Aussie celebs changing up agents, publicists to expand public reach

Many of our top stars have been switching and swapping publicists and agents, while others are enlisting more than one to tap into different industries.

After Covid-19 abruptly took away the earning capacity of the country’s best known celebrities, talent has changed how they do business.

Many of our top stars have been switching and swapping publicists and agents, while others are enlisting more than one in a bid to secure a bigger slice of the pie and tap into different industries and management strengths.

Those on the celebrity agent merry-go-round include fashion designer Collette Dinnigan, whose recent television gigs have seen her working with go-to publicist Jane Negline, who works with many other television personalities.

Negline has also recently signed on former NRL player and SAS Australia winner
Sam Burgess, who was with Braith Anasta’s agency, Searoo Sports.

Fashion designer Collette Dinnigan has a new publicist. Picture: Toby Zerna

SAS Australia winner Sam Burgess also signed with publicist Jane Negline.

While model Lara Worthington is still working with manager Patrick Devlin, she changed her usual ‘glam squad’ of Travis Balcke and Filomena Natoli when she was in Australia recently.

Balcke and Worthington were once inseparable, however no longer follow one another on social media.

During a recent Aussie shoot, Worthington opted to use make-up artist Stoj and hairdresser Joel Forman.

The two women behind one of the country’s most successful fashion brands, Pip Edwards and Claire Tregoning from PE Nation, recently took their publicity from in-house to work with Black Communications.

Lara Worthington has switched her ‘glam squad’.

PE Nation designer Pip Edwards. Picture: Supplied

Singer Jessica Mauboy has revitalised her image with the help of new agent Ken Outch, after cutting ties with agent of 16 years, David Champion.

As for the talent looking for double the endorsement deals, cricketer Michael Clarke is working with Annie Kelly and Roxy Jacenko, while Today show host Karl Stefanovic uses both Sharon Finnigan and Mark Morrissey.

With the international borders now open, many of our local internationally-based talent are looking to return to Australia.

US actor Joel Kinnaman and his partner Kelly Gale. Picture: Robyn Beck/AFP

Today show host Karl Stefanovic. Picture Glenn Hampson

Among them is US-based Victoria’s secret model Kelly Gale, who has switched agencies and also enlisted local manager and publicist Annie Kelly.

And our top social media stars Nadia Fairfax and Yan Yan Chan both recently left RGM, with Fairfax signing with Alex Keating.

One big trend agents are noticing is that talent is now looking for a more specialised service

“Talent want a more boutique service, that covers negotiations, personal branding and publicity management,” one insider said.

“Most talent agents work on a commission or agency service fee that is usually 20 per cent of the talent’s earnings.

“However, those who work for big agencies are all on base salaries … so they don’t have as much of an incentive to work as hard.”