Virtual influencer Lil Miquela has signed with talent agency Creative Artists Agency (CAA) as its first virtual client, according to Variety. 

The 19-year-old Gen Z CGI influencer was founded in 2016 by Brud, a Los Angeles-based agency. Today, she has over 2 million Instagram followers and has partnered with brands like Prada and Calvin Klien.

CAA executive Adam Friedman said in a statement: “Over the last few years, we’ve watched the team at Brud create a true multi-hyphenate in Miquela. We are excited to jump in and help her navigate the world of television and film, and also see a unique opportunity for innovative, forward-thinking brands to align with a culturally relevant, icon-in-the-making.”

With the ongoing situation, we might need virtual influencers for marketing more than ever and their appearances have been increasing since quite sometime. Recently, WHO partnered with Knox Frost to help distribute accurate information about COVID-19 to Gen Z and so it will be interesting to see how brands collaborate with virtual influencers in the near future.

Dudley Nevill-Spencer, director and head of data analysis at Virtual Influencer Agency said in a statement: “This is one of those moments where, in five years people will say, ‘why wouldn’t a virtual influencer have representation?’ Business is always about utility. Miquela fills a role for a demographic and CAA is a gatekeeper that sifts and negotiates deals on her behalf – it’s that simple. These relationships and virtual influencer deals will continue to grow and grow.”