Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/555596
For Members N E W S , I N F O R M AT I O N A N D B E N E F I T S T he Commercials Organizing and Recapture Initiative is off to a great start. On April 29, more than 1,500 members from across the country joined a national live-stream launch of the campaign. SAG-AFTRA followed up with four town hall meetings with more than 250 commercial performers in New York, Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. In addition, the union turned 40 non- union commercials into union productions. The union gave a brief overview of the successes achieved so far, followed by a productive Q&A session. A similar meeting will be taking place with the Dallas-Fort Worth Local in August, with more to come at locations across the country. The energy and enthusiasm of these events led to a surge of activity around the Best in the Business campaign, including member-driven education through social media. As part of the ongoing enforcement campaign, SAG-AFTRA identified 40 non-union commercials being produced by advertisers already signed to the Commercials Contracts. Thanks to information people sent in, we turned all of these non-union commercials into union commercials. For more information on reporting non-union commercials visit sagaftra.org/bestinthebiz. In addition, more than a dozen members were referred to the SAG-AFTRA Legal Department for Global Rule One disciplinary proceedings based on evidence gathered as part of this organizing initiative. Disciplinary charges are heard and decided by committees of fellow SAG-AFTRA members. Conse- quences for working off the card include fines, suspension and expulsion from the union. Outreach is a key strategy in this effort, so the union continues to raise awareness with members, agents and casting directors. SAG-AFTRA recently met with 75 commercial talent agents in Los Angeles and New York for a frank, productive discussion about the increase in non-union commercial production and the union's plan to recapture, organize and expand commercial work opportunities. SAG-AFTRA also held a webinar for agents in markets outside of L.A. and N.Y. and received additional helpful input. In June, union member leaders and staff met with more than 20 casting directors over two nights in New York to discuss the state of the commercials industry and how to grow union work opportunities. More meetings are being scheduled with commercial agents and casting directors across the country, as the union works to strengthen relationships. Thank you to all of the members who have been actively fighting for union jobs. Get involved and spread the word today. Show your creative #BestInTheBiz solidarity on social media. Don't forget to tag the union using the handle @sagaftra. To receive updates and more info, join the campaign at sagaftra.org/bestinthebiz. Show us your membership pride and send us a digital message telling us why you're the best in the business. Spread the word of what being a union commercial actor means to you and join the campaign. Visit SAGAFTRA.org/BestInTheBiz and CLICK ON TOOLKIT to find out how. From left, Sue Ayson, D.J. Gaffey, Eileen Sostre and Natasha Howell of the McGarryBowen agency at the June 25 Best in the Business open house for casting directors and agents in New York. The union hosted open houses in New York and Los Angeles, as well as at 12 other locals. The purpose was to showcase the newly printed Commercials Contracts books and network with casting directors, talent agents, payroll companies, ad agencies, advertisers and producers. #BestInTheBiz Making a Difference 12 SAG-AFTRA | Summer 2015 | SAGAFTRA.org CLICK HERE for more photos.