A Commercial Education

The New York Local hosted back-to-back events on May 24 and 25 to help educate our industry partners on the new provisions of the 2016 Commercials Contracts. With commercials being distributed across an increasingly broad array of platforms, it is critical that those who employ and procure employment for SAG-AFTRA members understand the newly negotiated terms.

The first day saw approximately 50 representatives from advertising agencies, signatory companies, casting agencies and production companies gather for a presentation on the new memorandum of agreement, particularly on the ways the new contract distinguishes between internet, new media and social media distribution. Staff from our fellow unions the Directors Guild of America and the American Guild of Variety Artists also attended to better understand how their own members might benefit.

The presentation was repeated on the second day for an invited group of franchised talent agents and representatives from the National Association of Talent Representatives. Those who attended thanked SAG-AFTRA staff for providing a helpful and much-needed guide to the new contract, noting that outreach such as this helps to minimize difficulty before, during and after the production process, and to ensure that performers get paid promptly and accurately.

This article was originally featured in the August 2016 local e-newsletter.