After many submissions to various agencies, I was thankfully offered representation by a mother agency and they sent me a 26-page worldwide representation agreement. I’m seriously considering working with them, but I want to make sure I understand what I’m agreeing to before signing.
I had an initial Zoom with the agency owner, and she mentioned that they get a lot of casting requests for commercials and acting roles, which I’m definitely open to and would be happy to pursue. That said, I’d also really love to build more in activewear, beauty, skincare/haircare, wellness, lifestyle, and e-commerce modeling. In the meeting, I asked her she can see me doing any of those and she responded definitely. I really want to ensure they would actively pitch/submit me for those types of opportunities or primarily send me castings that come directly to them.
Also, they are based in Nashville and opened up last October and I am based in Dallas. People signed to her seem to be doing shoots (idk if paid or unpaid), bridal work (I would love) and being invited to influencer events on behalf of the agency. The biggest things that stood out to me in the contract:
3-year exclusive term, worldwide, with automatic 1-year renewals unless I give 90 days’ notice.
10% mother agency commission on “Gross Compensation.”
20% commission on direct bookings they procure or substantially coordinate.
“Gross Compensation” per the contract includes modeling, influencer/creator compensation, sponsorships, branded content, affiliate compensation, digital media, social media, TV/film, etc.
I already have an established creator/influencer business, so I’m concerned the contract could potentially give them a commission on brand deals/opportunities that I source myself or relationships I already have.
The contract doesn’t clearly spell out that pre-existing contracts, campaigns, or relationships are excluded from commission. Should I get an explicit carve-out in writing?
One thing I’m especially trying to figure out is whether the scope of representation matches what I actually want. I’m totally fine with commercials and acting being part of my career, but I’d love for the agency to also actively pursue the beauty/activewear/lifestyle side of my modeling career.
Does this look normal for a legit mother agency, or are there provisions you would absolutely negotiate before signing?
Very interested in hearing from models who’ve worked with mother agencies before. What did your contracts look like regarding exclusivity, commission on creator/influencer income, pre-existing contracts, termination, post-termination commissions, and the agency’s actual responsibility to submit/pitch you for work?
I’m planning to have an attorney review it as well, but I’d love to hear about anyone’s real experiences.