Mainstage operates two relationships under one roof. The Studio side represents brands. The Talent side represents creators. A conflict of interest arises any time a brand we work with would like to do a deal with a creator we manage, or a creator we manage is offered a deal by a brand we work with.
We do not pretend this conflict doesn't exist. We codify it.
Why this policy exists
Brand-and-talent shops elsewhere either pretend the conflict doesn't apply to them, or treat it as a private internal matter. The result is that the affected creator and brand discover the conflict mid-negotiation, when neither side has the room to step back.
The cost of that silence is paid by the smaller party (usually the creator, sometimes the brand). We refuse to pass that cost on. The policy below is public, in advance, so the rule is not a surprise.
The scenario
A current Studio brand client proposes a paid engagement with a creator on the Talent roster. Or a creator on the Talent roster is offered a paid engagement by a brand we currently work with.
The day this happens, typically when a deal is first proposed by either side, the procedure below activates immediately.
Step 1: Disclosure to both sides
The moment the conflict is identified, both parties are told.
The brand learns, in writing: "This creator is on our managed roster. Here is what that means for negotiation. Here is what it means for confidentiality."
The creator learns, in writing: "This brand is a current Studio client. Here is what that means for negotiation. Here is what it means for the work."
Neither party is allowed to negotiate with the other through us until both have acknowledged the conflict in writing.
Step 2: Decision rights
The creator decides whether to consider the engagement.
The brand decides whether to engage a creator we represent, knowing that our standard practice tilts toward the creator's interest in a tied negotiation.
If either side declines, the matter ends there. No pressure is applied.
Step 3: If both sides want to proceed
We represent the creator in the negotiation. The brand has two choices:
- Negotiate directly with the creator without our involvement. In this case the Talent commission still applies under the standing creator agreement.
- Accept our representation of the creator, knowing we are openly the creator's representative. That fact is in writing on every email, every contract, and every payment instruction.
We do not represent both sides of the same deal.
Pull quote
We do not represent both sides of the same deal.
We never
- reveal one party's commercial terms to the other without explicit written consent;
- accept a referral fee or any other payment from the brand client for facilitating the deal;
- accept a higher commission on this deal than our standard rate for the creator's tier;
- pressure either side to proceed.
Step 4: After the deal
If the deal closes, the brand-creator relationship continues under whatever agreement was signed. The Studio side of Mainstage continues to serve the brand under its existing agreement. The Talent side continues to serve the creator under their tier. The transaction does not change either relationship.
If the deal closes badly (a payment dispute, a creative disagreement, a falling-out), both sides are owed our continued, separate representation. We do not abandon either party because the deal got hard.
Step 5: Appeals and grievance
If either party feels this policy was not followed, raise it in writing to psyberstudio@gmail.com. A senior member of Mainstage who was not involved in the conflicted deal will read the complaint and respond within five business days.
If the response is unsatisfactory, the next step is the dispute-resolution clause in your engagement agreement (Studio retainer or Talent agreement, as applicable).
What this policy does not do
This policy covers conflicts between an existing brand client and an existing managed creator. It does not cover:
- Conflicts between two different brand clients of the Studio side. Those are addressed inside the Studio retainer.
- Conflicts between two different managed creators on the Talent side. Those are addressed inside the Talent agreement.
- Conflicts arising from prospective relationships: brands or creators we are talking to but have not yet engaged.
For those scenarios, write to psyberstudio@gmail.com and we will respond with the relevant policy or a one-time disclosure.
This is the rule
Read it once before any conflict actually arises so the procedure is not a surprise mid-negotiation. The rule above is binding on Mainstage and incorporated by reference into both the Studio retainer and the Talent agreement.