Wow, it's amazing that we all got the same message. I was excited to talk to them, but now I think it's a scam. I tried to research it, and I found this: (from www.ripoffreport.com ) Report: TheTalent Network - Kids Talent Network - Alex Simon Category: Modeling & Talent Agencies Kids Talent Network, Alex Simon, The Talent Network FORMER TALENT SCOUT QUITS DUE TO DECEPTIVE TRADE PRACTICES BY COMPANY OWNER ALEX SIMON Las Vegas Nevada Internet TheTalent Network - Kids Talent Network - Alex Simon Phone: 702-562-1266 Fax: -alex@kidstalent 7473 W. Lake Mead Blvd., Suite 100 Las Vegas, NV 89128 Las Vegas, Internet 89128 U.S.A. Submitted: Friday, May 01, 2009 Modified: Friday, May 01, 2009 McMinnville, Tennessee Ripoff Report Verified Safe KIDS TALENT NETWORK IS A SCAM. THEY NOW GO BY THE NAME THE TALENT NETWORK. I am a talent scout. I worked for Alex for 7-8 weeks and then quit. The sad part was there was plenty of talent inquiring but the kids do not receive the representation and he does not market them at all. He has a desk girl make a few phone calls to agents from a book he bought (you can buy too online). I am not allowed to say the name of the book due to a non-disclosure agreement I signed. But that is ALL he has to run this operation. You could do this yourself if you locate the book which costs about 40 bucks (it lists casting agents, directors, agencies etc). All they want is your 500 bucks. I had the sad job of talking to wonderful parents who were hopeful and probably had some really talented kids or beautiful babies. They would be excited when I would tell them what I tell all of them to convince them to pull out that credit card and sign them up. In the beginning I even encouraged my cousin Louis Rosas to sign his daughter - Julia Rosas who plays concert piano, can dance, act and has modeled for me in the past (she was only 8). I felt absolutely horrible when I realized they did nothing at all with beautiful Julia (who truly deserved to be marketed and wanted to do something special with her talents.) A year passed and one day My cousin FINALLY received a call about Julia. Alex Simon and his entourage (a desk girl probably) were heading to Atlanta for a model search! I checked into it immediately and sure enough it was another "bait and switch" operation using the Wilhemina name (not the real Wilhelmena) "MODEL SEARCH" in their advertising to reel in more acting/modeling hopefuls to enroll in their "school".This was all Alex ever did for sweet beautiful talented Julia - try to hit Daddy up for MORE money? I signed a "non-disclosure" agreement before I left the organization but not without telling Alex how I felt about his operation. All one needs to be a scout for KTN or TTN is good telemarketing skills. I had a script that told me what to say about the children - ("Oh we think your son/daughter has exactly what this industry is looking for! Or "Th emarket for your child is good in your area!)) True Alex makes no promises to get the child work, but he makes no real efforts either which is what one thinks they are going to get for their money. He pops their picture and info into a website database, but it really goes no where. He occasionally submits them when his "girl Friday" can get through to someone who will accept them which is not always the case. Alex does just enough to make it "legal" so no one can come after him. I sat at a desk and took calls, returned calls, responded to e-mail inquiries and I will be honest with you. We turned NO ONE down. He did not care if the child had talent, was cute or not so cute. Weight, height, skin color did not matter. They were all worth 500 or more to him. I quit but not without expressing my concerns about the "scammy feel" his business had. In the future never sign your kids up unless the agent is willing to meet with you the parent and the child "one on one". If the agent has an interest to sign your child DO NOT PAY. They get paid 15% AFTER the child completes a job. I have experience with child models, actors (was a model myself and even taught acting and modeling). This is a sleazy operation with a nice store front. The ones who get ripped off usually are the out of state (the further you are away from Las Vegas -the less likely they will manage you properly). YOUR COMPLAINTS ARE VALID. I WILL HELP ANYWAY I CAN BUT MUST HAVE A LAWYER READ MY NON-DISCLOSURE LETTER to make sure I am within my rights to testify. I believe I am about anything that was unethical. I want to also say that when you walk into this big building (other tenants have offices in it) the look and feel is that it is a big agency. The conference room is shared by all tenants (it does not belong to Alex). Business and signing of kids is done in a tiny room (10x10) and I sat at a small desk with my phone glued to my ear. His wife would monitor my phone calls and watch as well as coach me on how to "hook them" and "build my pipeline". I am sad now thinking about it, because I never was allowed to really meet any of these parents or kids and I knew some of them had used what little money they had to give their kid(s)a shot. Alex doesn't not care. I am glad I quit and I feel sorry for all of you especially my cousin Louis who I adore. I wanted to give Alex the benefit of the doubt and made suggestions on how he could actually just focus on Las Vegas and Los Angeles rather than pull people in from all over the US. It is impossible for him to manage all these kids and find them agents even if he tried. HE does not have the staff do keep up with all the kids. Alex cares more about the money. I hope this helps. Former talent scout for alex simon McMinnville, Tennessee U.S.A. I guess just like what people in the industry have warned us, if you have to pay upfront, it's a scam.
