No headshots or other materials (reels, business cards, etc.) will be taken at this program.
SYNOPSIS
The evening will be a chance to learn the ins and outs of building a business relationship between an actor and agent, from the perspective of the commercial agent. This panel will dive into this unique relationship and cover everything from the research and submission process, to maintaining the working relationship.
PANELISTS BIOS
David Ziff, CESD
David is the SR. VP of the On-Camera department at Cunningham, Escott, Slevin & Doherty, aka CESD, which is one of the top commercial agencies in the country. David got started as actor in NY. He then became an assistant at The Gersh Agency here in Los Angeles. From there, he worked as a theatrical agent at Susan Smith and Associates. He has been at CESD for almost 20 years. He worked his way up from an on camera agent, to Senior Vice President. At CESD, he and the other agents deal with around 70 commercial casting directors. He is very actor friendly and very selective when choosing clients. He finds potential clients through managers, showcases, casting director referrals, etc. CESD actors are fortunate enough to have booked many jobs over the years. Notably, they have represented FLO from PROGRESSIVE INSURANCE for many years. Also, PAUL (the” can you hear me now” guy) who is currently the spokesman for SPRINT.
Julie Gudz, DDO Artists Agency
Julie, a native of the greater Philadelphia area always loved the arts, growing up a competitive dancer and earning some TV and Film credits in New York City. She moved to Los Angeles in 2013 to begin a career in the entertainment business, with hopes of one day working with actors to develop their careers. Within days of moving to LA, she landed herself an internship at DDO Artists Agency and was quickly brought on board as an Assistant. On the fast track to becoming an Adult Commercial Agent, Julie was promoted after 8 months as an Assistant! Over the last 6 years later, Julie has closed countless advertising campaigns, including spokesperson, Captain Obvious for Hotels.com, Mara in Progressive Insurance, and the Spokesman of Keurig Canada. She also started the adult Voiceover Division in 2017, working a different perspective of the business. Julie is an active member of the Television Academy, volunteer for Habitat for Humanity, and almost always accompanied by her fluffy Pom mix, Leo Gudz! She is more excited than ever to continue cultivating top talent and focus her commitment to this industry!
Hugh Leon, Coast to Coast Talent Group
Hugh is a partner and heads the adult commercial and celebrity personality departments at Coast to Coast Talent Group in Los Angeles. He has been working at the agency going on 24 years. Coast to Coast is one of the leading talent agencies on the West Coast, representing youth and adult actors both commercially and theatrically, as well as print models and voiceover actors. Coast to Coast books well over 50 national commercials a month with all major brand companies.
Hugh is a 3 time recipient of the Seymour Heller Award for "Top Commercial Agent of the Year " and was nominated for the award eleven consecutive years. He has also been featured in numerous television program interviews and is quoted in countless national industry publications. He has been an active participant in the entertainment industry for more than three decades.
Hugh began his show business career as a child actor in Philadelphia before moving to New York City, and later to Los Angeles. His lifelong experience in show business has contributed to his unparalleled success in representing top commercial talent and celebrities. He has traveled around the country speaking to aspiring actors about show business, as well as scouting talent for potential representation. His straightforward and honest approach has brought countless actors to competitive levels. Hugh is also an accomplished musician and songwriter.
Brad Diffley, Mavrick Artists Agency
Brad is Talent Agent at Los Angeles based Mavrick Artists Agency which specializes in the representation of Artists in all areas including Commercials, Voice-Over, Television and Feature Films. Over Brad’s tenure as an agent, he has booked thousands of commercials for all major advertising agencies including Leo Burnett, DDB, Ogilvy & Mather, Grey Worldwide, Team One, TBWA Chiat Day, Saatchi & Saatchi, J. Walter Thompson just to name a few. Mavrick clients can be seen in commercials for Huggies, Children’s Medical Center, Fisher Price, Volkswagen, AAA, Kellogg’s, Baby Einstein, Little Tykes, Walgreens, Dell, Gogurt, Tracfone, AT&T, Goodnights, Jack’s Restaurants, Got Milk, McDonalds, Target, Sprint, Citibank, Clean & Clear, Wal-Mart, Lexus, Little Caesar’s, GMC, Apple as well as numerous other. Mavrick clients can be seen in the following series including Manifest, Family Reunion, Life in Pieces, Raven’s Home, Modern Family, Blackish, Young and the Restless, Power Rangers, Chicken Girls, Criminal Minds, etc. Brad has been awarded the Talent Managers Association’s Seymour Heller Award Commercial Agent of the Year 2005, 2006 and 2007.
Alicia Ruskin, Kazarian/Measures/Ruskin & Assoc.
A native of Los Angeles, Alicia traveled the world before settling back in LA and beginning her career at Kazarian/Measures/Ruskin & Assoc. She graduated Magna Cum Laude Theatre Arts from Brandeis University, and attended The Sorbonne in Paris and on scholarship at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts. During this time she performed at the Kennedy Center and on tour with the USO throughout Germany and Italy. Her first three years after college were spent in New York and on tour working in plays and musical theatre productions.
Leaving acting and NYC behind, Alicia returned home and started as receptionist at KMR (then Joseph, Heldfond & Rix). She was promoted to assistant and then agent in the commercial department within 18 months. In 1997 Alicia received the title of Vice President, Commercial Division and in 2006 became a Partner in the agency. Alicia continues to be an active commercial agent while pursuing opportunities and growth for the agency as a whole. She is the go-to person within the industry for contract and policy questions, and is often asked to lead workshops in the art of auditioning and the business of acting.
For over 20 years Alicia has been the liaison for fund raising at KMR for its charity partner “Inclusion Matters/Shane’s Inspiration”. When not supporting her clients at theatre openings and creating copy for the agency’s social media sites, Alicia enjoys reading, cooking and travel.
Moderator - Liz Riesterer, SAG-AFTRA Foundation Associate Program Manager
