The role in brief
Manage the business affairs of an advertising production, from script to screen. Business Affairs (BA) is a varied and dynamic role, where you will be the indispensable linchpin of the entire production process; a go-to figure providing solutions to varied production, negotiation and business challenges.
Depending on the agency, the BA remit can cover many operational functions, including production supervision, talent engagement, regulatory compliance, delivery and distribution to media outlets, insurance, risk management and budget control.
BA is a highly valued and satisfying role, where your expert knowledge, attention to detail and calm, constructive attitude is essential to a project’s success. BA also provides an excellent springboard for career advancement, often with opportunities to line-manage junior BA hires, and eventually large, dedicated (sometimes global) teams at senior management level.
Working with…
- Internal: Producers, creatives, account handlers, project management, finance, executive leadership, and (directly or indirectly) with the whole company.
- External: Talent and talent agents, clients (brands), regulatory bodies, distributors, media agencies and production suppliers.
- BA may also have line management responsibilities for BA team members, including overseeing their training and professional progression.
Responsible for…
- Negotiating and contracting with talent, including actors, voiceover, influencers, celebrities and music producers and licensing companies for intellectual property such as character rights, and ongoing management of usage rights.
- Negotiating and contracting production suppliers (e.g. freelance directors and other crew, production companies, photographers, etc.).
- Managing performance licenses for child talent.
- Regulatory clearances of scripts and finished adverts.
- Delivery and Distribution of finished adverts.
- Estimating business affairs fee costs and resources for clients.
- Working closely with Producers to advise on script, compliance and legal issues, production insurance and the production itself, sometimes on-set during shoots.
- Production finance management.
- Client SOWs (ensuring they reflect the positions agreed with talent/production companies).
- Ensuring alignment with talent/production union rules, such as Equity, SAG-AFTRA and musician’s unions).
Those who succeed are / have…
- Able to appreciate and take ownership of creative results, whilst collaboratively navigating regulatory and production risks.
- Excellent organisational skills & meticulous attention to detail.
- Able to negotiate firmly and fairly.
- A tenacious, flexible and proactive problem solver.
- Happy to take on responsibility, work independently and show leadership.
- Calm and approachable, even under pressure.
- Good sense of humour.
Where they come from…
One of the great features of BA is how open and diverse it is as a career path; you can come in from many different routes and at many levels. Your starting position and speed of progression will depend on the level you come in at, and your salary will also depend on your existing skill set and experience. Generally, incomers are:
- Graduates (a legal qualification/law degree is particularly relevant and helpful - but not required by any means).
- Candidates from other ad agency and marketing disciplines (e.g. account management or operations).
- Candidates with a background in talent management, post-production or delivery and distribution.
- Agency internal recruitment and inclusion schemes.
- School leavers, who have an interest in advertising/production.
Where do they go…
- Increased seniority & range of responsibilities within the agency (leading up to running large business affairs departments and being on the senior leadership/management team/board of directors).
- Other disciplines within the agency (such as Production).
- Other marketing disciplines (including on the brand client side and procurement).
- Business Affairs in other areas of production, including Film, TV (including streaming studios), tech companies, record labels/music publishers and talent management agencies).