I need a commercial music agent.

[Rufuss Sewell]

Hi, so for the last 6 months or so my friend and I have been making music for some pretty high profile corporate commercials including U.S. Cellular, Red Cross, Sandisk and Wal*Mart. We also made the music for a Hasbro video game version of Scrabble and are starting to make more and more contacts.

We're really improvising on the business side and don't really have much experience. I feel like it's definitely time for us to get a third person in to handle the business side of things so that we can focus on making music. Ideally this person would have experience dealing with national corporations, but also be open to expanding our business to include movie soundtracks and TV. I've been surfing around on the net looking for reputable agencies, but there doesn't seem to be a clear line of communication.

Any suggestions?

You can check out our current website which is definitely a work in progress:

http://www.JingleJackal.com

[Sqye]

.

you and everybody else........let us know if you find anyone...

...competition's fierce, dude.

cheers, and best of luck - seriously!

.

[Rufuss Sewell]

Believe me, I know. But we're making pretty good money consistently, and building a strong resume. There's got to be a hungry agent out there willing to jump on board.

[Sqye]

Originally Posted by Rufuss Sewell

Believe me, I know. But we're making pretty good money consistently, and building a strong resume. There's got to be a hungry agent out there willing to jump on board.

.

...you'd think, right?...

if you guys are making enough money, you'll definitely find someone.

then again, if you're making enough money, wtf do you need an agent?..

...hell, keep the freeking money!!

.

[Led]

Don't know how it works over there, but here most agents/managers wouldn't have a clue when it comes to ad agencies. Best people to get to know are ad agency producers and commercial directors. Network, network, network. A publicist who can get you invited to the right parties is worth more than an agent.

[knittingram]

Originally Posted by Rufuss Sewell

Believe me, I know. But we're making pretty good money consistently, and building a strong resume. There's got to be a hungry agent out there willing to jump on board.

If you are looking for hungr, then just post an ad on craigslist.

IMO thats the best place to start.

[VitaEtMusica]

What you're looking for is called a "rep" and if you want them to come around... pull out your wallet. They work for money and commission.

Basically, they're like Pedro's cousin with all the sweet hookups.

[Sqye]

Originally Posted by Led

Don't know how it works over there, but here most agents/managers wouldn't have a clue when it comes to ad agencies. Best people to get to know are ad agency producers and commercial directors. Network, network, network. A publicist who can get you invited to the right parties is worth more than an agent.

.

DING, DING, DING...

...and the good ones are EXPENSIVE.

.

[rack gear]

Most of the music for tv commercials in los angeles comes out of Elias or Machine Head. They pretty much have a strangle hold on it. I've known several people to start having success in this area, and then get muscled out in the last minute by these guys leveraging the ad agencies.

In some cases i've heard of original demos being modified and used in spots that are taken over. And you thought the record biz was cut throat - it's nothing comparred to advertising...

I even know someone on GS who got the shaft recently after demoing stuff for a big tv spot/campaign. But I know others over the years as well - it's an ugly competetive business and I'd say you're better off keeping a low profile.

It's either that, or you can get an agent - Elias or Machine Head... Maybe New York is different. I have no idea about Austin...

Creating award winning musical and sound design soundtracks since 1991, Machine Head is the creative home of founder Stephen Dewey. The work is delivered in a style which is an amalgam of techniques evolved over many campaigns and the creative artist
EliasArts-home

good luck.

[Umlaaat]

Originally Posted by Rufuss Sewell

Hi, so for the last 6 months or so my friend and I have been making music for some pretty high profile corporate commercials including U.S. Cellular, Red Cross, Sandisk and Wal*Mart. We also made the music for a Hasbro video game version of Scrabble and are starting to make more and more contacts.

We're really improvising on the business side and don't really have much experience. I feel like it's definitely time for us to get a third person in to handle the business side of things so that we can focus on making music. Ideally this person would have experience dealing with national corporations, but also be open to expanding our business to include movie soundtracks and TV. I've been surfing around on the net looking for reputable agencies, but there doesn't seem to be a clear line of communication.

Any suggestions?

You can check out our current website which is definitely a work in progress:

Home

how did u get the initial gigs?

[Rufuss Sewell]

Originally Posted by Umlaaat

how did u get the initial gigs?

We have a couple of friends that happened to work in this field that referred us. I know it's all about networking.

[Paulie]

The best way would be to hire an assistant to do a lot of your leg work and kind of teach him/her the job.