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: So then what happens? Describe the process of signing an
artist to the agency.
SP: For a brand new artist, it’s an investment in the agent’s time and
an investment in an agent’s money. Because time is money. An agent is probably going
to insist an agency contact be signed. It’s totally fair that if you’re asking
an agent to take a loss of income on your behalf, then you commit to him in writing that
you will stay with him for X number of years. It’s usually a three-year deal.
It’s a maximum term deal, but it’s the fair thing to do. By not giving an agent
a piece of paper in the beginning, it shows [the artist has] little loyalty, and an agent
probably wouldn’t want to do it because you don’t want to lose money only to
have the act turn around and leave you to go to somebody else.
MBADC: So how long does the signing process usually take once you see an artist
that you like?
SP: I would say it [takes] between a month to two.
MBADC: What’s the standard agency commission now?
SP: Ten percent.
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