The first-ever SXSW Sydney recently concluded, and what an eventful week it turned out to be! This massive week highlighted innovation, creativity and tech across thousands of sessions, hundreds of speakers and music everywhere you turn. 

Looking back on the week, we were fortunate to witness an incredible line-up of speakers, premieres of upcoming films plus a look at our future through the very popular Tech and Innovation Expo. 

The highly anticipated Tech & Innovation Expo opened mid-week, attendees were transported to the future and emerging businesses were unveiled at the SXSW Sydney Startup Village. 

As a hub for new technology the Village and daily Startup Hour introduced many new companies set to change the world, and acta fit right into the heart of this exhibition. This gave our team a valuable opportunity to share acta’s story and vision with industry professionals and curious innovators plus connect with like-minded businesses. 

>We feel incredibly fortunate to have had the opportunity to exhibit and speak at SXSW Sydney. It was an experience that allowed us to connect with a diverse range of tech and entertainment thought leaders and one that has left a lasting impression on us as a team. **Michael Westerway (Chief Operating Officer, acta)** 
 
On reflection, the first SXSW Sydney was a triumph, all the team at acta were grateful to be a part of the milestone event. We can’t wait to see how the team at SXSW can take it to another level and continue to make the event special in years to come. Bring on SXSW Sydney 2024! 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
*Have an event coming up? We'd love to assist!*

*Register today for exclusive access to the industry's leading talent booking platform – **[https://actaapp.com](https://actaapp.com)***

large_acta x SXSW Sydney (1).jfif

medium_acta x SXSW Sydney (1).jfif

small_acta x SXSW Sydney (1).jfif

thumbnail_acta x SXSW Sydney (1).jfif

acta x SXSW Sydney (1).jfif

We take a snapshot look at SXSW Sydney, plus dive into acta’s presence & experience at this incredible event.

**[SXSW Sydney announces shortlist for inaugural Sydney Pitch ](https://www.smartcompany.com.au/startupsmart/news/sxsw-sydney-pitch-shortlist/)**


### **What is SXSW Sydney?** 

The world-renowned South by Southwest (SXSW) Conference and Festivals is venturing outside the United States for the first time in its history, coming down-under with the inaugural SXSW Sydney event running from October 15-22. 

Founded over 35 years ago and originating in Austin, Texas, SXSW has gained a reputation for being a hub of innovation, and a place where technology, music, film, and interactive media converge. SXSW Sydney brings this spirit of innovation to Australia, making it an ideal platform for disruptors and creators within the region. 

SXSW has always enticed high profile speakers, including Space X & Tesla CEO Elon Musk, Meta CEO Mark Zukerberg and US President Barak Obama to name a few. For SXSW Sydney there's no exception, with Grammy Award-winning artist Chance the Rapper and Coachella CEO Phill Tollett headlining the all-star schedule of tech entrepreneurs’, artists, futurists and innovators, all converging in Sydney at one time. 

> Coming from the recording industry and knowing that SXSW began as an event to promote, nurture and assist the growth of talent from grassroots through to established artists, it is a privilege and honour for acta to be appearing at an event which shares the same ethos that we truly believe in. - **Harris Meitanis (Founder & CEO, acta)** 

Included in the event is a startup pitch competition where entrepreneurs, high, and creators get the chance to present their ideas and projects to a panel of judges, including industry experts and investors. Beyond pitching, SXSW Sydney offers a diverse range of panels, workshops, and networking opportunities, making it a must-attend event for anyone looking to grow their business, make meaningful connections, and gain exposure on a global scale. 

### **Significance for acta** 

After having attended SXSW in the US many times over the last 20 years as a talent manager and record label owner, acta Founder & CEO Harris Meitanis can’t wait for the opportunity to share acta's vision at the festival. 

> I personally know how difficult it is to break through, particularly given the costs associated with building a successful career in entertainment. Because of this, we're especially proud that acta provides all its tools free of charge to talent. It’s something we know will resonate with artists and talent representatives alike and we can’t wait to have the opportunity to spread our message at the festival. - **Harris Meitanis (Founder & CEO, acta)**

### **acta's presence at SXSW** 

Drawing from more than 100 applicants across six categories, SXSW Sydney has announced acta as one of the 20 finalists for the inaugural live pitch event. acta will be pitching in the ‘Game On, Let’s Play’ category, highlighting groundbreaking ideas across the entertainment industry. 

The finals begin at 4.30pm on Wednesday, October 18th in Room C3.3 – ICC Sydney. 

**[Learn more about each Pitch Finalist at SXSW Sydney. ](https://www.smartcompany.com.au/startupsmart/news/sxsw-sydney-pitch-shortlist/)**

You will also be able to find the team at the SXSW Startup Village expo amongst a collection of the most exciting and forward-thinking businesses from across the APAC region. 

So, if you’re at the festival and would like to come and watch the pitch competition or come over to the exhibitor hall and say hi, we’d love to see you! 

For more information on where and when to find us at SXSW Sydney visit: **[SXSW Sydney Schedule]( https://schedule.sxswsydney.com/sessions/c34f3ef5-1929-5050-9758-d9847764e658 )**

medium_SXSW banner.jpg

small_SXSW banner.jpg

thumbnail_SXSW banner.jpg

SXSW banner.jpg

With SXSW touching down in Sydney later this month, acta has been selected as a finalist for the hotly contested Startup Pitch Competition.  

The day has finally arrived, and we are so incredibly proud to introduce acta version 2.0!  

This is the platform’s biggest update so far, involving a redesigned user interface which aims to achieve a sleeker and more effective tool, with features focused on improving the accessibility of the platform for organisers, talent and talent representatives.  

We’ve also listened to the feedback of our users and have worked hard to ensure the features being introduced in v2.0 best serve everyone's needs. Read on to learn more about what has changed and how to best utilise the new features.  

### **We've Had a Makeover**

![blog image 3.JPG](/uploads/blog_image_3_aab15e5cdc.JPG)

acta's new look isn’t just about appearing pretty (although doesn’t it?), the revamped marketplace and talent profiles have been designed to be navigated with more efficiency, with the marketplace filtering system now occupying a more prominent space at the top of the page. 

Within the profiles themselves, the removal of talent banner images now creates space for more content, with the artist bio and photos taking centre stage. The look of the profiles also seamlessly translates from desktop to mobile, making them easy to read in either setting.  

Finally, the enquiries and events dashboard, which provides an overview of all active events, now shows more information about the stage each booking is at, helping users keep track of multiple events or enquiries without having to go back and forth to check each individually.  

### **acta Is Now Mobile!**

This is something we have been working on since acta’s inception, as we always understood how important it is for people in the entertainment industry to be able to take their work on the move with them. With acta now available on mobile, handling talent bookings and enquiries just became a whole lot easier.  

![MicrosoftTeams-image (1).png](/uploads/Microsoft_Teams_image_1_83d6507e74.png)

All the original platform features are now mobile friendly, so regardless of whether you’re sitting in an airport lounge or lying on the beach, you can perfectly execute the talent booking process from your phone! 

### **Customisable Talent Invoicing** 

Standard template invoicing now comes with infinite possibilities, giving the talent control of not just the due date of invoices, but also how the payment is divided. For example, talent can now decide to issue five invoices of 20% rather than two of 50%, and can select exactly when each invoice is due.

Head to the talent wallet in your account settings to set up your personal invoicing preferences. Simply add your desired number of invoices and input what proportion of the total payment each invoice will cover and how many days before or after a date they will be due. Just make sure the percentages always add up to 100! 

Please note that flexible invoicing must be set up prior to contracts being signed, otherwise talent will have to provide their own custom invoices (we’re working on it!).

### **New Contract Signing Privileges** 

The ability to add teammates to events is one of acta’s most prized features, allowing larger organiser and talent teams to collaborate within an enquiry. And whilst previously, teammates weren’t able to sign contracts, that’s now a thing of the past!  

Extending on viewing permissions, with acta 2.0, teammates that are added from either side are able to be the signatory on talent contracts. This allows for the platform to be easily adopted by larger organisations, particularly those with legal teams who need to review agreements and senior management who often have final sign off. 

### **We'd love to hear from you!**

As with all tech innovations, we’re constantly working with our users to build out new features which contribute towards the overall performance of the platform. So, whether you’re an event organiser, talent or talent representative, if you have something you believe would help make acta an even more indispensable workplace tool, we would love to hear about it.  

As always, thank you for your support. It means the world to us and we wouldn’t be here today without it.  

So go on, jump onto to the platform, have a look around and let us know what you think!  



large_MicrosoftTeams-image.png

medium_MicrosoftTeams-image.png

small_MicrosoftTeams-image.png

thumbnail_MicrosoftTeams-image.png

MicrosoftTeams-image.png

We’ve just had our first major upgrade! Learn about acta v2.0  and how we’ve combined an improved look with powerful new features.

Planning an event can be a daunting task, especially when it comes to finding the right talent. Whether it's a corporate conference, a gala dinner or a wedding, selecting the perfect talent for your event can make all the difference in its success. This is where our talent curation service comes in - providing a one-stop solution to finding the best talent for your event. 

With the benefit of over 40 combined years of talent curating, our process of finding and engaging top talent is quick, efficient, and hassle-free. From performers and speakers to hosts and emcees, our talent curation service covers a wide range of talent categories, ensuring that organisers find the perfect talent for their event. 

> It was the easiest process I have been through with selecting talent, it made my job super easy. Jess took the brief and budget that I had and supplied me with a whole range of talent, I could have chosen every one of them, that’s how much they fit the brief! - **Vito Midolo (Event Producer – Graffiti Experiential)**

**The Process**

The curation process is a simple three-step process.  

**1. Swift Talent Recommendations:** If you need assistance finding talent that matches your brief and budget, our expert talent curation team is here to help. Within 24 hours, we provide you with a curated list of talent options, saving you valuable time and effort. 

**2. Seamless Onboarding:** Once you receive the talent options, you are onboarded onto our platform. From there, you can directly communicate with the shortlisted talent, including the artists themselves or their authorized managers/agents. This allows you to negotiate and confirm bookings hassle-free. 

**3. Ongoing Support:** If you require additional talent options, your dedicated talent curator will continue to provide you with more choices until you are completely satisfied and have successfully booked your desired talent. 

Given acta’s depth of talent pool (which at the time of writing is over 1,250 talent strong), organisers are guaranteed that no matter how long the process may take, they will end up securing great talent to perform or appear at their event that nails the brief and is within budget. 

> I have been exceedingly impressed with the support and guidance provided by Jess and the acta team. Having limited experience previously dealing with engaging professional talent, it was a relief to deal with a single point of contact that could help us find the best talent that fit within our budget. - **Raechel Gleeson (Corporate Partnerships Coordinator - Lifeline Geelong)**

**For a limited time, Talent Curation is FREE!**

During our invitation-only phase, acta's talent curation service is also free of charge, providing clients with an affordable and accessible solution to finding the right talent for their event. Hurry to take advantage though, as this offer won’t last forever and will likely end around the same time as our full launch later in 2023.  

In conclusion, acta's talent curation service is an essential component of event planning, providing event organisers with a quick, efficient, and hassle-free solution to finding the right talent for their event. With a deep pool of talent, a strategic and systematic approach, and a dedicated team of experienced talent curators, acta is the perfect partner for anyone looking to find killer talent for their event.   

___________________________________________________________________

Planning an event? We'd love to assist!

Reach out to our amazing talent curation team at hello@actaapp.com and we'll work with your brief and budget to select the perfect talent for your event. 

small_MicrosoftTeams-image (2).png

thumbnail_MicrosoftTeams-image (2).png

MicrosoftTeams-image (2).png

Expert assistance in sourcing the perfect talent for your event 

It's been a hot minute, but we're back and we've just launched a bunch of new features! 

Since our invitation-only launch in May, we’ve had a lot of amazing feedback from users. We’re listening, and today, we’re excited to share the latest updates in response to their suggestions. 

**Free Public Liability Insurance**

We know that insurance can be one of the biggest hurdles to a successful booking and event. So we've taken care of it. 

When talent are booked for $10,000.00 or less through acta, they are now automatically included as an interested party under acta’s Public Liability Insurance policy. 

Excitingly, this means that talent can save on annual PLI costs, simply by using acta to manage their bookings. Additionally, for talent that wish to use their own policy, we also now allow custom policies to be uploaded to their profile. 

In both cases, the Certificate of Currency is automatically uploaded to every booking once the contract has been exchanged which is excellent news for event organisers given how important this requirement is for talent attendance and the overall production of events.

**Broadcast Messages for Event Organisers**

Managing an event where you're booking multiple talent can be stressful. Everything has to be communicated 2,3,4,5 times right? Not anymore. 

With acta's new Broadcast Message feature, in addition to being able to message talent 1:1, event organisers can also send a single broadcast message that will be received by all the talent attached to an event Event Organisers can also choose to specifically broadcast messages to all talent that are either in enquiry or booked stage.

Given the amount of event organisers that are utilising acta to book their entire entertainment program, we anticipate this will greatly improve the productivity of event organisers on acta by making it quick and easy to instantly share communication with all relevant parties. A real-time industry needs real-time solutions. 

**Message Reply By Email**

Moving to new online platform can be difficult and daunting at first. It's another bloody system to learn how to use and can sometimes leave you worried that you'll mess something up. Not really something you can afford to be worrying about when you work in events. Now whilst we know that we'll eventually win everyone over, in the meantime we understand that emails are the dominant mode of communication. 

So, to make everyones life easy, we've introduced the ability for users to reply directly to the “unread message” email notification. Simply hit reply, type your message into the body of the email and once sent and we'll magically copy your message into the platform so that it doesn't get lost.  

All new “new chat message” emails will now include the body of the message right inside the email for extra convenience.  

Now like we said, we're improving the product every week and soon, we'll be releasing a lite version of our mobile app which will make it even easier to reply to messages and check event documents. For now though, when you're on-the-go using your mobile or just strapped for time, this will do the trick! 


**We'd love to hear from you!**

So that's it, just a few little features from us to you that we know are going to really improve your experience when using acta. 

As always, your feedback means a lot to us, so we’d love to know what you think of the new features and also if you have any suggestions for what we should be focusing on next. 

If you'd like to share your feedback or suggestions, send us an email to support@actaapp.com or get in touch with one of our amazing customer success managers via the support chat on the platform. 


large_john-schnobrich-2FPjlAyMQTA-unsplash.jpg

medium_john-schnobrich-2FPjlAyMQTA-unsplash.jpg

small_john-schnobrich-2FPjlAyMQTA-unsplash.jpg

thumbnail_john-schnobrich-2FPjlAyMQTA-unsplash.jpg

john-schnobrich-2FPjlAyMQTA-unsplash.jpg

Introducing Insurance, Message Broadcasts & Message reply via email


There’s no doubt that securing startup funding can be one of the most difficult tasks faced by tech founders — Jess Ruhfus, founder of online collaboration marketing platform Collabosaurus, says “securing funding in Australia is one of the longest sales processes you can go through!”

And without a reliable source in place, many startups struggle to achieve significant traction, market or develop their products, not to mention hire talent and grow their business.

So, how can you secure the funding?
The good news? There is money out there. We’ve rounded up five key things to consider when seeking funding.

**1. Before $ flow, keep it lean**

Keeping costs low is a basic business principle 101, but it is even more critical when you are a pre-revenue tech startup. Don’t get swept away by your global vision before finding revenue for major financial commitments.

Harris Meitanis, founder of The Event Ecosystem, says it’s all about being resourceful in the beginning.

“Don’t hire contractors too early, in terms of functions such as PR and marketing,” says Meitanis, who recently launched blockchain-based talent booking platforms A.C.T.A and G.E.T.

In just six months, acta has attracted A-list talent from Molly Meldrum to Megan Washington and the platforms are game changing the event and entertainment industries.

“Learn to do this yourself when soft launching. If anything, find a good team to help in driving leads via digital advertising such as SEO, SEM and SMM, but look to create your content and manage socials and communications in-house to keep your early costs down.”

**2. Laser focus on revenue**

There is a saying in the startup world: “if it doesn’t get you traction, it’s a distraction.” Make it your daily “distraction” — focus! — to nail your first revenue.

This is an attractive sign for investors — and focus is an investment itself these days.

Ruhfus says it’s all about balance.

“Your company’s sales and growth while you’re fundraising is frustratingly important. Find a balance that works for you so that you don’t let growth slide,” she says.

“Investors want to see a growth trend, which is always really difficult to maintain when you’re spending so much time raising capital, especially with a small team.”

**3. Grow and nurture your network**

Every conversation is an opportunity. You never really know the source of your next investment. And while you may not see the fruits of your networking immediately, have faith that your persistence will grow your network in the long run.

“It’s important to begin building relationships with potential investors, advisors, mentors and customers well before you decide to kick start a funding round,” says Ruhfus.

And remember that you already have friends.

“Start with the people you know: friends, family, your professional network,” says Meitanis. “This will not only help you get started, but will also give you the learning to start to move onto options outside of your network.”

And your enthusiasm will be infectious for all your networks. “Confidence and complete belief in what you’re looking to achieve is an absolute must,” says Meitanis.

**4. Know your numbers — and market**

Persistence is one thing, but you also need to know your stuff.

Financial projections is one essential area of focus for tech entrepreneurs.

Get to know the fundamentals of a financial spreadsheet — start by downloading a financial projections template (there are plenty online) and customise it for your business well before you start meeting investors.

And then there’s your competitors. “You need to deeply understand your market—look at size, competitors and growth,” says Meitanis. “Spend time building your business model. Accurate numbers are everything. Be meticulous.”

**5. Seek legitimate feedback**

If you find yourself being knocked back time and time again, Ruhfus recommends seeking legitimate feedback from investors, while also remembering that not all advice is golden.

“If you feel that an investor has said ‘no’ without a clear reason, don’t be afraid to ask. Sometimes, there is a deeper issue as to why an investor isn’t interested,” says Ruhfus.

“I get the line ‘it’s a little early for us’ all the time. So, I push for exact metrics that the investor needs to see before we become an attractive investment.

“Everyone has an opinion, and raising capital is not for the faint hearted. Be careful whose advice you take. Logically distinguish between advice that comes with the right intentions, grounded in relevant experience, with those opinions that are not,” says Ruhfus.

***Date Published** - 25th April 2019*

***Source** - http://anthillonline.com/shaking-the-money-tree-how-to-secure-funding-for-your-tech-startup/*

**Associated Celebrity Talent Application (A.C.T.A) and Global Event Talent (G.E.T) were the Beta platforms that have now been combined to comprise the newly revamped 'acta'.*

medium_Money Tree.jpg

small_Money Tree.jpg

thumbnail_Money Tree.jpg

Money Tree.jpg

Even the most game-changing business idea won’t fly on a wing and a prayer—sadly ideas aren’t currency, however visionary they happen to be. Before your startup can truly soar, you need to work out a way to fund it.


Designed to be the “Uber of the celebrity entertainment”, acta is an Australian-developed platform that connects event organisers with the true representatives of celebrity talent.

The roster of celebrity talent already includes the likes of Robert Whittaker, Paul McDermott, Megan Washington and James Mathison.

CEO Harris Meitanis said the platform was created to provide an “on-demand, commercially disruptive and transformative solution”.

“It is a solution invented through technological advancement to satisfy the on-demand requirements that we have evolved to embrace as a commercial society,” he said.

“Such demands have insisted on the elimination of friction through ease of use, the promotion of transparency and the promise of a better experience
overall.”

acta aims to eliminate many of the obstacles associated with procuring talent for events and to reduce the frustrations felt by event professionals over misrepresentation, miscommunication and over-quoting.

Once a user finds the celebrity to suit their event, they can negotiate terms, exchange contracts and arrange payment directly through the app.

acta’s in-app messaging function provides real-time answers and instant notifications of updates and changes.

Following on from its successful first month of operation in Australia, acta plans to launch into the global market in 2019.

The official launch will take place in February during the 2019 Asia Pacific Incentives Meetings Event in Melbourne.

acta is currently free to download on iOS devices with an Android app set to launch in early 2019.

***Date Published** - 20th December 2018*

***Source** - https://www.spicenews.com.au/supplier-news/new-talent-booking-app-goes-global/*

**Associated Celebrity Talent Application (A.C.T.A) and Global Event Talent (G.E.T) were the Beta platforms that have now been combined to comprise the newly revamped 'acta'.* 

large_anthony-delanoix-hzgs56Ze49s-unsplash.jpg

medium_anthony-delanoix-hzgs56Ze49s-unsplash.jpg

small_anthony-delanoix-hzgs56Ze49s-unsplash.jpg

thumbnail_anthony-delanoix-hzgs56Ze49s-unsplash.jpg

anthony-delanoix-hzgs56Ze49s-unsplash.jpg

Newly launched talent booking platform acta is making waves in the industry and has big plans for 2019.


Having been in the talent booking and events management space for 20 years (after a brief stint as a lawyer to “keep Mum happy”), Harris Meitanis is well-versed in the issues plaguing entertainers and celebrities, both big and small.

Meitanis runs a number of different companies in the industry, including record label iSPY Records and events and entertainment company APE Events. He tells StartupSmart he’s been working on his most recent venture for the past four years, finally taking the wraps off late last year.

Today, Meitanis’ business, acta, is up and running, being used by big-name Australian celebrities and entertainers such as Molly Meldrum, Megan Washington, Sophie Monk and Paul McDermott.

Meitanis explains one of the biggest issues for talent landing jobs is the quagmire of middlemen, fees and unauthorised endorsements associated with lining up an opportunity, and decided to launch acta as a solution.

“acta facilitates the procurement and curation of celebrity talent, and we’re using blockchain technology to eliminate 90% of time, effort and margins for resourcing all manners of services in the entertainment industry,” he says.

“It cuts out the middlemen and lets the actual representatives of artists deal directly with clients. We’re universally laying a foundation of transparency. What we do in this industry is so mired in darkness that this level of transparency is the only light available.”

This transparency is driven by blockchain technology, specifically the Ethereum blockchain. Talent or their management create the contracts and then, in turn, they are signed by clients. These contracts are immutable and embedded in the blockchain, providing proof of contract and payment for all to see.

The blockchain aspect also allows secure and confidential transferral of details between parties, along with confirming both parties are paid the correct amount, and on time.

acta is just one part of Meitanis’ overall platform, dubbed the Event Ecosystem. The startup has also recently launched GET (Global Event Talent), a sister platform to acta focused specifically on booking smaller entertainers and performers.

The founder says a third part of the platform is in the works, which he describes as an “Airtasker for events”.

“I just came off the Australian Red Hot Chilli Peppers tour, and we spent a lot of time with the production staff. I shared with them what we’re doing and they were very excited,” he said.

“They told me every time they land in a new country they need 20-30 extra staff like stage runners, merch managers, all manner of things, so our new platform will give them a way to hire those on demand.”

**A two-part platform**

Another big part of acta’s platform is the app itself, which goes beyond just facilitating the payment between client and management. acta’s app also provides a centralised location for documents, communication and notifications, ensuring management, clients and talent are all kept in the loop.

“It’s a two-part platform: the first provides them with the direct contracting and payment, and the second part is the real guts of the content management system and real-time events management.

“The current method is just everyone emailing and calling each other, but we’re so confident in this tech that we think no one will go back to the old way of looking through email trails with old copies of documents. We’ve eliminated all of that.”

acta is free to use for talent and management, with the platform charging clients a 10% fee that is capped at $5,000. Meitanis says the level of automation on the platform means his overheads are minimal, allowing the company to offer lower rates.

So far, both talent and clients are seeing the benefits of acta, with Meitanis saying many of them appreciate the reduced friction for booking and organising.

“The goal is definitely to be the ubiquitous software solution for the industry. These platforms have been built and designed from the ground up, and we’re hoping they make people question why they’d keep using the status quo,” he says.

***Date Published** - 18th March 2018*

***Source** - https://www.smartcompany.com.au/startupsmart/news/acta-talent-management-blockchain/*

**Associated Celebrity Talent Application (A.C.T.A) and Global Event Talent (G.E.T) were the Beta platforms that have now been combined to comprise the newly revamped 'acta'.*

large_Blockchain Image.png

medium_Blockchain Image.png

small_Blockchain Image.png

thumbnail_Blockchain Image.png

Blockchain Image.png

After the hype-filled boom of 2017-18, some might think there’s no industry existing which hasn’t been put on the blockchain, but one Aussie entrepreneur is showing there’s still room to innovate.


After investment of close to $1 million and almost four years of development, founder and CEO of the Associated Celebrity Talent App, Harris Meitanis told micenet today the online booking platform is set to disrupt the events and entertainment industry in the same way that Uber and Airbnb have disrupted their market segments.

And the good news is that it already has significant backing from some of Australia’s hottest talent including Sophie Monk, Robert Whi
ttaker, James Matheson and others, as well as event professionals including George P Johnson MD, Caleb Bush, the former MD of Jack Morton Worldwide, Paul Kenny, and International Productions event director, Megan Peters.

Mr Meitanis said A.C.T.A. eliminates many of the obstacles that have plagued the industry in terms of procuring talent for events. The app allows users to check the availability of talent in real time and then book them immediately.

Clients are also able to communicate, contract and pay the talent’s true representative directly, while having the ability to host all of their event documentation and assets on a mobile and secure platform which is accessible to them at any time.

“A.C.T.A. reduces the frustrations felt by event professionals over misrepresentation, miscommunication and over-quoting – all issues that stem from an unregulated industry filled with third-party agents,” he said.

“Really, first and foremost, this is a professional tool built for the event professional.”

He said the app isn’t aiming to eliminate traditional speakers or entertainment bureaux.

“The great thing about those bureau is that they really understand the events industry and they really understand briefs that are given to them by clients and they have amazing relationships.”

Mr Meitanis recognises this through his many years in the industry as the owner of the successful agency Apples & Pears Entertainment.

“I think their true value is curating the perfect speaker or celebrity for their client. In my experience [at Apples & Pears], more often than not a client will pick up the phone and say to me this is the event, this is the date, this is brief who do you recommend? I will then give them a list of people and by a process of elimination we will cull that down and then I’ll go off and try to secure those people.

“I think the Saxtons and the Claxtons and the ICMIs would do the same thing. The majority of their work would be this and now they have a way of centralising their enquiries [through the app].”

“Unless they have their own speakers who they represent exclusively then they can use the platform. I think they should be just as excited as anybody else in the events industry.”

A.C.T.A. plans to use the Australian market as a springboard for international expansion which reportedly boasts a talent pool of more than 150,000 celebrities and is estimated to be valued at USD$9.28 billion.

***Date Published** - 20th December 2018*

***Source** - https://www.spicenews.com.au/supplier-news/new-talent-booking-app-goes-global/*

**Associated Celebrity Talent Application (A.C.T.A) and Global Event Talent (G.E.T) were the Beta platforms that have now been combined to comprise the newly revamped 'acta'.*



large_ales-nesetril-Im7lZjxeLhg-unsplash.jpg

medium_ales-nesetril-Im7lZjxeLhg-unsplash.jpg

small_ales-nesetril-Im7lZjxeLhg-unsplash.jpg

thumbnail_ales-nesetril-Im7lZjxeLhg-unsplash.jpg

ales-nesetril-Im7lZjxeLhg-unsplash.jpg

A new app launched today is aiming to simplify the searching for and booking of event entertainers including musicians, MCs and keynote speakers.


Caleb Bush, managing director of George P. Johnson (GPJ) Australia, reckons there is still some very old school thinking within the events industry.

“Whilst some agencies have rapidly adapted to the ever-changing marketing environment, I think the events industry is probably behind the eight ball generally on [new technology] in the age of experiences,” he said.

GPJ was an early adopter of acta – a blockchain-based, peer-to-peer app that launched in late November and is set to revolutionise the way agencies source and book entertainers, MCs and speakers.

Transparency is key; with the removal of intermediaries, acta ensures agencies avoid common pitfalls when procuring talent through a third party.

With hundreds of celebrities and some of Australia’s biggest names in music, comedy, media, sport and television, acta enables clients to browse, communicate, contract and pay talent and their official representative directly via their secure, Ethereum-built blockchain platform.

Big names such as Sophie Monk, Megan Washington, Robert Whittaker, Jimmy Barnes, Paul McDermott, James Mathison and more are already listed on the service.

@acta_app is cutting the red tape in corporate gigs.
From @sophiemonk to @JimmyBarnes, celebrities are loving this unique talent booking platform! #AusBiz #YourMoneyAUS

— Your Money (@YourMoneyAus) December 11, 2018

A legacy agency with over 100 years under its belt, GPJ has offices all around the world, producing over 250 experiential events every year in Australia alone for clients such as L’Oréal, IBM, Toyota, Amazon, National Australia Bank, and QuickBooks.

“Of those 250 events a year, I’d say 90 per cent of those have some form of entertainment or engagement that’s required, whether that’s a speaker to talk on a specific topic, a band to entertain, or a combination of both,” Bush explained.

According to an independent study conducted by acta, celebrity appearances at Australian corporate, private and charity events total an estimated $336 million of the $4.4 billion value of the local events and entertainment industry.

There are between 30,000 and 40,000 events that require talent every year in Australia and a talent pool of 2,700 celebrities including actors, musicians, comedians, top speakers and elite sports stars.

Furthermore, booking the right talent, especially finding those with a specific skill set, is significantly time-consuming work.

And if finding an AI-expert-in-a-haystack (and their manager) wasn’t difficult enough, there’s nothing to ensure they will be available, that their booking price is reasonable, and that there’s no conflicting relationship with another brand.

“Talent’s schedules can change on a dime,” Bush said.

“The other challenge is from a contract perspective. If someone comes along on the same date with a better offer, unless you have all your ducks in a row, it’s quite easy to lose that performer.

“Getting all that information to present to the client is a significant amount of work. The reason that acta is such a good service is it houses all that information in a central portal, so it makes our lives so much easier.”

He cites a recent pitch presentation in which GPJ used acta to “cut 15 to 20 hours of work” otherwise spent lining up performer options.

By using the app, GPJ also knew the talent’s pricing and alternative availability in case the date of the event was changed.

Bush said the accessibility of information not only keeps the client happy, but also makes entertainers’ lives easier.

“Talent don’t like getting calls to ask their availability, and at the end of the conversation you say, ‘Oh, by the way, we haven’t actually won the job yet,” he said.

“It’s a waste of both party’s time – but at the same time, presenting good talent options could be the difference between winning and losing a job.”

While the idea of acta is not globally revolutionary, it is the first time the concept underpinning apps like Airbnb and Uber has been used to streamline event services.

“I think this app really meets the market – there are no other companies who are able to make the booking of talent a smooth and easy process like this,” Bush said.

***Date Published** - 17th December 2018*

***Source** - https://www.bandt.com.au/agency-exec-urges-industry-embrace-new-app-cuts-hours-work-booking-talent/*

**Associated Celebrity Talent Application (A.C.T.A) and Global Event Talent (G.E.T) were the Beta platforms that have now been combined to comprise the newly revamped 'acta'.*

large_marvin-meyer-SYTO3xs06fU-unsplash.jpg

medium_marvin-meyer-SYTO3xs06fU-unsplash.jpg

small_marvin-meyer-SYTO3xs06fU-unsplash.jpg

thumbnail_marvin-meyer-SYTO3xs06fU-unsplash.jpg

marvin-meyer-SYTO3xs06fU-unsplash.jpg

A prominent agency executive has called on the events and entertainment industry to adopt new technology to streamline their processes and bring business practices into the digital era.

Newsletter

You’ll be first to get the latest acta updates, early access to new platform features, and more. Nothing spammy - we promise.

Subscribe to the future

100% free until you’re ready to book

Start using acta today

Register for your acta account here. Fill out the information below, and a member of the acta team will be in touch shortly to set up your account.

Account Application 

Talent testimonials 

thumbnail_Lucky v3.png

Lucky v3.png

I’ve now used acta to process a few corporate bookings for my talent clients and on all occasions, its been a really enjoyable experience.

Lucky Ent

thumbnail_small_ch1_s_Q_9c47082988.png

small_ch1_s_Q_9c47082988.png

I’ve been using acta from the moment it launched. What a dream to be able to have one centralised platform that hosts all the information I need for an event. I particularly love the standard contract feature that allows me to send a contract in seconds.

Candy Hertz

small_Pat Frmer.jfif

thumbnail_Pat Frmer.jfif

Pat Frmer.jfif

I was booked through acta for a recent speaking engagement. The invoice and contracting templates provided by acta made it really easy to process the booking and having direct communication with the client was great.

Pat Farmer

large_9FscoExtTY5GlPxGxbJqwt0Z5qflRAkSVFXcUY5d.jpg

medium_9FscoExtTY5GlPxGxbJqwt0Z5qflRAkSVFXcUY5d.jpg

small_9FscoExtTY5GlPxGxbJqwt0Z5qflRAkSVFXcUY5d.jpg

thumbnail_9FscoExtTY5GlPxGxbJqwt0Z5qflRAkSVFXcUY5d.jpg

9FscoExtTY5GlPxGxbJqwt0Z5qflRAkSVFXcUY5d.jpg

I've really been enjoying acta's automated contracting and invoicing, as it saves so much time for me as a performer! 

Kenny Cheung

thumbnail_Neo11.jpeg

Neo11.jpeg

Ever since adopting acta as my tool to receive and manage booking requests, I’ve only had positive feedback from my clients. It’s easy to use, professional and ensures booking security which I love. 

Neo Song

large_Al Del Bene.jpg

medium_Al Del Bene.jpg

small_Al Del Bene.jpg

thumbnail_Al Del Bene.jpg

Al Del Bene.jpg

acta is the easiest way I've used to book my own gigs. I love the 50% upfront payment!

Al Del Bene

thumbnail_sassy logo.png

sassy logo.png

I have found using acta to be incredibly easy and seamless.  In particular, the way the system allows us to communicate directly with clients, draw up contracts and process payments all within one platform has been really valuable. I look forward to assisting many more clients with their events through acta! 

Sassy Entertainment 

thumbnail_james-sutherland.png

james-sutherland.png

acta has been incredibly helpful when booking gigs and makes things so much easier to connect the artist to the booker. It has also made scheduling events much easier as they are all listed in the one place.

James Sutherland 

thumbnail_one hit logo (white).png

one hit logo (white).png

acta has been in invaluable for easily connecting us with potential clients for corporate and private bookings. Great platform!

One Hit Agency 

thumbnail_four17.png

four17.png

Using acta really streamlined the booking experience. Having all communications and documents in the one place allowed us to progress smoothly from the initial inquiry through to contracting and invoicing. The acta team were also really responsive and helpful with any questions I had during the process.

Four Seventeen

thumbnail_Sooshi mango testimonial.png

Sooshi mango testimonial.png

Using acta, our business manager deals directly with all of our clients.

The TeamMates function allows us to see everything and avoid asking management any uncomfortable questions because it’s all there. We love it! 



Sooshi Mango

thumbnail_MicrosoftTeams-image (23).png

MicrosoftTeams-image (23).png

A seamless system that ensures all event booking and logistic details are accessible at all times to all relevant parties – making managing talent’s expectations easy.

Profile Talent Management

thumbnail_ezgif.com-webp-to-jpg (1).jpg

ezgif.com-webp-to-jpg (1).jpg

Tim (Timomatic) had an absolute blast at the Craigieburn Festival this year. The booking process through acta was smooth and effortless and we’re very much looking forward to receiving more opportunities through the platform in the future.

808 Agency

thumbnail_1630612571418.jpeg

1630612571418.jpeg

From initial conversations to contract completion, acta assisted greatly in Dylan Alcott's panel involvement being a huge success.

NC Management

medium_Ray White.jpeg

small_Ray White.jpeg

thumbnail_Ray White.jpeg

Ray White.jpeg

Craig Johnston's speech at Ray White's Kickstart event was absolutely amazing, and I couldn't be happier. A big shoutout to acta for their invaluable support in making it happen!

Ray White

Our friends in the industry 

##### ***For a charity or fundraising event, why do you think that the addition of talent can provide such a huge benefit?***             

**Danielle White:** Booking talent for charity events can be a game-changer on multiple fronts.   

###### **Attracting Attention** 

One of the most significant advantages is the attention it attracts. Having a celebrity or high-profile talent associated with your event can generate substantial media coverage, which not only adds a layer of prestige but also significantly assists in boosting ticket sales.  

Another critical benefit is the enhancement of engagement at the event. Talent adds an invaluable layer of entertainment, making each event memorable for guests who may be long term supporters attending events on a yearly basis. This entertainment factor is especially crucial when considering the role of an MC. An engaging and energetic MC well connected to your cause is crucial to ensuring the ‘ship is going in the right direction’ and messaging is being delivered accurately.  

##### ***When it comes to approaching talent for charity events, what tips and tricks would you recommend for getting yourself ready to make an enquiry?***

**Danielle:** The process of preparing to approach talent is often understated, however can have a huge impact on the end result. For me, there are two main areas I focus on. 

###### **Early Planning, Setting a Budget & Understanding Logistics** 

First and foremost, planning is absolutely key. Start early, and I can't stress this enough. Talent, especially high-profile figures, are often booked well in advance. 

Having the foresight to begin the process early ensures that you have a better chance of securing the talent you desire. Building a wish list of talent is also essential. It’s important to involve all relevant stakeholders in this process and ensure it is clear who will be making the asks to talent, this avoids the common pitfall of multiple inquiries from different sources. 

Clearly communicating budget expectations and/or constraints from the outset will assist in streamlining negotiations and make for a more timely process.  

In the early stages of considering the talent you would like to engage, think about travel, accommodation, and any production requirements talent may need well in advance.

###### **Lean on Curators & Align with Stakeholders** 

If navigating the world of talent selection feels daunting, don’t hesitate to lean on a transparent talent curator like the team at acta. They can guide you through the process, pointing you in the right direction regarding talent options that are aligned to your brand and type of event, helping to create a smoother experience for all. 

Aligning with your team or committee on your preference wish list is crucial, so everyone is on the same page from the get-go. Approaching talent directly is always the best strategy, and platforms like acta can facilitate these interactions seamlessly. Having a few backup choices that have been pre-approved by your team or working group ensures that you can easily move on to your second or third choices without causing delays or uncertainties, if for any reason your first choice is unavailable. 

![Five Chefs Melbourne-117 (1).jpg](/uploads/Five_Chefs_Melbourne_117_1_badbc74c0a.jpg)
Kate Ceberano performs at Starlight's Five Chefs Dinner in Melbourne, assisted by acta.

##### ***What do you do to ensure that you give yourself the best possible chance at securing who you really want?***

**Danielle:** There are two things that I focus on when ready to make an enquiry. 

###### **Be Clear & Transparent**  

Being clear and transparent when making enquiries is absolutely essential. Your charity has a story, and it's important to articulate everything about it, including its mission, how the talent aligns with the charity, any key contributors of note and what benefits the talent will gain from being aligned with the charity.  

This contextual information helps the talent understand exactly what they are aligning with if they choose to perform. High-profile talent often associate with certain charities or types of causes, making this conversation crucial from the beginning. They will likely go above and beyond for you if they resonate with your cause.  

Budget transparency is also a key aspect of setting a good foundation. Given the nature of charities, talent and their representatives understand that budgets might not be as extensive as those for commercial events. Being upfront about your budget, or lack of, enables an open and honest discussion with the talent who in most cases, I have seen, are willing to work with you.  

###### **Understand Talent Costs** 

It’s also really important to understand that talent have costs to cover too. While headline talent may be willing to donate their time, it's important to note that any supporting crew or band members may insist on being paid at their full rate. This is a standard practice, referred to by the talent as 'covering costs,' much like how production staff, caterers, and event staff working at your event would be compensated. 

![235756989_10159823431774165_4570164029011987619_n.jpg](/uploads/235756989_10159823431774165_4570164029011987619_n_980fdf42c3.jpg)

##### ***How do you ensure that the talent's performance aligns with the theme and message of the charity event?***

**Danielle:** Aligning talent performance with the theme and message of the charity event is crucial for ensuring their presence at the event ‘makes sense’ to guests. This involves a combination of collaborative planning, creative briefings, and effective coordination.

###### **Collaborative Planning**  

Firstly, collaborative planning is essential. It's not just about booking talent; it's about involving them in discussions about the charity's mission and messaging. This engagement encourages alignment in their performance, making it more meaningful and impactful. When talent understands the cause they are supporting, their performance becomes more than just a show; it becomes another layer of messaging on the night. 

###### **Creative Briefings & Rehearsals**  

Creative briefings are another crucial step. Providing a clear brief to the talent about the event's theme, objectives, and any specific messages to be conveyed ensures that their performance is not only entertaining but also aligns with the purpose of the charity. This can include details about the demographic of the audience, the overall mood you want to create, and any specific elements you want to incorporate into the performance. 

Rehearsals and coordination are the final pieces of the puzzle. Ensuring that the talent is well-prepared and has a thorough understanding of how their performance integrates with the event is key. This involves not just the performance itself but also considerations for transitions, interactions with the audience, and any specific moments that tie back to the charity's objectives.   

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

*Have a charity event coming up? We'd love to assist!*  

*Register today for exclusive access to the industry's leading talent booking platform – **https://actaapp.com*** 




large_231120 - Blog - Starlight Logo.png

medium_231120 - Blog - Starlight Logo.png

small_231120 - Blog - Starlight Logo.png

thumbnail_231120 - Blog - Starlight Logo.png

231120 - Blog - Starlight Logo.png

Off the Back of Starlight’s 2023 Signature Fundraising Events Series, acta Delves into the World of Charity Talent Booking. 

The best talent for your next event, all in one place.

The future of talent booking