Shortlist Terms

The fee

A success fee, banded on the signed contract value excluding pass-through costs, never more than 10% in total: 10% of the first $25,000, 7% to $100,000, 5% to $250,000, 3% to $1,000,000, 1.5% above. Brand and partner each pay half. Minimum total fee $500 for agencies and studios, $300 for independent talent. On a term engagement the fee applies to the first 12 months of value (6 for independent talent), in monthly amounts, and stops when either side reports the engagement ended. The fee is invoiced when the brand selects a partner and the partner confirms, on 30-day terms, in US dollars, and is voided if no contract follows within 60 days. The fee schedule in force on the date of the Recommendations edition is the one that applies.

The introduction term

The fee applies to any contract for creative or strategic work signed between the brand and an introduced partner, or a related company of either, within 9 months of the Recommendations edition. Paid work between the two in the 24 months before the introduction, declared at brief confirmation or at acceptance, is excluded.

The Code of Conduct

Accepted once and printed in every edition of the Project Brief. Confidentiality, confirming the hire with Shortlist before signing, and the fee bind both sides; the rest are the norms the network runs on.

During the launch period

Independent talent (consultants and freelancers) must be based in the United States to be vetted. Shortlist may change these terms with 30 days' notice; changes apply to introductions made after the notice, and fees already owed survive.

Brands agree to

1. State a budget to Shortlist, and decide whether partners see it.
2. Name the decision-maker and a decision date, and keep to it.
3. Ask for no unpaid speculative work. If ideas are wanted before hiring, pay for them.
4. Tell each partner not chosen, and say why.
5. Keep what partners share confidential, and use no ideas from a partner not hired.

Partners agree to

1. Decline a brief that is not a fit, promptly.
2. The team that pitches does the work. If a named lead changes before or during the work, tell the brand first.
3. Price honestly for the scope, and say what is excluded.
4. Disclose conflicts with the brand's competitors.
5. Keep briefs confidential.
6. Keep your capacity and How to work with us page current when Shortlist asks.

Both agree to

1. Confirm the hire and its value with Shortlist before signing a contract.
2. Answer the check-ins honestly.

Shortlist agrees to

1. Give a written reason for every partner recommended, including where the fit is weaker.
2. Let no payment influence who is recommended, who joins the network, or what the Index covers. Both sides pay Shortlist, and it says so.
3. Keep check-in answers private, and publish them only in aggregate, except what a respondent chooses to make public.
4. Share a brief only with the partners recommended on it.