and agencies pending requirements and final usage.
Creating talent owned businesses in collaboration with a brand or manufacturers for retail purposes is a new business model for both talent and brands, we can draft paperwork and advise for ownership, or royalties, registration and trade marks.
Product Integration
CEA can integrate existing or new products to be incorporated in music videos, styling red carpet events, album launch parties, campaigns shoots and editorials, festival sites, experiential activations and films.
Working with relevant talent and creatives aligning authentically to the product’s audience, we can conceptualise concepts to integrate product seamlessly or as stand out as desired.
International Talent + Shoots
CEA work with international talent teams globally.
Understanding who will be in Australia and New Zealand ahead of public announcements for tours, film productions, talks, campaign shoots and holidays. Or who is open to travel to Australia, along with an understanding of fee expectations.
Provide responses to brand or agency briefs for appearances, shoots, voice overs, performances and charity affiliations, negotiating fees based on requirements. Arranging logistics for talent to travel to market or production being fulfilled internationally with our remote teams in LA, New York and London.
Our Team
The CEA team brings diverse expertise spanning artist management, events, production, advertising, PR, styling, design and legal representation.
Lilit Chakman
Founder & CEO
- Founder of CEA, wanting to bridge the gap between entertainment and brands for commercial projects.
- Over 14 years’ experience in international talent acquisition, contracting and project delivery.
- Qualified lawyer with practise of lawyers specialising in commercial negotiations across entertainment, media, licensing and live events.
- Key stakeholder relationships across record labels, management companies and government authorities.
Jeff Turner
General Manager of Finance
- Jeff has more than 12 years of experience in various accounting and finance roles.
- Prior to joining CEA, Jeff gained experience in a range industries including professional services (including most recently legal services), advertising, design, media, warehousing and logistics, banking and finance, and horse dressage.
- Key strengths include systems development / improvement, compliance and risk management, and strategic planning.
Sarah Kennedy
Director of Talent, Partnerships & Events
- Over 15 years’ of experience delivering large scale projects in entertainment, advertising, marketing and special events, such as the London 2012 Olympics.
- Global clients – Samsung, Louis Vuitton, Coca Cola, Adidas, Playstation, YouTube, The North Face, Warner Bros.
- Global agency work – M&C Saatchi, MKTG, Cheil, Amplify to deliver projects on budget up to $4.5m
- Key strengths include: international relationships across UK, US and APAC markets, executive production of events, luxury brand clients, commercial acquisitions and business modelling for new talent owned ventures.
Kayla Baggio-Waters
Head of PR & Partnerships
- Over 10 years’ PR experience across agency and in-house roles.
- Leading key PR, influencer and event sponsorship campaigns for fashion and lifestyle brands including Mimco, Witchery, Jaggad, Cotton On Kids, Penfolds, Lavazza and Treasury Wine Estates.
- Key strengths and assets include: in-depth retail knowledge, integrated communications strategy, influencer engagement and media and talent relationship management.
Sara De La Cruz
Talent Partnerships Manager
- Over 20 years’ experience within the fashion industry – including retail partnerships, campaigns, editorial, red-carpet and event styling.
- Leading large scale partnerships such as Dom Dolla for Vans ‘Off The Wall’ campaign, G Flip’s BOX alcoholic Juice, Thelma Plum as M/FW Ambassador, G Flip for FitBit, Ruel for Adidas NMD.V3 campaign, Vera Blue with PayPal for Melbourne Fashion Festival.
- Key strengths include: partnership and talent procurement, end-to-end project and stakeholder management, in-depth understanding of campaign workflow and execution.
Daisy Squires
Social Media Manager & Graphic Designer
- Over 7 years of experience in graphic design, content creation and social media.
- An artist and sculptor in her own time, who also facilitates an occasional meditation on team meetings.
- Key strengths include; graphic design, design and social concept ideation, stills and motion content capture for talent and CEA social channels.
Nikita Miltiadou
Tech Operations & Production Manager
- Over 12 years of experience in production and as a sound engineer. Delivering festival shows through to in-store events and activations.
- Clients include Diageo, Adidas, Brown Foreman, Snow Machine, Big Pineapple Festival, Wine Machine, Client Liaison, Running Touch and more.
- Key strengths and assets include: technical event production, stakeholder management, sponsorship, F&B management and alcohol forecasting.
