Backstage Spotlight™
December 2003 Talent Agent Scott Pang
Scott Pang has worked in the music industry for 24
years and has been an agent at both ICM and William Morris. Artists he’s worked with
over the years include Rod Stewart, Barry Manilow, Diane Reeves, David Lee Roth, and many
others. Scott Pang was also the director of touring for the Ice Capades and Harlem
Globetrotters. Currently he is an agent at ICM.
MBADC: For those who want to be agents, what makes a good agent?
SP: I think someone with a good memory. Someone who particularly enjoys
deal-making, and someone who’s looking for a very varied career working with many
different people.
MBADC: And if someone wants to become an agent, what do they need in terms of
education and work experience?
SP: College is important. And the desire to be in the business.
MBADC: How do you feel about independent agents? I mean, can they be effective if
they go out and get a license and work independently, or are you best off trying to go for
a large agency?
SP: It depends. If you get a license on your own you’ll learn the hard way,
you’ll learn the quick way, you’ll learn the nuts and bolts way. I’ve got
nothing against independent agents; I think they’re awfully good. I think once you
learn how to be an agent and once you learn where to book, and how to book, and the
methodology behind it, and what to look for, I think some of the independents out there
are terrific agents. And I’d be honored to work side by side with many of them. And
then there are those of us who elect within the parameters of a large or medium sized
agency for a various personal reasons. But the independents are the ones who are afforded
the opportunity to break new acts a lot more, and they’re the ones who can really get
things done in a grass roots sort of way.
MBADC: Any tips for new agents?
SP: Be patient, be tenacious, and really know your business. Really know your
industry. That’s very, very important. Know who’s in it--the players. Know the
entertainment business; I think it’s extremely important that you have a good grasp
of the entire business. You should be able to recite facts and figures of allied
businesses; as an agent you don’t necessarily need to know just about touring, you
should know about the state of the global record business. You should know about the
effects of satellite radio, and all of the little things that will have a big effect on
your touring business. And you need to stay in daily touch with the business. If the
weather is bad in certain parts of the country, you’ve gotta know that. Especially if
you’ve got a tour going through.
MBADC: Good point. Geography would be a good thing to know as well.
SP: Geography is of utmost importance.
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