Michelle Phan. Image courtesy of Jed Root and
Michelle Phan.
Jed Root has made a groundbreaking move by signing on new media make up sensation Michelle Phan (Yellow Power/Viet Power!!!) -
Here's a capsule of the original posting -
As part of our never-ending quest to push the limits of this business & explore new horizons, we are very pleased to welcome Michelle Phan!
The term “Internet Sensation” may be overused nowadays, but makeup artist Michelle Phan would certainly qualify to be called as such.
A few simple makeup tutorials filmed from the comfort of her home has lead to Michelle becoming one of the first and most successful online celebrities in the world of beauty.
Her videos have been viewed over 50 million times worldwide and she is the most highly subscribed “Make Up Guru” (over 300,000 subscribers!) on Youtube. Her creative looks and methods have been inspirational and easy to learn – over 8 million people have viewed on her video on how to recreate Lady Gaga’s look alone.
In 2009 Michelle even launched her own line of skincare products to great reviews – IQQU Beauty.
We are so happy to welcome Michelle to the agency and to blur the lines even further between all types of media.
Michelle’s portfolio here.
Michelle’s YouTube channel.
Read the original post through the Jed Root Blog via this link. There's additional video and commentary to be found.
I wanted to also post three comments, in sequential order, the last being my comment related to the same thread....
****Posted by Jane October 23, 2009 at 5:35 pm
Will you be managing her differently than you do your current makeup artist? She has a very different portfolio and none of it is makeup on someone else, which is what professional makeup artistry usually is.
I'm not quite sure I understand how her talents relate to what Jed Root does.
****Posted by Jed Root Oct. 25th 2009 4:17 pm
Dear Jane,
Thanks for your questions.
Representing Michelle Phan offers us both a number of unique challenges as well as a number of unique opportunities. As her portfolio currently stands, she obviously does not easily fit into the usual category of “Make Up Artist” in the way that agencies such as mine have traditionally defined “Make Up Artist” (namely make up artists working primarily for print publications and other still photography projects). But as you may be aware there has recently been a dramatic contraction of the traditional print market and we have seen a number of advertisers shift to new media.
Michelle in fact does have some experience working in still photography and has worked on a number of fashion shows during New York Fashion Week. Our plans are to further build her portfolio in the traditional sense, while capitalizing on her unique talents as an instructor and personality/spokesperson.
Sincerely,
Jed Root
***COMMENT REPLY BY YOURS TRULY****
***Posted by Trickymaus November 16th 2009
Hi Jed,
I think that your signing of Michelle Phan is very forward thinking, and not to use a cliche, but definitely thinking outside of the box. For you to be one of, if not the only, traditional artist rep. to hire not traditional / new media artists to emerge in this age of technology is quire brilliant. I suppose it's easy to transfer Michelle's obvious skill with make up into print / traditional tear sheet bookings through introductions to your photographers and the magazine editorial contacts that you already have. In addition, since so many of the old media / magazines are needing to expand their web presence and create unique content beyond behind the scenes video clips of their shoots, her on camera you tube experience is definitely an asset. I'm sure once you've helped create a strong traditional tear sheet portfolio, with more behind the scenes and runway makeup key-ing, it's a matter of time that you combine her huge web fan base with her new Fashion industry credibility. Once that's done, she's bound to become a consultant to a major make up/beauty brand, expand on her own make up line; the possibilities will come crashing in. Exciting and groundbreaking. Congrats!
Regards,
TrickyMaus
http://trickymaus.blogspot.com