This article was taken from the July 2011 issue of Wired magazine. Be the first to read Wired's articles in print before they're posted online, and get your hands on loads of additional content by subscribing online.
Wanna be a star? Sarah Evershed can make it happen -- via YouTube. In May 2010, Ever- shed launched The Cloud Media, an LA company that manages established internet celebrities and develops new talent. "No one was doing the day-to-day management I do," says the 27-year-old. "But things change very quickly." Now Evershed is netting her 13 clients lucrative deals with record labels, TV companies and brands (see our gallery). These are worth as much as $120,000, of which she takes between ten and 20 percent.
The conventionally famous (eg, film stars) have long recognised the web's role in building influence, and Google is to invest $100 million in real-world celebrities' YouTube channels. But through agencies such as Evershed's, web talent is invading Hollywood. "We're not sure how it will work out," says Evershed. "But we'll be there to take our cut."
This article was originally published by WIRED UK
