Although their doors opened only earlier this year, newMARK Models (Los Angeles, California) is quickly establishing itself as a contender for being one of the top print agencies on the west coast. Boasting an incredible roster including Cailin Russo, Rachel (Rocky) Barnes, and Sam Black, this boutique agency is already representing some of the industry’s most exciting commercial faces.
TBM Editor Natalia Zurowski, spoke to newMARK’s Director, Jules Newmark, about the agency’s beginnings, her vision for the agency’s future, and what it takes to work in the LA market and be a newMARK woman.
TBM: Why did you create newMARK? And when did the agency’s doors officially open?
JN: Last summer I started to think about what my next move in life would be and where I saw myself in a few years. I realized that there were so many opportunities to revolutionize the way the agency business model runs and take advantage of our current interactive world that I needed to start my own. I opened newMARK models officially in January 2014.
TBM: What does a typical day look like at the newMARK offices?
JN: A day in the life at newMARK models typically starts with a 2 mile power walk to the office in the heart of Hollywood. Of course coffee is involved to aid in the rush of calls, emails, text messages, and Instagramming that rushes you through to noon before you can blink. Models come in for intimate meetings and coffee dates to discuss career direction and life’s happenings. Clients hold castings in our amazing creative space. The overall day is filled with hard work, music ranging from Brazilian jazz to reggae to Disclosure, and brainstorming on how to keep the new in newMARK!
TBM: So many models dream about modelling in LA but don’t really know much about it. How would you describe the LA market?
JN: The LA market is perfect for the model that can easily transverse between fashion and commercial bookings. An amazing smile, big personality, outside interests and ability to chat about things other than Instagram can take you far. The open door for theatrical and commercial jobs creates endless possibilities for these types of models. Ecommerce is also a huge factor in the bookings scheme.
TBM: It seems then, that there’s a wide range of jobs for different types of models who want to work in the LA market. But what does it take to be a newMARK model?
JN: I look for a bubbly personality or an all around cool girl — not just a pretty face. Girls who are skateboarders, artists, travellers, musicians, etc. I see potential in being hard-working, honest, a good communicator, organized and my number one — having an amazing handshake. We are in sales after all, so if you can’t sell me on you as a model in the first meeting, I know it’s not going to work.
TBM: What is your vision for the future of newMARK?
JN: The vision for newMARK is to remain small in size, retain our particular brand image and stay on the edge of what’s up and coming. We plan to continue to develop girls who are cool in their own right and take them in the right direction for their career. We are discovering and growing an amazing team to support newMARK on it’s rise, keep your eyes peeled for updates!
