Entertainment Agent/ Manager
What is the work like?
Entertainment agents and managers, sometimes known as talent agents, promote the careers and manage the business affairs of performers and other professionals in the entertainment industry.
As an agent, it would be your responsibility to secure the best work for your clients – for the best fee. You could also play a wider role and run all aspects of a client's business affairs, although the two roles can be combined.
You could represent actors, singers, musicians, TV presenters, writers or speciality performers such as lookalikes or voiceover artists. Clients can range from new acts to major stars (generally handled by large international agencies).
Your job may include:
- arranging auditions and bookings for clients
- negotiating contracts and fees
- organising tours and booking venues
- helping artists make career decisions, such as advising actors which roles to audition for
- arranging publicity and promotion
- winning clients and scouting for new talent
- handling media enquiries, fan mail and requests for personal appearances
- dealing with travel arrangements and work permits
- keeping records
- staying in regular contact with clients.
You would be in contact with a range of people in the entertainment industry, including promoters, venue managers, TV executives, lawyers, PR managers and accountants.
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
There are various routes that you could take to become an entertainment agent or manager. In this industry your experience (paid or unpaid) , enthusiasm and ability to make contacts are more important than academic qualifications.
You could start as an administrator or assistant in an agency or artist management company, and work your way up as your experience grows. Contacting agencies directly to ask for a work placement is a good way to start out and build contacts.
You may find it useful to have a background in one or more of the following:
- business management
- accounting and administration
- performing arts, particularly if you are applying to work in a larger agency.
Foreign language skills and knowledge of contract law could also be helpful.
Alternatively, you could become an agent or manager after having been a performer yourself, or by managing friends’ careers (this is especially common in the music industry). You may have an advantage with previous experience in other areas of the entertainment industry (for example TV or film production) or related industries like event organising or public relations.
What further training and development can I do?
At the start of your career you would learn on the job from established agents or managers, and develop your skills as your experience grows.
As an established agent or manager you could join an agents' trade association. This would give you professional recognition and access to advice on areas like pay, contracts and running an agency. Organisations include:
- The Agents' Association (Great Britain)
- National Entertainment Agents' Council
- The Personal Managers' Association.
As the manager of a band or solo music artist, you could join the Music Managers' Forum (UK) for training and networking opportunities.
Where can I go for more information?
Guild HouseUpper St Martin’s Lane
London
WC2H 9EG
Tel: 020 7379 6000
Dolphin Square
London
SW1V 3NA
Tel: 020 7834 0515
26 Berners Street
London
W1T 3LR
Tel: 0870 8507 800
If you would like to discuss your career options with a learning adviser at learndirect Careers Advice, call 0800 100 900 or use our online enquiry form
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What salary and other benefits can I expect?
Salaries in agencies can range between £15,000 and £30,000 a year, depending on experience and responsibility.
As an agent or manager, earnings would depend on the work you secure for your clients, as you would normally keep between 10% and 25% of the overall fee. Top agents of major clients can earn over £100,000 a year.
What are the hours and working conditions?
Your standard working hours would be 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. However, you may often need to be flexible and work longer, for example to attend performances or speak to international contacts in other time zones.
You would be office-based, but would often need to travel to meetings and events. If you represented major clients you could travel internationally. The work can be stressful, as there is keen competition to win and keep the best clients.
What skills and knowledge will I need?
- excellent communication and negotiation skills
- a highly organised approach to work
- good business sense
- a persuasive manner
- the ability to build contacts and close working relationships
- confidence and persistence
- attention to detail
- computer and administrative skills
- a keen interest in the entertainment industry.
What opportunities are there?
You could work for an agency or artist management company, or you could be self-employed or choose to set up your own agency.
Some jobs are advertised in the national press or The Stage, although most vacancies are filled by word of mouth or by approaching agencies directly. You can find contact details for agents in the members’ sections of agents’ trade associations.
Your career would progress by building a strong reputation and attracting more top performers onto your books.
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