Occupation · SOC 13-1011
Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes
Represent and promote artists, performers, and athletes in dealings with current or prospective employers. May handle contract negotiation and other business matters for clients.
Median wage
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Projected growth
—
—
Annual openings
—
per year
Employed (US)
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Job Zone 4
Typical preparation
Considerable preparation
Stackable credential programs
132 mapped
Core skills
PersuasionActive ListeningSpeakingReading ComprehensionNegotiationSocial PerceptivenessCoordinationCritical Thinking
Knowledge areas
Customer and Personal ServiceSales and MarketingEnglish LanguageAdministration and ManagementFine Arts
Technology & tools
Graphics or photo imaging softwareOperating system softwareVideo creation and editing softwareCustomer relationship management CRM softwareData base user interface and query software
Representative tasks
Collect fees, commissions, or other payments, according to contract terms.Send samples of clients' work and other promotional material to potential employers to obtain auditiKeep informed of industry trends and deals.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Client contract terms and payment schedules — review and track under supervisor guidance within an established talent agency environment.Promotional materials and work samples — compile and distribute to potential employers following established agency protocols for audition submissions.Industry news, trade publications, and deal announcements — monitor regularly to build foundational awareness of entertainment and sports market trends.Candidate intake interviews — assist in coordinating and observing under senior agent direction during initial client evaluation sessions.Negotiation correspondence and meeting notes — document and organize under supervision to support senior agents in contract discussions with promoters and managers.Client career goals and agency actions — communicate updates clearly in scheduled check-in meetings under the guidance of a supervising agent.Professional contact databases using CRM software — enter, maintain, and retrieve records to support network-building efforts within the agency.Client performance and promotional engagements — assist in scheduling by coordinating logistics and confirming dates using calendar and email tools.Spreadsheet and accounting software — use to track commission payments, fees, and client financial records under direct oversight.Written correspondence including emails and client summaries — draft accurately and professionally using standard agency templates and style guides.
developing
Commission fees and contractual payments — calculate, collect, and reconcile with reduced oversight using agency accounting software and contract terms.Work sample packages and promotional media — independently prepare and submit to targeted employers and sponsors to secure auditions and endorsement opportunities.Emerging industry trends and competitive deal structures — analyze and synthesize to inform client strategy recommendations in routine advisory meetings.Prospective client auditions and portfolio reviews — conduct independently using established evaluation criteria to assess talent fit and commercial viability.Contract terms and union obligations — negotiate directly with promoters and representatives in familiar deal contexts, escalating complex issues as needed.Client career development strategies — formulate and present in structured consultations, adapting recommendations to each client's goals and current market position.Professional networks across talent, media, and sponsorship sectors — cultivate proactively by applying relationship-building techniques in industry events and digital outreach.Performance and promotional booking calendars — manage end-to-end for multiple clients simultaneously, coordinating venues, media appearances, and contractual deadlines.Web page creation and video editing tools — use to develop and update digital promotional assets that enhance client visibility across relevant platforms.Complex client disputes or scheduling conflicts — assess, prioritize, and resolve by applying critical thinking and time management skills in a fast-paced agency setting.
proficient
Multi-party payment structures and royalty arrangements — negotiate and administer across complex contracts autonomously, ensuring full compliance with agreed terms.Comprehensive client promotional campaigns — design and execute independently, integrating work samples, digital media, and targeted outreach to secure high-value sponsorship and endorsement deals.Macro-level shifts in entertainment, sports, and media markets — evaluate continuously and translate into proactive, forward-looking strategic adjustments for client portfolios.Talent identification and evaluation — lead audition and interview processes for diverse candidate pools, applying nuanced judgment to assess long-term commercial and artistic potential.High-stakes contract negotiations with major studios, leagues, unions, and corporate sponsors — conduct autonomously, protecting clients' rights and maximizing deal value across non-routine situations.Long-term career architecture for clients at various career stages — develop and refine collaboratively, integrating market intelligence, personal branding, and financial planning considerations.Cross-sector professional relationships with executives, media buyers, and brand managers — leverage strategically to create tailored opportunities that align with each client's career trajectory.Full engagement booking operations for a diverse client roster — oversee end-to-end, resolving scheduling conflicts and contractual complications with minimal escalation.CRM and information retrieval systems — leverage at an advanced level to analyze relationship data, identify pipeline opportunities, and optimize outreach strategies across the client book.Ethical and legal dilemmas involving client representation, conflicts of interest, or contractual breaches — evaluate independently and resolve using sound judgment and industry best practice.
advanced
Agency-wide commission and revenue frameworks — design and implement to ensure sustainable business performance, aligning pricing structures with market benchmarks and client value tiers.Organizational promotional strategy and brand positioning — direct at the agency level, setting standards for how client work is packaged and presented to industry decision-makers.Industry trend intelligence programs — establish and lead, institutionalizing knowledge-sharing systems that keep the entire agency ahead of market disruptions and emerging opportunities.Talent acquisition and client roster strategy — define selection criteria and oversee evaluation processes to build a diversified, high-potential client portfolio aligned with agency growth goals.Complex, precedent-setting negotiations with major industry stakeholders — lead personally while coaching junior agents, establishing the agency's reputation as a formidable deal-making force.Agency-client relationship philosophy and career management doctrine — articulate and champion organizationally, ensuring all agents deliver consistent, strategic counsel across the client base.Strategic alliance and partnership development — initiate and sustain at the executive level with studios, leagues, brands, and media conglomerates to generate exclusive opportunities for agency clients.Agency booking operations and scheduling infrastructure — architect and govern, implementing systems and staffing models that support high-volume, multi-client engagement management at scale.Technology adoption and digital capability roadmap — lead for the agency, evaluating and deploying CRM, analytics, and media production tools that enhance competitive intelligence and client service.Organizational culture, talent development, and succession planning — drive agency-wide, mentoring emerging and developing agents and establishing performance standards that elevate the profession.
Also known as
53 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Artist's RepresentativeTalent AgentPromotional Marketing AgentPrint AgentArtist RepresentativeAcquisition AgentTalent Acquisition TeamPromotional RepresentativeBusiness AgentBand ManagerTalent RepresentativePicture BookerTalent BookerDramatic AgentEntertainment AgentTouring AgentRepertoire ManagerPromotional AgentMedia PromoterManager, Touring ProductionJockey AgentTalent Solutions ManagerArtist's ManagerArtist ManagerAgentMusic PromoterPromoterBusiness ManagerAthletic AgentTouring Production ManagerModeling AgentBookerAdvance AgentCircus AgentAthlete Marketing AgentFilm BookerFight ManagerBooking AgentManager, AthleteAthlete Manager