It turns out that a lot of people are building the agencies with quantities, but not qualities. They contact young and fresh artists or famous foreign artists and quickly build up their agencies to more than 100 artists. They may have multiple reps and they may be international too. The best part of the deal is that the representation is not exclusive. So the artists can take on their own projects and even sign up with another agency. This deal is too good to be true, right? The more agents work for me, the more jobs I may get and the more money I make. Why not?
Let's set aside the basic working ethics of this business and talk about money, an issue that everyone cares. You are hurting the market by using agencies' website as free portfolio sites, including your own pocket in the long run. Let's assume that an advertising agency sends out a cattle call to all the agencies about a possible assignment. All the agencies will pick out the best candidates and present a quote. If an illustrator is represented at the same time by two agencies and both agencies pitch this artist, who will win the bid? The one with lower price. This won't happen everyday, but it will happen, and very possibly on bigger and money making projects. This is definitely not the way you want it to be when you decided to sign up with multiple reps.
Industry is changing. You don't necessary need a rep to be a successful artist. If you choose to have one, I feel it's very important for you to develop a nice relationship with you rep.
Let's set aside the basic working ethics of this business and talk about money, an issue that everyone cares. You are hurting the market by using agencies' website as free portfolio sites, including your own pocket in the long run. Let's assume that an advertising agency sends out a cattle call to all the agencies about a possible assignment. All the agencies will pick out the best candidates and present a quote. If an illustrator is represented at the same time by two agencies and both agencies pitch this artist, who will win the bid? The one with lower price. This won't happen everyday, but it will happen, and very possibly on bigger and money making projects. This is definitely not the way you want it to be when you decided to sign up with multiple reps.
Industry is changing. You don't necessary need a rep to be a successful artist. If you choose to have one, I feel it's very important for you to develop a nice relationship with you rep.
