Soza Model Staffing, based in New York and with additional offices in LA and Miami, puts models to work when they're not modeling traditionally. This could be any type of gig from bartending to hostessing to working trade shows to even coat checking – but it's also much more. Soza can get the models out to the special events and promotional happenings that get models noticed, including jobs as spokespeople and greeters.

 

It's a powerful form of networking, but ultimately it's a blessed way for models to make ends meet while waiting to win that next big casting. And it's a way to be a model when not doing “regular” modeling work.

 

“In the modeling business, there is a lot of down time,” says Rich Durik, president and co-founder of Soza Model Staffing.  “During that time, we fill gaps. That's why a lot of model management companies have turned to us to keep their models working and to keep money coming in for them to pay their bills in between their editorials and showroom gigs.”

 

Durik, whose background is in the IT staffing business, partnered with Brenda Versoza and formed this agency, which continues to successfully staff special event marketing and upscale promotional campaigns with intensely beautiful people. Their faithful clients include Pepsi, Esquire and ESPN. They also play a head-turning role in such events as the Latin Grammys and Miami Fashion Week.

 

 

You're not the typical modeling agency. How do you define yourself?

 

We staff models at luxury events. It's high-end promotion. A big part of what we do is providing trade show models, or booth models. For instance, we won an exclusive deal with Pepsi last year. We provide all their trade show models nationwide.

 

How do you find the models that you staff for events?

 

We know a lot of the bookers at a lot of the major model management companies. We also place ads. We have open calls. And we have castings twice a week in our office. And we also rely on referrals. We have a huge referral network. And, of course, going to events and just being out there.

 

 

They decorate the booth and introduce new products to the consumers or to the buyer. We also do high-end liquor promotions where our models will go from venue to venue and educate consumers on different liquor brands. The models are educated on the history of the products, everything from soup to nuts. They're the brand ambassador.

 

What type of model do you look for?

 

It depends on what our client is looking for. If they're going to act as a brand ambassador and educate consumers on a product, they are going to have to communicate and come across intelligently.

 

If a client just needs a “body,” and is just doing a buzz/awareness type thing where they get a group of models together to create a buzz, then we'll provide just bodies. But typically, we look for models who are educated, and who can communicate well. A lot of people we work with are also actors and actresses.

 

Typically, do you place more women than men?

 

We place more female models. I would say it's 60/40.

 

What were some of your challenges in getting your agency up to speed at the very beginning?

 

Models are not always the most responsible and reliable people in the workplace. We work with people who prove themselves to be reliable and hard working and to get the job done. We'll work with them. And we always work with new people and give new people a shot. We build a model database.

 

In the beginning, we had to reach out and put a referral plan together. Now we have an extensive database to search from. We'll get a job and we'll send an email out based on whatever the job requirements are for the models that fit those specifications.

 

 

One thing I always tell models is that if there is ever an issue while working at a client site, bring that issue to us. Don't go to our client. We do everything in our power to make sure that models are protected and the situations that they're working are reasonable. Sometimes our clients' expectations can be unreasonable. We just ask that the models come to us right away, even if it's that night to call us. We usually have a team lead that is managing an event.

 

You're not only working the New York market anymore. You've expanded.

 

We're nationwide now. We're doing work in most major cities across the country. We have a talent database in LA and we just opened up an office in Studio City. We have an office in Tampa. We have the ability and the network to staff people and to manage models at events all over the country.

 

What type of model will you keep calling consistently for jobs?

 

Once you get the opportunity to work, be reliable, and the jobs will just continue to present themselves.

 

Photos courtesy of Soza Model Staffing, all rights reserved

For more information on Soza Model Staffing, go to

www.sozamodels.com

Copyright © 2008 FabulMag.com  All rights reserved.

All questions or requests may be sent to info@fabulmag.com