Complaint Review: Ripoff Report | CGTV Recommended Verified TRUSTED Business | Ripoff Report Verified™ …businesses you can trust. CGTV an opportunist talent-searching group Hollywood, California, seeking the best of best in the fields of TV, film, and commercials. CGTV has actors work with actors. CGTV graduates are working actors. At CGTV you could audition with possible celebrities such as Phill Lewis, Adrian R'Mante and Bex Taylor-Klaus. - Nationwide
- CGTV Recommended Verified TRUSTED Business | Ripoff Report Verified™ …businesses you can trust. CGTV an opportunist talent-searching group Hollywood, California, seeking the best of best in the fields of TV, film, and commercials. CGTV has actors work with actors. CGTV graduates are working actors. At CGTV you could audition with possible celebrities such as Phill Lewis, Adrian R'Mante and Bex Taylor-Klaus. Nationwide USA
- Phone: 9096855385
- Web: cgtv.la
- Category: Modeling & Talent Agencies
CGTV Verified TRUSTED Business REVIEW: CGTV has success stories! CGTV takes talent seriously. Agents from top agencies are impossible to get in front of, but not for CGTV.
*UPDATE: CGTV pledges commitment to always improving operations by joining Ripoff Report's Corporate CGTV recognized by Ripoff Report Verified⢠as a safe business service.
REVIEW UPDATE: December 5, 2018: CGTV remains committed to increased customer satisfaction and has improved their business practices over the years to better serve their customers. CGTV is truly dedicated to making sure their customers are satisfied and that any complaints which do arise are addressed promptly and fairly.
To date, CGTV has made good faith efforts to resolve all complaints reported on Ripoff Report. Based on our experience, the member business has proven to be among the top members of the Ripoff Report Corporate Advocacy Business Remediation and Customer Satisfaction Program as a Verified Safe Business™.
Over time and since becoming a member, CGTV has remained actively engaged and improving the way they address customer service complaints. As an active and current member of the Ripoff Report Corporate Advocacy Business Remediation and Customer Satisfaction Program we are happy to report that now more than ever CGTV remains committed to improving customer satisfaction.
Remember, no company or individual can ever satisfy 100% of the people 100% of the time. There are no products or services that will always be perfect for everyone and even the best companies will receive complaints from time to time. However, by participating in the Corporate Advocacy Program, the member business has made a commitment to working with its customers to resolve complaints quickly and fairly whenever possible.
Please keep in mind that as a consumer you have some responsibilities as well. Success has many definitions that based on your past experiences, current situation and your perceived expectations. Success with any product or service is always based on the proper application and understanding. The fastest car will not run if you never turn the engine on. Look at how you used the product or service that was provided in relation with the instructions that you received. The Corporate Advocacy Business Remediation and Customer Satisfaction Program will help you get your voice heard but please be prepared with documentation and fair representation of your concern, also have an idea of how the company can fix your concern. Can they offer additional services, extend warranties, offer a fair refund or just get you talking with someone that can help. ..let them know and let us know!
*Any consumer not receiving satisfaction from a member of the Corporate Advocacy Program should email us at editor@ripoffreport.com.
Ripoff Report Verified™ REVIEW
EDitor's UPDATE: Positive rating and recognition has been given to CGTV for its full commitment to quality customer service.
Ripoff Report's discussions with CGTV have uncovered an ongoing dedication by the company to total client satisfaction. This means that clients can expect that the company will work towards finding a mutually satisfactory resolution to any concerns. CGTV listens carefully to client concerns and sees them as an opportunity to learn from past mistakes and become more efficient as a company in the services offered and the support for those services.
CGTV's CEO and Founder, Adrian R'mante is committed to the success of children and young adults that are eager to make it big in Hollywood. As a former English teacher, he has the ability to teach and coach with great impact. As a successful working actor that had a 7-year run on a globally recognized and syndicated TV show, he provides the industry knowledge and experience to take your child from dreaming to being a paid, working actor. Adrian's Hollywood resources have come to rely on Adrian bringing them the freshest faces from all around the globe!
Additionally, Adrian is committed to the ultimate success of each attendee. And in fact, offers a 100% guarantee that you may come back for NO additional fee and perform LIVE as many times as needed to secure YOUR agent. If you were selected at an audition it is because you have talent. If you work that talent, persistently and consistently daily, it will pay off.
Ripoff Report Verified™ .. part of Ripoff Report Corporate Advocacy Business Remediation & Customer Satisfaction Program.A program that benefits the consumer, assures them of complete satisfaction and confidence when doing business with a member business..
The information provided in this report below is based on comments made by Adrian R’Mante during an onsite inspection held by a third party verification company with no biases towards CGTV.
Creative Group Television is a talent company created by Adrian R’mante. Mr. R’mante is a seasoned actor who has been featured on NCIS, CSI, Hawaii 5-0, NCIS: Los Angeles, CSI: New York, and had a recurring role on Disney’s The Suite Life of Zack and Cody. He decided to utilize his skills by creating Creative Group Television to help cultivate young actor’s skills, “I thought it was a perfect business. My model is simply to find talent, train it, and put them in front of people that can change their lives.”
Leads for Creative Group Television are primarily obtained through social media and radio. Mr. R’mante proceeded to explain the sales and services process for Creative Group Television, “it starts off with capturing their dreams.” His marketing is targeted towards fulfilling the dreams of potential clients. Once he has their attention and the client has expressed interest Mr. R’mante will, “talk about the different packages that I offer and the success stories that I have from that.” From that point, the potential client must audition to be in the program.
CUSTOMER CARE & COMPLAINT RESOLUTION – CGTV
During the on-site interview, Mr. R'manta was asked to describe a situation where a client was not satisfied with the level of service they received. Mr. R'mante expressed that working with actors in the television industry often has a negative connotation with most people. Actors are told to be wary of anyone trying to help him succeed in the industry.
Additionally, he expressed that most complaints arise from actors who did not pass the audition to become a part of his program, or from actors who couldn't afford the fee for the program, "I’m very upfront with them, it’s a fee-based program. They make in, the kids are very excited, but then the parents can’t afford it." In order to combat complaints of this nature, Mr. R'manta is upfront with his potential clients on the cost associated with his program, and that the program is not for everyone.
When asked to comment on complaints posted on Ripoff Report's website Mr. R'manta expressed that the complaints are primarily misunderstandings of his service or people who did not make the audition. He further stated, "I'm not an agency...I never claimed to be. So, people say I'm an agency and charging you up front. I charge my money up front because I'm providing you a service up front." Mr. R'manta is not an agent but his service ensures his clients that they will obtain an agent with his help. In order to further assure future and current clients, "the great thing about having a company in California: you have to be licensed and bonded to do what you do. If you’re an agency you have to be licensed and bonded. If you’re a casting director you have to be licensed and bonded. If you’re a training service- which I am, and it clearly says that on my website- I am licensed and bonded with the state of California, and I follow the Act rules and regulations and policies. So if you look me up you can see my bond. So they’re protected. Their investment is protected. If anybody complains that I scam them or I don’t provide my service, then I am required to refund them."
When asked what type of changes they have made to honor their commitment to making things right with the consumer per the request of Ripoff Report, Mr. R'manta stated, "my biggest thing is communication. I’ve created a Facebook page where all of my actors that have signed up for my program have a direct connection with me. If you’re familiar with Facebook messenger: you and I both know it, it functions just like a telephone, like a cell phone. You can a message- a text message, you can call, you can facetime, all that. These families that sign up… right away get direct connection with me. And they can contact me about questions- even after the program’s over. So they’re not only investing into their initial… career, but they’re investing for the rest of their life connected with me."
Creative Group Television is proud to be a part of Ripoff Reports Corporate Advocacy Business Remediation and Customer Satisfaction Program, "It’s everything to me because I get it. If you’ve been ripped off by somebody, there should be a company out there backing those people...So I love the fact that Ripoff is… allowing a legitimate company like mine to verify itself with their company."
CGTV – STATEMENT FROM THE CEO – ADRIAN R’MANTE
" We take kids with talent, train them and then put them in front of illustrious list of Hollywood agents and managers that are hungry for new talent. It shaves off years of failure time and learning the hard way. Our kids become working actors. Some of them have already become major acclaimed stars. Adrian R'Mante – CEO
We are the premiere training program for children and young adults in the world for TV and FILM acting. Our tools, our staff and our curriculum provide everything needed to succeed in film/tv. Your tenacity and stick-to-it-tiveness will turn your dream into a reality. Our connections to Hollywood managers and agents will provide the direct path.
CGTV's If it wasn't amazing enough to have Adrian R'Mante, aka Esteban from The Suite Life of Zack and Cody be your acting coach, producer and director.... imagine how INSANE CRAZY its going to be to be trained by your FAVORITE disney stars! CGTV employs over 15 top highly recognizable Disney and Nickelodeon show STARS! They are training you while Adrian is with other students. These are the best people to train with because they have all had MULTIPLE Hollywood contracts and know exactly what it takes to get there and then stay on top. CGTV takes employee satisfaction seriously as well. Employee feedback and surveys reveal comments such as this, "Our employees don't think that coming to work is a job. They LOVE giving back to the younger generation and the amount of fun that they get from running the program and inspiring the kids is better, they say, than the paycheck!"
Ripoff Report was pleased to learn that CGTV's past and current approach to business is focused on its pledge to total commitment towards client and employee satisfaction.
STATED IMPROVEMENTS FROM CGTV
CGTV recognizes that complaints posted on Ripoff Report (whether true or not) are issues that need to be addressed, not ignored. If handled correctly, complaints can be valuable learning opportunities. With the feedback generated by Ripoff Report's review, CGTV has made organizational changes allowing its clients and employees a more streamlined approach to problem resolution and a commitment to a great client experience.
In summary, after our review, which included discussions with CGTV recognizes that complaints posted on Ripoff Report (whether true or not) are issues that need to be addressed, not ignored. If handled correctly, complaints can be valuable learning opportunities. With the feedback generated by Ripoff Report's review, CGTV has made organizational changes allowing its clients and employees a more streamlined approach to problem resolution and a commitment to a great client experience. But the truth is, so far, after investigation, we have found that none of the written complaints have come from anyone that actually purchased Adrian's program. So essentially, it's like writing a review on a Sony TV you never purchased. In summary, after our review, which included discussions with "Adrian R'Mante", Ripoff Report is convinced that CGTV is committed to quality delivery of services resulting in total client satisfaction.
How does a business get Ripoff Report Verified™
The member business allows Ripoff report to email everyone from the past. Those who respond to Ripoff report with a valid complaint must be take care of.. they have made a commitment that if anyone contacts Ripoff Report in the future, they will make things right within 14 days. The member business must err on the side of their customers. Otherwise the member business is off the program.
Ripoff Report has determined that CGTV Ripoff Report Verified™ standards which include a commitment to make a good faith effort to resolve any consumer complaints. Members of the Corporate Advocacy Business Remediation and Customer Satisfaction program do pay a fee for our on-site review, 24 hour monitoring and for support with customers to resolve any disagreements.
Ripoff Report sends a 3rd party service to do an onsite inspection of the new member business. The on-site inspection / review does not mean that the products or services offered by the business have been evaluated or endorsed by Ripoff Report, and has not made a determination as to the business' product quality or competency in performing services. We can verify, that Ripoff Report went to the business, verified their business or “work from home business”, there for, if a customer in the future does not get treated correctly, Ripoff Report can get the problem resolved. If not, and the customers is right, the member business will be taken off the Corporate Advocacy Program. Remember, Ripoff Report emailed every customer from the past that filed a complaint to make sure the member business made things right with customers from the past. Again, to err on the side of their customer, those from the past and those in the future.
Read more about why consumers should feel confident when doing business with a member of Ripoff Report's Corporate Advocacy Business Remediation & Customer Satisfaction Program. Yes, it’s a long name for a program that does a lot for both consumers and businesses alike.
Read about Ripoff Report Corporate Advocacy Business Remediation & Customer Satisfaction Program, a program that benefits the consumer, assures them of complete satisfaction and confidence when doing business with a member business. This program works.
As a matter of policy, when a business becomes a member of the Corporate Advocacy Program they agree to allow Ripoff Report to contact every client who filed a complaint so they can make things right with them. In order to confirm that the complaints were resolved, Ripoff Report is copied on all responses so we can insure that the member business did right by their customer.
NOW TO THE ORIGINAL REPORT THAT WAS FILED
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CGTV Virgil Winebarger Nationwide
ABOUT THE RIPOFF REPORT BELOW:
Ripoff Report would like to let readers know that Ripoff Report emailed this customer so the member business could make things right with them. When a business joins the Corporate Advocacy Program, Ripoff Report emails everyone from the past so the member business can make things right with them. Of course, everything within reason. In order to confirm that the complaints were resolved, Ripoff Report is copied on all responses so we can insure that the member business did right by their customer. The author of the Ripoff Report below never responded to our offer to help them.
STATEMENT FROM CGTV:
While we will respectfully provide a response to this review of CGTV and its staff, we would like to first clarify that this is not someone that has ever hired or worked with CGTV and is not a client of CGTV nor Adrian R'Mante. We will now address his letter point by point, sticking to the facts. (Our answers are highlighted with BOLD lettering)
This company roams from city to city using unsolicited emails to recruit new people to rip off, and kids to devastate while in their town. They pay celebrities to endorse them and pay local talent agencies to let them piggyback, making them seem like an agency, of which they are not. Apparently, they buy email addresses from other entertainment-based agencies that people have had contact with.
CGTV is a talent training company that sends it's Disney coaches and administrative staff to cities across the Globe from Beirut, Lebanon to Atlanta, Georgia scouting for the best of talent and the freshest faces. No celebrities are paid to endorse us. The owner of CGTV is Adrian R'Mante, aka Esteban from The Suite Life of Zack & Cody. His paid staff members whom also train the kids side by side with him are all legitimate Disney stars but also paid coaches. CGTV hires and employs only the best available talent to work with our new young actors. CGTV often relies upon local talent agencies to find those potential rising stars. These talent agencies are proud to partners with CGTV as they are very aware that the graduates from our program are working actors and some of them quite big stars. Often, the CGTV success stories are the largest success stories that these local talent agencies have. There are websites that offer "Free auditions". We do not have any websites such as these. CGTV does have an extensive database of people that have inquired about "auditions" from a variety of sources. Most of these people find us through Facebook. (About 97.97%). The rest may have come in through an agency that was advertising for "auditions" for us and then we market to that list. These are all standard digital marketing and operating procedures in any professional and credible business.
The email says it’s actually from their chosen local agency, but they have nothing to do with it. It states they’re looking for kids age 5-17 that want to be on TV, and actually uses the words “an exciting opportunity to meet and audition with…” (insert name of paid Nickelodeon/Disney actor). The truth is you meet the celebrity but the “audition” isn’t conducted with them.
We have answered this statement in the above paragraph. The truth is, not only do you meet the celebrity, but he is also the owner of the business, the trainer of the students, the producer and the one that puts them in front of his deep Hollywood relationships. If, Adrian R'Mante cannot make a city due to his own acting shoot schedule, he sends another Disney star that is an employee and coach for CGTV.
CGTV is never even mentioned until you respond and get a confirmation email. Even then, it’s just sneakily thrown into the content and the local agency is still identified as the sender.
Untrue, as 97.97% of our auditions come in through our Facebook page where you can find our name everywhere.
The email also includes the following cleverly-worded snippet:
IMPORTANT: The audition is free, however, you will be responsible for your travel and expenses, etc. if you end up going to Los Angeles to work directly with Disney & Nickelodeon actors for one week in Hollywood this summer and to audition for some of the top agents & managers in the business!
This snipet is included so that we do not face people like this gentleman at the audition. It is very expensive to fly around the world with a team of Disney stars and administrative staff to find talent. As we are not agents, we make zero income when our stars become Hollywood A listers. Million Dollar careers are born out of CGTV, and often times they came in paying a few thousand dollars for their training, collaterals and industry connections.
After an afternoon of smoke and mirrors, which includes a simple monologue audition and introduction to the celebrity at a hotel, parents are given a brochure. It’s then that it’s finally divulged they are merely selling pseudo “talent camps” in L.A., which cost $1000 to $6000 depending. According to the brochure it’s basically an instructional youth camp for aspiring actors.
We are selling the best talent program in Los Angeles with the highest conversion rate to the big and small screen. We offer the lowest of entry fees and the highest statistics industry-wide. We are well respected and a main talent source for an alarming number of Hollywood Talent Agencies that have come to depend on CGTV for continual fresh talent in a continually emerging market. 75-80% of our people are offered "Call backs" from Hollywood managers and agents. If not, they are entitled to return FOR FREE and re-audition as many times as needed. We help for life. Given all of this, we believe our entry point is very low. And, we even provide scholarships to inner city and third world country kids that need our help. Later, some of them turn out to be big stars and come back for free to help spread the word of CGTV.
They aggressively pump up the kids/parents with the idea that the child is not only one of the chosen few, but is outstanding and that they are excited to work with them. This merely sets them up for the big close of sale. In actuality they tell everyone that. All kids are chosen, and they’ll take anyone’s money for the camp; talent is irrelevant.
Typically, in a room of about 300 people, we offer a program placement for about 30-50 kids that we feel have natural talent and personality. What this person is saying is actually "libel" which is the written slander of a company or person.
Lastly, the person that becomes the point of contact and tries to close the sale after the “audition” is a man named Virgil, who claims to be the brother of the company owner (Adrian R’Mante). After researching, Virgil turns out to be Virgil Winebarger, who has arrest records in Florida involving prostitution and battery. See links below:
http://florida.arrests.org/Arrests/Virgil_Winebarger_2142295/
Virgil is indeed the brother of Adrian R'Mante and did hold a sales position within the organization. Families working together is not unheard of. It is also common for an actor to use a stage name, which in this case, Adrian R'Mante is a stage name. We will not discuss the personal past life of one of our employees as has no bearing on this review.
When Virgil called to close me after my daughter returned from the phony audition, I had already done my research. I asked him the questions that showed him he had been exposed, told him I’d heard enough and hung up on him. He then proceeded to send me a harassing text, stating that he wouldn’t work with my daughter for all the money in the world.
I responded very harshly and profanely, telling him I wouldn’t let my children near someone like him, and warned him that he’d better not contact me again or his legal troubles would resume. He then continued to harass and threaten me, stating that he has a “huge legal”, whatever that is.
When you threatened Virgil, he let you know that making false statements about CGTV is libel and that if he continues to commit libel against CGTV that CGTV would have no further choice but to take litigious actions against him. In terms of revoking her invitation, parents are a big part of the CGTV program and their willingness or unwillingness to support their child's dreams is crucial to their success. Virgil made a critical decision that your spirit, infused into our world would not be positive. We support this decision. And when your daughter turns 18, she will know, we are here for her.
He couldn’t even type. His texts sounded like they were composed by a 2nd grader, full of grammatical errors and missing words, barely decipherable. At the end he actually sent me a picture of a child that he claimed was his for some ridiculous reason.
PARENTS: Don’t let your kids near this man or this company. Any true professional would completely ignore someone that hung up on them, for they have no time for games. He obviously is at the opposite end of the spectrum from professionalism. The company has changed names several times, has never applied for BBB accreditation, and my Ripoff Report is one of MANY you will find on them.
STEER CLEAR!
We are not going to comment on your character assassination of Mr. R'Mante's brother. With regards to the BBB, they are a private organization that charges large sums of money, we only participate on social platforms that connect us with the actual people. And there, we are flourishing and you can watch videos from our graduates that are now A Listers in Hollywood.
NOW TO THE ORIGINAL REPORT THAT WAS FILED
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This company roams from city to city using unsolicited emails to recruit new people to rip off, and kids to devastate while in their town. They pay celebrities to endorse them and pay local talent agencies to let them piggyback, making them seem like an agency, of which they are not. Apparently they buy email addresses from other entertainment-based agencies that people have had contact with.
The email says it’s actually from their chosen local agency, but they have nothing to do with it. It states they’re looking for kids age 5-17 that want to be on TV, and actually uses the words “an exciting opportunity to meet and audition with…” (insert name of paid Nickelodeon/Disney actor). The truth is you meet the celebrity but the “audition” isn’t conducted with them.
CGTV is never even mentioned until you respond and get a confirmation email. Even then, it’s just sneakily thrown into the content and the local agency is still identified as the sender.
The email also includes the following cleverly-worded snippet:
IMPORTANT: The audition is free, however, you will be responsible for your travel and expenses, etc. if you end up going to Los Angeles to work directly with Disney & Nickelodeon actors for one week in Hollywood this summer and to audition for some of the top agents & managers in the business!
After an afternoon of smoke and mirrors, which includes a simple monologue audition and introduction to the celebrity at a hotel, parents are given a brochure. It’s then that it’s finally divulged they are merely selling pseudo “talent camps” in L.A., which cost $1000 to $6000 depending. According to the brochure it’s basically an instructional youth camp for aspiring actors.
They aggressively pump up the kids/parents with the idea that the child is not only one of the chosen few, but is outstanding and that they are excited to work with them. This merely sets them up for the big close of sale. In actuality they tell everyone that. All kids are chosen, and they’ll take anyone’s money for the camp; talent is irrelevant.
Lastly, the person that becomes the point of contact and tries to close the sale after the “audition” is a man named Virgil, who claims to be the brother of the company owner (Adrian R’Mante). After researching, Virgil turns out to be Virgil Winebarger, who has arrest records in Florida involving prostitution and battery. See links below:
http://florida.arrests.org/Arrests/Virgil_Winebarger_2142295/
http://florida.arrests.org/Arrests/Virgil_Winebarger_2292315/
When Virgil called to close me after my daughter returned from the phony audition, I had already done my research. I asked him the questions that showed him he had been exposed, told him I’d heard enough and hung up on him. He then proceeded to send me a harassing text, stating that he wouldn’t work with my daughter for all the money in the world.
I responded very harshly and profanely, telling him I wouldn’t let my children near someone like him, and warned him that he’d better not contact me again or his legal troubles would resume. He then continued to harass and threaten me, stating that he has a “huge legal”, whatever that is.
He couldn’t even type. His texts sounded like they were composed by a 2nd grader, full of grammatical errors and missing words, barely decipherable. At the end he actually sent me a picture of a child that he claimed was his for some ridiculous reason.
PARENTS: Don’t let your kids near this man or this company. Any true professional would completely ignore someone that hung up on them, for they have no time for games. He obviously is at the opposite end of the spectrum from professionalism. The company has changed names several times, has never applied for BBB accreditation, and my Ripoff Report is one of MANY you will find on them. STEER CLEAR!
This report was posted on Ripoff Report on 04/19/2015 04:49 PM and is a permanent record located here: https://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/cgtv-recommended-verified-trusted-business-ripoff-report-verified-businesses-you-can-trust-cgtv-an-opportunist-talent-searching-group-hollywood-california-seeking-the-best-of-best-in-the-fields-of-tv-film-and-commercials-cgtv-has-actors-work-with-actors-cgtv-graduates-are-working-actors-at-cgtv-you-could-audition-with-possible-celebrities-such-as-phill-lewis-adrian-rmante-and-bex-taylor-klaus/nationwide/cgtv-virgil-winebarger-nationwide-1223475. The posting time indicated is Arizona local time. Arizona does not observe daylight savings so the post time may be Mountain or Pacific depending on the time of year. Ripoff Report has an exclusive license to this report. It may not be copied without the written permission of Ripoff Report. READ: Foreign websites steal our content
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#1 REBUTTAL Owner of company
Display is KARMA7 because you want to get back at CGTV for firing you. I bet you won't reveal your identity?
AUTHOR: Adrian - (USA)
SUBMITTED: Saturday, September 19, 2015
Hello Karma7,
Correction:You are completely incorrect with your attacks on my company that you should do your research Karma7 or should I say "Melina" who is a former FIRED employee that is angry I let her go for lying to my families...which is why your Dislpay name is "Karma7" The truth is CGTV is owned and operated by celebrities which is myself Adrian R'Mante and co-founder Phill Lewis And many more. We have been doing this for years and we have countless kids, teens and young adults on TV, in movies and commercials. You can defame my company all you want but you can never take away my success stories!!
State Bond: S914-19300 | 6/21/11 | 7/13/11 | $50,000.00 |
Adrian Winebarger | CGTV | Active | Washington International Insurance Co |
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