For Immediate Release
29th JANUARY, 2015

Yo Illo present the next in our series of Talks:

Agents: Pros and Cons

Wednesday, 24th February, 6.30pm – 9pm
ustwo, 62 Shoreditch High Street, London, E1 6JJ

Yo Illo are proud to announce details of their latest illustration Talks series. The theme of their February event is Agents: Pros and Cons. Should you use an illustration agency? What are the benefits and which pitfalls should you look out for? These questions and more will be answered in a new Talks format for the group. Invited to talk across the spectrum of opinions, this month’s speakers will form a panel discussion to talk about how illustration agencies fit into the business strategy of a freelance illustrator.

For every successful illustrator who attributes their success to having a great agent, you’ll find another who has had less fruitful relationship and vows to represent themselves. So, it raises a number of questions: “Should I get an agent?”, “How do I get one?”, “Are there good ones and bad ones?” and, “Is it possible to go it alone?” A quartet of professional illustrators and agents will talk honestly about their experiences and opinions, in what promises to be a fascinating and challenging discussion.

Rather than serving as a showcase for the guest speakers, we’re aiming for these Talks to be a valuable insight into the working practices of illustrators who are excelling at their craft, ultimately helping our audience with their own creative output. Also, to speak to art directors, agents and creative directors candidly about the illustration industry and how we can work together to create the best possible work.

A Free Event for All Illustrators!

Yo Illo Talks wants to support the illustration community, so this event is free and open to all illustrators — whether professional,  student or keen enthusiast — as well as art directors, designers, fine artists, typographers, textile designers or anyone who wants to get more involved in the illustration scene.

The Yo Illo attendees are a friendly bunch, and always love meeting new people, so feel free to come along — even if you're by yourself and you don't know anybody, you'll be made to feel welcome!

Who's Speaking?

Rod Hunt

Rod Hunt

Rod Hunt ​is a former chairman of the Association of Illustrators, and an award­-winning, London­-based illustrator who has built a reputation for retro-­tinged illustrations and detailed, character-­filled landscapes. He is probably most well ­known for the bestselling ‘Where's Stig?’ books for the BBC's hit TV show Top Gear.

Rod is an advocate for self­-promotion and is jointly represented by himself and by agency Bernstein & Andriulli.

Sam Summerskill

Sam Summerskill

An illustration agent for the past twelve years, Sam Summerskill ​has helped develop some of the world's leading illustrators and image­makers. He's brought CGI whizzes, typographic supremos, and paper­cut masters—– all working across different formats — to international agencies including BBH, Leo Burnett, and AKQA; and clients like Nike, Google, Johnnie Walker, and Audi, among others.

He recently set up and now helms all­ things illustration, design, and digital out of Bernstein & Andriulli's brand­ new London­-based European office. B&A also has outposts in New York and Shanghai and represents photographers, animators, and experiential artists.

Emma Block

Emma Block

Illustrator Emma Block​’s ​career sits on the boundary of traditional editorial or children’s literature illustration with the new media of bloggers and start­up companies. Her work is inspired by the people she meets in her everyday life, old photos, vintage clothes, old films, travel, 1950s illustration, 1930s jazz and sausage dogs. She has worked for clients including Random House Canada, Bloomsbury, Harper Collins, UNIQLO, Orla Kiely, Anthropologie, Hallmark and American Greetings. Her latest book, The Adventures of Miss Petitfour, is out now.

Rod Hunt

Felicity Trew

Felicity Tr​ew ​is a literary agent for Caroline Sheldon Literary Agency, where it is her mission to, “build ­up a list of extraordinary illustrators who capture the life of their characters and have a real love of story­telling at the heart of their artwork.”

Working across everything from contemporary and historical fiction and quirky and imaginative children's books, The Caroline Sheldon Literary Agency is one of the UK’s leading literary agencies representing a bestselling roster of authors and illustrators, with a particular interest in fiction and all types of children's books.

Who's Behind the Event?

Yo Illo is a monthly illustrators' meetup in both London and Berlin. It was created in 2011 by Rob Barrett as a way to help get illustrators away from their desks and to meet each other in the real world. Soon after, Rob was joined by illustrator, Willa Gebbie and together they have gone on to develop the community further through talks and events.

In order to be able to provide these talks for free, Yo Illo are delighted to be partnering with the digital product studio, ustwo, who share in their aim of encouraging community and creating opportunities for all.

We are also delighted to be sponsored by FreeAgent, the award­-winning accounting software for sole traders and small businesses. Their support means that we can offer an extra­ special experience, offering drinks to our attendees, and being able to reach out to more, interesting, but further­-afield speakers.

How to Get Involved?

Tickets for this Yo Illo Talks event will be available through Eventbrite. A lot of interest is anticipated, and numbers are limited, so don't hang around to reserve your space!

Booking link to be announced

For more information about Yo Illo Talks and to sign up for email updates, please visit the website: http://www.yoillo.com/

Anyone interested in getting involved as a member, sponsor or member of the press should contact

Key Details

Date: Wednesday, 24th February, 2016

Time: 6:30pm – 9pm

Address:
ustwo, 62 Shoreditch High Street, London, E1 6JJ
(Map)

Ticket Price: Free

Ticket Purchase Link: TBA

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