The Rock Agency adds kids and on-camera talent

To kick off its 50th anniversary, The Rock Agency rolls into 2019 by continuing to bolster its Chicago office with another savvy hire, announcing today that it hired Chicago talent industry veteran, Laura Alexander, to helm the agency’s Chicago on-camera and kids divisions.

The hiring comes as The Rock Agency seeks to jumpstart its kids’ division in the talent- rich Chicago market, a place where the agency has had a successful but minor presence. However, with Alexander, the fifty-year old agency acquires a bonafide on- camera and print director who has built highly successful multi-media kids’ department platforms for premier agencies like Arlene Wilson, Ford Models and Aria Talent.

In addition to her on-camera and print success, Alexander also worked for years as a highly successful Casting Associate with renowned agencies such as O’Connor Casting and Cherie Mann Casting as well as casting several projects as a freelance casting director with companies such as Ebel Productions, Propaganda Films, Harpo Productions and VH1.

The Rock Agency owner, Raquel Repka, seeks to capitalize on Alexander’s expertise and take full advantage of her extensive resources both on the talent side as well as the casting side.

“We are lucky to have an agent with Laura’s experience joining us as we continue to grow our business in Chicago,” Repka said.

Repka’s hope is that “Alexander’s ability to foster strong relationships with clients while developing high-level talent” enables The Rock Agency to solidify itself as a force in the Chicago kids and on camera market.

“We are excited for the opportunities that the Chicago market holds for (Alexander’s) department,” Repka added.

The hire marks a return to the industry for Alexander, who left the Chicago talent industry for a while to focus on an endeavor near and dear to her heart: helping build Imerman Angels, a not-for-profit cancer support charity. With her help, Imerman Angels has grown to be the largest one-on-one cancer support service in the country.

But despite her success with Imerman Angels and other exciting job opportunities such as Midwest and Canadian Account Executive of Arcona Los Angeles, Alexander always felt the tug of the talent industry pulling at her.

Repka’s offer came at the right time, and the opportunity to build a full-service kids division in a major market like Chicago was too good to pass up.

For Alexander, she jumps back in to an industry where she can use her talents as an agent and “on-camera coach” who has booked hundreds of children and adults on print work, commercials, billboards, television series and films in addition to launching the careers of several well-known celebrities, including Jessica Szohr (Gossip Girl, Shameless, The Orville) and Danielle Campbell (The Others, Famous in Love, Disney’s Starstruck & Prom).

“I’m so excited to return to the business I love with a company that is equally as passionate and thinks out of the box like I do,” Alexander said. “I’m re-entering the business with fresh, new energy; excited to take on those challenges by thinking out of the box and paving new paths for my talent.”

“My hope is if I can nurture my talent to be their best selves both professionally and personally, we can collaborate with brands and advertisers in unique ways,” Alexander added.

Repka believes Alexander’s addition adds yet another proven resource for clients and moves The Rock Agency into a very strong position of growth.

“We are becoming a full service agency in a major market, and creating the on camera and kids’ division in Chicago will allow us to help clients in even more aspects of their advertising projects,” Repka remarked. “(The on camera and kids’ division) gives us more ability to offer clients well-rounded service to help find them the right talent to express their vision.”

The Rock Agency is now accepting submissions for on camera adults and kids from newborn and up. Please send composite cards, headshots, digitals, resumes or 2- 3 snapshots if you do not have professional pics. Please note all talent over three (3) years old will be required to have professional pics to be submitted on work. Also include current stats: DOB, height, weight, size.

(Adult submissions will be considered through the mail or email by appointment only)

 Send your agency updates to Reel Chicago Editor Dan Patton, dan@reelchicago.com.