OTM (On Track Modeling) aka
AMG (Alpha Model Group)
To Whom It May Concern:
My name is R.D. Ecksmith. I am President of On Track
Modeling Inc. in Charlotte, NC and Indianapolis, IN.
I was just informed we had two complaints on your site
and I thought I would check it out.
I think your website is very informative and I agree
with what you are trying to do.
This year one of our goals is to be pro-active in the
industry, and I would like to add some different views
to the situation.
After almost nine years in the industry, I have seen
a lot of scams come and go. One of the reasons scams
work is because people get into the business not knowing
anything about the business. They only know people get
rich in the business.
That is not a reason to try to begin a career in the
fashion industry. They go to every model search that
comes to town, not knowing if they have potential as
a fashion model, commercial model, character model, or
promotional model. They really don’t know if they
have any talent or potential at all.
All they do is keep going to model searches and open
calls until someone signs them. They will sign with any
agency just to have an agent. They think they can buy
their way into the industry, and when it doesn’t
turn out like they wanted… “It’s a
scam…”
The modeling industry is like the music industry. There
are some musicians who make millions of dollars. But
for every one that does, there are 100,00 that don’t.
These people still play local events and have fun doing
something they love to do. Modeling is the same way.
Last year, OTM booked over 5,000 modeling assignments.
Sure, OTM has models who go oversees, sign to NY agencies
through OTM, and make big money. But, most of OTM’s
assignments are working local events on a part-time basis,
having fun and modeling.
OTM signs everyone to a non-exclusive contract, meaning
they can work with other agencies, too. If you really
want to make money, you models should sign with an agency
in every good-size town within about a 4-6 hour driving
radius from your hometown.
OTM wants to be part of your modeling career, OTM doesn’t
want to be your modeling career. If OTM feels we can
work you full time, we give you an exclusive contract.
Please understand that when a person is signed to either
agreement, it is stated in the contract that there is
no work guaranteed.
OTM does require a comp. card. (Our clients do, too.)
Models can use OTM’s photographer or hire their
own. Neither one of the complaints mentioned that.
Models do not have to buy comp. cards from OTM. (Funny… they
didn’t mention that, either.)
Last year approximately 40% of the models booked through
OTM did NOT buy photography or comp. cards through OTM.
Last year through Charlotte alone, OTM paid 1.3 million
dollars out to our models. OTM is the leading promotional
agency in the industry, and we do not sub-contract our
talent.
Visit our sites at www.otmcharlotte.com for information
on promotional work, or www.familyhappenings.com (new
site) for fashion and upscale happenings.
I cannot reply to photography complaints without seeing
the photography in question. If the people doing the
complaining would send them to me, I will personally
review it and see what we can do.
OTM uses great photographers. They also shoot for some
of the biggest agencies in the industry, not just OTM.
Think about it —the better the photography is,
the easier it is to get models jobs. It is not to our
advantage to use anything but quality photographers.
And in reference to the complaint from Lubbock,TX…Ashley
Dunn, age 15, is now in Greece modeling for OTM. Guess
where she’s from?
Everything I have stated can be verified. OTM comes
to most markets only once a year, so come see us but
check out websites first.
Thank you,
R.D. Ecksmith
President
On Track Modeling Inc.
Charlotte, NC and Indianapolis, IN.
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