Do you "name names"?

[Local Talent]

I have my own take, but I'm curious to hear your thoughts on this.
I'm talking about clients' names of course. Do you list them on resumes, or mention them during job interviews (with employers or other clients), or even bring them up in conversation with other agents?

[Mata-Leão]

I don't have a long list of previous clients that I have worked with like some of you guys do. Even though I have done quite a few different details here on the side - these people knew me because of my affiliation with my current client that I have been with for 2 years. So, naturally THEY know who I work for.

But, when someone outside of that corporate circle asks me who I work for, I simply explain that my work is private.

To me, this is not an after hours gossip job.

Now, I have been guilty of spilling some frustrations to another agent here who also knows my client. But that is my personal choice based on the mutual trust he and I have. Still, it is something of that nature that can cause you to lose your position once your trust has been lost by the Principal - (If in fact certain info gets back to your employer).

When the time comes for me to apply for another position and I am asked who I worked for, I will tell them that I spent 2 years protecting the VERY GUY who is responsible for the Do-Do bird being extinct. :machinegunner:

Seriously, I would just say what I always say to people: I work for a North American Executive.

I most certainly do not want to be categorized as an individual that divulges information about a clients private life. That can haunt you and SHOULD JUSTIFIABLY make it difficult to obtain work if you are labeled a "Loose Lip Larry". But remember, I am not working in L.A and don't have tabloids chasing after me trying to get the scoop on any dirt of previous clients.

Curious to hear what you have to say Local. I would think there are times when people interviewing you for a position might insist to know some names of previous clients. Is there harm in saying, "yes, I have been on a protective staff for Bill Gates..."?? Which when heard by the Principal or fellow agent in charge of hiring, might immediately secure your new found position.

[Local Talent]

Great answer, AFAIC, Mata-Leão. I didn't want to come out and state my position outright, but it's the same as yours - it felt like reading myself. :thumbs:

I list companies I worked for, and type of clientele and services rendered, not names. And I keep explanations and details for interview time.

The situation could be slightly different for a freelancer, though. These guys are usually well known themselves, from their appearances in public (I recognize agents frequently in the tabloids or on YouTube), and are not divulging anything by listing past clients.
And if they worked directly for a celeb, that person's production company will appear on the resume - I don't think there's a way around it.

As far as your last question... I guess it will depend on a lot of things - a way of saying I don't have a clear answer.

I started this thread because I see a lot of resumes, some online, that list clients. So I'm not completely sure that my minimalistic approach is the right one and I'd be grateful for anyone's input.

[SCBA Admin]

I would have to agree with both of you...

Ive been doing this now for 20 years and I while I do not talk about circumstance with former clients, I have shared client lists with employers. This is done at the highest level, if for only the fact of reference, but there is more. I was working for an old school italian family, and the client owned several restaurants in the area... after a few weeks HE was telling ME who my past clients were... this is a small community - if by dropping a clients name, the employer may know someone who can vouch for you. But running around telling all of your friends isnt advisable.

[Local Talent]

[...]this is a small community - if by dropping a clients name, the employer may know someone who can vouch for you. But running around telling all of your friends isnt advisable.
Yeah, I think that sums it up. No absolutes, but discretion is still the name of the game. I do give my $.02 when another agent asks me about working for a given client that I know, and I appreciate the heads-up when it's the other way around, however. But gossip is a no-go.

I'll tell you guys something funny: one day an agent calls me about a colleague who was dropping a couple of big names at an other account (to impress his new team?). Anyway, it turns out we both knew that this guy had been kicked out of both details and never even met one of the clients in person (he was just parked in the driveway at night, IIRC).
Just to show that name-dropping doesn't mean much anyway...