About us
The Bright Agency
The Bright Agency has a reputation as a dynamic and successful organisation that represents some of the most talented individuals in the creative industry.
Bright acts as a resource for illustrators, artists and designers that specialise in children’s publishing who want to be represented and managed by an agency that understands them and their work. We work hard to ensure that our artists find the very best opportunities and commissions, as well as taking care of all their promotional and business relationships – leaving them to do what they do best.
Bright is young – founded in 2003 – and that youth is mirrored in a fresh and modern approach that you will not find in more ‘established’ agencies. We are very pro-active and are constantly looking for new opportunities. We have an intrinsic understanding of the ever-changing world of publishing and react to the rhythm of the industry. We intrinsically understand the evolving commercial market of publishing and with the recent move towards digital publishing has seen us adapt and change our role to fit into this new commercial space.
We offer our artists scope to grow, regardless of national boundaries. We represent artists from every continent – from those working on a beach in Rio to a studio in Shoreditch – and present their work to clients from all corners of the globe. Also, our licensing and merchandise division means that we can fully exploit the big commercial opportunities.
Bright is an agency with a soul, a heartbeat and a passion for what we do and we are now the fastest growing content development agency in the world. Yet our central ethos remains the same – looking after our artists and delivering the very best results for our clients.
The Bright Agency sister sites
The Bright Literary Agency: Children’s Literary Agency – Represents sensational writers across all genres of children’s publishing. Making worlds out of words. Exceptional talent – extrordinary books! The Bright Literary Academy
Bright Art Licensing: Art Licensing Agency – Bright Art Licensing is an internatioanl creative resource, offering a wide range or artists and images for gifts, stationery, packaging and greetings. Bright Art Licensing
Vicki
Director and Founder
Vicki is the founder and the engine that powers Bright; her enthusiasm is infectious and she is passionate and believes in everyone involved in The Bright Group. She is straightforward to work with, direct and good fun. She loves what she does and Bright is her creative playground. Bright is where Vicki makes things happen.
Lucie
Agent - Publishing
Lucie is delighted to be working for Bright and loves the world of Children's Books!
Lucie’s experience with both artists and clients spans over nine years and she relishes the challenge of making sure everything runs smoothly and successfully. When not working Lucie’s other passion comes into play, that being the outdoors which compliments her day to day ‘Bright’ life!
Kirsten
Agent - USA
Kirsten has worked in the publishing industry for 15 years. In this time, she has risen from editorial assistant within a major publishing house to senior editor at a leading book production company. On the side, Kirsten has written more than 130 published books, most of which are for children. To date, Kirsten has been involved in the pairing of hundreds of artists and projects. She is excited to take this passion and make it her full-time focus as the U.S. publishing agent within The Bright Group.
Lauren
Agent - Literary
Lauren began her children’s book career over 10 years ago, gaining a wealth of editorial, publishing and licensing experience, as a writer and editor at top publishing houses. Having written hundreds of children’s books, and worked with award-winning names, she has an eye for recognising talent and prize-winning masterpieces, and a big heart for representing Bright Academy’s authors and illustrators.
Gemma
Agent - Literary
Gemma is passionate about children’s books and is so excited to be part of the team at The Bright Literary Agency. Previously, Gemma worked at literary agencies in both London and New York, while also undertaking her own writing. She brings with her a wealth of children's book knowledge and editorial expertise. Her aim is to expand both our picture book and fiction author portfolios and continue to build on its successes.
James
Agent - Associate
James joined us straight out of the creative world of Central Saint Martins and has quickly become an integral part of The Bright Group. James believes in what the group does and how they do it… from talking to the artists to sending contracts, to finding new companies who need Bright’s help. No matter what is thrown at him, James is able to come up with an effective solution and always works with a smile and a friendly yet professional manner.
Seonghae Ha
Agent - Asia
Seonghae has a natural eye and creative energy; she's another bright agent full of character and enthusiasm for all that she touches.
Seonghae Ha is heading up our Asia Division.
Seonghae brings to Bright a wealth of experience in terms of managing clients and building business in Asia. As well as charm and flair Seonghae is a delight to work with and her knowledge of the Asian Market is priceless.
Bright is fully engaged with global growth and Seonghae allows us to bring a boutique and specialised service to our overseas clients and brings even more exciting opportunities for our artists, which we are constantly committed too.
Emma
Agent - Art Licensing
Emma having spent years working for the major publishing houses in both the UK and the USA working alongside the creative team to dealing with massive retail giants, Emma was poised to bring this wealth of experience to bright, with a genuine flare for design, trends and what sells and experience of understanding the industry from the ground floor up, Emma has turned our greeting card division to being the largest growth area within the company.
Emma works closely with Emily our art director and together they have not only grown our stable of artist's list but also developed relationships to form retained accounts with both retail and main publishing houses. Emma has brought structure, creativity and ability to our energised team. She also bakes cakes and rides her bike to work, she's pretty cool is our Emm !!
Emily
Art Director
Having started out as an artist herself and then going on to have a fabulous career at The Art Group and previous to this Tiger Print, Emily brings a wealth of commercial and trade knowledge to our stable. Emily first joined bright back in 2006 (she’s one of our original crew members - when we still worked round the wooden kitchen table), she then worked with us on and off through her maternity leave and has now been our fully fledged art director since Sept 2010.
Emily is responsible for talent scouting, and developing our artists to stay current on trend and in work. Emily specialises in gift and stationery but also has experience of children’s picture books and fiction.
Emily is creative, has flair and is one of the funniest people in the industry - Vicki and Emily go a long way back!
Amber
Group Manager
Amber is honoured to be an integral part of such a reputable and glowing agency and over the years she has kept the cogs of Bright turning and is the girl behind the scenes that holds a positive and pragmatic can-do attitude. Amber loves to be challenged on a daily basis and the amazing relationships that she holds with our artists is key to her role and she hopes that this continues long into the future.
Therese
Finance Manager
Therese is the gatekeeper at Bright and manages the accounts single-handedly, allowing Vicki to sleep at night! Colleagues often refer to Therese as the Rottweiler; her role is one of the toughest in the agency and she is constantly chasing clients and getting back to artists. Her workload is heavy and despite seemingly aloof in responding, she is however fighting tooth and nail to get artists paid as fast as possible... there are only so many hours in the day! Therese is a legend.
Jojo
Agent - Fiction
Jojo is delighted and excited to join the bright team, With a background in acting - both in performance and representation, and also interior design and styling, Jojo is thrilled to be part of the Bright team and offers her rather creative eye and love of art to the exciting world of fiction illustration. Her aim is to develop the already impressive portfolio of fiction artists to appeal to the new territories Bright is continuing to expand into.
Lulu
Credit Controller
Lulu is working closely with Therese to ensure that payments are received on time and that the accounts systems are in good order. She is also enjoying developing and implementing the credit control procedures. After giving birth to a cute baby boy called Yu Cheng, she has come back to the Bright team with a fully committed heart and is devoted to the children's publishing world.
Jemma
Design Manager
Jemma has joined us from Australia. Vicki is a big fan of Oz since spending 6 weeks breaking into the territory earlier this year! Jemma will be helping us put together all our fabulous portfolios, keeping our website up to date and everything that helps Bright continue to be bright and dazzling!
Ann
PA to Vicki Willden-Lebrecht
A Scottish addition to the Bright team, Ann is a recent graduate and is in charge of managing Vicki's constant flow of ideas and strategies. As well as helping Vicki, Ann supports the busy Bright team, giving the odd translation and contract advice as they strive to grow Bright's business throughout the world.
Margaret Mauk
Agent - Junior
Before joining the Bright team, Margaret worked as an intern for the American Book Producers Association, where she updated the organization’s entire contact database and revamped its Website. She holds a double major in English and Communications from Fordham University. She is excited to work with Kirsten and bring her passion and enthusiasm for children's books and art to the Bright Agency!
Monty
Head of Security
It's quite remarkable how much Monty looks like a moving soft toy, not so remarkable when you realise he was found in the toy department of Hamley's, was sprinkled with magic dust and came alive. Monty's pack leader Vicki appointed him head of security after he showed a keen interest in the buzzer and visitors. He prowls bins, snores in the office and sleeps with his legs in the air.
Scruff
Grandfather
Scruff's well behaved decorum shows up Coco and Monty's utter disarray of any kind of rule or command. Scruff is the dog grandfather of the office. He never walks on a lead, sits up on his own chair. Scruff sets the standard with his charm, poise and good manners.
Coco
Monty's Wing Girl
Coco is one foxy chocci lab, with extended legs and an elegant nose. Coco has become the love of Monty's life - they play together, run together and snooze together... Monty being the alpha male does sometimes like to assert territorial rein over his castle of which Coco delightfully ignores, she's a stunner and utterly fabulous!