From responsibility to persuasion, Intertalent’s Alex Segal shares what truly makes an agent stand out.
Being an agent is often glamorised – red carpets, big deals, high-profile clients. But according to Alex Segal, Managing Director at InterTalent Rights Group, the reality is far more demanding. Writing in his Substack Dealmakers, Segal broke down the traits that separate good agents from great ones, stressing that the role is about much more than chasing the next big deal.
Here’s what he believes makes a great agent in 2025:
Responsibility Above All
Segal puts responsibility first for a reason: “When you say you’re going to manage someone, that means you will fight your hardest to help them put food on the table and pay their bills.” Moving from Assistant to Agent brings a shift in mindset – it’s not just a job, it’s a duty.
Signing Clients
An agent without clients simply isn’t an agent. “You might be amazing at everything else but without a client, no one cares,” Segal says. He draws a clear line between agents who sign talent and agents who service them – and stresses that the best agents can do both.
Passion and Taste
Being an agent isn’t a 9-5. Clients call on holidays and at all hours. Without genuine passion for the work and belief in a client’s talent, the role quickly becomes unsustainable. Taste is just as important: knowing what excites you, and backing the artists and creators you truly believe in.
Persuasion and Networking
Agents must constantly convince producers, brands, and commissioners why their client is the right choice. That takes persuasive skills — and a huge network. “The bigger your phone book, the more options and opportunities,” Segal explains. For him, networking is an everyday responsibility, and one that can’t be replicated from behind a laptop.
Communication and Imagination
From strategic calls to personal support, agents wear many hats. Often, they act as therapist, sounding board, or confidante to their clients. At the same time, Segal rejects the idea that agents aren’t creative: guiding careers requires imagination and a strong vision for the future.
Entrepreneurial Spirit
Show business is still a business. “Any great deal nearly falls apart ten times,” Segal says. The best agents know how to negotiate, problem-solve, and leave everyone at the table feeling like they’ve won — while still securing the right outcome for their client.
Honesty, Organisation, and Competitiveness
Honesty builds long-term trust. Organisation builds credibility. Competitiveness fuels ambition. Together, they form the foundation for agents who want to succeed in a high-stakes, fast-paced industry.
Knowledge and Experience
Finally, Segal highlights what he believes are the most important ingredients: knowledge and experience. The agents he most respects all started at the bottom, trained hard, and learned the craft. “Too many talented people get burned by agents who never put in the groundwork,” he notes. For those aspiring to the role, his advice is simple: start as an assistant at a great agency, do the hard yards, and absorb everything.
Takeaway: In an industry often driven by hype, Alex Segal reminds us in Dealmakers that great agents aren’t built on shortcuts. They’re built on responsibility, persistence, and a relentless drive to put clients first.
