The Perform Group The Perform Group,The Promotion Group, "Promo Group" Vester Mapp, Danny, Leslie Joy Lied, Mislead Information, Illegal distribution of Information Burbank, California SCAM, MISLEADING, SOLICITING Ontario, Sherman Oaks, San Fernando Valley, California

Along with many other young women I was forced to sign a contract with this company saying I would not bad mouth the company. And this also is not bad mouthing- it is just giving people the facts surrounding a certain unfortunate event. Do not be taken advantaged of.

I found an ad on Craigslist. It read that it was looking for PR assistants...I was looking for a Public Relations position and it sounded interesting so I applied. I got a call back that day asking for an interview the next day. When I got there I found out that it was a group interview. All were women (that was the first red flag).

We all introduced ourselves, while Leslie Joy wrote on her pad, taking notes on us. Leslie proceeded to tell us about the job- we did not coordinate events, we are to hand out "invitations" for an event that had already been planned for the upcoming weekend. The event was a practice commercial set up for kids between the ages of 6-17. (Basically, they want these kids to sign up for Barbizon's acting classes. All kids get a call back, there is
nothing special about being selected- it is not for a real agency, it is not an honor- they just want the kids to buy acting classes.) Leslie  said that we got paid $30 an hour. It sounded too good to be true, but I really needed money. So I stayed. 

The interview lasted about an hour and a half. We were told we would be contacted that evening if we were hired and that if we were hired we would take their 2 hour training session the following morning. I was hired. I was desperate for money, so I went even though I had reservations. Basically all the girls in from the interview were hired. Leslie explained the job- that The Promotion Group was hired by companies like Barbizon modeling and talent agency to promote their weekend practice commerical event.

Leslie said that the Promoters Group had a right to be at every location we were sent to to hand out the flyers. Leslie also informed us that we were paid based on the amount of kids we brought in- "accepted families" that is. So, if I brought in 6 families (six kids) I would get paid the equivalent of $30 an hour. They made the job seem so easy that it would be cake to get 6 families. Leslie said that Vester Mapp would handle our payment and that
he was meticulous so we wouldn't have to worry about getting paid. I never saw Vester though. I think he is a phantom. 

The next day we were sent out with partners to different locations they had mapped out. I was sent to 2 Targets, a Walmart, a Mall and a Toys R Us. And all surrounding shops in the area. Turned out these places required a lot of driving around and burning gas.

The plot is for you to go around and get as many families to attend their event the following day. They have no plans on paying you for your time and gas. If you decide to quit after all this, they still have gotten you do what they needed without paying you. They have gotten you to perform their dirty work. Most women quit the same day after being frustrated from being kicked out and burning their gas to solicit around town. These guys are serious scammers, stay away and warn others.

Quick summary: 100% commission job handing out flyers presented as a salaried Public Relations job. Illegal solicitation of information in stores like Target, Walmart and Toys R Us.