VH1 and Wilhelmina blow open the doors to the scintillating world of modeling with a stark look at the lives of these men and women who mold, shape, scold and comfort -- all in an effort to create some of the most sought after and recognizable faces in the world. "The Agency" is not a sugar-coated version of the modeling industry. It's real life, and about an agency that's not afraid to tell the sometimes not so beautiful story behind the world's most beautiful faces.

"The Agency" gives viewers a first time ever look at how the modeling industry actually works and the real relationships that exist between the agents and talent -- both good and bad. On the catwalk, at client meetings, on casting calls, egos can often run amok and with hundreds of thousands of dollars or even millions in play on every deal, the stakes are enormous.

The agent's livelihood depends on corralling these naive, flighty, sometimes hugely impressionable models and delivering them on time and looking fabulous, to the agency's demanding clients. From New York City to Milan, viewers will get a no holds barred view into the world of these high-strung puppet masters of the modeling world.

The half-hour series will also examine the business of operating one of the world's largest and most successful modeling agencies. Wilhelmina is presently at a crossroads as they look to expand outside the world of simply representing models. There is great discourse within the famed walls as the men's division continually reaps the rewards of its premiere status and the editorial women's board struggles to reach the same level.

   Contacts:   Tracy McGraw/VH1        Lindsey Schiff-Abrams
               212-846-7131            310-752-8082

               Luis Defrank/VH1
               212-846-7012

Viewer's can log on to http://www.vh1.com/ to learn more about "The Agency" and check out exclusive photos and clips.

"The Agency" is produced by Wilhelmina Productions and VH1. Sean Patterson and Corey Preston are executive producers for Wilhelmina. Gary Benz is an executive producer and Craig H. Shepherd is a co-executive producer for GRB Entertainment. Michael Hirschorn, Shelly Tatro, Danielle Gelfand are executive producers for VH1. GRB Entertainment will distribute "The Agency" internationally.

VH1 connects viewers to the music, artists and pop culture that matter to them most with series, specials, live events, exclusive online content and public affairs initiatives. VH1 is available in over 87 million households in the U.S. VH1 also has an array of digital services including VH1 Classic, VH1 Soul, VH Uno, VH1 Mega Hits and VH1 Country. Connect with VH1 at http://www.vh1.com/ .

Wilhelmina is one of the largest model agency chains in the world, founded by legendary model, Wilhelmina Cooper in 1967. Today, they lead the industry in diversity and depth, and represent some of the biggest models, and celebrity talent in the world. Sean Patterson is the President of Wilhelmina Models. Dieter Esch is Chairman. They have offices in New York, Los Angeles and Miami as well as licensees across the U.S. GRB Entertainment is one of the world's leading producers and distributors of non-fiction programs. Founded in 1987 by Gary R. Benz, GRB Entertainment currently produces over 100 hours annually of prime time programming for the U.S. and international television markets. GRB distributes its own program catalog of more than 1,000 hours of original programming in addition to representing international distribution rights for other non-fiction and entertainment producers.

Source: VH1

CONTACT: Tracy McGraw, +1-212-846-7131, or Luis Defrank,
+1-212-846-7012, both of VH1; Lindsey Schiff-Abrams, +1-310-752-8082, for VH1

Web site: http://www.vh1.com/