10/22/08
Boston Design Salon
Read about a great evening with the Boston Design Salon here.
“Illustrators, artists, and surface designers skipped home from our Salon evening on October 14th with their creative juices rushing and heads full of new opportunities for licensing their work. Lilla Rogers, a straightforward agent with a passion for art and artists, spent the evening with our Salon to discuss
her side of the design biz. Lilla has been highly successful in her role of representing talented artists and selling their work to reputable clients in the U.S. and Internationally…” read more.
lilla I just read all about the workshop and just wanted to make this point that was slightly talked about. Most agents take 50% of your contract, you are a rare breed in this one. I have always found it to be completely unfair since it is not a fifty- fifty share of work. If you look at literary agents and actors agents it is way below that line. Many of my fellow artist/ licensee friends find it simply has to change. I will rarely take the contract from an agent because of the large amount they get.
I do want to make it clear that doing it on your own is no easy task, and I have been at it for over 10 years. You have to make your mark, be consistent and know how to market yourself. Not everyone can handle that which is why an agent is good, but do your homework on that, since I have done Surtex for 7 years and know a great deal of agents, not all of them are worth the partnership. I have however had have heard wonderful things about you from my good friend Janell and had the pleasure of meeting you at the last Surtex show. Its nice when you have an agent who is also an artist, it helps in understanding how creative people work.
I always love a topic that brings on great discussions!!
Hi, Ellen. You are correct. I was misquoted. At this time we take 30% because we come from the illustration tradition. Most illustration reps take 25 – 30%, and most licensing reps take 50%. Having been an artist with agents in NY, Tokyo, and Paris, and now being an agent, I can tell you that a great rep is worth the money. We (Lilla Rogers Studio) work our heart and soul out every day for our artists. But every rep is different.
Hi Lilla, its me again oh I never said some do not work hard and I am sure you work your tail off, but I have heard from some artists who were rep’d from agents who handled many artists that they were not pushing for them. I still think even those who work really hard do not deserve 50% its just way too much in my opinion. But hey that’s just me! I guess if you are Warren Kimble and Susan Winget and make millions you wouldn’t mind sharing the wealth with Courtney Davis!