Women of Live Hall Of Fame: Marlene Tsuchii

Marlene Tsuchii
Music Agent, Co-Head of International Touring | Creative Artists Agency

“Marlene is one of the greatest agents I have ever known and one of the best friends anyone could ever wish for.  She has the unique ability to identify great artists early on in their careers, and successfully develop those careers into worldwide stardom. She was one of the first agents in the U.S. to excel in international touring, while knowing everything about the North American market as well. She has always been a huge supporter of women in the music industry and so many people have been fortunate to have her as a mentor.” — Carole Kinzel, Music Agent, CAA

DEI has always been very personal to Marlene Tsuchii. As a Japanese American woman, she has faced many years of inequality, something many women and people of color still experience today.

“While improved in some ways, it sadly still exists,” Tsuchii said. “However, we must continue creating a safe space where underrepresented groups can have a voice and be seen.”

A few years ago, Tsuchii vowed to help expand the presence of Asian talent. Since then, she has signed Korean entertainment powerhouse SM Entertainment, alongside colleague Chris Dalston, as well as 88rising, the bastion of new Asian artists.

“I feel it is our responsibility as industry executives to create opportunities for these artists, who are still often considered niche,” Tsuchii noted.

As for DEI in the workplace, she is proud to have built the “United Nations” of associates. Many of them have succeeded at CAA or moved on to become successes in other fields such as Thomas Krottinger at Sony Music Publishing, Clarissa Reformina at Radeo and Ashley King, who is now an agent at CAA.

Among the artists Tsuchii represents at home and abroad are Jackson Wang, NIKI, Ariana Grande, Justin Bieber, The Black Keys, Maggie Rogers, Rüfüs Du Sol, Daft Punk, Beck, Phoenix, Gorillaz, Tool and The Linda Lindas.

This past year, Tsuchii underwent her biggest challenge, a bout with cancer that sidelined her for almost 12 months.

“I couldn’t attend many events, but I was proud to be a part of Sabrina Carpenter and Maggie Rogers’ first arena tours,” she said. “I was able to fully enjoy AC/DC in Dublin with my husband. I lost nearly a year of my personal and professional life, so I am excited to fully return to normalcy and enjoy it all.”

When asked who had the most influence on her professionally, Tsuchii didn’t hesitate to answer.

“This is an easy one. I would choose my mentor, Cara Lewis, who is a force unto herself,” she said. “She took me under her wing when I joined WME and helped shape my career. Equally important is someone I respect immensely, Carole Kinzel. She is a fierce agent, an incredible A&R magnet, and one of the kindest, most thoughtful people I have met in the business.”

Tsuchii points to the CAA Foundation when asked about her or CAA’s biggest successes over the last year.

“The CAA Foundation continues to be our most powerful, impactful, and impressive area of the company, focusing on creating change with initiatives in education, diversity and inclusion. They move at lightning speed to help during disasters such as the recent L.A. fires. Led by the intrepid Natalie Tran, this group of individuals have taught us all that change starts when we work together,” Tsuchii says.

Even as a much touted industry veteran, Tsuchii says her advice to colleagues and others on her career path is simple.

“I try to avoid the usual cliches – have a strong stomach and focus on the good,” she said. “It is so easy to fall prey to the negative.”