Work of a talent agency

An important work is to build the fanbase to love and support the star

To me, the work of a talent agency, is driven by one goal. To promote the stars it manages and earn its fees. The work is therefore clear. It is just a matter of how smart, creative, well connected and diligent the agency is in achieving its goals.

The talent agency’s work involves signing up talents – a new one or a star that has already made a name. If the talent is new, then the agency has to work to train and groom him or her to become a star. The work is tough, the investment is high and the probability of success is very low due to the competition and the already crowded but limited space in the entertainment industry. Every once in a while, a lucky talent may turn into a star.

Building star presence in the press and win hearts

Now, if the agency managed to turn this talent into a star or has signed on a known star, this is when the real work begins. The agency can’t just sit back and wait for the money to roll in, no such thing as benefits without toil.

A star has to be promoted and marketed continuously to keep him or her at the top-of-mind in the industry including those of casting agents, broadcasting stations, production studios, producers, directors and writers, media and news, advertising agencies and advertisers. This is topmost priority because when a star is out of sight, he or she is out of mind and will not get priority for roles in dramas, movies, advertisements or CFs.

A talent agency keeps the star top of mind among those who matter

At the appropriate time, the agency should arrange the star to meet the press and magazines for interviews including doing features, fashion spreads, special interests, whatever that can be newsworthy and will appeal to the audience. The star has to be seen and heard, be invited and attend major publicity events like product launches, media and fashion events, awards, etc. 

The agency’s connections and relationships with the players involved in such activities like the media and reporters, the organizers of events, the advertising agencies and key advertising corporates are crucial. Particularly, with the media and press, good relationships can do wonders when things are good and on the roll or when a helping hand is badly needed during a crisis.

Dramas and movies are the bread and butter for stars, so the agency needs to get its star cast in roles, especially starring roles. To do this, it has to have the network, the relationships and the clout to push the star in front of the casting agencies, the production studios, the directors, the scriptwriters and the broadcasters. These relationships don’t just drop from the sky, they have to be cultivated over time and the agency cannot afford to cut any slack at any time. 

Youtube Video – Park Sihoo “Lucky Seven Event in Myoko, Japan Feature”, 2 March 2020

Click on photo to watch video https://youtu.be/NODSpQLPZec

And equally important, is the agency’s plans to build the fanbase of the star. Definitely, the star is the utmost attraction. Who he or she is, the personality, the acting ability, the behavior and habits all play a part in will be attracted. But the agency also has a major part to play in creating the opportunities for the star to engage his or her fans and potential fans to build the fanbase. 

The star would be busy working on his projects to earn his keep. When a project is confirmed, the star will be fully focused on making sure he or she studied the role and figured out how best to present the character, learning the script, going for costume fitting, poster and promotion video shoots and other pre-production work. He or she will also be working with the drama team to publicize the project, filming, and doing during and post publicity for the project.

Fans have to be nurtured and grow

It is therefore the responsibility of the agency to plan how and when the star should engage existing fans to keep them happy and turn general audience into fans. After all the agency is privy to the schedule and activities of the star and in the best position to decide. Every project is a an opportunity to lay the grounds for new works, build better relationships with key stakeholders and attracting more fan followings. The smart agency will identify and leverage every opportunity and work darn hard to build momentum because every opportunity is the chance to scale new heights for the star.

So where is Hoo Factory with Park Sihoo-ssi?

No doubt the competition is great, and it will get even greater. But if we don’t build, we will not get there!  Make hay while the sun still shines!