CAA’s Joanna Popper Talks Anthony Hopkins NFT – The Hollywood Reporter

CAA chief metaverse officer Joanna Popper knew Anthony Hopkins’ first non-fungible token drop would be popular, but had no idea it would sell out in seven minutes.

Popper joined The Hollywood Reporter senior business editor Ashley Cullins on Wednesday in a keynote Q&A at THR’s annual Power Business Managers event. She discussed topics ranging from the evolution of the internet to harnessing the possibilities of the metaverse of the Bored Ape Yacht Club.

Popper explained that the metaverse is “the next wave of the internet.” First was the dotcom boom and then came “social, mobile, cloud disruption, where we started using our phones for everything”. She said this wave will be “more interactive, more immersive, more 3D and more real-time.” It is not a game, she elaborated, but a “gamified experience” that emphasizes connection.

“We envision there will be a similar level of disruption in how content is created and distributed,” she said.

Popper emphasized that anyone can capitalize on the disruption. She pointed to Hopkins, whose first NFT release of a series of more than 1,000 artworks inspired by his career in Hollywood sold out on the OpenSea market. In the art world, artists have historically only profited from the first sale. She said contracts written for NFTs allow creators to share in profits for each subsequent purchase. Hopkins has already made more money on the secondary market, she shared.

When asked about new ways to exploit existing intellectual property, Popper said that NFTs open up unlimited possibilities limited only by the creativity and imagination of their owners. Her team recently signed the owners of Bored Ape Yacht Club’s Jenkins the Valet. The agency is now working with them for opportunities across film, books and podcasts.

“Hollywood is always looking for interesting new IP that has a built-in community, whether it’s a book or platform or newspaper article that’s gotten a lot of attention,” Popper said. “There’s a play here where you as an owner are able to commercialize and do anything.”

The CAA leader also emphasized that the pandemic accelerated the possibilities in the metaverse. For example, in the past two years, she said, people have increasingly embraced concerts in virtual worlds such as Roblox, Fortnite and Minecraft. In addition to selling merchandise, she said people can even earn money from dance moves for their avatars.

The keynote concluded a breakfast celebrating Hollywood’s top business leaders, who gathered in person for the first time in three years. Richard Raffetto of City National Bank, the presenting sponsor of the event, kicked off a lineup of speakers that included THR managing director and co-publisher Victoria Gold. (See photos from the event here.)

This year’s Business Manager Icon honoree was Richard Feldstein, whose clients across Hollywood include Adam Levine, Paul Rudd and Kate Hudson. Beanie Feldstein, Richard’s daughter, and Levine presented him with the award in pre-recorded videos.

“Rich is like my second father, and I’m just very glad that I didn’t end up poor, and it’s all attributed to you, because without you, I might well be,” Levine said. “Thank you for constantly pestering me and nagging me to save my money.” The Maroon 5 frontman asked Feldstein to celebrate and “pick up a Diet Coke.”

Beanie Feldstein shared a running joke in the family. “When our father calls us, he leaves a message ‘Rich Feldstein, CPA, call me back.'” She said he now has to say “Rich Feldstein, Business Manager Icon.” They Booksmart the actress also said that her father’s job has “always been a big part of [his] identity” and that she appreciates how much “heart, brain power and respect he puts” into his work.

Richard Feldstein recalled sweeping changes in his line of work over a 50-year career, including the rise of the computer, the Internet and cryptocurrency. He emphasized the importance of embracing them.

“Change is accelerating,” he said. “I see every five, ten years that there is something that really affects business management.”

THRits 12th annual breakfast was held at Spago Beverly Hills and streamed live on Zoom.