Stewart Talent Commercial
A Chicago-based agency with strong commercial division coverage
Overview
Stewart Talent is a Chicago-based talent agency with a well-regarded commercial division that represents actors for television commercials, industrial videos, and branded content in the Midwest market.
The agency's commercial agents have deep relationships with Chicago's advertising community, which is one of the largest in the country. They submit talent for national campaigns produced through Chicago agencies.
How It Works
Chicago is a major hub for commercial production, and Stewart Talent is one of the market's most established agencies. Many national commercial campaigns are cast through Chicago, offering significant earning potential.
Representation is pursued through open calls, online submissions, and industry referrals. Standard agency commission structures apply.
Who Uses It
An excellent option for actors in the Chicago market who want access to the city's robust commercial casting scene. Chicago-booked national commercials can be as lucrative as those cast in LA or New York.
Pricing & Plans
Stewart Talent operates on the standard agency commission model with commissions of 10% on SAG-AFTRA commercial bookings and up to 20% on non-union work, consistent with industry norms for legitimate talent representation. There are no upfront fees, registration charges, or mandatory program enrollments required for representation — the agency earns exclusively through commissions on work booked for its clients. Stewart Talent is a SAG-AFTRA franchised agency, ensuring adherence to union standards regarding commission rates, contract terms, and talent treatment. The agency handles all negotiation, billing, and payment processing on behalf of represented talent, providing professional business management for your commercial career. Actors are responsible for maintaining their own headshots, reels, and professional materials, but these are standard career investments rather than agency-imposed costs. The Chicago market's strong advertising industry means that national commercial campaigns booked through Stewart Talent can generate significant income through session fees and residuals comparable to campaigns cast in New York or Los Angeles.
Pros & Cons
What's Great
Chicago is one of the top three advertising markets in the United States, and Stewart Talent's deep roots in this market provide represented actors with access to a volume of national commercial casting opportunities that rivals what is available in Los Angeles and New York. The agency's commercial agents have longstanding relationships with Chicago's advertising community, including major agencies like Leo Burnett, FCB, DDB, and Ogilvy, which cast national television campaigns through Chicago offices. National commercials cast in Chicago often pay identical session fees and residuals to those cast on the coasts, but the Chicago market is significantly less saturated with talent, meaning competition per audition is lower and booking rates can be higher. Stewart Talent's established reputation in the Midwest market makes them one of the most recognized and respected agency names in the region, and their submissions carry weight with commercial casting directors throughout the market. The agency represents a diverse roster that reflects the real-people authenticity that many brands specifically seek when casting through Chicago rather than the more polished, model-adjacent types that dominate coastal markets. Chicago's lower cost of living compared to Los Angeles and New York means that the income from commercial bookings goes further, making it possible to build a sustainable commercial acting career without the financial pressure of coastal living expenses.
What Could Be Better
The Chicago market, while significant, is smaller than Los Angeles and New York in terms of total commercial casting volume, which means the absolute number of audition opportunities will be lower even with strong agency representation. Actors primarily based outside the Chicago area will find it difficult to take full advantage of Stewart Talent representation, as many auditions require in-person attendance at Chicago casting offices, and the time and cost of travel can offset the benefits. The Midwest market aesthetic tends toward relatable, everyday types, which is a strength for actors who fit that description but can be limiting for those with more distinctive, character-driven looks that might find more opportunities in the broader coastal markets. Stewart Talent's Chicago focus means that actors seeking bicoastal or national commercial coverage will need additional representation in Los Angeles and potentially New York to access the full range of available opportunities. The commercial landscape in Chicago is influenced by the same industry trends affecting all markets, including the shift toward digital content, influencer-driven campaigns, and reduced traditional television advertising budgets, which can impact audition volume. Some actors find that regional market agencies, even well-established ones like Stewart Talent, provide less aggressive representation than the most competitive agencies in larger markets, though this can also mean a more supportive and less pressured relationship.
Our Recommendation
Stewart Talent is the top recommendation for commercial actors based in the Chicago area who want professional agency representation in one of America's most important advertising markets. The agency is ideal for actors who plan to build their commercial careers in the Midwest, either as a primary market or as a complement to representation in other cities. If you are based in Chicago and do not yet have commercial representation, Stewart Talent should be among your first targets, as their market dominance means that missing out on their submission pipeline significantly limits your access to the city's commercial casting ecosystem. Actors considering relocating from smaller markets to a major city for commercial work should seriously evaluate Chicago as an alternative to Los Angeles or New York, as the combination of strong commercial activity, lower competition, and reasonable cost of living makes it an attractive option. If you are already represented commercially in Los Angeles or New York and want to expand your market access, adding Chicago representation through Stewart Talent can open a meaningful additional revenue stream.
Pro Tips
Get a Chicago-specific commercial headshot that reflects the Midwest market's preference for warm, relatable, authentic types rather than the more styled aesthetic common in Los Angeles submissions. Attend one of Stewart Talent's open calls or industry showcases to meet the commercial agents in person, as face-to-face impressions carry significant weight at agencies where the team is small enough to remember individual encounters. Take commercial classes in Chicago with coaches who have relationships with Stewart Talent agents, as these connections create organic pathways to being noticed and recommended for representation. If you book commercial work through Stewart Talent, maintain a reputation for being professional, punctual, and easy to work with on set, as the Chicago commercial community is tight-knit and your reputation travels quickly among casting directors, producers, and fellow actors. Explore Chicago's improv and comedy scene as a complement to your commercial training, as the city's rich comedy tradition produces actors with the spontaneity and authenticity that commercial casting directors prize.