Modeling Agency News: American Modeling Industry Headlines

"Who hasn't dreamed of being a star? Well, one company in town claims it can help turn your dreams into reality. But an exclusive NewsChannel 5 investigation found that some consider what the Wilhelmina Scouting Network is doing to be unfair and deceptive."¹

"We talked with a former talent scout with the company who told us she was hired without having any sort of experience."²

"One day after we followed Marcy to a casting call, she got a call from a woman who said she was the Director of Talent Development at Wilhelmina's corporate office in Orlando. The Wilhelmina representative told Marcy at first that she was simply being considered by the company. "Right now, we're looking at about four others in your area," the representative explained. She went on to tell Marcy that she was going to put her on hold for a moment, saying "I'm going to go talk it over with my staff. We're going to look at your photos and we'll come to a final decision, okay?"³

"You may end up being the next Cover girl." She added, "You got an eight on being photogenic, a 10 on your figure, a 10 on your legs and ankles." Those were supposedly Marcy's scores from the casting call the night before. But Marcy wore long pants that night and you couldn't see her legs or ankles."⁴

"The company then went on to tell Marcy that if she didn't pay now, she'd end up on a long waiting list saying, "We only offer one interview per talent per year." "That's definitely foul ball, unfair playing," Calligan says. "No company that is concerned about their clients would want to put you in a position like that." But the company see nothing wrong with this. Wilhelmina spokesperson Michele Presley told us: "I mean, this is not exactly high-pressure. They're calling you from halfway across the country. If you don't wish to enroll, hang up."⁵

1. Jennifer Kraus, "Sales tactics called 'misleading,' " WTVF-5 Nashville, Apr. 30, 2003.
2. Ibid.
3. Ibid.
4. Ibid.
5. Ibid.

Company cashes in on hopes of stardom

"... our undercover investigation found this company really doesn't care what you look like--or even if you have what it takes. What counts is money. And, if you're willing to spend it, Wilhelmina claims your dreams of stardom can come true. We went inside what Wilhelmina calls a casting call. In reality, it's just a slick sales pitch for their website."¹

"The company claims to be the world's largest scouting network and that its website is viewed by more than a thousand casting directors and talent agents around the world. But several of Nashville's top agents and casting directors all say the same thing. "We would not ever use them," says Darlene McDowell who owns DS Entertainment, a Nashville talent agency. "I have never pulled up their site," adds Regina Moore, a local casting director who owns Moore Casting. "Why do that? That doesn't make any sense," explains Terrance Hurd, owner of the Nashville talent agency, The Hurd Agency."²

1. Jennifer Kraus, "Company cashes in on hopes of stardom," WTVF-5 Nashville, Apr. 29, 2003.
2. Ibid.

Talent Company May Not Keep Promises

"Despite the name changes, clients all over the country still have complaints. Chanel Waters, of Tuscaloosa, complained to the NBC13 investigators. "I mean, I feel like I've been taken advantage of," Water said. "I take modeling very seriously and to the point where I would do anything, you know, to get where I need to go." So, for a shot at fortune and fame, Waters paid what she considered a small fortune--$795 up front and a $19.95 monthly fee. In return, she received job leads by e-mail. What kind of jobs were they for? "Swiffer Wet-Jet promotion. That's the little wet-jet mop," Water said. Waters says many of the e-mails were for promotions models at stores and modeling jobs out of town. Some required another fee."¹

"I do think they are selling a dream to a lot of people. But at the same time, they seem to be promising to deliver more than they really do deliver," Assistant Attorney General Jacqueline Dowd said. Dowd says she has met with TCT and hopes to settle with the company out of court. NBC13 learned some local TCT clients do get work. A Birmingham agent says she used clients in the recent VisionLand commercial. But how many of the 500 local clients land similar jobs? A company spokeswoman in Orlando, Fla., said, "We do not track jobs. We do not guarantee jobs because we are not an agency."²

1. "Talent Company May Not Keep Promises," NBC13 Birmingham, May 20, 2003.
2. Ibid.

Women Say Modeling Firm Promises More Than It Delivers

"It's one of the oldest pickup lines in the book, 'Hey, you should be a model.' But for some local young women, it was more than just a line--it was the beginning of, what they claim, was a nightmare. Three different women spoke with WAVY News 10 about their experiences. All are aspiring models who say they gave their money to a company that didn't deliver."¹

Orlando talent scouting firm affiliates with Wilhelmina

"Trans Continental Entertainment Group Inc. has completed a "multi-million dollar deal" with Wilhelmina Scouting LLC. The company would not disclose the exact financial amount of the agreement. Under the deal, the Orlando-based entertainment company's talent scouting subsidiary, Trans Continental Talent, will be doing business as Wilhelmina Scouting Network. "It's combining the name of Wilhelmina models and its affiliate, Wilhelmina Scouting, with our talent scouting subsidiary Trans Continental Talent to form Wilhelmina Scouting Network," explains Trans Continental spokeswoman Elizabeth Neff. Lou Pearlman, chairman of Trans Continental, says his company chose Wilhelmina's because of its reputation and 36 years in business, which will give Trans Continental Talent's existing and future models and actors the greatest opportunity to succeed. While Wilhelmina will assist Trans Continental with staff training, Trans Continental Talent Chief Executive Officer Mark Tolner emphasizes that his company will continue operating its current talent scouting business. Kicking off the affiliation, Tolner announced a national talent search by the network in 40 cities over 15 months. On Friday, Trans Continental Talent (OTCBB: TCTE) stock was trading in the range of $2.55 to $2.70 a share. Its 52-week range is $1.20 to $16.50."¹

1. "Orlando talent scouting firm affiliates with Wilhelmina," Orlando Business Journal, Mar. 21, 2003.

Rogue Corby Model Agency in Court for Witholding Clients' Money

"Ruby Mear Models Limited, An employment agency based in Corby admitted today that it had failed to pass on money, totalling £320, owed to two models for a photographic assignment, which the agency had found for them. Corby Magistrates' Court sentenced the company to £800 (plus £3,099 costs), following investigations by the DTI's Employment Agency Standards (EAS) Inspectorate. The DTI brought the action against Ruby Mear Models Limited under the provisions of the conduct regulations associated with the Employment Agencies Act 1973, which are designed to protect work-seekers, including photographic models, who use the services of employment agencies to find work. The case came to light following a complaint to the DTI's Employment Agency Standards telephone action line on 0845 955 5105. The company has paid the money owed to the workers involved in this case. Gerry Sutcliffe, DTI Employment Relations Minister, said: "This serves as a clear example to all rogue employment agents that wrongly and wilfully withhold money owed to workers using their services. The DTI will continue to take whatever action is necessary, including prosecution, to protect workers against these illegal practices." The agency is appealing against the decision, claiming that the monies were witheld as a result of the models owing sums of money to the company."¹

(Ruby Mear Models Limited, Ruby Mear Model Agency Ltd., Ruby Mear Promotions Ltd.)

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