On April 13, 2019 the Writers Guild of America implemented a new Code of Conduct for agencies that represent writers for work covered by a WGA collective bargaining agreement. In addition, the WGA and several talent agencies have subsequently negotiated Franchise Agreements that establish the terms for those agencies’ representation of writers. WGA members may only be represented for WGA-covered work by agencies with a Franchise Agreement or have signed the Code of Conduct.
The Franchise Agreement and Code of Conduct are landmark agreements that realign agency incentives with their writer-clients and eliminate the conflicts of interest inherent in agencies’ receipt of packaging fees and financial interest in production entities. Signatory agencies may only represent writers for a 10% commission and may not receive packaging fees or be affiliated with a company producing or distributing motion pictures.
The Franchise Agreement and Code of Conduct also contain important provisions on how agencies must represent writers, provide timely information to the WGA to enforce the collective bargaining agreement and writers’ individual agreements, and promote non-discrimination and inclusion.
For more information, please review the linked information provided below.
If you have questions, please contact Rochelle Rubin, Signatories Manager – Contracts and Agency, via email at rrubin@wgaeast.org or by calling (212) 767-7837.
FRANCHISE AGREEMENT
Franchise Agreement
The Franchise Agreement, including Rider W and the Rules Governing Arbitration , regulates the relationship among the WGA, the signatory agency, and WGA represented writers. There are various iterations of the Franchise Agreement; please contact Rochelle Rubin, Signatories Manager – Contracts and Agency, via email at rrubin@wgaeast.org or by calling (212) 767-7837 if you have a question about the particular Franchise Agreement your agency has signed.
AGENCY CODE OF CONDUCT
Agency Code of Conduct
The Code of Conduct governs the relationship among the WGA, talent agencies, and WGA represented writers.
Rider W
Rider W contains standard contract provisions that are deemed incorporated into all representation agreements, written or oral, between WGA represented writers and signatory agencies.
Rules Governing Arbitration
The Rules Governing Arbitration provide an efficient mechanism for resolving any dispute arising under the Agency Code of Conduct or individual representation agreements.
ADDITIONAL AGENCY INFORMATION
Become a Franchised Agency
If you are a talent agency that wishes to represent WGA members, you must be franchised by the WGA.
Signatory Agency List
The following agencies are signatory to the Code of Conduct or a Franchise Agreement with the Guild and accordingly may represent writers.
