How to Choose a Good Entertainment Agency
2 June 2009There are a lot of entertainment agencies in the UK, many of which have a strong online presence. Try searching for “entertainer hire” on Google, for example, and over 860,000 results are produced. So, if you’re looking to book live entertainment online, how do you go about making a decision regarding which agency to use? There are a number of key things to consider. Firstly, it’s really important to establish whether or not the agency you are proposing to use is a member of the The Agents’ Association (Great Britain). This association is one of the largest trade organisations of its kind in the world and requires its member to adhere to a strict code of conduct and professional ethics. Secondly, it’s important to check that your prospect entertainment agent uses contracts approved by the association. The legal contract between you, the hirer, and your agency, is the legal framework that protects you against the hazards of booking an act directly. A good entertainment agency will ensure that these contracts are signed by both parties, you the hirer and the artist you wish to hire, before confirming your booking. These approved contracts are absolutely crucial – many bookers have had their events ruined either through legally inferior contracting. Thirdly, a good entertainment agency should be clear, open and honest about fees and the fee negotiation side to the service. Live entertainment acts and celebrities do not always have set fees for their services. It’s the job of the entertainment agent to negotiate a fair price for both parties whilst also being clear about the nature of the deal. Fourthly, it is always important to consider the rider you will be expected to provide for any act you book, celebrity or otherwise. Riders consist of everything from food and drink to the technical equipment needed for a live performance. A good entertainment agency will take you through rider requirements step by step, demystifying any technical jargon and making all costs involved as transparent as possible. Finally, and on a more general note, a good entertainment agency will be passionate about live entertainment! It’s the job of the agent to keep bang up to date with what’s going on in the entertainment business. This involves seeking out talented new performers through auditions, events and networking occasions. It also involves the agent forging crucial links with other talent management companies, enabling a direct route to both emerging and established celebrities, pop stars and entertainers. By forging these relationships with entertainers, celebrities and talent managers, the agent is in effect creating the bridge for potential hirers to book the act that will transform their live event into a memorable occasion.
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