David Neumann, Former CAA Agent, Launches Animation Management Company Newmation

David Neumann, a former agent at Creative Artists Agency (CAA), has created an animation management and production company called Newmation. The venture, launched amid industry changes brought by the pandemic, will focus on film and tv animation.

Newmation’s initial client list includes:

• Hugh Welchman (co-director and co-producer, Loving Vincent)
• Gary Trousdale (co-director, 1991’s Beauty and the Beast)
• Anita Doron (co-writer, The Breadwinner)
• Andrew Chesworth (co-director and co-writer, One Small Step)
• Shaofu Zhang (producer and co-writer, One Small Step)
• Malenga Mulendema (creator, Mama K’s Team 4)
• Gustavo Steinberg (co-director and co-writer, Tito and the Birds)
• Taiko Studios (One Small Step)
• Breakthru Films (Loving Vincent)

Neumann is currently producing several projects. Only one has been announced so far: Leonardo’s Robot, which Anita Doron is directing, and Starburns Industries (Rick and Morty) onboard to produce. The company will also produce live-action content.

At CAA, where he worked for one year, Neumann represented the likes of David Yates (director of four Harry Potter films), Arlene Klasky (co-founder, Klasky Csupo), Todd Komarnicki (producer, Elf), Hugh Welchman, and Mattel Inc. While there, he was tasked by CAA managing partner Kevin Huvane with growing the company’s Global Animation Initiative.

He previously worked in ICM Partners’ Motion Picture Literary Group, where his list included Tom Hooper, Stephen Frears, Joseph Cedar, Nancy Buirski, and the late Melissa Mathison.

Commenting on the launch of Newmation, Neumann said:

I feel there is no better time than now to dive head first into this new venture. With relatively low industry competition amongst agencies and management companies, but the demand for animation content significantly increasing, especially during our Covid world, this is a big opportunity. It is an honor to work with these talented filmmakers and I can’t wait to share our unique projects with the world that both kids and adults can enjoy for generations to come.