Ikon Model Management
To Whom It May Concern:
Over the summer I went to an open call at Ikon
Model Management in New York City.
I met with a junior booker and was referred to a photographer
in the area. I spent a little over $300 for two rolls
of pictures, and returned to the agency, where I was
told I would get a comp card made.
I got the run around for about two weeks before I heard
from the booker again, and was never issued the comp
card.
Is this a standard procedure? I thought you weren't
supposed to spend money in the beginning...
I'm very confused and feel cheated.
C.U.
C.,
The Ikon website (ikonmodels.com) said: "Ikon was
founded in 1996 by former model Cynthia Aktipis. Cynthia's
goal was to establish a sincere, honest agency with strong
values and high standards."
Getting the run around for two weeks from the booker
is definitely not standard procedure. Did you ask to
speak to anyone at the agency in a leadership position?
It is totally unacceptable to pay for what is an incomplete
job. You're only half way there. What are you going to
do with two rolls of film if you don't get comp cards?
Contact the owner and report the incident. You don't
need to waste any more of your time with junior bookers
if they waste your time.
They were either being lazy, crooked, or incompetent.
There are agencies which have arrangements with photographers
where they split fees.
You won't know what happened until you ask to speak
with the owner. Who is the owner? Since the company is
relatively new, and it was founded by Cynthia Aktipis,
perhaps she is still the owner.
Hold the owner accountable to the standard the company's
website says is its standard: "a sincere, honest
agency with strong values and high standards."
The BBB has no complaints in the last 36 months, but
it said: "The Bureau has requested basic information
from this company. The Bureau has not received a response."
If you are unable to contact the owner, or if they give
you an unsatisfactory response, contact the BBB, and
file a complaint.
If you don't feel confident about Ikon, but you still
have the film, perhaps you may want to find another agency,
and if the photography was any good, the agency may be
able to use the film to get you comp cards once they
decide to represent you.
Feel free to report further developments in your situation.
Ikon
Model Management Letters Index
|
