In This Issue:

• Message From The Secretary
• Message From The Executive Director
• eNewsroom

Message From The Secretary

Dear Friend:

On July 31, Governor Charlie Crist appointed me to serve as the Secretary of the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. Governor Crist understands the importance of creating a business friendly environment that also regards the safety and protection of the consumer as a top priority. I am eager to continue to serve the people of Florida and our business community and professionals in my new capacity as Secretary. I will draw upon my experience in the Department as the former Deputy Secretary of Business Regulation and Interim Secretary to continue to advance our mission to license efficiently and regulate fairly.

We've made tremendous progress over the past year, and I'm dedicated to maintaining this momentum. We know that serving you is the first step to providing great service to the people of Florida. That's why we've focused on changes that improve customer service, streamline processes, open communications with licensees and the public, and lead to better business practices.

One of the most crucial adjustments to business practices at the Department was the implementation of the Document Imaging System. The project is in its final phases, and it ultimately provides for a more streamlined and centralized application process that results in faster licensing and better service for you. I thank Governor Charlie Crist and the Legislature for providing $2.5 million to complete this project in Fiscal Year 2008/2009, which helps take care of businesses and professionals throughout Florida.

Our quest to improve customer service is never over. In an effort to reach our licensees who are located throughout the state, I'm taking our business on the road in the "On the Road to Better Business" tour this summer and early fall. This tour will provide the opportunity for you to meet with me and my staff to ask questions and provide input and suggestions. I will hold office hours for customers to come and meet with me at a Department office in their communities. Please look forward to more information to come.

I continue to uphold our mission to "License Efficiently. Regulate Fairly." I understand and value that licensees have unique insight into how we do business and ways we can build upon existing practices, and I look forward to hearing your feedback.

Thank you for all that you do for the people and economy of our great state.

Sincerely,

Charles W. Drago
Secretary

Back To Top

---

Message From The Executive Director
Anthony B. Spivey

Recently I appeared in Orlando at the request of a local filmmaker and the Orlando Hispanic Film Festival to discuss with a group of aspiring actors and actresses how to identify a licensed talent agent in Florida. I provided information relative to what a Florida license number looks like, how they can go to the Department’s Web site and verify if the person they are considering is legitimately licensed, and some of the statutes and rules that talent agents must abide by. You would be surprised as to how many people are not aware of the requirements for talent agencies in the state.

Most artists and aspiring artists would like to associate themselves with a legitimate talent agent. I get asked by some licensed agents, "How do we curb or eliminate the unlicensed agents in the state?" Why not expand your business presence in the community by providing information to the public as I did for the group in Orlando? Taking this initiative provides an opportunity to educate and help prevent talent from using unlicensed services, such as the parent trying to get their child in the business who may have been convinced to give $2,000 or more to make their child a star. As each person is educated, the number of individuals being preyed upon for their money is reduced, and when the unlicensed individuals cannot earn money, they tend to quit. It also puts your business in a positive light for presenting information which may ultimately earn you or one of the other licensed agents a client. The main idea here is to keep the business in the licensed agents’ arena. The Department of Business and Professional Regulation will continue to pursue unlicensed activity; however, you really are the best source for policing your profession.

I also visited with the Florida Film Commissioner, Ms. Lucia Fishburne, on the activities the Department is pursuing in getting agencies licensed to do business in the state. Recently the Department prepared notices to all delinquent and null and void agencies reminding them of the requirements to be licensed to act as an agency in the state.

Until next time,

Anthony Spivey, Executive Director
Office of Talent Agents

Back To Top

---

eNewsroom

Check out DBPR's eNewsroom, your source for important Department news and information. Here, you can watch public service announcements, read news releases, and subscribe to and flip through our publications.

Back To Top

---