How well connected is your news talent agent?
In other words, how many people in the broadcast industry know your agent not just by name, but by his or her stellar reputation?
If you’re unsure, then it’s time to consider a new agent.
Because if your current agent doesn’t know the people and the players that fuel the broadcast industry, then he or she clearly doesn’t understand the importance of relationships in news talent placement.
And without those connections, your career could be placed permanently on hold.
The Importance of Relationships in News Talent Placement
Placing talent is something of an art. The key to successful placement of talent comes down to putting the right person in the right place at the right time.
A seasoned agent understands this.
But a seasoned agent with experience in the industry has a distinct advantage.
That’s because the art of placing talent is complemented and strengthened by the art of creating meaningful relationships.
And an agent who has worked for several decades in broadcast news has developed these relationships that allow him or her to make connections that others simply cannot.
So it’s not only about knowing the right people in the right markets, but it’s also about being KNOWN by the right people in the right markets.
This is what makes the difference when it comes to placement.
News Broadcast Is a Fast-Paced Industry
An agent with past experience in the newsroom is far more likely to represent a diverse group of news personnel – including on-air talent, producers, and managers.
This is the result of knowing good talent when they see it, as well as understanding how to make the most of it.
But even more importantly, they know the people at the top because they spent years creating relationships and friendships with them before they reached those positions.
Can your agent say that he or she has dozens of people who are now news directors, vice presidents of news, executive producers and managing editors who once worked for them while they ran news stations?
And that because of this, he or she is able to reach out to these highly successful people and – based on the relationship/friendship – they will actually take the call?
It’s an exceedingly rare agent that has these credentials.
Even so, if you’re working with an agent who can’t make these claims, you’re far less likely to keep advancing in your career.
The truth is, any agent can send your demo link to a news executive.
But when your agent knows two of the four news directors in a major city because he or she has special relationships with them, for example, you can be assured that your demos will actually be seen.
To put it another way, a relationship will not guarantee you a job. But it will guarantee that the right people will see your work.
Furthermore, your connection with that highly respected agent will also put your further ahead in the running.
Is It Time to Seek New Representation?
Now that you understand the importance of relationships in news talent placement, you’ll want to be sure that your agent has the right connections.
If your career has been at a plateau for some time, then you may want to consider a new agent – one with decades of news station experience who has a multitude of connections and knows every in and out of the business.
Contact us today to get in touch with just such an agent.
And get the placement you deserve.
