Mother Agency Contracts in Dublin Ireland
Dublin, Ireland, may be home to a model's first encounter with a complex contract: a Mother Agency agreement. This initial contract, typically signed with a local agency, serves as the foundation for a model's career. Mother Agencies equip models with the industry know-how, portfolio development tools, and guidance for success. As a model gains experience in their local market, their Mother Agency may champion their advancement to bigger markets like Dublin (itself a major hub), Los Angeles, Miami, Paris, Milan, and Tokyo. One-time contracts, in contrast, are generally much less intricate.
Working with a mother agency means their commission covers both jobs they directly book for you and jobs you land through other agencies they connect you with. In simpler terms, it's like a finder's fee because they introduce you to the agency that books you for that Dublin job, for instance.
- Models should expect a 20% cut from their paycheck for each job. This is split between two parties:
- The model's mother agency takes a 10% commission.
- The agent who booked the specific job also takes a 10% commission.
- It's crucial to review your contract carefully. The mother agency's commission might be in addition to the standard 20% rate charged by the booking agent.
- In that scenario, a model could lose 30% to 40% of their earnings per job.
- There's a difference in how these commissions are applied. The mother agency's cut typically comes directly out of the model's pay, while the booking agent's commission usually gets added to the quoted rate for the job.
Dublin's mother agency contracts can vary significantly in length. Some are short-term, lasting only one or two years. Conversely, other contracts commit you for your entire career.
You aren't obligated to sign with a mother agency at all. Opting for independent representation allows you to collaborate with various agencies across different cities. The agency that secures your job gets a commission from your earnings. This approach eliminates the need to oversee your agents' negotiations, offering a potential benefit.