Atlanta Regional Commercial Code Achievements

The Atlanta Local Board has approved significant improvements to the Atlanta Regional Commercial Code. This contract is tailored for regional advertisers to easily hire SAG-AFTRA performers at competitive rates with flexible terms.

The Atlanta Regional Code maintains the position as the highest percentage of national commercial rates in the country.

Payment of the minimum session fee includes all local traditional broadcast/cable and terrestrial radio within the jurisdiction of the Atlanta Code. Under the code:

• A 50% usage fee will apply for all supplemental use other than traditional broadcast/cable and terrestrial radio. Previously, payment of the minimum session fee included all local broadcast, internet, new media, theatrical/industrial and local cable use within the jurisdiction of the Atlanta Code. 
• One-year use rates are now based on three times the applicable 13-week session fees outlined in the Regional Code. Previously, it was set at two times the applicable 13-week session fees.
• Use cycles include four-week, 13-week and 1-year options. The 21-month use cycle has been eliminated. If a one-year cycle is engaged, the employer must renegotiate with the performer or the performer’s agent at the end of the term for any additional use.

Rates

Term Signatory (on-camera/off-camera)

• Four-week: $470/$353 
• 13-week: $626/$471
• One year: $1,879/$1,413

One Production Only (on-camera/off-camera)

• Four-week: $529/$398
• 13-week: $705/$530
• One year: $2,114/$1,590

Edits

Edit provisions will be aligned with the National Commercial Contract and refer to the appropriate section in the national code.

• Shorter/longer versions shall be paid as follows:

     - No additional compensation is due for the first and second versions.
     - The third shorter/longer version shall trigger a payment of a session fee to principal 
        performers whose performance remains in the third shorter/longer version.
     - Each additional shorter/longer version after the 3rd shall trigger a payment of 30% of a  
        session fee to each performer whose performance remains in the shorter/longer version 
        created.

Maximum Period of Use

• Maximum period of use is now 12 months, allowing performers and their agents to renegotiate a successful commercial sooner.
• The maximum period of use shall now be measured starting from the earlier of the first use of the commercial or 13 weeks following the last production day.

Performer’s Working From Outside Local’s Jurisdiction

When a VO performer is recording from outside the Code’s jurisdiction or when an on-camera principal travels into the Code’s jurisdiction, all performers (both inside and outside the Code’s jurisdiction) shall be paid the applicable National Contract session fee.

• This fee shall be used as the multiplier for the local Code for such performer(s). The performer is put on a Regional Code employment contract with notes in the special provisions. 

Here’s an example of how the multiplier works: If an on-camera principal is hired from outside the “made-in” territory, all on-camera principals would be paid:

• $783.10 for 13 weeks use.
• $587.33 (75% of $783.10) for four weeks use.
• $2,349.30 (3x $783.10) for one year use.