Simply put, the more agencies you work for as a model, the more attention you get. This means more auditions, more bookings and more money.

Another reason to work with multiple agencies is if you want to explore other markets. Your current agent may not have experience outside of their "home region" and therefore may not have the resources or information to get you the bookings you need. In this case, a second agent in a different city, state or even country may come in handy.

Keep in mind that adding a reputable agency to your list is not always the best reason to take on additional representation. The problem with big agencies is that the models who work the most and bring in the most money are always the highest priority.

This means that it can take a long time for the agency to really understand you and represent you the way you want to be represented. Also, many of the top agencies have exclusive contracts that state that their models cannot work for any other agency in the United States or elsewhere. This severely limits your options and most likely means you will have to leave your current agency.

Can a model be represented by multiple agencies?
Whether you can be represented by multiple agencies at the same time depends on industry standards. It is not uncommon for commercial models in larger markets such as New York and Los Angeles to be represented by more than one agency.

They may also have a personal manager. What is the difference? The agency is responsible for booking castings and assignments, while the manager advises the model on whether or not to accept certain bookings and oversees the model's entire career. It is more common for actors and talents to have a manager in addition to an agency than for models.

High fashion or editorial models almost never have more than one agency representing them in a particular market. For editorial models, however, it is desirable to have an agency in each of the major markets such as New York, Paris, Milan, Tokyo and London.

Do I need to have more than one agent?
No, absolutely not. If you are happy with your agent and they get you lots of auditions and appointments, you don't need to sign with more agencies. Sometimes all you need is a good working relationship with someone who understands you and will do everything they can to advance your career. If things are going well, it's perfectly fine to stay where you are.

Do I need to ask my current agency for permission before signing with another agency?  
As long as your contract is not exclusive or allows you to sign with other agencies outside of a specific geographic area, you do not need to ask permission. You are free to sign with as many agencies as you wish. If you are unsure about the exclusivity of your contract, ask your agent to clarify the details before you sign with another agency. If you violate the contract and sign anyway, you may be dropped from your contract.

Nevertheless, you should be open and honest with your current agency, especially if you want to continue to have a good working relationship. The better your agency knows your career goals, the better they can help you achieve them. Plus, it's a matter of professionalism.

What are the disadvantages of multiple agents?
Having multiple agencies in one market makes life a little more complicated. Since models are rarely allowed to sign contracts with multiple agencies in the same city (they will most likely book you for the same assignments, which is confusing when calculating commission), you have to sign with agencies that specialize in different areas. This means travel, travel and more travel.

Even if the agencies are in the same state, those travel expenses add up. And while you can claim things like mileage, parking and tolls on your tax return, you still have to pay 100% of those costs up front. Contrary to popular belief, agencies do not pay for the ongoing expenses of their models.

Also, working with multiple agencies means you have a busy schedule. It can be difficult to balance all those auditions, visits and bookings with your everyday life (work, family, school), especially if you have to drive or fly. You always need to stay on top of things to make sure your commitments don't interfere with each other.