Why Artist Managers Reject A Code of Ethics and Conduct

SAG-AFTRA represents about 160,000 performing artists, actors and media professionals. To help protect members, the union has crafted a Personal Manager Code of Ethics and Conduct. The Music Managers Forum-U.S. along with a coalition of trade organizations representing entertainment managers, collectively reject the SAG-AFTRA declaration, stating in a MMF-U.S. press release:

Our associations disapprove of the manner in which the labor union developed, adopted and
disseminated the SAG?AFTRA Personal Manager Code of Ethics and Conduct, which we believe
lacked credibility, sincerity and truthfulness.

SAG-AFTRA takes an active voice in informing their members of issues relating to agencies, managers and contracts. The MMF, National Conference of Personal Managers and the Talent Managers Association have stated that the code adversely affects the needs of personal managers, their artist clients and the entertainment industry. From my view the real issue is the California Talent Agency Act and other similar local and state statutes regulating talent agencies as employment services. If you are a manager and invest your talents into a very raw and developing artist, wouldn’t seeking work and performance opportunities for your client be one of your key roles? Could codes and regulations impede your efforts? Where do you stand this issue? Clink on some of the links provided to read more.