Wilhelmina MTG Keri Murphy modeling agency scam, wilhelmina affiliate, making you pay to be signed with agency Portland Oregon

This was posted on Craigslist today... Hopefully can be of some help to everyone affected.

> Date: December 17, 2008 1:01:02 PM PST
> Subject: Keri Murphy Bankruptcy Update
>
>
> Keri Murphy Bankruptcy Update
> Reply to: comm-961049153@craigslist.org
> Date: 2008-12-16, 10:07PM
>
> On Dec. 5th, 2008, Keri Murphy filed for bankrupty.
> She owes a lot of people money (that's why she's filing), but she has abused the bankruptcy laws. Bascially, she took $500 from me in October for a years worth of photo shoots. Two months later she filed for bankruptcy. Obviously, she had no intention on fulfilling this obligation, she just wanted my money and knew she was going to file.
> Since she has already filed, nobody can legally seek a rememdy. (We can't take her to small claims court and get our money.) But, there is one way that we can get our money, and that is going to her hearing and requesting that her bankrupty petition be dismissed. (This should not be too hard; she took people's money in bad faith.)
> Anyone she owes money to is encouraged to go to her hearing. It is totally an open forum. No need to RSVP or anything. Here you will have a chance to ask her any questions and tell the court how she scammed you.
> When: Tuesday, Jan. 8th, 2009 @ 11a.m.
> Where: US Trustee Office. 620 SW Main St.#213, Portland, OR. 97205. ROOM 223.
> Why: To protest her bankruptcy! Bad faith bankruptcy claims are not allowed, therefore she should not be able to weasel out of her scams!
> If you cannot attend but would like to have some input, (or would like to attend and have more input) feel free to call the US Trustees Office. It's their job to find out possible abuse cases, and they would love to hear from you. I called just today and told the attorney in charge of her case about how she scammed me. They take note of everything. Contact them at: (503)326-4000. Just tell them that there is a current bankruptcy case and that you are aware of abuse from the debtor. Refer to her filing number: 08-BK-36712
> I have more information, such as her attoreny's name and phone number. Let me know if you plan on attending or would like to any more information.
> She does not deserve to file!!!!

Listen... I know the agencies and there practises in Portland. If you want to be a serious talent then you have to go to a serious market. I did exactly that. Want to talk about spending money? Well that is the risk you take and if you are good then the rewards follow. The problem with Portland agencies is that they don't have a large enough market to make it. Small Town! So how does an agency survive? By putting together packages/classes/workshops that encourage you to expand on your education and hopefully refine your talent or supposedly put your book together.

The problem is is that these agency revenue tools are conducted by people who may have done a couple of regional commercials or a Fred Meyers ad, did a play in there local theatre or went to college and received a drama credit or maybe won a beauty contest. This is not going to teach you to act or model or even present correctly for the industry your wares. The bottom line is the agencies need you to sign up for the classes in order to create a revenue stream. Sometimes they will throw out an ad stating they have a big time Hollywood casting agent coming to do workshops. Always do a google search on this casting director in most cases he/she has casted a couple of productions and is trying to make an additional income as well by traveling to different small towns in hope of making a couple of grand. If it was my child or young adult and I truly felt that they had the aspirations to become an actor and they had the talent. Then I would search out the best private coaches in New York and L.A. Consider the Actors Studio and Meisner. In the case of Modeling There is only one way to go and that is New York for the home market and Europe to get your experience working with the best photographers and designers not to mention the agencies that make it happen. It is a huge competitive industry which has also been diluted in the last several years and no longer is the money there unless you happen upon a world wide campaign. Sure if you become a Heidi Klum, Elle Macpherson or Gisele Bndchen, then count your lucky stars because you are now into the multi million dollar business.

These Portland agencies do not have even a smidgen of experience in the international world of acting or modeling to guide you or even network you into the right work path. I won't say who I am because that is not important but I have decided to do a rebuttal here because I get calls and emails about this very subject all the time. I will say that I was one of the highest paid male models and worked in over 26 countries and based my agencies all over the world. I also did countless major Television Commercials and film and have several world wide campaigns under my belt. So what I am saying is... As A born and raised Oregonian, I paid my dues and took the risk and the work experience I encountered is a hell of allot different then what is being taught here.

People. Again if you feel you have the talent or our child has the talent then there is only one way to go in my view and that's straight to the top, don't bottom fish because all you will achieve is spending your good hard earned dollars and the real result will be a waist of time and ultimately you will be discouraged from following your passion. Best of Luck and go for it but do it right!

If I have a compliment, comment or a complaint to make about a person or a business I ALWAYS sign my name. It is much more validating then to write something without saying who I am. And when I read these comments I find it very disappointing as a consumer that the person writing them does not feel strong enough about their opinion to state who they are. It is not like the ripoff report police are going to come knocking at your door. So many ex-employees with the same views surely would stand up in court if a slander suit was the concern.

I am not discounting ex-employees, I am only stating that if they want their comments and warnings taken seriously by, we, the consumer then they should at least feel strong enough to sign the comments they make. Otherwise, for all we know, it could be the same person writing over and over. That is the type of thing that happens in these type of forums. Since you do not have to prove who you are and you are simply clicking on a box it is too easy to just keep contradicting any replies that are made. You can also have many different email addresses, phone numbers, addresses...I could make probably ten different sign on names for this site and have a "Hay Day" if I had the time.

In fact, I could sign on as as ex-employee myself as praise W-MTG...over and over again.

So....if this is going to continue past what I have just written....please sign your name and stand by what you are declaring...otherwise, it just does not matter.

Thank you,
Kimberly Lee

I really didn't want to get involved in this, but I am yet another ex-employee and have to say that while I am not disgruntled, nor do I hold a personal grudge against Ms. Murphy ~ I agree wholeheartedly with the posts from Scams in Portland and Wes H. Their accounts of the way things are conducted within this company are completely in line with what I saw/witnessed while working here.

I am all for raising the bar - but to that end, you have to raise the bar in the talent you are representing first. The talent at MTG are simply not strong enough to compete in major markets (with a handful of exceptions, mostly posted here!) simply because anyone willing to pay for classes and photos is let in the door. To take money from people and CHILDREN who you know cannot compete outside of this region is not selflessness on the part of the agency, It is simply a moneymaking operation preying on the hopes of often ignorant people.

Ms Murphy should channel her energy perhaps into MANAGING a small group of models that actually can make something of themselves, instead of this "get them in the door" racket that she is and has been running for a long time.

That is not to say that there are not any happy clients there, I know there are a few, but they are the very small minority of the huge talent pool.

PLEASE do your research on agencies before signing with one! It is so easy to be taken in by a pretty face and pretty promises.

Again, just my two cents, but you have to ask yourselves why so many ex-employees all have the same stories and the same complaints. It should be a MAJOR red flag.

When our child was 11 months old we met with ABC kids and teens, they told us it would cost us $300.00 to get her started. Okay, we had no idea....we did it...call us dumb, whatever...but let me tell you something...our daughter made that back by time she was two from modeling jobs that ABC acquired for her.

When Keri Murphy took over she kept our daughter on as one of her talent.

No money involved.

(I have personally known people who have met with W-MTG to discuss signing of their child but were not. If it was about "ripping people off" do you not think they would sign everyone??)


What I want EVERYONE to know...is when we chose to have our daughter attend
classes, obviously on the recommendation of Keri, she applied the $300 to the cost of the class that we had paid the PREVIOUS OWNER.

Please know this, everything our daughter was taught in those classes has been utilized in her casting calls. Thank goodness we had her take those classes, she has booked every job she has been sent on, except one. And we are feeling pretty fortunate for that. So paying out about $100 for her classes was well worth it. Our daughter recently did a runway show and it was obvious that she knew what she was doing...everything she learned in her classes. Six years old and she walked that runway better than many of the adults.

As far as all this talk about expensive photos........Keri suggested a photographer to
us...and thank god for that!!!! Our daughters photos are BEAUTIFUL. The
photographer was Colleen Cahill and we will go back to her many times. She is
amazing. I went to Colleen's website to check her prices myself and was very pleased to find that the amount of money we gave to Keri for our daughters photos is exactly what Colleen charges.

Comp cards...we paid for those too. I researched it and what we paid is pretty darn comparable to what is out there. So we feel good about those too.

Now if anyone can write me back and tell me of ANY agency out there that represents models without professional photos and comp cards I would love to know
who they are. If there are ANY agencies out there who pay for all of their models photo shoots and comp cards I would love to know who they are as
well.

You will hear time and time again...do not pay money to get your child into
modeling....please...what they should say is you should never have to pay someone to sign you with their agency.

We DID NOT PAY to sign with W-MTG.

What people should expect are some costs such as photos and
comp cards. Training is offered and suggested by many. We as parents need the
training as well...there are expectations at casting calls,
photo shoots and paid gigs. I have learned many things over the last six years, most of all I have learned about patience and that it is a waiting game. Your agency does not control what the client is looking for, when they ask for a blonde with blue eyes we are automatically out of the running for that casting. And that isn't all...sizes, shapes, hair length...there are a lot of factors involved.

The purpose of my response here is to give an honest evaluation of our experience with Keri Murphy. I believe we are more than qualified to speak on this topic. I realize we came into this the wrong way but Keri righted it for us and it has been a lot of fun. Our daughter loves to model and has had a great time. We have no regrets, we understand there are investments made that are appropriate for our daughter to do well. If Keri was not suggesting a great photographer, instructional training and necessary tools to succeed then this would have all been a waste of time. And that would have been cause to warn people.

We are by no means STAGE PARENTS, every single penny our daughter has earned has gone straight into a college savings fund for her...we don't so much as reimburse ourselves for gas. We expect our child to be respectful, kind, considerate and honest. She is never forced to do anything, if she isn't in the mood then we respect that.

By the way 40%...c'mon...20% from the talent, 20% from the client(that the talent would never have seen in the first place). Standard for the industry....check around. They would not be agents for longs if they did not get paid now would they.

Someone wrote that only two models from the agency have responded to this...well, I just stumbled upon it. I imagine most of them do not know just as I didn't before yesterday, so do not consider that confirmation of a "scam" situation.

Feel free to write me with any questions...I will not tolerate any name calling or inappropriate bashing...so leave that out please.

Kimberly Lee
Sheradyn's Mom

So wasn't I surprised... when I took 2 seconds to google WMTG (i.e. Kery Murphy) and came across all this information on the very agency that we have our daughter involved with. Here's what EVERY PARENT needs to know about WMTG.

Issue: You will get emotionally involved in modeling your child. When you walk in the door, the place looks first class. You can see your child fitting in here.
Solution: Wake up! You dont know a thing about this place or the people behind it!

Issue: You will hear way to many amazing things about your child and it will reaffirm your thoughts of, "maybe I did the right thing in getting them into modeling..."
Solution: Reality check. Proceed with caution.

Issue: You will get wrapped up in the above two points and this will mean your not paying attention to your pocket book - and this is where the Keri factor comes into play.
Solution: Stay focused on whats really happening and not what you want to happen or think might happen over the rainbow. Be realistic even if your being told unrealistic things. Does this make sense?

BOTTOM LINE: As it all applies to our family, we laid out a few hundred for the class. then a few more hundred for the photos and then woke up to the nonsense when we found out there was more hundreds waiting around the next corner to be spent. At this point I read these reports and realized we'd been scammed. I use the word scam and I think its important for me to CLARIFY Why. If Keri would have just been up front with us about the costs to go into the modeling game at WMTG we would have said..... "gee thanks but we dont feel like spending 1200+ for a 4 year old child to SEE if she likes modeling". To all these people that say, this is what it takes to be a model, I say, "Great! so be up front about it already". But thats not how Keri works. It's always one more thing. and THATS A SCAM. We spoke to her directly about this. We since have called around town and even into Seattle and several agencies only to find out WMTG is known for this kind of thing. I got the sense we are following in the line of others with the same bad experience at WMTG.

As for finding work with WMTG. We cannot attest to anything because we shut it all down before we signed with her.

Ironically, I will say, I like Keri. And in several ways I think in her own mind at least, she really is trying to do things first class within her agency. I'd even go so far as to offer her a Challenge:

If you really want to clear the "air" on all this rip off report stuff and clear your name and your agency's intentions, then agree to mount a reader board in your lobby / office for all the parents that tells them the upfront costs. It should be something like this:

Welcome to WMTG!!
We want your child to succeed.
You will need tools for the success.
Those tools will cost you $XXXX dollars
See Keri for details.

And please please Keri, do not even suggest to this audience that whatever method you outlined the costs is clear. Because its not at all...and suspect to say the least! If you take these steps. I'd even be willing to have our child sign with you and report back to this group on the rest of the experience. Until then, we have begun interviewing with some other agencies. wow! talk about an expensive learning experience.

Can a leopard change her spots?
Can you teach and old dog a new trick?
Do the right thing Keri or this stuff will only get worse.
We hope you show these people you really do have the right intentions.

Hope this provides REALISTIC insight to everyone from a current WTMG family.

signed,

Kiana's Parents

So wasn't I surprised... when I took 2 seconds to google WMTG (i.e. Kery Murphy) and came across all this information on the very agency that we have our daughter involved with. Here's what EVERY PARENT needs to know about WMTG.

Issue: You will get emotionally involved in modeling your child. When you walk in the door, the place looks first class. You can see your child fitting in here.
Solution: Wake up! You dont know a thing about this place or the people behind it!

Issue: You will hear way to many amazing things about your child and it will reaffirm your thoughts of, "maybe I did the right thing in getting them into modeling..."
Solution: Reality check. Proceed with caution.

Issue: You will get wrapped up in the above two points and this will mean your not paying attention to your pocket book - and this is where the Keri factor comes into play.
Solution: Stay focused on whats really happening and not what you want to happen or think might happen over the rainbow. Be realistic even if your being told unrealistic things. Does this make sense?

BOTTOM LINE: As it all applies to our family, we laid out a few hundred for the class. then a few more hundred for the photos and then woke up to the nonsense when we found out there was more hundreds waiting around the next corner to be spent. At this point I read these reports and realized we'd been scammed. I use the word scam and I think its important for me to CLARIFY Why. If Keri would have just been up front with us about the costs to go into the modeling game at WMTG we would have said..... "gee thanks but we dont feel like spending 1200+ for a 4 year old child to SEE if she likes modeling". To all these people that say, this is what it takes to be a model, I say, "Great! so be up front about it already". But thats not how Keri works. It's always one more thing. and THATS A SCAM. We spoke to her directly about this. We since have called around town and even into Seattle and several agencies only to find out WMTG is known for this kind of thing. I got the sense we are following in the line of others with the same bad experience at WMTG.

As for finding work with WMTG. We cannot attest to anything because we shut it all down before we signed with her.

Ironically, I will say, I like Keri. And in several ways I think in her own mind at least, she really is trying to do things first class within her agency. I'd even go so far as to offer her a Challenge:

If you really want to clear the "air" on all this rip off report stuff and clear your name and your agency's intentions, then agree to mount a reader board in your lobby / office for all the parents that tells them the upfront costs. It should be something like this:

Welcome to WMTG!!
We want your child to succeed.
You will need tools for the success.
Those tools will cost you $XXXX dollars
See Keri for details.

And please please Keri, do not even suggest to this audience that whatever method you outlined the costs is clear. Because its not at all...and suspect to say the least! If you take these steps. I'd even be willing to have our child sign with you and report back to this group on the rest of the experience. Until then, we have begun interviewing with some other agencies. wow! talk about an expensive learning experience.

Can a leopard change her spots?
Can you teach and old dog a new trick?
Do the right thing Keri or this stuff will only get worse.
We hope you show these people you really do have the right intentions.

Hope this provides REALISTIC insight to everyone from a current WTMG family.

signed,

Kiana's Parents

All these comments about being ripped off just makes me laugh. The modeling industry comes down to how you look and how you present that package. There are a lot of factors which include what your photos look like, how your comp cards are designed, how you present yourself at a go-see, what you're wearing that day, what mood the person you're seeing is in that day, and so on and so forth. As an art director currently working for a magazine and also someone who's been in the advertising industry for many years, the first thing I look at before I decide on whether or not it's worth seeing you in person for a go-see is your portfolio and/or comp card. A shitty portfolio or comp card says a lot to me. It could make or break whether I would even consider you. And because my time is precious to me, I don't want you to waste it. So if Keri doesn't make you shoot with a photographer that's going to make you look the best you can look, then she's doing a disservice to you and her agency. If she doesn't make you update your card when you get a haircut, change the color of your hair, or if you just plain look different then she's doing a disservice to you, her agency and every other model she represents. Why would I want to work with an agency who doesn't make their models keep their comp cards and photos up to date? It's a waste of my time. Or if the comp cards or images are poorly done then I think poorly of the agency.

Wilhelmina MTG is TRYING to raise the bar in Portland and thank GOD for that. When I worked there I would get the most horrible images of kids from their parents and I would think, "ARE YOU SERIOUS!!" Do you really think this is good enough? Or models would show me photos from a shoot with a photographer who they thought were good. Yeh, maybe they would be considered good if you were comparing the images to photography from a portrait studio shot in the mall. There are S-T-A-N-D-A-R-D-S. If you don't want to pay the money for photos, comp cards or to be on the website then perhaps you shouldn't be in the industry. These are the basic tools that a modeling agency needs to be able to market you. And it costs money to put them together. Yes, people have been booked before from just a polaroid but it's rare. Because unless you are in that 1% of the population that this industry deems has that "IT" factor then you better start saving your money so you can shoot with someone who can make you look good. And if you don't want to invest in the POTENTIAL NOT GUARANTEE of making it in the business then perhaps you should re-think getting into it in the first place.

It's Keri's reputation on the line so she better well make d**n sure what she's putting out there is prepared and looks good! I know I would.

I would love to jump in on this conversation. I have been an actor in Los Angeles for 5 plus years. The fact that people are upset at the idea that they need to pay for photos, reproductions, zed cards, acting classes and other things to start their acting career would make actors in L.A. and New York laugh. Its a mandatory part of the business and even though its a tough investment initially, it's what you need to compete. Truthfully, out here in LA, we are spending this kind of money every 6 months. You cant even get an agent to talk to you unless you have these most basic tools. I've known Keri for many years and she runs an agency based on giving many people a chance without any sort of experience. Because of this, she works hard to get people caught up and on a professional level as quickly as possible to begin competing immediately. This may mean shelling out a lot of money up front, but believe me, these are absolute mandatory things to get work. I understand that in Oregon, things work much differently than in a city like Los Angeles. However, I know Keri's intentions are to build an agency where talent can compete on a level with top tier cities. Perhaps its over ambitious, but that's the way Keri thinks. She believes in no ceilings and wants her talent to have an unlimited growth potential. People demand results, especially when they are shelling out thousands of dollars. However, this is the wrong business to be in if you expect immediate returns.

My cousin and I were at the Workforce center wondering how we were going to pay property taxes or risk losing the house that our family has had for years.

Suddenly, there was a cattle call for film extras and we went and we showed up ---no matter how bad the weather was or what we were supposed to do, we did it without complaining. We made enough money to settle the property taxes. It was right after the 200-2002 RECESSION and it was great we could keep my house and the taxes paid.

I then signed briefly with the casting agency that had hired me and I had a feature extra role in another film. It was OK. It was something that I do to pay the bills but not something I want to do permanently. I photograph well but I don't care for everything FAKE about it --- except for the paychecks which are very real. I did what I was told to do and I got a check every time I did and that was it. I appreciated the checks and I appreciated the opportunity to act but I have not seen any of the five films I appeared in.

I got my roles by being at the right place at the right time, showing a good cooperative work ethic and simply doing what the production assistant told me to do.
When the director said we were done, I went home.

All it basically took was a simple head shot with a Polaroid and filling out a paper on where to contact me, my clothing sizes and shoes sizes for wardrobe, my cell phone number and willingness to be on call 24/7. I did not have to pay for thousands of dollars of photos or acting lessons or whatever... I just did what they told me to do and they liked what I did.

It also helped that my agency Brock-Allen in Austin ,Texas was LEGITIMATE and so is Third Coast Casting. They get me work as an extra and they get whatever they need and I get a paycheck, Simple as that. Since I am paid AT THE SET OF THE FILM nobody is bs-ing us about our pay.

My cousin described this better than I could concerning so-called talent agency scams in the Rip- Off Report.

Contact your state film commission and find out who the HONEST CASTING AGENCIES ARE.

MAYBE YOU DON'T NEED A MODELING AGENCY.

Be realistic. Not everybody is going to be a star. Stage mothers come out of the woodwork and want their little darling to be the next Shirley Temple or Deanna Dublin or Judy Garland or Mickey Rooney but that takes a lot of talent, work ethic, dedication and ability to accept rejections -- lots of them if you want to eventually be a star. Or even a featured extra...

Go and apply to a real casting agency, whose credentials can be VERIFIED. THEY SPECIALIZE IN PROVIDING EXTRAS TO FILM MAKERS AT SO MUCH A HEAD AND THE GOOD ONES HERE IN AUSTIN,TEXAS DELIVER!

I always figured that modeling and films were full of empty promises and rip-offs anyway unless the casting agencies proved themselves otherwise. I was very lucky that the two GREAT CASTING AGENCIES I WORKED WITH SAVED MY HOME AND GAVE ME WORK WHEN NOBODY ELSE WOULD AND I WILL ALWAYS BE GRATEFUL TO THEM! i will work for them any time and any place. I would never have thought about being in a film until they really needed somebody and I came through and they paid.

You can not call this woman,Kerri, a crook because she does give you something for the money you are paying her. It might not be what you want or expected but you are getting something. She might have bad bookkeeping skills. Not the first time an artistic or talented person without a business agent or CPA to handle the finances allegedly screwed up numbers. ONE PERSON can only do SO MUCH! There is a lot of turnover at almost any place that deals with extremely artistic, quirky talent because dealing well with others when they focus so much time, energy and effort on their own career is not about making friends and influencing people, except for film executives and the people who recruit the talent for them to choose from.

Maybe people are expecting too much too soon and if you think you can get a fast break, represent yourself.

I make it a point not to get involved with anything I do not understand or can't give me what I want in what I consider to be a reasonable amount of time.

You are always free to take your money elsewhere.

I read pretty much most of all the posts and responses. Here is my input. Stagemom, I am totally glad that you didn't just blame WMTG for the predicament that you and your daughter got into, but you were willing to accept responsibility for your own lack of research. Yes, it is unfortunate that you had to learn the hard way. Too many times people jump into the entertainment/modeling business without serious research and a lack of knowledge. Sometimes it may just take a a few minutes to google up a companies name and reputation (crazy how much info you can learn about a company in just a few clicks of a button).

As for the ex-employees or supposed disgruntled ex employees, I would think that they would have first hand knowledge of how the workings of the inter office ran. Granted there is going to be some biased opinions, but it seems like a very consistent portrayal from both ex-employee and ex-repped clients. Can't deny that too much.

For WMTG. You claim you are nothing like John Robert Powers, Casablancas, or Barbizon. Yet you all pretty much sell the same package. I know that you push a Photography session fee for headshots or compcards usually around 300-500 dollars (which are pushed by all parties above are mentioned). There is an acting class / model walking class that usually costs anywhere 400-500 dollars (again offered from all parties mentioned from above...hmmm I see a patern) and that is tied into part of the package deal. And then there is the famous portfolio that you would always recommend that they all get even though they are not even model material (costs 300-500 dollars). WMTG, you claim you are not a scam company and berate those said companies, yet you have the same business model as they do. How are we to trust you, if you yourself tell us not to trust those other scam companies. Seems like a lot of double talk and BS to me.

Now I read that there is a couple of positive comments on this company. Granted there is one Girl that is represented by MTG that has done well. But with such a huge database of people that they have with them you would think they can muster a few more positive feedback. As for the PFW. Do you actually pay the models that MTG provides you for you fashion show. I am talking about actual pay not, this an opportunity that up and comers should be happy to do. Or do you pay WMTG for the use of their models. Cause I have seen many of these fashion talent scout shows an kids springing 200-1000 dollars to travel to try to win these so called fashion shows. And if I am not mistaken John Robert Powers and Barbizon does this a lot too. HMMMMMM.

All in all actors, models, parents, and anyone getting into the business try to do your homework first prior to signing anything. Call around to other competing agencies find out which one works best best to represent you. There is a misconception that Portland does not have agencies that compete with the rest of the country , such as Nike going outside of portland to find models. We have a sports modeling agencies that book a lot of their print and catalogs. Portland has some of the biggest advertising and marketing companies here in portland and they often use local talent. You are the product and you must do research to make sure the product is represented in the right way. You wouldn't just buy any car with out doing any research or test drive.

I read pretty much most of all the posts and responses. Here is my input. Stagemom, I am totally glad that you didn't just blame WMTG for the predicament that you and your daughter got into, but you were willing to accept responsibility for your own lack of research. Yes, it is unfortunate that you had to learn the hard way. Too many times people jump into the entertainment/modeling business without serious research and a lack of knowledge. Sometimes it may just take a a few minutes to google up a companies name and reputation (crazy how much info you can learn about a company in just a few clicks of a button).

As for the ex-employees or supposed disgruntled ex employees, I would think that they would have first hand knowledge of how the workings of the inter office ran. Granted there is going to be some biased opinions, but it seems like a very consistent portrayal from both ex-employee and ex-repped clients. Can't deny that too much.

For WMTG. You claim you are nothing like John Robert Powers, Casablancas, or Barbizon. Yet you all pretty much sell the same package. I know that you push a Photography session fee for headshots or compcards usually around 300-500 dollars (which are pushed by all parties above are mentioned). There is an acting class / model walking class that usually costs anywhere 400-500 dollars (again offered from all parties mentioned from above...hmmm I see a patern) and that is tied into part of the package deal. And then there is the famous portfolio that you would always recommend that they all get even though they are not even model material (costs 300-500 dollars). WMTG, you claim you are not a scam company and berate those said companies, yet you have the same business model as they do. How are we to trust you, if you yourself tell us not to trust those other scam companies. Seems like a lot of double talk and BS to me.

Now I read that there is a couple of positive comments on this company. Granted there is one Girl that is represented by MTG that has done well. But with such a huge database of people that they have with them you would think they can muster a few more positive feedback. As for the PFW. Do you actually pay the models that MTG provides you for you fashion show. I am talking about actual pay not, this an opportunity that up and comers should be happy to do. Or do you pay WMTG for the use of their models. Cause I have seen many of these fashion talent scout shows an kids springing 200-1000 dollars to travel to try to win these so called fashion shows. And if I am not mistaken John Robert Powers and Barbizon does this a lot too. HMMMMMM.

All in all actors, models, parents, and anyone getting into the business try to do your homework first prior to signing anything. Call around to other competing agencies find out which one works best best to represent you. There is a misconception that Portland does not have agencies that compete with the rest of the country , such as Nike going outside of portland to find models. We have a sports modeling agencies that book a lot of their print and catalogs. Portland has some of the biggest advertising and marketing companies here in portland and they often use local talent. You are the product and you must do research to make sure the product is represented in the right way. You wouldn't just buy any car with out doing any research or test drive.

I read pretty much most of all the posts and responses. Here is my input. Stagemom, I am totally glad that you didn't just blame WMTG for the predicament that you and your daughter got into, but you were willing to accept responsibility for your own lack of research. Yes, it is unfortunate that you had to learn the hard way. Too many times people jump into the entertainment/modeling business without serious research and a lack of knowledge. Sometimes it may just take a a few minutes to google up a companies name and reputation (crazy how much info you can learn about a company in just a few clicks of a button).

As for the ex-employees or supposed disgruntled ex employees, I would think that they would have first hand knowledge of how the workings of the inter office ran. Granted there is going to be some biased opinions, but it seems like a very consistent portrayal from both ex-employee and ex-repped clients. Can't deny that too much.

For WMTG. You claim you are nothing like John Robert Powers, Casablancas, or Barbizon. Yet you all pretty much sell the same package. I know that you push a Photography session fee for headshots or compcards usually around 300-500 dollars (which are pushed by all parties above are mentioned). There is an acting class / model walking class that usually costs anywhere 400-500 dollars (again offered from all parties mentioned from above...hmmm I see a patern) and that is tied into part of the package deal. And then there is the famous portfolio that you would always recommend that they all get even though they are not even model material (costs 300-500 dollars). WMTG, you claim you are not a scam company and berate those said companies, yet you have the same business model as they do. How are we to trust you, if you yourself tell us not to trust those other scam companies. Seems like a lot of double talk and BS to me.

Now I read that there is a couple of positive comments on this company. Granted there is one Girl that is represented by MTG that has done well. But with such a huge database of people that they have with them you would think they can muster a few more positive feedback. As for the PFW. Do you actually pay the models that MTG provides you for you fashion show. I am talking about actual pay not, this an opportunity that up and comers should be happy to do. Or do you pay WMTG for the use of their models. Cause I have seen many of these fashion talent scout shows an kids springing 200-1000 dollars to travel to try to win these so called fashion shows. And if I am not mistaken John Robert Powers and Barbizon does this a lot too. HMMMMMM.

All in all actors, models, parents, and anyone getting into the business try to do your homework first prior to signing anything. Call around to other competing agencies find out which one works best best to represent you. There is a misconception that Portland does not have agencies that compete with the rest of the country , such as Nike going outside of portland to find models. We have a sports modeling agencies that book a lot of their print and catalogs. Portland has some of the biggest advertising and marketing companies here in portland and they often use local talent. You are the product and you must do research to make sure the product is represented in the right way. You wouldn't just buy any car with out doing any research or test drive.

I read pretty much most of all the posts and responses. Here is my input. Stagemom, I am totally glad that you didn't just blame WMTG for the predicament that you and your daughter got into, but you were willing to accept responsibility for your own lack of research. Yes, it is unfortunate that you had to learn the hard way. Too many times people jump into the entertainment/modeling business without serious research and a lack of knowledge. Sometimes it may just take a a few minutes to google up a companies name and reputation (crazy how much info you can learn about a company in just a few clicks of a button).

As for the ex-employees or supposed disgruntled ex employees, I would think that they would have first hand knowledge of how the workings of the inter office ran. Granted there is going to be some biased opinions, but it seems like a very consistent portrayal from both ex-employee and ex-repped clients. Can't deny that too much.

For WMTG. You claim you are nothing like John Robert Powers, Casablancas, or Barbizon. Yet you all pretty much sell the same package. I know that you push a Photography session fee for headshots or compcards usually around 300-500 dollars (which are pushed by all parties above are mentioned). There is an acting class / model walking class that usually costs anywhere 400-500 dollars (again offered from all parties mentioned from above...hmmm I see a patern) and that is tied into part of the package deal. And then there is the famous portfolio that you would always recommend that they all get even though they are not even model material (costs 300-500 dollars). WMTG, you claim you are not a scam company and berate those said companies, yet you have the same business model as they do. How are we to trust you, if you yourself tell us not to trust those other scam companies. Seems like a lot of double talk and BS to me.

Now I read that there is a couple of positive comments on this company. Granted there is one Girl that is represented by MTG that has done well. But with such a huge database of people that they have with them you would think they can muster a few more positive feedback. As for the PFW. Do you actually pay the models that MTG provides you for you fashion show. I am talking about actual pay not, this an opportunity that up and comers should be happy to do. Or do you pay WMTG for the use of their models. Cause I have seen many of these fashion talent scout shows an kids springing 200-1000 dollars to travel to try to win these so called fashion shows. And if I am not mistaken John Robert Powers and Barbizon does this a lot too. HMMMMMM.

All in all actors, models, parents, and anyone getting into the business try to do your homework first prior to signing anything. Call around to other competing agencies find out which one works best best to represent you. There is a misconception that Portland does not have agencies that compete with the rest of the country , such as Nike going outside of portland to find models. We have a sports modeling agencies that book a lot of their print and catalogs. Portland has some of the biggest advertising and marketing companies here in portland and they often use local talent. You are the product and you must do research to make sure the product is represented in the right way. You wouldn't just buy any car with out doing any research or test drive.

Quoted from another forum:

"Hi
I'm not sure if this is the right forum in which to post this, but I
come to you as a heartbroken and jaded mother hoping to save others the sheer
dissappointment that our family has endured. Ultimately I'm not
looking for a refund or an apology or anything like that.
It was my bad for not doing the appropriate research prior to
associating with this shady company. Live and learn.....I just don't
want to see other people make the same mistake that I did out of
either desparation or a sense of urgency to fulfill their children's
dreams. There truly are no short cuts no matter how "pretty" someone
makes them sound.

I am not a mean-spirited person, but someone needs to bring this to
light. Keri Murpy of MTG, Wilhelmena, or whatever the scam is called
this week is taking advantage of Portland-area parents in hoping to
get their children into this industry. She is a predator preying on
our hopes and dreams that we all have for our children. I met Keri
through an association with my church, of all places, and was told by
Keri how beautiful my child was, what a presence they had, blah,
blah, blah. The next thing you know, I was out over $1,600 in
photos, classes, comp cards, workshops.....my child was FOUR
YEARS OLD!!!
Due to my own ignorance of how things work, I was not aware that this
was not the norm of how a LEGITIMATE agency works. I know now
that agencies are only supposed to make money and CHARGE COMMISSION
when they have gotten you work. Agencies are NOT supposed to be
schools or photo mills. My child has never had a job, let alone even
a single audition, despite our HUGE capital investment that Keri
Murphy assured us was "standard" and "reasonable" for the industry.
I have since learned from friends who have children with LEGITIMATE
agencies that what she offers is nothing more than a sham, smoke and
mirrors at best. I'm with a new agency now who not only apologized on
behalf of my experiences at MTG, but also encouraged me to remove
the "workshops" (Lime Lab/ABC?) from my child's resume, as having ANY
association with Ms. Murphy or her endeavors was akin to a John
Robert Powers or Barbizon situation, i.e. a "JOKE."
I am embarassed for having fallen for one of the oldest tricks in the
book, but I can only hope I can help educate even one new actor as to
avoid the same costly mistakes that our family has suffered.
Knowing what I know now, my child would have been better off going
without an agent than being affiliated with this highly questionable
organization.

Again, I'm sorry if this comes across as mean spirited, as that is
not my
intent. I only know how difficult it is to find out the real
direction to
travel.

-Portland Stage Mom"

I received a message from Ms. Murphy this afternoon. She wished to
keep it private, however I wish to keep it public for all to read.

This is the message I received from Ms Murphy:

BEGINNING:

"Hello,
Your posting from PDX backstage was forwarded to me and I wanted to
take a moment to respond to you.
I am so sorry you had a bad experience with the agency. I would never
take advantage of anyone trying to get into the industry. I give
everyone who comes in honest feedback and guidance. If I told you
your child was beautiful and had potential, I truly meant it! I love
helping people and helping them realize their full potential. I feel
through our workshops we are educating parents, and talent of all
ages what to expect and how to succeed in such a competitive
industry. Talent needs good training to compete in this business
whether they get it through us or some where else. We are NOTHING
like the John Casablancas and Barbizons of the world. We do not lie
to people, tell them we have an agency when we really don't and prey
on peoples dreams. We book talent daily and strive to represent and
be the best in the industry.
I have seen so many people spend thousands of dollars for horrible
pictures, scam conventions, poor training and the like. Workshops are
never mandatory to sign with the agency and yet I am told time and
time again how helpful they are to new talent. Every talent needs
photos and comp cards so an agency can represent them and I would be
surprised if would not have to pay for them else where.
I again apologize from the bottom of my heart that you feel taken
advantage of.
Sincerely,
Keri


Keri MurphyPresident1717 NE 42nd. Avenue Suite 3200Portland, OR
97212p. 503 249 0319www.wilhelminamtg.com"

END

>>>

First, I am not looking for an apology, a refund, or anything from
Ms. Murphy. I simply found it necessary for my own personal ethics
and values to try and prevent even one parent from making the huge
mistake we made in trusting Ms. Murphy. Do you notice in her
response not once did she ask who I am, or more importantly, who my
child is ?? Is this the way someone who "truly cares" would
respond ??
I also find it quite telling that only after I posted my experiences
with Ms. Murphy and her "businesses" in a forum which she cannot
moderate or control does she respond. I have posted on numerous
occasions on Craigslist and she flags them for removal in a very
short period of time rather than taking the time to respond in any
way.

I guess I'm a slow learner and make the mistake of trusting people on
their word. I found another link that I think is very telling as
well, a website where other parents such as myself have posted as
well as her own former employees who have left because they couldn't
stomach her unethical behavior themselves. I have also received so
many e-mails today from other disgruntled parents, it would make your
head spin. I had one parent say that when she tried to leave Keri
Murphy's agency because her child had not worked in over two years,
she was told by Ms. Murphy personally that according to the contract
she had them sign, they would have to pay her $1,000 if they wished
to leave the agency! Has anyone else had this experience ?

Deep down, I was hoping that my case was the exception, but based the
flood of e-mails and postings on sites such as Craigslist and
ripoffreport.com, I now realize I am just one of many.

- Portland Stage Mom

Keri Murphy comes across as a sincere, caring person. This is her gift, as well as the gift of all con artists.

She routinely lies to potential talent.

She co-mingles talent funds with her own and delays payments to talent for MONTHS.

She preys on mothers of children believing she can get them work.

She makes virtually NO effort to get her talent work. Her only goal is getting you to purchase "marketing" material or take one of her classes.

Her on-camera agent left last year because the agent was sick of being associated with Keri.

She went through a 100% staff turnover in less than three months in 2007 because they were either tired of her conning talent or being used to do her dirty work.

Her defenses from those at Portland Fashion Week are partially accurate. What those statements don't reflect are that she used that time she spent there to avoid her own business or the hordes of angry talent she fleeced.

I am ashamed I worked for her and watched her lie to people for months.

DO NOT believe her or her claims of being a good Christian who cares about people. She is as close to pathologically evil as I've ever come across.

Keri Murphy comes across as a sincere, caring person. This is her gift, as well as the gift of all con artists.

She routinely lies to potential talent.

She co-mingles talent funds with her own and delays payments to talent for MONTHS.

She preys on mothers of children believing she can get them work.

She makes virtually NO effort to get her talent work. Her only goal is getting you to purchase "marketing" material or take one of her classes.

Her on-camera agent left last year because the agent was sick of being associated with Keri.

She went through a 100% staff turnover in less than three months in 2007 because they were either tired of her conning talent or being used to do her dirty work.

Her defenses from those at Portland Fashion Week are partially accurate. What those statements don't reflect are that she used that time she spent there to avoid her own business or the hordes of angry talent she fleeced.

I am ashamed I worked for her and watched her lie to people for months.

DO NOT believe her or her claims of being a good Christian who cares about people. She is as close to pathologically evil as I've ever come across.

Keri Murphy comes across as a sincere, caring person. This is her gift, as well as the gift of all con artists.

She routinely lies to potential talent.

She co-mingles talent funds with her own and delays payments to talent for MONTHS.

She preys on mothers of children believing she can get them work.

She makes virtually NO effort to get her talent work. Her only goal is getting you to purchase "marketing" material or take one of her classes.

Her on-camera agent left last year because the agent was sick of being associated with Keri.

She went through a 100% staff turnover in less than three months in 2007 because they were either tired of her conning talent or being used to do her dirty work.

Her defenses from those at Portland Fashion Week are partially accurate. What those statements don't reflect are that she used that time she spent there to avoid her own business or the hordes of angry talent she fleeced.

I am ashamed I worked for her and watched her lie to people for months.

DO NOT believe her or her claims of being a good Christian who cares about people. She is as close to pathologically evil as I've ever come across.

Keri Murphy comes across as a sincere, caring person. This is her gift, as well as the gift of all con artists.

She routinely lies to potential talent.

She co-mingles talent funds with her own and delays payments to talent for MONTHS.

She preys on mothers of children believing she can get them work.

She makes virtually NO effort to get her talent work. Her only goal is getting you to purchase "marketing" material or take one of her classes.

Her on-camera agent left last year because the agent was sick of being associated with Keri.

She went through a 100% staff turnover in less than three months in 2007 because they were either tired of her conning talent or being used to do her dirty work.

Her defenses from those at Portland Fashion Week are partially accurate. What those statements don't reflect are that she used that time she spent there to avoid her own business or the hordes of angry talent she fleeced.

I am ashamed I worked for her and watched her lie to people for months.

DO NOT believe her or her claims of being a good Christian who cares about people. She is as close to pathologically evil as I've ever come across.

I have firsthand experience of the issues discussed above.

First, the positive rebuttals are for the most part accurate. They are also from the VERY few people that have found work through W/MTG.

For the most part the characterization of Keri Murphy as a scam artist is 100% accurate. I personally heard her lie to enough parents and adult talent to choke a horse. The agency makes virtually NO EFFORT to find work for the talent.

Rather than have her employees try to find work for her talent, her goal is to get you in the door, fill you with false promises, and get to your pocketbook.

The childrens' division is a joke. It IS a baby mill.

On DOZENS of occasions I personally heard Keri lie to both parents and talent in order to induce them to sign with the agency and pay her large sums of money for marketing material and classes that do nothing but pad her pocketbook.

She will collect for "marketing material" but never actually produce the material.

Most of her staff left last year because she was running the agency into the ground.

She even took payments that were for legitimate work her on camera talent and used the money to keep her agency afloat. Then she stalled the talent and wrote them bad checks. This is a fact. Nor is there any regulations in Oregon to prevent her from doing so. She routinely co-mingles money that belongs to her talent and uses it for her own purposes.

Her former On Camera division agent left because of that. That agent also has stated that the classes offered there are a joke in the industry and do NOTHING to further an actors career.

Keri Murphy, and W/MTG should be avoided at ALL costs.

I could literally write pages of examples of how she has fleeced those that went to her agency. She is nothing more than a legal thief. She is the ultimate spokesperson- she is delusional enough to be offended by claims she is a simple scam artist- because she seems to actually believe the words that come out of her mouth are based in some reality.

I'd enjoy a response from her or anyone else that believes she is doing the right thing. If necessary I will name names and more specific examples of her deceptions.

Someone should shut her down. If I were signed with her I'd run straight to the Oregon State Attorneys General office and ask them to investigate her.

At first I was not going to respond to this attack simply due to the fact that I did not want to lower myself to the obvious below par standards of the person who first wrote the initial report. However, after being able to reflect on it for the week I am excited that this website will allow me the platform to voice my truth.

I love my job, the business I am in and the ability to be able to help people pursue what makes their heart happy. There is such a joy that this business can bring, but like any business there is always a down side and there are people that will always like to see you fail. I am not that person.

I am truly blessed to be able to teach, motivate, lead and still perform in a business that I love. Yes, at times I may be stretched a little too thin. (I am working on that) But with age and experience I have learned to try to function at my best and highest use, while surrounding myself with people who are better in areas where I need help. That is what a good business person does and it has taken me the last five years to realize who those people are and what position in the agency they need to be. That is all part of the journey of being an ambitious and somewhat young entrepreneur.

OK, let's jump into the money issue. First and foremost I will get on any stand and say, I would NEVER make promises or lie to anyone in this business! Some times I think people hear what they want to hear. Who am I to say how successful a person will be in this business or any other for that matter? Yes, there are certain expectations but the success of any talent is determined by their dedication, patience, skill level and the team of people they surround themselves with. I am honest and will tell people how I feel and what I know from my 20 years experience in the business. That is all I can do. The success of a person in any field is determined by many different factors but their own determination is huge! This business is all about preparation meeting opportunity. I can give you all the opportunities on the planet but you have to be ready for them.

When Wilhelmina came to me and asked me to be their affiliate I was honored. Wilhelmina is one of the most well respected and reputable agencies in the world. Last November I met with the owner as well as other NY and LA bookers and affiliates. We spoke about the standard that Wilhelmina has and how important it is to make sure the smaller markets are able to maintain such a high level of talent and professionalism. They encouraged us to develop our talent. Not because they get a very small percentage of that but because it allows the models in smaller markets the ability to compete with the Wilhelmina models around the country. In a secondary market like Portland we are often up against agencies in bigger markets that have well established (and therefore trained) models. Nike books Wilhelmina models out of NY! I want the work to stay in Oregon. How do I do that? By making sure my models are the best! Unlike larger markets the models in the NW don't get to go out on castings daily...so where do they get to learn how to move for the camera, how to walk a runway, how to present themselves and how to be a successful business person? The answer is they don't and then they fail. I do NOT want my models and actors set up for failure.

In what other profession do you make $150.00 an hour (to start) with no training or experience? There are so many pretty faces out there I want Wilhelmina Portland models to be a lot more than just another pretty face. My workshops are NOT MANDATORY nor are they a contingency to signing with the agency, but I do know if you are a new model they will help tremendously. Call me for references; I would be thrilled to give them to you. Nothing pisses me off more than the Barbizon's and JRP's of the world that prey on people's hopes and dreams! That is something I could never do.

If you are a model from another agency or you have experience why would you need a workshop? You wouldn't. I would love to see you!

My advice to you is the same as the person who slandered my integrity in the initial report. Do your homework, trust your gut and make your own decision on my character and work ethicI would love the opportunity to meet you. I wish you the best of luck!

I am not privy to know the levels of satisfaction for all the people that Keri's agency represents or employs, but I can express my opinion from my working experience with her. Keri spent hours and hours in weekends after weekends for giving free training/workshop offered to the models that PFW selects through an audition process all for putting a better show in Portland Fashion Week. She did it without getting paid, for which model-coaches charge big fees. These models are all from different agencies, not just her own, and she taught them the trick-of-the-runway-trade, which potentially made the models of her competing agencies more competitive to her models.

But, she still doing it for the betterment of the fashion industry in Portland, has garnered lot of respect and gratitude from me. She did it despite her extremely busy schedule, yes, running an agency and her own career .and need I mention, she looked, smelled, talked amazing any of those times, no matter whatever time of the day it was :).

For someone who often comes across talents from different agencies, in town or while traveling in other major fashion cities, along with my co-principal Chris, I have seen different levels of satisfaction of models with their agencies. I have heard extreme stories from models regarding how they have been treated by their agencies, like, how they were being signed under false promises but after the promises weren't met, they weren't allowed to move to any other agency, or sometimes, how the agent wasn't singing them up for any new job because she couldn't fulfill the agent's offer of accepting a last minute gig because of sickness in the family, or how models weren't getting in gigs for months or a year, whereas I have heard opposite stories from other models from some of the same agencies.

My point is, more need to be done to improve the customer service and accountability in this industry, just like any other, but specially this one, because, this deals with the dreams of so many green male and female. But, while it's not easy for two sides, model and agency, to be on the same page on why a model isn't getting enough assignment as he/she believes she deserves, an individual model must be free to choose whichever agency that fits his or her need the bestand I didn't hear anything but that about MTG; I even heard some exciting news of national placement from models like the ones who already wrote testimonials here. As a small city with hardly any fashion press, Portland doesn't have a lot of $$ in this sector -- which all of us are fighting to change and I proudly consider Keri a comrade in that fight along with Portland Fashion Week and numerous otherslike, Portland Mayor, Mayor-elect and Portland Development Commission, who we have been making more aware about the importance of this industry here, hence getting more involved.

Once again, I express my gratitude to Keri for joining us, from the very initial stage, in bringing Portland City administration on board. But, till the fruit of all the efforts start to pay-off, our financial struggle and uncertainty continues; my heart goes to everybody whose dreams and financial well-being are tied to this industry here.
Believe Yes We Can!!

Peace!!!

--tito
Portland fashion week

As the unmentioned 3rd executive producer of Portland Fashion Week, and an independent producer and owner of SEMPER Fashion, I have produced nearly 5 dozen indie fashion shows and charitable events in the NW for over 8 years-including orchestrating the rebirth and structuring of PFW in 2005.

So I will speak from my experience that MTG is an up and up company who though may charge for services and an industry STANDARD 20% commission from models who land jobs through them, works hard to earn the respect of the local modeling community, and businesses, as well as land jobs for their modeling talent.

Keri has in the past and at no charge, in part facilitated the success of 5 or more of SEMPER Fashion's events (including PFW 2005) with up and coming models looking to build portfolios and gain invaluable runway experience; photographers wishing to accomplish the same; and offering her insightful suggestions to myself where event production is concerned. In turn we are happy to send aspiring models to MTG to be evaluated for the industry.

As for mentioning Chris Cone, my business partner in PFW Productions, his experience is not to be negated nor minimized!

He has traveled the US speaking to the likes of Vogue and Cosmo to keep the long list short- where fashion and event production is concerned, and keeps a running email corespondence with IMG inc.(producers for NYFW,Miami FW, LAFW, etc.) Gen Art, and the alphabet soup of the fashion and modeling trade industry.
Ergo he knows of what he speaks.

He is also the in house runway and modeling coach for SEMPER Fashion events, and I am personally proud to be associated with this calibre of an individual.

Tod Hunter Foulk
tod@portlandfashionweek.net
503 255 5652

Our child was a model with Murphy Management then Murphy Talent Group and then onto Wilhelmina MTG. We can verify that the above statement is true. Keri gave us multiple promises as to what our child was to expect in this industry and should be. Meanwhile for over 3 years we sat back and watched her take her career into new heights which all in all is fabulous and she is good at what she does but she paid us late multiple times and many of our friends children too and we watched as multiple employees turned over or left.

She always told us it was simply because they wanted to move on or that they decided the relationship wasn't good. However, we are from southern california and the agency our child was signed with before was a small agency and in the 5 years we were signed with them we never had seen this sort of turnover. Also, I am an executive of a large company in the Northwest and have never seen that kind of turnover in a small office or a break away of a division of the company that was so sloppy and not ever explained to any of us with the logistics. Come to find out all the while that we were recieving pay checks over a month after they were due or incorrect amounts she was pursuing her career and leaving for weeks on end with an entire new staff whom we had never met we also never even realized the agency had moved to a whole new location.

From a parents point of view I am asking you to seriously do your research talk to several parents, models and industry experts in the area. I highly recommend not listening to a friend of Keri's or just the staff because every staff employee is always happy and in good character the first 6 months then they fade away because of being overworked with a lack of moral from the leader of the company.. Trust me we watched it for several years and want to spare you from the drama!!

*** Disclaimer*** This report is not from a former employee it is from a current model who has done research regarding the industry and met with Keri then did a little digging to find some information out to protect others from having to deal with a bad experience. I am sure if you actually do diligent research on the company of MTG and Keri Murphy you will find all the above information correct and accurate. Dont just take the information below who is from a ex boyfriend of Keri's and a advocate of the agency due to that not because he actually know's the industry through traveling the country and being involved for years. The man behind the success of Portland Fashion Week and the most influential is and has been Tito who has been recognized by the mayor and many more in the city of Portland for his great work.

"Since we started looking and considering agencies in the local Portland area, we did our homework. MTG agency was highly recommended by other parents, with children and teenagers in the modeling business. Since Addy has been with MTG, Keri has facilitated her signing with two other major agencies; Ford San Francisco and ID in New York. We recently resigned with the new Wilhelmina/Mtg agency. The professionalism and hard work Keri and her assistants have put forth for us is greatly appreciated, and we are thrilled to be on board."

Lecia Neal, Parent


"Since the merger of Wilhelmina and MTG, Portland has become the host for something truly special. The quintessential agency that represents actors, models and other talent of all ages. Portland is also blessed to be called home by one Keri Murphy. Keri Murphy's assiduous work ethic resonates within everyone around her, including the Wilhelmina-MTG talent. Keri's unremitting determination to turn Portland into a veritable modeling and acting haven has been several years in the making and is now beginning to come to fruition. I feel blessed being a talent represented by Wilhelmina-MTG. Keri is incontrovertibly one of the hardest working women in this industry. She will bend over backwards for any of her talent simply to help further their career. Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither is Portland's acting a modeling industry. Keri, however, will surely expedite the process. "

Bradford Bertoli, Model

"We have known Keri Murphy since 2004. Since that time Keri has worked hard to promote Kaili in her modeling career. She and her staff at Wilhelmina/MTG have always been readily available to help with any concerns we might have, and also do their best to resolve any problems that have arisen. Recently Keri traveled with us to New York City to place Kaili with an agency. Kaili is now signed with ID Model Management on the east coast."

Kristi Kasparek, Parent



In an industry that is constantly challenging your self confidence, it's so important to have an agent with the experience and background to guide you, to get you in front of the right people and fight for your best interests. This is exactly what Keri has done for me. I have worked for several different agencies in the Portland area and not one of them has been as committed to my success as the Wilhelmina MTG team. As a model there have been many obstacles I have had to overcome and I know I could not have done it without an agent who believed in me. She has taught me what it takes to be successful in this competitive industry while, most importantly, staying true to myself. There is no question in my mind - Wilhelmina MTG is by far the best agency in the Northwest.

Kelsey Dunn
Model

"Since we started looking and considering agencies in the local Portland area, we did our homework. MTG agency was highly recommended by other parents, with children and teenagers in the modeling business. Since Addy has been with MTG, Keri has facilitated her signing with two other major agencies; Ford San Francisco and ID in New York. We recently resigned with the new Wilhelmina/Mtg agency. The professionalism and hard work Keri and her assistants have put forth for us is greatly appreciated, and we are thrilled to be on board."

Lecia Neal, Parent


"Since the merger of Wilhelmina and MTG, Portland has become the host for something truly special. The quintessential agency that represents actors, models and other talent of all ages. Portland is also blessed to be called home by one Keri Murphy. Keri Murphy's assiduous work ethic resonates within everyone around her, including the Wilhelmina-MTG talent. Keri's unremitting determination to turn Portland into a veritable modeling and acting haven has been several years in the making and is now beginning to come to fruition. I feel blessed being a talent represented by Wilhelmina-MTG. Keri is incontrovertibly one of the hardest working women in this industry. She will bend over backwards for any of her talent simply to help further their career. Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither is Portland's acting a modeling industry. Keri, however, will surely expedite the process. "

Bradford Bertoli, Model

"We have known Keri Murphy since 2004. Since that time Keri has worked hard to promote Kaili in her modeling career. She and her staff at Wilhelmina/MTG have always been readily available to help with any concerns we might have, and also do their best to resolve any problems that have arisen. Recently Keri traveled with us to New York City to place Kaili with an agency. Kaili is now signed with ID Model Management on the east coast."

Kristi Kasparek, Parent



In an industry that is constantly challenging your self confidence, it's so important to have an agent with the experience and background to guide you, to get you in front of the right people and fight for your best interests. This is exactly what Keri has done for me. I have worked for several different agencies in the Portland area and not one of them has been as committed to my success as the Wilhelmina MTG team. As a model there have been many obstacles I have had to overcome and I know I could not have done it without an agent who believed in me. She has taught me what it takes to be successful in this competitive industry while, most importantly, staying true to myself. There is no question in my mind - Wilhelmina MTG is by far the best agency in the Northwest.

Kelsey Dunn
Model

"Since we started looking and considering agencies in the local Portland area, we did our homework. MTG agency was highly recommended by other parents, with children and teenagers in the modeling business. Since Addy has been with MTG, Keri has facilitated her signing with two other major agencies; Ford San Francisco and ID in New York. We recently resigned with the new Wilhelmina/Mtg agency. The professionalism and hard work Keri and her assistants have put forth for us is greatly appreciated, and we are thrilled to be on board."

Lecia Neal, Parent


"Since the merger of Wilhelmina and MTG, Portland has become the host for something truly special. The quintessential agency that represents actors, models and other talent of all ages. Portland is also blessed to be called home by one Keri Murphy. Keri Murphy's assiduous work ethic resonates within everyone around her, including the Wilhelmina-MTG talent. Keri's unremitting determination to turn Portland into a veritable modeling and acting haven has been several years in the making and is now beginning to come to fruition. I feel blessed being a talent represented by Wilhelmina-MTG. Keri is incontrovertibly one of the hardest working women in this industry. She will bend over backwards for any of her talent simply to help further their career. Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither is Portland's acting a modeling industry. Keri, however, will surely expedite the process. "

Bradford Bertoli, Model

"We have known Keri Murphy since 2004. Since that time Keri has worked hard to promote Kaili in her modeling career. She and her staff at Wilhelmina/MTG have always been readily available to help with any concerns we might have, and also do their best to resolve any problems that have arisen. Recently Keri traveled with us to New York City to place Kaili with an agency. Kaili is now signed with ID Model Management on the east coast."

Kristi Kasparek, Parent



In an industry that is constantly challenging your self confidence, it's so important to have an agent with the experience and background to guide you, to get you in front of the right people and fight for your best interests. This is exactly what Keri has done for me. I have worked for several different agencies in the Portland area and not one of them has been as committed to my success as the Wilhelmina MTG team. As a model there have been many obstacles I have had to overcome and I know I could not have done it without an agent who believed in me. She has taught me what it takes to be successful in this competitive industry while, most importantly, staying true to myself. There is no question in my mind - Wilhelmina MTG is by far the best agency in the Northwest.

Kelsey Dunn
Model

"Since we started looking and considering agencies in the local Portland area, we did our homework. MTG agency was highly recommended by other parents, with children and teenagers in the modeling business. Since Addy has been with MTG, Keri has facilitated her signing with two other major agencies; Ford San Francisco and ID in New York. We recently resigned with the new Wilhelmina/Mtg agency. The professionalism and hard work Keri and her assistants have put forth for us is greatly appreciated, and we are thrilled to be on board."

Lecia Neal, Parent


"Since the merger of Wilhelmina and MTG, Portland has become the host for something truly special. The quintessential agency that represents actors, models and other talent of all ages. Portland is also blessed to be called home by one Keri Murphy. Keri Murphy's assiduous work ethic resonates within everyone around her, including the Wilhelmina-MTG talent. Keri's unremitting determination to turn Portland into a veritable modeling and acting haven has been several years in the making and is now beginning to come to fruition. I feel blessed being a talent represented by Wilhelmina-MTG. Keri is incontrovertibly one of the hardest working women in this industry. She will bend over backwards for any of her talent simply to help further their career. Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither is Portland's acting a modeling industry. Keri, however, will surely expedite the process. "

Bradford Bertoli, Model

"We have known Keri Murphy since 2004. Since that time Keri has worked hard to promote Kaili in her modeling career. She and her staff at Wilhelmina/MTG have always been readily available to help with any concerns we might have, and also do their best to resolve any problems that have arisen. Recently Keri traveled with us to New York City to place Kaili with an agency. Kaili is now signed with ID Model Management on the east coast."

Kristi Kasparek, Parent



In an industry that is constantly challenging your self confidence, it's so important to have an agent with the experience and background to guide you, to get you in front of the right people and fight for your best interests. This is exactly what Keri has done for me. I have worked for several different agencies in the Portland area and not one of them has been as committed to my success as the Wilhelmina MTG team. As a model there have been many obstacles I have had to overcome and I know I could not have done it without an agent who believed in me. She has taught me what it takes to be successful in this competitive industry while, most importantly, staying true to myself. There is no question in my mind - Wilhelmina MTG is by far the best agency in the Northwest.

Kelsey Dunn
Model

t is unfortunate that a site like this can function as much as a bulletin board for disgruntled former employees to slander their bosses as it can be a consumer resource. Hopefully anyone intelligent enough to investigate the reputation of a company before getting involved with them, will therefore have the intelligence to seek out that reputation from reliable sources and to recognize how transparent this report's message is. Read it again.... seriously. Does it really sound like someone who's trying to look out for your best interests? Does it read like concise consumer information, ...or more like a rambling diatribe by someone with a grudge who either hates or envies Keri Murphy? It's one thing to impugn a company's business methodology... another thing entirely to literally call someone a scam artist and question their faith.

I am Chris Cone, one of three Executive Producers of Portland Fashion Week and Principal of PFW Productions, LLC. Keri Murphy has worked closely with us during the last three years that PFW Productions has taken over the Portland Fashion Week series. It wouldn't be where it is and where it's going without her invaluable help. She is a member of our Advisory Board, and a Coordinator of fashion shows and Chief Runway Coach for PFW. It is easy enough to offer a point-by-point retort of this "report" that is not only demonstrably accurate no matter what one's association to Wilhelmina MTG is, but is common knowledge and common practice in the modeling industry.

If you can't see this report for the slander it is, and you read through this report and take it seriously, then perhaps, just for you, the following point by point retort will be useful.
_________________________________________________________________

Wilhelmina MTG is an licensee of WIlhelmina which is a great agency out of NYC. However there new program for licensee's which basically means they are buying the name and the purchase price once a month is pretty hefty is a scam. The whole layout of the agency is to make sure that new models or aspring models pay to be a part of the agency.

--------I have personally heard Keri Murphy's intense concern for striking the proper balance between sparing new models from start-up costs, and having them end up with lousy photos and lousy comp cards, and having no idea what they are doing when they are sent to a casting call or audition. Models from other agencies have told me personally, after sitting in on development classes at Wilhelmina MTG, how much they wish something similar was available at their agency. If you think that all you have to do at a model or acting audition is just show up and look pretty, then you will not get hired. What a waste of time, right? That is what you get at many agencies... Well guess what, it's not FREE to bring working professionals in, sometimes from out of town, to help teach these sessions. This is not some dude opening a modeling academy in a shopping mall. These are talented working professionals who know what it takes to succeed and can pass that knowledge along.

Keri Murphy is the owner and a previous beauty queen then a current talent herself. Keri is the best scam artist she could sell you a used car in a heart beat even if the car was salvaged and you knew it. She can look you in the eye tell you she is a good christian than throw a dagger at you.

------- Does this entire report read to you like it would stand a good Christian test? Take responsibility for your own shortcomings, and for the way professional and personal relationships unfold in your life. This is nothing less and nothing more than calling a specific person names and literally calling their faith into question!!!! How DARE you. Check yourSELF. You are totally out of control. This has crossed the line into pathology.

MTG only became an affiliate after a Wilhelmina Representative came into town and first went to all the other agencies in town which pointed them towards Keri because she is the queen of scamming new models.

----First the poster says that the Wilhelmina parent agency is a great agency out of NYC, then she says the only reason this same great parent agency approached MTG was because everyone else in town thought they would be a good fit with a scammer. This is just exactly the kind of conflicted and confused message that someone tends to trip up on when they are overcome with rage. It also demonstrates a lack of professional insight into the multi-pronged reasons why a particular agency would not consider itself ready or appropriate for a licensee relationship. There are talented business leaders at the helms of Portland's big five agencies, and they know there are reasons specific to their business model, their circumstances, their existing brand recognition, etc, why they would pass on a licensing offer.

The agency charges 1350 for photos, classes and website and comp cards. Mind you there is an up charge on everything because the money goes directly to the agency. What questions I raise are why does an agency need your money when all in all they are taking 40% from you. They charge 20% to you and to the company in which you are modeling for. Therefore if they believe you are modeling material you should be allotted an account and your work should pay off the costs.

--- This is EXACTLY what you should avoid. When you sign with an agency, you are in essence becoming business PARTNERS. That means YOU work hard TOO, and it means you are willing to invest what is, in the long run, a paltry sum to insure that you can put your best foot forward, your best images, your best technique, etc, in an unbelievably competitive market where you must stand out. Agencies that frequently front accounts to models. guess what? You think spending a few hundred bucks constitutes getting scammed by your agency?? Try waking up after a few months and realizing that your agency has been QUIETLY charging many THOUSANDS of dollars to your account for everything they can possibly think of. It happens time & time again. Even if your career takes off like a rocket, do you want to be taken for countless thousands of dollars by your agency, or do you want to know exactly what you are getting charged for, and why, and have the results in your hands. If you do move forward with an agency charge account, I urge you to understand very clearly what the expenses will be ahead of time, insist on regular, itemized updates on your charges, and question any variance between predicted and actual charges.

Yes nothing in this world is free and it takes a lot to become a top model and years of hardly any pay but lets be reminded that those girls and guys are very rare. Should you be told ohhhh well you would be a actor be aware this means well we don't want you on our modeling board but will scam you further for the charge of classes and photos and never guarantee you work. Also signing you to a 6 month contract is just so they can weed you out in no time and all the while they gained your money. Originally W-MTG charged 1500 then it was 1650 and now it is 1350.. I find all these changes so interesting since they have been in less than six months lets not forget that in the last 3 months 2 employees left, and over the last 3 years over 5 employees have circulated the place.

---Anyone out there been paying any attention to the economy in the last 6 months? Anyone ever hear of a company in the 21st century having ONLY five employees turn over in three YEARS?? I don't know whether that's a criticism or a compliment.

Is it because it is a scam and they realized the owner is fraud. She also claims the agency is in debt well lets mind you she drives a brand new BMW and has done numerous gigs herself including golf channel, MTV (which she interviewed for while a model paid her to bring her to NY to search for agencies) and a Portland filmed online golf provider.

---One thing is certain from this report alone it is very hard to find good lasting help in this industry, especially in Portland which is a small market. And who the heck do you think you are spending five months at the front desk of an agency, and presuming to know its internal finances or its owner's? Let me assure you, you do not know. You do not know what you are talking about, and you have NO IDEA what it takes to support and run an enterprise like this from the top. There's a pattern here. You speak out of turn on things you have no experience or expertise in. It's one of the very same reasons why so many people in different professions in the modeling industry were so turned of by you in the first place. Take responsibility for yourself! and why exactly is it some kind of crime for her to be a talent? She always has been since childhood. How about you? Should she have scheduled her MTV audition as a whole separate trip to NY just for the sake of inefficiency? Come on.

The agency is a joke and was previously ABC models which was for kids and is not known for their adult or modeling divisions. Also a previous part of MTG was the Arthouse whom left the agency in 07 and has completely cut all ties meanwhile a former employee began his own kids agency that is free of charge and scams called Puddletown. W-MTG is a scam and yes you can call NY and LA and they will tell you yes Wilhelmina MTG is an licensee but this is because they pay for the name. Why would you want to be a part of an agency where the owner is so focused on her career that when bad news strikes and employees are leaving she continues to pursue her career. Yes its fantastic she has experience but she cannot represent you well enough will focusing on herself. Also the charging of a model to become a part of the agency is a bit freaky as well as not honest. Its just a name they are gaining with no actual ties to the agency in NY or LA or Miami and also if you decide to go for an interview please ask Keri how many models she has sent oversees or nationally or what her plans are for your career. DON"T FALL FOR THE SWEET SMILE AND THE LETS GET YOU SIGNED TODAY HYPE... Check out all of your options!! If you are truly talent an good agency will sign you!!

--Once again, you spend a few months working in an industry, and believe you are some kind of expert at every level. The modeling business can be cut-throat. And relationships between bookers and their clients become close and just like lawyers or sports agencies or anything else, if there is a falling out or new ambitions, a former booker will always end up migrating some of the talent away, despite their signature's on non-compete and CONFIDENTIALITY agreements (like the one you no-doubt signed and now display a profound lack of professionalism by violating, as if it is in the cause of public service).

Chris Cone
Principal
PFW Productions, LLC

"Since we started looking and considering agencies in the local Portland area, we did our homework. MTG agency was highly recommended by other parents, with children and teenagers in the modeling business. Since Addy has been with MTG, Keri has facilitated her signing with two other major agencies; Ford- San Francisco and ID in New York. We recently resigned with the new Wilhelmina/MTG agency. The professionalism and hard work Keri and her staff have put forth for us is greatly appreciated, and we are thrilled to be on board."

Lecia Neal, parent

"Since the merger of Wilhelmina and MTG, Portland has become the host for something truly special. The quintessential agency that represents actors, models and other talent of all ages. Portland is also blessed to be called home by one Keri Murphy. Keri Murphy's assiduous work ethic resonates within everyone around her, including the Wilhelmina-MTG talent. Keri's unremitting determination to turn Portland into a veritable modeling and acting haven has been several years in the making and is now beginning to come to fruition. I feel blessed being a talent represented by Wilhelmina-MTG. Keri is incontrovertibly one of the hardest working women in this industry. She will bend over backwards for any of her talent simply to help further their career. Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither is Portland's acting a modeling industry. Keri, however, will surely expedite the process. "

Bradford Bertoli, Bowflex model

"We have known Keri Murphy since 2004. Since that time Keri has worked very hard to promote Kaili in her modeling career. She and her staff at Wilhelmina/MTG have always been readily available to help with any questions or concerns we might have, and also does her best to resolve any problems that have arisen. Recently Keri traveled with us to New York City to place Kaili with an agency. Kaili is now signed with ID Model Management on the east coast."

Kristi and Kaili Kasparek

"Since we started looking and considering agencies in the local Portland area, we did our homework. MTG agency was highly recommended by other parents, with children and teenagers in the modeling business. Since Addy has been with MTG, Keri has facilitated her signing with two other major agencies; Ford- San Francisco and ID in New York. We recently resigned with the new Wilhelmina/MTG agency. The professionalism and hard work Keri and her staff have put forth for us is greatly appreciated, and we are thrilled to be on board."

Lecia Neal, parent

"Since the merger of Wilhelmina and MTG, Portland has become the host for something truly special. The quintessential agency that represents actors, models and other talent of all ages. Portland is also blessed to be called home by one Keri Murphy. Keri Murphy's assiduous work ethic resonates within everyone around her, including the Wilhelmina-MTG talent. Keri's unremitting determination to turn Portland into a veritable modeling and acting haven has been several years in the making and is now beginning to come to fruition. I feel blessed being a talent represented by Wilhelmina-MTG. Keri is incontrovertibly one of the hardest working women in this industry. She will bend over backwards for any of her talent simply to help further their career. Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither is Portland's acting a modeling industry. Keri, however, will surely expedite the process. "

Bradford Bertoli, Bowflex model

"We have known Keri Murphy since 2004. Since that time Keri has worked very hard to promote Kaili in her modeling career. She and her staff at Wilhelmina/MTG have always been readily available to help with any questions or concerns we might have, and also does her best to resolve any problems that have arisen. Recently Keri traveled with us to New York City to place Kaili with an agency. Kaili is now signed with ID Model Management on the east coast."

Kristi and Kaili Kasparek

"Since we started looking and considering agencies in the local Portland area, we did our homework. MTG agency was highly recommended by other parents, with children and teenagers in the modeling business. Since Addy has been with MTG, Keri has facilitated her signing with two other major agencies; Ford- San Francisco and ID in New York. We recently resigned with the new Wilhelmina/MTG agency. The professionalism and hard work Keri and her staff have put forth for us is greatly appreciated, and we are thrilled to be on board."

Lecia Neal, parent

"Since the merger of Wilhelmina and MTG, Portland has become the host for something truly special. The quintessential agency that represents actors, models and other talent of all ages. Portland is also blessed to be called home by one Keri Murphy. Keri Murphy's assiduous work ethic resonates within everyone around her, including the Wilhelmina-MTG talent. Keri's unremitting determination to turn Portland into a veritable modeling and acting haven has been several years in the making and is now beginning to come to fruition. I feel blessed being a talent represented by Wilhelmina-MTG. Keri is incontrovertibly one of the hardest working women in this industry. She will bend over backwards for any of her talent simply to help further their career. Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither is Portland's acting a modeling industry. Keri, however, will surely expedite the process. "

Bradford Bertoli, Bowflex model

"We have known Keri Murphy since 2004. Since that time Keri has worked very hard to promote Kaili in her modeling career. She and her staff at Wilhelmina/MTG have always been readily available to help with any questions or concerns we might have, and also does her best to resolve any problems that have arisen. Recently Keri traveled with us to New York City to place Kaili with an agency. Kaili is now signed with ID Model Management on the east coast."

Kristi and Kaili Kasparek

"Since we started looking and considering agencies in the local Portland area, we did our homework. MTG agency was highly recommended by other parents, with children and teenagers in the modeling business. Since Addy has been with MTG, Keri has facilitated her signing with two other major agencies; Ford- San Francisco and ID in New York. We recently resigned with the new Wilhelmina/MTG agency. The professionalism and hard work Keri and her staff have put forth for us is greatly appreciated, and we are thrilled to be on board."

Lecia Neal, parent

"Since the merger of Wilhelmina and MTG, Portland has become the host for something truly special. The quintessential agency that represents actors, models and other talent of all ages. Portland is also blessed to be called home by one Keri Murphy. Keri Murphy's assiduous work ethic resonates within everyone around her, including the Wilhelmina-MTG talent. Keri's unremitting determination to turn Portland into a veritable modeling and acting haven has been several years in the making and is now beginning to come to fruition. I feel blessed being a talent represented by Wilhelmina-MTG. Keri is incontrovertibly one of the hardest working women in this industry. She will bend over backwards for any of her talent simply to help further their career. Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither is Portland's acting a modeling industry. Keri, however, will surely expedite the process. "

Bradford Bertoli, Bowflex model

"We have known Keri Murphy since 2004. Since that time Keri has worked very hard to promote Kaili in her modeling career. She and her staff at Wilhelmina/MTG have always been readily available to help with any questions or concerns we might have, and also does her best to resolve any problems that have arisen. Recently Keri traveled with us to New York City to place Kaili with an agency. Kaili is now signed with ID Model Management on the east coast."

Kristi and Kaili Kasparek