Model: Charlie
Born: 1991

The 'This Girl Can' Campaign is one of the biggest growing campaigns to date. Started in January 2015 by Sport England, the hashtag #ThisGirlCan has been used on social media every single day and has been talked about in over 110 countries.

Who better to talk about the topic and give her views than our very own MD Lesley who has had almost 30 years experience in the industry.

So when I managed to pin Lesley down, bribed with a hot mug of tea and a biscuit, here is what she said:

  "I first heard about 'This Girl Can' campaign whilst attending a London seminar in September 2015. And I absolutely loved it's message.

 The national campaign developed by Sport England was to encourage females of all ages to get active regardless of size, shape and ability. What a great idea"

I then asked Lesley about how the campaign had been adopted by actual brands. It all sounded great but 14 months on (we are in December 2016 at time of writing) what impact is 'This Girl Can’ actually having?

Lesley commented:

 "Many brands are now using this initiative for their own projects. And the impact has been brilliant.

Brands are steering away from the idealised and stylised images of women that we are used to seeing in advertising.

I should know. Being the Managing Director of longest established commercial modelling agency in the North of England I work alongside a variety of beautiful people everyday.

But believe me, classically beautiful people do not make up the majority of our busiest models nor do they lead the way with model requests. The authentic look is so much more in demand.”

 "We represent confident people that match our clients briefs and each of our clients demand very different things.

It makes me quite sad when unfavourable comments are made especially on social media posts. Judging a person just because they don't find another attractive is hurtful and can even be quite detrimental."
Making a Difference

 "I believe this campaign will be an even bigger success than it has been and inspire women to overcome their fear of judgement. Celebrating the stretch marks from the birth of their baby, life's adventures painted in their laughter lines and all our imperfections that have made us who we are."

An important message to remember from this campaign is that diversity is valuable both commercially and morally. As an agency who prides itself on professionalism and diversity we are fully backing this campaign indefinitely.

Model: Abi

Born: 1991

Started with Tyne Tees Models: 2010

Brands: Dandy Events, Designer Desirables, Intu Metrocentre.

Why we love Abi: We love Abi because she embraces all areas of the industry but recognises that she is working for a more specific market - plus size modelling!

Abi makes sure that she is still healthy but keeps her curves to show that even in an industry where image is everything, you don't have to be a size 8 to secure work.

Model highlight: Our highlight for Abi has to be where she won a competition to become the face of Simply Be! This lead her to move down to London and also travel the world!

Fenwick's Autumn lookbook is now out and it features some of our most requested models.

Dean Worton is 23 and joined Tyne Tees Models in 2015. He has helped deliver campaigns for Regatta, Luxe Magazine, and Aphrodite Clothing.

Grace Bungoni is 22 and joined Tyne Tees Models in 2014. She has helped deliver campaigns Regatta, END Clothing, and Belle Bridal.

Model: Craig

Born: 1986

Started with Tyne Tees Models: 2013

Brands: Craig has been booked constantly for Barbour for their presentation and fitting work. He has also worked alongside our sister company Miss Newcastle where he helped judge the competition to find Miss Newcastle 2016!

Why we love Craig: We love Craig because of his attitude for work. Client feedback is always great and he is constantly letting us know when he is away and unavailable for bookings.

Model highlight: We were so proud when we found out Craig was filming in Guy Ritchie’s King Arthur Knights of the Round Table. He is very committed and we love watching him succeed with everything that he is doing.

 This blog post is going to take you back in time (two years to be exact to 2014) as we are going to revisit the time when our very own Beth Douglass took her first flight to the Italian city, Milan.

It was a day like every other day at TTM HQ. But late in the afternoon we received a phone call from an Italian scout letting us know that he was coming over to the UK and wanting to meet a selection of hand picked models to consider for representation in Milano.

As soon as the phone was down the casting was being set up and models were being contacted. The model scout, Mariano, then flew to Newcastle and met with us in the city centre.
Decision Time

We were so thrilled when Mariano decided on the spot that he wanted to take our very own Beth to fly across to Italy with him for his luxury clients over there. Within a few weeks the flights were confirmed and off Beth went to the airport.

Beth is still represented by Mariano's agency in Italy and over the past 2 years has spent 2 seasons over there experiencing their culture and building up an impressive portfolio.

She managed to secure herself some great jobs over her time in the country. Including shooting on a rooftop in the city to being the face of and Italian makeup brand. She came back full of knowledge and experiences so it's no wonder she is still travelling the globe able to model where she wants.
At only 20 years old she has already established her self as a model which shows when both local and international clients have repeatedly returned to book her for their brand.

From being scouted at Gosforth Park at Ladies Day to being featured in Italian magazines. Beth has definitely carved a career in modelling and shows everyone that determination and perseverance really does get you to places you want to be.

Working alongside Mariano has been a dream. Every so often when one of our models is in his care he will give us a call to keep us updated on their work and what they have been up to. Any interest they have had we always know about it. So when he told us he was coming back to the UK again we were over the moon.

'Tis the season to be jolly!

And we were definitely jolly celebrating Christmas at TTM HQ.

With another successful year helping our clients build their brands and business, Lesley decided the team deserved a homemade Christmas Dinner to celebrate the service we have provided and the feedback we have received.

We spent our last working day of 2016 together enjoying a homemade Christmas dinner (thanks Lesley!) and exchanging our secret Santa gifts all while being dressed up in our finest Christmas jumpers.
It's our last Christmas where we are based in the countryside out in Seghill before we relocate into the city centre. So what better way to enjoy it than around Lesley's kitchen table sharing the festivities with the dogs?

Christmas is without a doubt our favourite time of year. We all take two weeks off until the New Year to spend time with our family and friends recharge our batteries for the busy season that lies ahead.

To get into the spirit we've had an office advent calendar and a mini Christmas tree (it's about 5 years old and has taken a battering but it's a requirement every year) before cracking open the odd bottle of bubbly on the quiet days before our time off.

In 2017 we are going to be getting closer to both our clients and our models. Because your success is our success.

The office will be reopening on Wednesday 4th January. Over the Christmas you are still able to get in touch with us on the emergency mobile for bookings 07778341171
 

Model: Bel

Born: 1992

Start Year: 2012

Brands: Fenwick, Nobles Organization, Wandsworth Shopping Centre, Braun, Devere Hotels, Northumbria University, Luxe Magazine.

Why we love Bel: She is still a Geordie girl at heart even though she is living down in London working on her modelling career. She is always happy to come home for bookings.

Model highlight: Back in 2012 Bel won a contract modelling with Sainsbury's for their pyjammas and lingerie campaigns. After she won the contract and her images were across the stores, she signed with us as well as a London agency and started securing work straight away.

Each month we ask one of our models to come into our office and help us give an insight into what it means to be a Tyne Tees Model.

On 2nd November 2016, one of our scouts from Major Models Milan came to see us and some of our girls for potential work in the Italian city. We chatted to some of the girls about their modelling career so far.

Name: Charlotte

Born: 1997

Time with Tyne Tees: June 2016
Brands worked for: I've only been with TTM for a few months so I haven't had the opportunity to works with some amazing brands yet. However I have worked with choreographer Anna Brown on a recent catwalk training day. I've also done a lot of promo work with me being Miss Newcastle 2016 judging competitions and making appearances.

What do you enjoy most about modelling?: It has to be meeting new people. You make friends for life in this industry and everyone is so helpful if you aren't sure on something.

What is your career highlight to date?: I think this would have to be the catwalk I've done. I love it! I would love to take part in any fashion week just to say I've done it.

Do you feel like you've been on a job or event that you feel has exceeded expectations and been a success?: Yes! Miss Newcastle was better than I ever expected and obviously was a bonus that I actually won it. It went so smoothly too which is hard to do for such a big event.

What would your dream modelling job be?: Victoria Secret. I don't think I need to say much more for this question!

What advice would you give to someone wanting to get into the industry?: You need confidence. When I first started I didn't have a clue but I learned that it doesn't matter as long as you are confident. Or at least pretend to be! It makes other people more comfortable and makes clients realise that they have made the right model choice.

Model: Alex

Born: 1984

Started with Tyne Tees Models: 2015

Brands: Barbour, Wynyard Hall, Flymo, Super Casino, Lloyd BMW, Intu Trafford Centre, Intu Metrocentre, Crab and Lobster, Gentoo.

Why we love Alex: First impressions are everything for us here at TTM. He came to see us all the way from Sheffield for a quick 1 hour chat about working with us and if we thought he was right for us.

Model highlight: From the moment Alex was added to our website clients were keen to book him up for their assignments! He has had a very successful first year with us and no doubt there are many more years of success to come for him.

Model: Rachel

We have all heard of Age UK and the fact that they help the over 60s population of the country. So does this mean that anyone aged 59 and under is classed as middle aged?

Does Being 50 Mean You're Old?

When watching TV adverts, our screens are filled with young, fashionable women. Quite often the middle aged market can be left feeling left out and no longer ‘stylish’.

However, whenever we’re feeling down we can always rely on Marks & Spencer to reassure us that there’s still room for the modern day, middle aged model.

Featuring as ‘Mrs Claus’ in their new christmas advert, is the ever-so glamorous 55 year old Janet McTeer. Sporting a sleek and stylish red dress, Janet assures us that that just because you’ve reached the big 5-0, it doesn’t mean that you’ve reached the end of your modelling career.

Middle Aged Models Making Waves

Supermodels such as Cindy Crawford, Claudia Schiffer, Naomi Campbell and Kate Moss, who regularly appear in modelling campaigns, have shown us that it’s not just the young that should be admired. Middle aged can be aspirational too!

But, it doesn’t just have to be those who have worked as models all of their lives.

Nicola Griffith, a 56 year old mother from Nottingham, was queuing with her daughters at the bank when she was approached by a hair product company, White Hot Hair. They loved her striking grey  hair and asked if she would model for their latest campaign. Having featured in numerous campaigns and on the cover of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition, Nicola is shaping the perceptions of what it means to be a model.

Model: Lindsey

Make a Change or Miss Out

The over-50s hold an estimated 77 per cent of all UK wealth. Surely, in choosing to feature middle-aged women, brands will appeal to a wider audience?

Tyne Tees Models want to reinforce that we LOVE middle aged models!

Model: Sarah

Model: Beth

Born: 1996

Started with Tyne Tees Models: 2012

Brands: Paris Boutique, Niche Imports, Barbour, Loved up Magazine, Intu Metrocentre, Designer Desirables, Fenwick, Samantha Quinn.

Why we love Beth: We've watched Beth grow for the past few years after being scouted by Lesley at Ladies Day at Newcastle Racecourse. From having no previous experience, Beth is now modelling all around the world with all kinds of brands and photographers.

Model highlight: A model scout from Major Models Milan came over to Newcastle and loved Beth from the moment he saw her! Next thing we know she's off modelling in Milan having the time of her life.

On Tuesday 29th November we went behind the scenes on one of our client's shoots with a few of our models.

We were a little fly on the wall after speaking to one of the production staff to see what their thoughts about the shoot and process leading up to the day were.

In the hustle and bustle of Gosforth we headed towards the completed showroom to check in with our client and models.

Ian was our main contact on the day and I sat down with him over a hot drink and talked through how the day was going so far.

The team was made up of photographer Dan, videographer Jon, stylist Amanda and hair and makeup artist Kristina. Our models on the day were real couple Chris and Glen along with model couple Jenna and Lauren.

Gentoo were needing to launch their new website with brand new content and we were called in to help make it happen. The crew needed to get stills and video as it was to be used on the new website, TV and in photographic promotions.

The turn around for this was very quick. The shoot took place on a Tuesday morning and by Friday morning there was a full page spread in the local papers.
To get the best result they always use the same crew members so no photographer or videographer is different. Each time the shoot has to work for them.

"From the start of the booking process it has been nothing but smooth. There was an issue where the shoot had to be rearranged and it wasn't a problem. Tyne Tees made sure the models were available for the next day we had and they have all been a dream to work with today.

We've used TTM for our other bookings and you are our primary model agency. When you book a model from Tyne Tees you know they are going to be with you on time and be as efficient as possible."

All the way back in August our clients were starting to think about their Christmas campaigns. Not what you really want to be thinking about while the sun is still blazing.

But for one of our clients the festivities were in full swing as they prepared to pull together models for the 2016 St David's shopping centre Christmas campaign.

The first request they came to us with was to rebook 2 female models they had worked with in previous seasons. The second was to hold a casting to book 2 children for it too.

Both models were from the South of England but the shoot was to be held in Newcastle.

After the 2 children were chosen the briefs were sent and the studio was then full of glitter and glam.

Our models Kathy and Donna along with children Alesha and Jayden worked the camera and presented Christmas 2016 with the festive spirit our client needed.

The next day the feedback was short but sweet from the client who is always thrilled with their service from Tyne Tees Models.

"Just to let you know that the shoot went really well yesterday. The kids were brilliant and Kathy and Donna were as professional as ever. Thanks."

Check out the advert below.

Model: Afnan

Born: 1988

Started with Tyne Tees Models: 2013

Brands: Manor Walks Shopping Centre, Northumbria University, Jules B, Bristol Street Motors, Haven, Stagecoach, Airtel, Sage UK, Bridges Shopping Centre, Intu Metrocentre.

Why we love Afnan: Mostly his attitude and personality! He is always keen to work and will make himself available without hesitation. Client feedback for Afnan is always great so it's no surprise that in the 3 years he has been with us he has been booked time and time again.

Model highlight: This has to be his ever growing music career. Afnan is always singing no matter where he is! He recently worked alongside another Tyne Tees Model shooting a music video for his latest single 'Wolves'.

As Founder of Tyne Tees Models I have been lucky enough to meet lovely and interesting people almost every day since our launch in 1994.

And I still remember why we started.

In 2016 Tyne Tees Models has a clear focus on helping clients to deliver on their business objectives. But just as important to me personally is to make sure that our models are represented fairly, consistently and professionally. This is what drove me to launch on day one.

And that is why I still enjoy meeting our new models so much, over 21 years in.

Helping New Models to Get Into The Modelling Industry

Each month I personally meet around a dozen aspiring models that have been pre-filtered by our General Manager, Mickaela.

Tyne Tees Models is approached by around 500 aspiring models every month. Some we can't see, some we do and some we move to later months for various reasons.

For the shortlisted, we meet and we chat.

As I've been in the industry for some time now, working in just about every role that a modelling agency has to offer (including as a model myself), it’s great to be given the opportunity to help aspiring models to see what the industry is really like.

The glamour and the creativity in our world is amazing! Helping our clients to launch products, to enter new markets and to gain an unfair share of the attention in their markets is so important.

But it is also important that I help models to appreciate the basics. I chat about learning about how Tyne Tees Models works, learning our clients, punctuality, presentability, flexibility, being prepared to travel, patience, hard work… and much more!

Being a model can be hard. But so rewarding.

Today I met with twelve models in the Vermont Hotel in Newcastle. I chatted to each of them for an hour and I will be getting back to them within a week to let them know what next. 10 girls. 2 boys.

In future stories I’ll let you know what happens to those that make it through.

Thank you for reading.

Model: Alexandria

Born: 1998

Started with Tyne Tees Models: 2015

Brands: Intu Metrocentre, Luxe Magazine, The Vermont Hotel, Newcastle United Foundation, Bridges Shopping Centre.

Why we love Alexandria: She has blossomed in the short time that she has been with us and has a very bubbly and welcoming personality.

Model highlight: One of Alexandria's first bookings was a fashion show for Intu Metrocentre! She aced the job (even though she was probably incredibly nervous) and got rebooked for more shows afterwards.