After spending the last nine years at Elite Talent Agency, which he founded, Mark Claassen is returning to WME as a music agent in the company’s Nashville office.
Claassen brings music artists including Lincoln Brewster, Jon Foreman, Gungor, Kutless, Derek Minor, Jimmy Needham, Lacey Sturm, Switchfoot and Thousand Foot Krutch. Claassen will work primarily with the office’s Christian music team, led by agent Mike Snider.
“Mark is a terrific agent and we are fortunate to have him back at WME,” said Snider. “His addition further underscores our commitment to the Christian Music space, and we are excited about the new opportunities we will be able to provide our clients with our expansion.”
Claassen has over 20 years of experience in Nashville’s music industry. During that time, he worked in a variety of roles including agent, A&R executive (working with Katy Perry, among others), radio promoter and studio manager. After working at the William Morris Agency for nine years, Claassen opened Elite Talent Agency, a music and speakers booking agency, in 2009.
“I am thrilled to be back at WME, it feels like coming home!” said Claassen. “I look forward to working with the Christian Music department, the Nashville office and WME as a whole. This agency has incredible tools to help its clients thrive in this new ecosystem of music and entertainment.”
Claassen’s hire follows the creation of WME Nashville’s Christian music team in 2014 that brought Snider, Kevin Huffman and Sean Kelly to the agency.
