Word On The Street
Written on July 23, 2008
Hi Everyone. Haven’t written in awhile. You know how it is.
Anyways, the thing I alluded to awhile back I think is largely official…Billy Albores, the former head of art buying at TBWA/Chiat/Day and more recently McGarry Bowen is now Annie Liebovitz’s agent at Art+Commerce (and perhaps more….). I can’t think of a better match. Congratulations to all.
But here I am getting obtuse again…some prominent agents from an agency in Paris have left to open the Parisian outpost of a very prominent agency in New York. How the wheels turn…
And a famous stylist has left an agency in New York for another big name agency.
Last, but certainly not least, The Collective Shift is expanding its roster with some new names soon…keep refreshing their website.
Summer is normally slow…not this summer.
Filed in: Talent, Photo Agency, Word on the Street.
what happened to jimmy - is he still involved with annie?
Trouble is from Paris, just saw all their books today. Talk about shiny and new books.
as far as i know, jimmy is annie’s agent.
the parisian shake up is Tomas & Marie leaving Katy Barker Paris agency to open the Art + Commerce Paris office, why can’t art+commerce develop their own talent?? they have famously poached katy’s photogs (Craig McDean, Carter Smith, Terry Richardson) and now her employees, hope she survives this onslaught, I am sure she is tough and will regroup soon enough.
the stylist is Edward Enninful leaving Jed Root for Art + Commerce, another art+commerce poach!!
I wonder if these agencies (Jed Root, Katy Barker, Magnet, etc..) losing their artists will do what art+commerce does when someone leaves them? refusing to release the artists tear sheets and asking the new agency for 25% of the departed artists profits for 6 months and then 12.5% for the remaining 6 months?? although I am sure no other agency is as petty and arrogant as art+commerce
I didn’t think this blog was a platform for angry personal rants. This blog seems to be taking a downward spiral. It’s too bad, this blog used to be a fun place to go to read about news in the industry. Not low brow attacks.
As a photographer, Art + Commerce sounds like the kind of agency I want to be with. They seem to be larger than life right now.
I agree strongly with the 5th commenter. The great thing about reading this blog is to keep up with the current events. Personally I’d like to see this blog survive the temptation of becoming just a gossip column.
Oh Please!!!!!!!!! A blog is nothing but a tell all Gossip column and that means the good and the bad news. Our business in nothing but a bunch of Gossip Hungry Kings and Queens!!!!! Why can’t we be happy if someone steals another artist from an agency or agents leave to better themselves. After all we are all here for ourselves and have to look out for one self….. The owners of the agencies need to realize that their agents that run the day to day of their artists is what makes them millionaires and if they don’t treat their agents or artists well they will leave. Very simple!!!!
Keep the changing of the guard news coming….. It is great!!!! THANK YOU
why is everyone assuming that art and commerce “poached” these artists? maybe they wanted to leave? the artists must have had unfulfilled needs with their other agent if they decided to jump ship. it’s not as if they were forced against their will!
I agree with commenter #9.
Why is this poaching? It is the nature of this business, and these artists are successful and have a good head on their shoulder. What is the difference if A+C takes on artists that have had a prior life with another agency - or if an bitter agent leaves with their own artists to start a new agency (or follow them to another job at a competitor’s agency)? A+C does not need to poach, they are doing extremely well w/or without these new artists.
How often does an agency take on*brand new* talent that has never before been rep’d in any capacity?
Ok.
Going to step in here and say…relax.
Obviously this post touched some nerves between some agents and it is what it is.
Unless your comments are constructive or deferentially argumentative then please refrain.
The subject of poaching is obviously a touchy one and may well be a post one day, so perhaps you can reserve your comments for then.
Thank you.
p.s. @6 you sound like an idiot.
funny, I thought these were constructive and thoughtful posts.
It’s business kids just business.
And I too am rooting for the people over at The Collective Shift!
Also, I thought Art & Commerce had a Paris Office?