OTM (On Track Modeling) aka
AMG (Alpha Model Group)
To Whom It May Concern:
OTM was in Toledo, Ohio, this weekend.
About 375 potential models attended with about 75 (?)
being picked to work with the company. My daughter was
one of the "chosen."
I was then informed by a friend of "scams" that
have been associated with OTM.
I really liked what I saw at this meeting, and the fact
they insist on the school-aged models fax their report
cards every quarter, maintaining a B average to work.
I also was impressed that they do not expect any upfront
money to be paid for anything.
Yes, comp cards are required, but that is a given in
this business.
And they do not require you to use any particular photographer.
Any information you can give will be helpful.
Thank you,
You said: "I also was impressed that they do not
expect any upfront money to be paid for anything."
No reason to be impressed. It's illegal to require upfront
fees in several states.
Then you said: "Yes, comp cards are required, but
that is a given in this business."
Have you read the complaints about OTM? It means nothing
if they "do not expect any upfront money," because
they make money from photos. That is the upfront money.
None of the reputable companies do this. If OTM gets
money from photos, and their president already said they
do, they don't need to get models work.
The federal government already prosecuted a company
which took money for comp cards because "that is
a given in this business," so you can't take as
a given the fact that a modeling company wants comp cards
as a sure sign it is legit.
You said: "And they do not require you to use any
particular photographer."
That may have been what you were told, but the pattern
of complaints was they manipulated people to use their
photographer. They don't have to require the use of their
photographer, or say they require the use of their photographer
to get people to use their photographer.
It is easy enough to manipulate consumers without experience
and worried about missing an opportunity to use a photographer,
and they can always veto any photography by someone else,
arbitrarily saying it's not good enough.
The other thing is reputable modeling agencies can and
do require the payment for photography and comp cards
after the models get work or only require half the cost
up front.
Ask OTM to do this. If they are serious or competent
in their scouting, and sincerely believe your daughter
will get work modeling, why would they have a problem
with this when reputable and successful agencies do not?
Here you have a company with a conflict of interest
which is supposedly competent that wants you be a partner
in business but you don't know them and it wants you
to assume all the financial risks.
You should also know that it is possible to avoid altogether
the upfront fees for photography (at OTM it is reportedly
$600) if you do TFP (Time for Print). This is where a
photographer does not charge for his or her work, instead
trading it with the new model for practice and pictures
that can be used for his or her portfolio.
The ratio of selection you mentioned (75/375) is extremely
and suspiciously high. Reputable agencies like the top
agencies in NY said they select about 1/1,000. High ratios
are common with companies making money off upfront fees
(photography and comp cards are upfront fees). Fast bulk
recruiting is not standard for the modeling industry,
but it is standard for upfront-fee firms.
They can say all they want about report cards etc.,
to put the parents at ease, or to impress them, but it's
irrelevant if they abandon them after the check clears
at the bank.
This company travels around and takes money and then
abandons their models, the complaints said. Those few
who wrote who said they got work said it paid very little
and they were paid very late.
You have seen the promotion of the company to parents
and potential models. Have you also seen the promotion
of OTM to their potential business clients? Do you know
what level and type of "modeling" they do?
OTM says it is "Promotional." They do "sports
marketing, college marketing, tradeshows, conventions,
character modeling, events, in-store sampling." One
girl represented by OTM who wrote said she signed up
people for credit cards.
Is this the type of work your daughter wants? Promotional
work will not likely require her to be photographed (no
photos necessary to sign people up for credit cards,
for example), so it would not get her tear sheets she
could use to get real modeling jobs.
Does OTM have an office in Toledo or Ohio? Aren't there
any reputable modeling agencies in your area? Is OTM
the only option? Is it the best option? Should it be
your first choice?
It seems to be illegal in certain states to advertise
for model/talent type of work, as in scouting, unless
there a company has asked for models or talent. The basic
idea is it is a bogus job advertisement. Like advertisements
for jobs which do not exist. So what companies have asked
for models in Toledo? Do the jobs exist?
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