Rush Talent is a London-based talent agency representing TV & radio presenters. Mel Hales, aged 28, set up the company in March 2014 after years of working as a broadcast agent for a top TV agency.
She realized that 90% of her day was spent looking after the established broadcasters with very little time left to dedicate to breaking new talent into the industry. She knew there were hundreds of new presenters out there with great stories to tell who just needed a platform on which to tell them. Tired of seeing the same faces presenting documentary programmes, Mel decided to try and break the mold and Rush Talent was born.
for most of the clients, it hasn’t been an easy journey: endless meetings pitching their ideas and research, many unpaid hours writing up TV treatments, grafting for years to realize their dreams. But it’s worth it, when they can educate, entertain and inspire millions through the medium of broadcasting.
Mel was particularly interested in working with TV experts: academics, professionals and journalists who have an authentic expertise and a natural on-screen charisma. Whether this is a historian with lost stories of the monarchy or a vet on a life-changing animal rescue mission, Mel sought out presenters who could bring a new lease of life to the small screen and bring interesting stories alive, using the passion they have for their subjects.
The agency started with just four clients and now Rush Talent has a client base of twelve, most of who are regularly working in TV or radio. Their brand and ethos is clear: they are a fresh, young agency and their clients all have a genuine expertise as well as being great communicators. Mel is proud to have a diverse range of presenters on her books; among her clients are historians, news presenters & journalists, a vet, a sports reporter, a property expert, a chef and a hoola-hooping extraordinaire! She works with the clients to map out a career path and then works tirelessly to try and execute this. Her working day involves meetings with producers, commissioners, event organisers, charities and prospective clients, building the Rush Talent brand and forging exciting careers for her clients.
TV is a hard industry to crack. Millions want to work in it, especially on-screen and competition is extremely fierce. Rush Talent clients have something unique to offer, they want to spread the word on a subject they are extremely passionate about, not just be on TV for the sake of being on TV, like so many aspiring presenters nowadays. Still, for most of the clients, it hasn’t been an easy journey: endless meetings pitching their ideas and research, many unpaid hours writing up TV treatments, grafting for years to realize their dreams. But it’s worth it, when they can educate, entertain and inspire millions through the medium of broadcasting.
You can see the exciting array of Rush Talent clients on their website here and keep an eye out for the presenters of tomorrow. www.rushtalent.co.uk
