I was just asked by a model if I could find anyone who might know anything about them as she was approached by them...Any info is greatly appriciated...

Thanks

its called Byron Sanders MM?   u got any more info, a city? country?

Like I tell the models asking these questions, Google is your friend.

By doing a search for his name plus the word "models", I found:

http://www.onemodelplace.com/member.cfm/P_ID/173494
http://www.bsandersmarketing.com

This guy (based in Texas) promises $30k a year minimum (to $125k... um), but says women need to be at least 5'0".  Um, unless they're doing porn, I don't know about that...

The website is atrocious.  Does not give them a professional feel.  Neither does the fact that they spam completely unrelated message boards (part-time education jobs??) with their ads.  (More.)

I was unable to find anything actively bad, but... they (he) doesn't inspire a whole lot of confidence.

I find myself VERY curious as to who owns the photos he uses in his movie clip and on his OMP profile.

This has been discussed many times before in detail.

Talent Agencies in Texas must be specially licensed by the Texas Department of Licensing and Registration.  Unlicensed agencies are illegal.

According to the TX department of license and registration, the agency you mention is NOT LICENSED.  You can EASILY and QUICKLY verify if an agency is licensed on the TX License Database at http://www.license.state.tx.us/LicenseSearch/

Byron Sanders website doesn't directly say they are a talent / modeling agency, however the services that he claims to offer fall under the guidelines of a talent agency, therefore, it seems Byron Sanders is not acting in accordance with Texas law.

Additionally, the Byron Sanders website claims to have 10 offices in the Dallas Metroplex.  While he makes no claims of being incorporated, a REAL company that large normally would have some type of corporate status.  The state of TX has NO RECORD of any company that BYRON SANDERS claims to be operating. (http://ecpa.cpa.state.tx.us/coa/Index.html)

The original poster also claims to be located in IL, NY, and CA which also have licensing laws for talent agents.  It would be illegal for Byron Sanders to be acting as a manager or agent without a license in those states, even if he were properly licensed in the state he's located in.

TDLR / Talent Agency FAQ's (excerpts) wrote:
13. How can I tell if a company is registered?

You may search the Licensing Database on our website or you may contact the department at 800-803-9202 ( Texas only) or 512-463-6599.

ENFORCEMENT

1. How do I file a complaint against a licensee?

To file a complaint, you may download the Complaint Form from our website at www.license.state.tx.us or contact the department at 800-803-9202 ( Texas only) or 512-463-6599.

2. Can they charge me an up-front fee?

No. The statute and rules prohibit a Talent Agency from charging up front fees.

3. What can I do if I find out an agency is unlicensed or has acted improperly?

The Department can access penalties against the company for unlicensed activity. You can file a complaint with the Department to initiate an investigation. You can also file a complaint with the Office of the Attorney General, Consumer Protection Division.


You may contact TDLR at:

Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation
920 Colorado
Austin , Texas 78701

Mailing Address:

Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation
P.O. Box 12157
Austin , Texas 78711

Telephone: (512) 463-6599
Toll-Free (in Texas ) 800-803-9202
Fax: (512) 475-2871
Relay Texas-TDD: (800) 735-2989

Or send the Talent Agency program an e-mail at [email protected]

More information can be found at http://www.license.state.tx.us/talent/talent.htm

If you read their page and site carefully, it doesn't seem to me that they are claiming to be model managers or a model agency.  Rather, they seem to be a "marketing company" or "advertising agency" that models can hire to promote them on their "television show" or wherever.

I would be amazed if they had anything at all to do with any of the real advertising pictures that are used on their site and in their graphics.  The whole thing is much too cheesy to have produced that kind of quality.  I would also be amazed if their services are worth more than the price of a cheap lunch - if that.

Thanks guys I will forward all of this to the model...she is from texas...

Kelly

Actually, I know someone who worked for this agency years ago (in the agency, not as a model) and left becuase they had horrible business practices and she didn't like how the talent was treated.  They used to have a different name they went under.  I forget what, but can find out?  The aren't licenced, and they have a bad rap.  She left becuase the models weren't getting paid on time, or sometimes at all. He lists him self as a model manager or marketer or something odd like that, but in Texas to manage talent of any kind you need a licence.  He's Bad news.