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Mar 31, 2008 11:00 pm US/Central
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I-TEAM: Model Company: New Name, Same Problems
EDINA, Minn. (WCCO) ―
If you want to capitalize on your child's cuteness, you might be exploring the world of child modeling.
In 2004, the I-TEAM exposed a professional management agency called Kids.com. Parents paid the company millions of dollars, but their children never got work.
Kids.com went out of business but a new company that's taken over its office space is raising old questions among parents.
When Sarah Zielinski received a personalized letter from a professional management firm, she said it sounded like the same song and dance.
"I was a little surprised to get a letter with my name on it with them having interest in my son," said Zielinski.
Parents were receiving letters from a company that said their children have "come to the attention" of a professional management firm. Their names were purchased from the state.
"I called them and I said is this Kids.com? I'm interested in finding out about your company," she said.
Zielinski saw the I-TEAM's 2004 investigation into Kids.com. She didn't want to be one of the hundreds of Minnesota parents who paid $600 to a company, only to get nothing in return.
When Zielinski called the firm, "he said, well this is Gray's Model Management. We're under new management now."
The company may be under new management, but not new protocol. When Kids.com went bankrupt last year, former employee Tony Gray took over the office space in Edina and opened up his own company. He didn't get a new sign, new posters on the walls or even a new pitch.
"He had mentioned a few companies to me, like Huggies, Target and Macy's," Zielinski explained.
Those are some of the same companies Kids.com claimed to do business with in 2004. Like Kids.com, Tony Gray said his company makes sure children's photos are up to date and made available to a modeling agency when opportunities arise.
The I-TEAM went undercover with a potential client to see what Gary's Management was like. Tony Gray explained that his company works with one of the top modeling agencies. When asked which one, he replied Caryn's.
Caryn Model and Talent Agency used to use some kids managed by Kids.com for modeling jobs. However, Caryn has not booked any kids through Gray's Model Management.
"We do not have any formal arrangement with Gray's Model Management," said Cindy Burke, President of Caryn Model and Talent Agency.
While undercover, the I-TEAM asked if Gary's works with any other agencies. Tony Gray replied, "No."
Burke denies working with Tony Gray since Kids.com closed its doors and said most of the time kids getting jobs are represented through the agency directly.
"The majority of kids we book out on a day to day basis are already with us," Burke said.
Tony Gray said he's just getting started, he's only been in business six months and he is trying to help those parents who feel abandoned by Kids.com. He also said that the $600 you pay helps cover the cost of your child's photos.
"All the parents with us have to do is get in the car and get updated on our photographer twice a year," said Tony Gray. "If we have opportunities, we call them."
So who gets called? The I-TEAM asked for references and was told "No". And he couldn't tell us how many of his clients get work.
"The bottom line is there's no guarantees," Tony Gray explained. "It's very competitive, ultimately the clients pick the one they want so there's a chance you may never get a job. People got to really get in touch with that."
Stacy Meredith, who owns Meredith Models and Talent, agrees not everyone gets work, but said any legitimate company should be able to provide proof of performance.
"For the 17 years I've been here, a very large percentage of the children that we work with work consistently and on a regular basis," said Meredith.
And to get started in the industry, you don't even need a professional headshot.
"A good head shot suffices. It doesn't have to be something that's professionally taken, but it can be," said Meredith.
She thinks management agencies like Gray's Model Management are unnecessary for kids.
"A manager would be utilized for established talent within the industry," said Meredith. "Local talent that is working within the print media does not need a manager."
Her advice to parents is "not to spend a lot of money up front before you know what it is that you're getting."
And that's advice Zielinski took to heart.
"We had made an appointment, we decided to cancel it, and I guess spread the word to other people that we know who have small children that it's a scam," she said.
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