Creator Management Agreement Template

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Professional creator management agreement template for influencers, content creators, YouTubers, TikTok creators, streamers, podcasters, and digital entrepreneurs. Covers commission structure, management services, term length, exclusivity, sunset clauses, audit rights, performance benchmarks, and creator protections.

A Creator Management Agreement is a legally binding contract between a content creator and a talent manager, management company, or creator agency. The agreement establishes the manager's responsibilities, compensation structure, commission rights, exclusivity provisions, term length, performance expectations, and post-termination obligations. A well-drafted management agreement aligns incentives, protects the creator's independence, and ensures the manager is compensated fairly for opportunities they help secure while preventing long-term disputes over commissions and ownership of business relationships.

When To Use

Use this agreement when hiring a talent manager, influencer manager, creator management agency, YouTube manager, TikTok manager, digital talent representative, or business manager to assist with sponsorships, partnerships, brand deals, licensing opportunities, career development, and business growth.

Template

CREATOR MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT

Effective Date: [Date]

This Creator Management Agreement ("Agreement") is entered into by and between:

Creator:
Name: [Creator Name]
Business Name (if applicable): [Business Name]
Address: [Address]
Email: [Email]

Manager:
Name: [Manager Name]
Management Company: [Company Name]
Address: [Address]
Email: [Email]

Key Manager (if Manager is a company):
[Name]

The Creator and Manager are collectively referred to as the "Parties."

1. APPOINTMENT OF MANAGER

The Creator hereby appoints Manager as the Creator's representative for the purpose of providing management, business development, career guidance, sponsorship procurement assistance, brand strategy, and related services as described in this Agreement.

The Manager accepts such appointment and agrees to perform the services outlined herein.

2. SERVICES PROVIDED

Manager shall use commercially reasonable efforts to assist the Creator in developing and expanding their business and personal brand.

Services may include:

- Career planning and strategic guidance
- Brand development and positioning
- Sponsorship opportunity identification
- Brand partnership outreach
- Contract review coordination
- Business development support
- Public relations guidance
- Media opportunity coordination
- Event appearance coordination
- Licensing opportunity development
- Digital product strategy
- Revenue diversification planning
- Team building recommendations
- Creator business consulting

Manager shall not provide legal, tax, accounting, or financial advice unless separately licensed to do so.

3. CREATOR APPROVAL RIGHTS

Manager may not:

- Sign agreements on behalf of Creator
- Commit Creator to sponsorships
- Enter contracts for Creator
- Grant usage rights involving Creator content
- Make public statements on Creator's behalf
- Spend Creator funds beyond approved limits

Without Creator's prior written approval.

All final business decisions remain under the Creator's sole control.

4. COMMISSION STRUCTURE

Manager shall receive a commission equal to [Percentage]% of Commissionable Revenue.

Commission Percentage:

[ ] 10%
[ ] 15%
[ ] 20%
[ ] Other: [Percentage]

Commissionable Revenue includes:

- Brand sponsorships secured by Manager
- Affiliate partnerships secured by Manager
- Licensing opportunities secured by Manager
- Speaking engagements secured by Manager
- Creator program partnerships secured by Manager
- Endorsement deals secured by Manager
- Brand ambassador agreements secured by Manager

Excluded Revenue:

- Revenue generated before this Agreement
- Merchandise sales unless directly negotiated by Manager
- Personal investments
- Gifts and donations
- Course sales developed independently by Creator
- Existing sponsorship agreements
- Ad platform revenue not secured by Manager
- Income unrelated to content creation activities
- Business ventures not introduced by Manager

5. GROSS VS. NET COMMISSION CALCULATION

Unless otherwise stated, commissions shall be calculated on Net Revenue.

Net Revenue means gross receipts less:

- Production expenses
- Advertising expenses
- Platform processing fees
- Agency fees
- Legal fees
- Travel expenses
- Payment processing fees
- Taxes collected on behalf of governmental authorities

Manager commissions shall not be calculated on reimbursed expenses.

6. PAYMENT OF COMMISSIONS

Creator shall pay earned commissions within [Number] days following receipt of commissionable revenue.

Manager shall provide supporting documentation for any commission claim upon reasonable request.

7. TERM OF AGREEMENT

Initial Term:

This Agreement shall commence on the Effective Date and continue for:

[ ] 12 months
[ ] 18 months
[ ] 24 months
[ ] Other: [Term]

The Agreement shall expire automatically unless renewed in writing by both Parties.

Automatic renewals are prohibited unless specifically agreed in writing.

8. PERFORMANCE BENCHMARKS

Manager must satisfy one or more of the following performance goals during each contract year:

- Secure at least [Number] qualified sponsorship opportunities
- Generate at least [$Amount] in new business revenue
- Secure at least [Number] paid partnerships
- Deliver agreed strategic management services

Failure to meet performance benchmarks may allow Creator to terminate the Agreement upon written notice.

9. EXCLUSIVITY

During the term of this Agreement:

[ ] Exclusive Management
[ ] Non-Exclusive Management

If Exclusive:

Manager shall serve as Creator's exclusive manager for creator-related commercial opportunities.

Creator may continue using:

- Attorneys
- Accountants
- Business consultants
- Publicists
- Talent agents where legally required

Unless otherwise prohibited by law.

10. KEY PERSON CLAUSE

The Parties acknowledge that Creator is entering this Agreement based primarily upon the services of:

[Key Manager Name]

If the Key Manager:

- Leaves the management company
- Is terminated
- Becomes unable to perform services
- Is reassigned from Creator's account

Creator may terminate this Agreement upon thirty (30) days written notice.

11. EXPENSES

Manager shall be responsible for normal operating expenses.

Creator shall reimburse only pre-approved expenses directly related to Creator's business.

Manager may not incur expenses exceeding [$Amount] without prior written approval.

12. ACCOUNTING AND REPORTING

Manager shall maintain accurate records relating to:

- Sponsorship negotiations
- Revenue collections
- Commission calculations
- Expense reimbursements

Manager shall provide quarterly reports upon request.

13. AUDIT RIGHTS

Creator shall have the right to inspect and audit Manager's books and records relating to this Agreement once per calendar year upon thirty (30) days written notice.

If an audit reveals an overcharge exceeding five percent (5%), Manager shall promptly reimburse the overpayment and pay reasonable audit costs.

14. CONFIDENTIALITY

Both Parties agree to keep confidential:

- Revenue information
- Sponsorship rates
- Business strategies
- Financial records
- Contract terms
- Proprietary business information

This obligation survives termination.

15. SUNSET CLAUSE

Following termination or expiration of this Agreement, Manager shall continue receiving commissions only on deals substantially negotiated and secured during the active term.

Post-Term Commission Schedule:

Months 1-6: 100% of original commission rate

Months 7-12: 50% of original commission rate

Months 13-18: 25% of original commission rate

After Month 18: No further commission shall be due.

Manager shall not earn commissions on new agreements entered into after termination unless directly arising from deals negotiated during the active term.

16. TERMINATION

This Agreement may be terminated:

By Mutual Agreement.

By Either Party for Material Breach.

By Creator for Failure to Meet Performance Benchmarks.

By Creator under the Key Person Clause.

By Either Party upon [30] days written notice.

17. EFFECT OF TERMINATION

Upon termination:

- Future obligations cease
- Earned commissions remain payable
- Confidentiality obligations survive
- Sunset clause remains effective
- Creator retains all ownership rights

18. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

Nothing in this Agreement transfers ownership of:

- Creator content
- Social media accounts
- Trademarks
- Logos
- Intellectual property
- Digital products
- Courses
- Websites
- Email lists

Creator retains all ownership rights.

19. INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR RELATIONSHIP

Manager is an independent contractor.

Nothing in this Agreement creates a partnership, joint venture, employment relationship, or ownership interest.

20. DISPUTE RESOLUTION

The Parties shall first attempt to resolve disputes through good-faith negotiations.

If unresolved, disputes shall proceed to mediation before litigation.

Governing Law: [State/Country]

Venue: [Jurisdiction]

21. ENTIRE AGREEMENT

This Agreement represents the entire agreement between the Parties and supersedes all prior discussions and understandings.

Any amendment must be in writing and signed by both Parties.

SIGNATURES

CREATOR

Signature: __________________________

Name: __________________________

Date: __________________________

MANAGER

Signature: __________________________

Name: __________________________

Title: __________________________

Date: __________________________

Example

A lifestyle creator hires a management agency to secure sponsorships and brand partnerships. The manager receives a 15% commission on sponsorship revenue they negotiate but receives no commission on the creator's existing digital course sales, merchandise store, or YouTube advertising revenue. The agreement lasts 18 months, requires the manager to generate at least $50,000 in new partnership revenue annually, includes quarterly reporting requirements, and contains a sunset clause reducing post-termination commissions over an 18-month period.

Frequently Asked Questions

What commission percentage do creator managers typically charge?

Most creator managers charge between 10% and 20% of commissionable income, with 15% being common for established creators.

Should commissions be based on gross or net income?

Many creators prefer commissions based on net income after production costs, agency fees, and other direct expenses are deducted.

What is a sunset clause?

A sunset clause allows managers to continue earning commissions on deals they secured during the contract term for a limited period after termination.

Can a manager sign sponsorship deals for a creator?

Not unless the agreement specifically grants that authority. Most creator agreements require creator approval before accepting any deal.

What is a key person clause?

A key person clause allows the creator to terminate the agreement if the specific manager they signed with leaves the agency or stops managing their account.

Should creator management agreements include performance requirements?

Yes. Performance benchmarks help ensure the manager remains accountable and provides measurable value throughout the relationship.

Creator Management Agreement Template

When To Use

Template

Example

Frequently Asked Questions

What commission percentage do creator managers typically charge?

Should commissions be based on gross or net income?

What is a sunset clause?

Can a manager sign sponsorship deals for a creator?

What is a key person clause?

Should creator management agreements include performance requirements?

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