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acta flips the script for talent sourcing with Australia's first complete directory

Soda Communications

Australia’s first complete talent directory: acta brings together the country’s finest performers and speakers, their genuine representatives and bookers, all in a one-stop B2B hub with the talent at its heart.

• Over $15 million paid directly to talent and their management in Beta.
• More than 9,000 premium musicians, sports people, creators, personalities and other performers on the directory: over 6,000 represented, along with over 3,000 premium independents.
• The directory spans multiple categories including music, comedy, sport, TV and media, speakers, content creators & influencers, chefs, cultural performers, dancers, magicians and novelty entertainers.
• 250-plus industry investors (including the biggest names in entertainment) raised more than $2 million in November 2025 through an industry-led equity campaign to fund the build of the updated directory.

acta has raised the curtain on an enhanced offering which will boost talent bookings, save all types of professional talent bookers hundreds of hours and unnecessary margins, and ensures that all talent receive the fee which they negotiate - without losing any money to middlemen.

 

Now working on a subscription only model, acta’s cutting-edge AI search means that bookers and agencies can cut to the chase when searching for talent based on the brief or budget at hand, while simultaneously giving new and upcoming talent an opportunity to shine. Live integration with Spotify, Bandsintown and Meta lets bookers hear an act instantly, spot tour dates near them and see their audience at a glance.

 

acta Founder and CEO Harris Meitanis, a talent solicitor, event producer, agent and manager who currently also guides the careers of global Australian comedy powerhouse Sooshi Mango, said the response from talent and their representatives has been overwhelming.

 

“Talent and managers have embraced the new acta because it brings them more opportunities with almost no effort, and it costs them nothing,” Harris said.

 

acta has now given ‘pay-per-use’ the flick and moved negotiations off platform. Bookers and talent still deal directly, but now any way they wish. Their deals. Their way. Every listing still comes from verified talent and representatives, making it easier for bookers, PR and advertising agencies to invest their time with confidence.

 

“Connecting vetted professionals with talent and their verified representatives easily and cost-effectively is good for the industry as a whole. It increases bookings and manages budget expectations across the board. Talent has previously carried the cost of being found, even when the service was really for the booker and it’s time to flip that on its head.” Harris Meitanis, acta Founder and CEO

 

“Unlike other directories, bookers can’t just sign up. They apply, and everyone is vetted, so representatives know each enquiry which comes through is genuine. Briefs can be kept simple or ‘supercharged’ with full detail on scope and requirements, so talent get what they need up front, and nothing is lost in translation.”

 

“For advertising and marketing agencies, we save countless brainstorming hours by instantly offering up the entire industry at a glance but also providing a list of ‘like’ options, providing them a targeted shortlist at the press of a button.

 

“Alternatively, bookers and agencies can also post an opportunity - which the system then sends to matching talent. This allows vetted talent and their representatives to approach the booker. The model replaces the old booker cycle of calling around to find who is available, in budget and interested.”

 

Backed by the likes of Paul Dainty AM (President, TEG Dainty), Shaun Levin (Chairman, Profile Talent Management), Seb and Adrian Bohm (Bohm Presents), Tina Arena, Michael Parisi, Jess Origliasso (The Veronicas) and Alex Bond – as well as countless other industry supporters who invested in its 2025 industry-led equity and crowdfunding campaign – acta is an authentic industry alliance.

 

“We’ve built Australia’s first complete talent directory, accessible only by the professionals it was built for. It is funded by the industry and supported by the talent they represent - we’ve collated publicly available information, used authorised bios and images, and brought more than 9,000 talent together in the one place, so that professional bookers now have the entire industry in their back pocket.” Harris said.

 

Since its Beta launch, acta has received support from more than 95% of Australia’s talent agencies and management companies and has facilitated more than $15 million in direct talent payments. The new directory-first model now features 100% of Australia’s represented talent as well as a top tier of independent talent.

 

“There has never been a single, vetted directory of Australian talent. For any serious booker, this isn’t a nice-to-have, it is a core kit. It without question, saves time, it saves money, ethically supports talent and it widens who can be reached. And it does all of that without costing the talent a thing.” Harris Meitanis, acta founder and CEO

 

acta is now available to industry (event organisers, marketers, talent bookers, communications and advertising professionals) via subscription.

 

Pricing starts at $99 a month and goes up to $499 a month, plus GST. Enterprise subscriptions are also available on application, and a 10 per cent discount applies to annual billing. For further information visit http://www.actadirect.com/.

 

About us:

acta® is Australia’s talent directory. An industry-supported, talent-endorsed home for over 9,000 verified talent. A vetted marketplace connecting professional bookers directly with talent and their representatives. Bookers subscribe to search, post briefs and access the directory. Talent and their representatives use acta for free, with no fees, no commissions and no cut paid on any booking. Built by the industry, for the industry, acta is founded on a single principle: the value is built for the booker, so the booker is the only one who ever pays. acta is simply a directory. It is not the talent’s agent, manager or representative, and its listings are not an endorsement. Enquiries are sent directly to the talent’s representative(s). If you have any questions, email:  [email protected].

Contact details:

For further media information or interview opportunities contact:

Karen Black
Soda Communications                                           M: 0406 383 186

E: [email protected]