Talent Commodity

Agency posts abound on Latent Print. If you've just tuned in, catch up to speed here.
Regular LP readers also read by now—I hope—blog The Urban Muse, who asks LP by email about creative firms in Boston. I respond that agencies sell talent at a steep markup. "The sense that they are making money off of me is tangible," I say. Yet, I benefit, I work, because the agency markets and networks for me. And, we hope, their motives don't trump the placement of good talent.
In the email I share the following anecdote: "I interviewed for a post, with good review, but didn't get the assignment. Two months goes by. [Agency] calls me because their posted talent turned out to be a dud. My temp-boss now tells me that he only went with the dud on agency recommendations. Translation: [Agency] could make larger margins on the dud, so they placed the dud. Parable: Don't lower rates just for the job."
So, I'm on an agency assignment here until June. The twin proprietors are happy to have me. When they shop for talent, they want a great product. I provide a positive attitude and the ability to get quickly up to speed on assignment.
My experience with creative firms shows me the worth of my talent. Heck, I'm great for their brand. Now, if I could just get a few gigs on my own.