Creator talent management is facing a major challenge: traditional agencies lock creators into restrictive contracts, limiting their flexibility and control.

Izaac Grimoldby, Founder & Director of SliDE Consultancy, is addressing this issue head-on. Launched in July 2024, SliDE is a boutique talent management agency designed to offer a more adaptable solution.

With eight years of experience in talent management and a background in design, Izaac brings a fresh perspective to the industry. His “switch on, switch off” model allows creators to engage with SliDE’s services as much or as little as they need, without long-term commitments.

His carefully curated roster of 10 creators reflects SliDE’s focus on sustainability over rapid scaling, building a model that truly supports the creator economy.

A Fresh Perspective on Creator Support

This challenge facing traditional agencies is something Izaac has seen firsthand. Having built his expertise at leading UK agencies like Sixteenth and Insanity Group, he witnessed talented creators struggle within rigid management structures – an insight that led to the creation of SliDE.

“Many agencies take full control, which works for some, but I saw a real need for more flexibility,” he explains. “At SliDE, we take a different approach – creators can work with us as much or as little as they need, giving them the freedom to access support on their terms, whenever it suits their projects.”

The industry has evolved significantly since Izaac first began his career in talent management. “When I started, it was far less saturated – there were fewer creators and fewer talent agencies,” he recalls. “As the industry has grown, more young professionals have entered the space, and I’ve noticed many agencies don’t make it easy to get in touch. They avoid sharing phone numbers in emails, and I don’t think people realise how important offline connections still are.”

This decline in personal interaction reinforced Izaac’s commitment to building strong, genuine relationships with clients. “For me, it’s all about meeting people – that’s the fun part. That’s how real connections are built,” he explains. “I’m always knocking on doors, saying, ‘Let’s grab breakfast, let’s meet up. We’ll talk about work for 15 minutes, then spend 45 minutes talking about life.’ That’s how you form real relationships.”

The results speak for themselves. “Originally, the idea was just to launch it, and then we’ll see what happens for the first three months,’” Izaac shares. “I’m at that six-month period where I’m like, ‘Oh,okay, this has got legs.’ I’m still going and growing, and revenue is starting to really build now.”

Creative Vision for Brand Development

With this successful flexible model as a foundation, SliDE utilizes Izaac’s design expertise to provide comprehensive brand-building services beyond standard management. 

“My background originally lies in design, so I come from a really creative background, and that brings new opportunities for talent when we’re discussing wider projects away from just partnerships,” he explains. “It’s about how we can work with talent to build  brands and help them create these brands, whether it’s clothing brands, apps, books, or other ventures.”

This all-around strategy proves particularly valuable in current market conditions. “Many creators are creative, but very much in a set way. They can’t always think outside of the social media space, they need someone who can think beyond this and think of the much bigger picture,” Izaac notes. “Creators have access to a wealth of data they can leverage to develop impactful products or services.”

The agency’s approach to brand partnerships is rooted in long-term growth. “I always try and agree to a multiple brand deal and long-term partnerships because it takes time for people to recognize a brand and engage with it,” Izaac explains. “That’s like anything – you’ll get used to seeing it, but the more you see it, the more you get used to it, and the more you’ll probably invest in it.”

Personal Connection as a Foundation

To implement this creative strategy effectively while maintaining the flexible model, SliDE focuses intensively on a select group of about 10 creators. 

“I work with people that I have a genuine interest in. I really like them and have passion for what they do,” Izaac explains, adding that this focused approach ensures each creator receives dedicated attention to building sustainable business models outside social media.

This emphasis on genuine connection extends to brand partnerships. “Honesty is a huge thing for me,” Izaac emphasizes. “Let’s be honest; not everything always goes according to plan. Sometimes, talent will try to create content that just doesn’t quite hit the mark. “Rather than sending over subpar content, I prefer to call the brand directly and say, ‘This is what we had planned, but it’s just not coming together today. Can we reschedule?’ Over the years, I’ve found that open, honest conversations work far better than making excuses.”

Market Realities and Solutions

While this personal approach drives success for SliDE’s current roster, broader market conditions make this personalized management approach crucial. 

“When I started eight years ago, far fewer creators were competing for the same opportunities. Now, with four times the number of creators competing for the same opportunities, the landscape has become far more competitive.”

 Izaac observes.

According to Izaac, these shifts have hit mid-tier creators the hardest. “I’m seeing more and more creators stepping back from full-time content creation and considering part-time jobs,” he observes. “Unfortunately, that’s just the reality—there’s only so much room in the industry. Luck plays a role, like in anything, but if you stay true to yourself, keep creating, and focus on building a strong community and great content you can still make it work.”

Speaking of community building, Izaac highlights that as another factor essential for creator success. “I think the community is beyond important, and I think there are a lot of people who don’t realize its value until maybe recently,” he notes. “Once you’ve got a community and they trust you, they will be your first person there, they’ll support you. So if you’re trialing a new product, for example, or launching a new brand, they’ll be the first ones to give you honest feedback.”

Honest Engagement Equals Strong Business

Building on these strengthened community relationships, SliDE’s innovative approach signals important changes in talent management services. “You don’t need a million followers. If you’re true to yourself, your audience will really engage with you.”

Aside from focusing on meaningful engagement over follower counts, Izaac also calls for more education within the industry. “People need to be educated on a product properly or what’s being sold. And I think again, education is becoming increasingly important for everyone within this space, across the board” he explains.

“I think it’s an exciting time to be in the industry,” Izaac concludes. “To succeed in this industry is to be persistent, keep going but build on relationships, and be open to meeting new people and discussing ideas… You kind of have to be one step ahead, and you have to be smart with your data. The ones that do well are the ones that research their insights, look at what works and what doesn’t work, are creative, tap into the audience, and actually build brands.”