If you are familiar with the entertainment industry, especially kids modeling, you might have heard the word “momager.” Famed by reality television, you might wonder whether, in addition to agency representation, model management is necessary for your child to be successful. So what does a manager do, and does your child need one? If you’re deciding whether to take on this role for your child, if a professional manager is necessary, or if your agent will do the trick, keep reading for the details.
While agents find and book jobs for models, a manager can help organize what is needed for a model’s jobs and overall career. A manager helps decide which jobs to take and organizes the smaller details such as documents, contracts, and appearances. Since agents secure jobs and ensure that models get paid and treated appropriately, your child still needs a professional licensed agent whether or not you choose to hire a manager.
Parents always need to be involved because of the permission they will grant for their child. So, especially when it comes to kids, many of the things a manager might do are things a parent would need to take part in anyway. Since an agent can do what a manager does in a professional capacity and a parent does what the manager would do in a personal capacity, a manager is most likely not necessary for a child model. This is where the term “momager” gains notoriety. Parents generally take on this role in a relaxed and non-professional sense, while some choose to get licensed.
If you do decide to go with a manager, make sure to vet them thoroughly or get a recommendation from your agent. You want to make sure that your child’s information is safe and that their best interest is the priority. Note that, unlike agents, managers are not required to have a license and are not regulated. A parent can go through the process to become an official licensed manager if they choose, but agents will always have the experience with legal and business contracts necessary to protect your family.
In truth, a manager is not always necessary. Hiring one is a personal preference based on your goals for your child’s career. But there are cases when hiring a manager might be right for your family. If a child is booking a lot and is getting very big jobs, especially with busy parents, it might be worth the investment to have someone else help with the process. This is typically when your child is making upwards of $100,000 a year. Kids modeling is hard work and requires a good amount of organization and coaching. A manager can help parents keep on top of everything they need for booking jobs and can work with agents to advise kids on their modeling, acting, and which jobs to accept
While they have different roles, model agents and model managers have the same goal: to advance a model’s career. They both want models to book as many high quality jobs as possible. Ultimately, happy kids and parents means happy agents and managers! So either way you go, as long as you have a support system you can trust, your child will be in good hands.
At Bensimon Models and Talent, we want what is best for your child. Our dual approach provides a full service licensed agency and a customizable, hands on model management whenever it is needed for the best experience for your child. For more information, visit us at bensimonmodels.com. We are so excited to see your child shine!
