Agents & Business Managers of Artists, Performers, & Athletes

Video transcript: skip transcript

In the high-intensity world of media, sports and entertainment, agents and business managers negotiate contracts to secure the best deals and opportunities for artists, athletes, and other performers. Agents and business managers represent their clients to current or prospective employers, they handle contract negotiations, schedule appearances and performances, and may also manage travel arrangements, ticket sales, and advertising. Many provide legal and financial advice. A major responsibility for agents and business managers is staying on top of industry trends and potential opportunities. Getting a meeting set with decision makers and having a positive interaction often determines whether or not deals go through, from authors landing a book contract, to actors signing on to a film, to a baseball player joining a new team. Agents and business agents also need to build strong relationships to retain their clients, discussing plans, sharing a vision of possible career directions, and explaining how the agent’s efforts will benefit the client. Agents are usually paid a percentage of their client’s salary or contract. Agents and business managers typically need a bachelor’s degree as well as a considerable amount of work experience to build skills and contacts, although some have an exceptional ability to build connections, and bypass typical requirements.