Ever wondered what goes into an artist-management contract? I...
Z@BrianZisook
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Jul 31, 2024
~3 min read
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Ever wondered what goes into an artist-management contract? I consulted with an entertainment attorney to break down the essentials clause by clause. While no two agreements are the same, this thread covers the most common boilerplate language. 📄 🧵
Z@BrianZisook
Send me the contract. I’ll happily review it and break it down on the timeline.
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“Engagement and Term”
Typically, a manager is contracted for a set period, with options for extensions and annual renewals. This could mean you’re tied up for longer than you expect. Make sure there’s a fair and clear termination clause to protect your interests.
Typically, a manager is contracted for a set period, with options for extensions and annual renewals. This could mean you’re tied up for longer than you expect. Make sure there’s a fair and clear termination clause to protect your interests.
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If you’re worried about entering into a long-term partnership, ask a lawyer to add a provision to the agreement that allows either party to exit easily at the 60- or 90-day mark. This would provide a clean break, allowing both parties to separate.
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“Manager’s Services”
Managers usually advise on everything from marketing to contract negotiations. This is pretty standard and essential for your career growth. Make sure their services align with your specific needs to get the most out of this partnership.
Managers usually advise on everything from marketing to contract negotiations. This is pretty standard and essential for your career growth. Make sure their services align with your specific needs to get the most out of this partnership.
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“Non-Exclusivity”
Managers often represent other artists, too. This is common, but make sure they have enough time and resources to focus on you. You want to ensure your career doesn’t take a permanent backseat to more prominent clients who tie up their bandwidth.
Managers often represent other artists, too. This is common, but make sure they have enough time and resources to focus on you. You want to ensure your career doesn’t take a permanent backseat to more prominent clients who tie up their bandwidth.
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“Manager’s Authority”
This clause might require your approval, sometimes in writing, for significant opportunities—NIL, advertising, promotion, etc. It is meant to keep you in control of major career decisions. Be an active participant in your career to ensure you agree.
This clause might require your approval, sometimes in writing, for significant opportunities—NIL, advertising, promotion, etc. It is meant to keep you in control of major career decisions. Be an active participant in your career to ensure you agree.
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“Loans, Advances, and Expenses”
You’re usually responsible for reimbursing the manager for their out-of-pocket expenses. To avoid nasty surprises, ensure financial limits (say, $500) and approve expenses beforehand. All requests should be in writing, documented, and justifiable.
You’re usually responsible for reimbursing the manager for their out-of-pocket expenses. To avoid nasty surprises, ensure financial limits (say, $500) and approve expenses beforehand. All requests should be in writing, documented, and justifiable.
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“Artist’s Duties”
You may need to consult the manager exclusively for career decisions. This can feel restrictive, so ensure flexibility to seek advice from others when necessary. Ideally, it’s a team effort alongside other members (i.e., an agent or publicist).
You may need to consult the manager exclusively for career decisions. This can feel restrictive, so ensure flexibility to seek advice from others when necessary. Ideally, it’s a team effort alongside other members (i.e., an agent or publicist).
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“Excluded Services”
This clause might state the manager isn’t a talent agent and won’t seek engagements but will help your licensed agents do so. It’s essential to know the difference between a manager & an agent—Google “California Talent Agencies Act”—to avoid future conflict.
This clause might state the manager isn’t a talent agent and won’t seek engagements but will help your licensed agents do so. It’s essential to know the difference between a manager & an agent—Google “California Talent Agencies Act”—to avoid future conflict.
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“Commissions”
Managers often take a percentage (15-20%) of your gross income from entertainment activities. This is pretty standard. Define “non-music entertainment” clearly and understand what counts as “gross income” to prevent future disputes.
Managers often take a percentage (15-20%) of your gross income from entertainment activities. This is pretty standard. Define “non-music entertainment” clearly and understand what counts as “gross income” to prevent future disputes.
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“Continuing Commissions”
This is also known as the “Sunset Clause.” Even after the contract ends, the manager might still get a cut from deals made during the term. This is common, but the duration can vary (1-3 years is fair). If possible, negotiate for a shorter period.
This is also known as the “Sunset Clause.” Even after the contract ends, the manager might still get a cut from deals made during the term. This is common, but the duration can vary (1-3 years is fair). If possible, negotiate for a shorter period.
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In the agreement shared with me by @BawseKitty, the “Sunset Clause” length was 9 YEARS:
• 20% for years 1-3
• 15% for years 4-6
• 10% for years 7-9
Managers deserve to be paid for their hard work, but not for nearly a decade after it ends. Push back hard.
• 20% for years 1-3
• 15% for years 4-6
• 10% for years 7-9
Managers deserve to be paid for their hard work, but not for nearly a decade after it ends. Push back hard.
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Artists often believe they’re a manager away from success. And some might be. But for most, if you’re chasing management, you're potentially putting yourself in a vulnerable position. Just like with a label, you want management to pursue you. djbooth.net/features/2019-…
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Thank you to attorney @acfreedmanlaw for his advisement and consultation on this thread. If you’re an artist or a manager, I recommend following him here and seeking his counsel for contractual matters.
