Please Help A Fellow Producer

[jessejames44]

Hello fellow production folk!

I'm looking for your help as my production brothers and sisters.

The question: Are you running spots for Ashley Madison? Did these spots come pre-produced? What are their ISCI Codes/Titles?

If you ARE running pre-produced spots, they're probably MY spots...and they're being used without my permission. I already know they are running in several cities around the country and I'm looking for confirmation in other cities. (I'm not looking for the spot voiced by the company's president)

As fellow producers, I'm sure you can feel my pain and frustration. Please help me. If you can respond to this posting with your city, station, the spot title, how long you've been running the spot(s), etc. Any/all of this information will be helpful.

If you are uncomfortable posting here, feel free to send me an e-mail to [email protected]

If you would like to include a copy of the spot(s) you're running, that would be great!

Thank you all so much for your time...I greatly appreciate any help you can give me. Feel free to forward this post in an e-mail to anyone you may think could help!

Jesse Hayes
Sirius XM

 

[robnokshus06]

Hi Jesse,

Yes, we run Ashley Madison spots here. Some produced in house, some provided from outside, some hybrids of the two (revisions of outside spots)

I definitely feel your pain but only up to the point where you fail to invoice AM for the work you've done. Personally, I am more than happy to have my work run on other stations across the country because that means that I get paid! In fact, this particular client has paid me for work that I have done for them that runs outside my station. My guess is that you haven't sent them an invoice or followed up on the one you sent. These guys will pay you, but you've got to ask for your money.

Let us know how this all works out for you.

 

[jessejames44]

Therein lies the problem. If these spots were supposed to be aired elsewhere, I WOULD'VE invoiced them. This all, however, was done without my knowledge. I was unaware that they have been sending these spots to other companies. I am more than happy to be paid for work I do that airs outside of my company...but I can't take the necessary steps for this to occur unless I know it is going to occur!

Can I ask you what spots you are running and what market you are in?

Thank you!

Jesse

 

[BobSacamano]

I have a similar problem, I voiced 2 :30 radio ads that were to air in the Chicago area, I was told by the the agency, the client liked them and I could bill them when they actually ran (they haven't yet)..so being here in Nashville, I'm at the mercy of the agency..

 

[jessejames44]

You're one step ahead of me...at least they TOLD YOU they were going to use them! LOL

 

[BenTehelenbach]

I learned the hard way about things like this years ago. Now all my broadcast-quality files include a disclaimer at the front that concludes with "unauthorized use is subject to criminal prosecution."

I haven't been scammed since.

 

[robnokshus06]

A wise person (my wife) once said to me; "You don't get what you deserve, you get what you negotiate."

Jesse, you know that your spots are running elsewhere. Send the client an invoice and a nice note to the effect of: "It has come to my attention that you have decided to use the commercials that I produced for you in other markets. Awesome! I hope they generate a lot of business for you! I've attached an invoice for the commercials for your convenience. Please let me know when I may expect payment. Thank you, and be sure to let me know what else I can do for you. Sincerely..."

Short, sweet, professional. You're not angry, you're happy they chose your work and you plant the seed to do further work for them. Be sure to follow up until you do get paid.

Bob,

You've done the work, send the bill! You set your own terms (see first line of this post). Unless you're planning on doing spec work for agencies, you may just want to get in the habit of sending the invoice at the same time you send your work.

Remember guys, no one can take advantage of you unless you let them! Believe me, I learned this lesson the hard way (and am still learning).

Good luck!

 

[slarson]

I will definitly keep my eye out for them if they come my way. Hate to hear about things like this
Scott

 

[VODood]

A wise person (my wife) once said to me; "You don't get what you deserve, you get what you negotiate."

Jesse, you know that your spots are running elsewhere. Send the client an invoice and a nice note to the effect of: "It has come to my attention that you have decided to use the commercials that I produced for you in other markets. Awesome! I hope they generate a lot of business for you! I've attached an invoice for the commercials for your convenience. Please let me know when I may expect payment. Thank you, and be sure to let me know what else I can do for you. Sincerely..."

Short, sweet, professional. You're not angry, you're happy they chose your work and you plant the seed to do further work for them. Be sure to follow up until you do get paid.

Bob,

You've done the work, send the bill! You set your own terms (see first line of this post). Unless you're planning on doing spec work for agencies, you may just want to get in the habit of sending the invoice at the same time you send your work.

Remember guys, no one can take advantage of you unless you let them! Believe me, I learned this lesson the hard way (and am still learning).

Good luck!

That's a great way to go about it. I've copied it :0)

 

[FredRichards]

Always make sure you get something. Once you do something for free, or let someone get by without paying you for your services .... you've established what you're worth.