SAG-AFTRA Signs Digital Upstart ‘Quartermain’ To Its New Commercials Contract

Quartermain Media, a digital content company specializing in branded works created alongside African American influencers, has partnered with SAG-AFTRA to partake in the labor union’s recently-inked Commercials Contract initiative.

SAG-AFTRA, a labor union that represents roughly 160,000 entertainment and media professionals, announced its new Commercials Contract in May — an overarching agreement with the ad industry at large that guarantees performers in ads fair wages, safe working conditions, and access to health insurance and retirement benefits. The partnership with Quartermain means that all of the company’s digital series and branded content productions will offer these benefits.

Quartermain is a full service studio that seeks to connect advertisers with top African American influencers and filmmakers, including YouTube stalwart Tre Melvin (pictured above), Mobolaji Olambiwonnu, Steven Butler, Dikega Hadnot, and more.

“[Quartermain’s] commitment to treating content creators with dignity and respect is inspiring,” SAG-AFTRA president Gabrielle Carteris

said in a statement. “Too often, the artists who create and perform branded content for social media platforms are exploited by the advertisers and ad agencies who hire them. SAG-AFTRA is actively building relationships in this emerging and expanding area of the industry to make sure all artists are protected, no matter where they work.”

“We look forward to being a bridge for social media influencers to become eligible for SAG-AFTRA membership,” added Quartermain’s chief creative officer, Abby Woods. (Last year, SAG-AFTRA inked a deal with subscription video platform Zeus that gave creators on the service a direct route to SAG-AFTRA membership. The deal also gave content from Zeus — which was founded by Amanda Cerny, DeStorm Power, and Andrew ‘King Bach’ Bachelor — union coverage).