I am new to the industry and my son (17 months old) has been offered a modeling contract w/ Ford and Product. Ford has the name and reputation but Product seems more boutiqe w/ personal attention. Any suggestions ?

You can't really make a bad choice here, but I'd go with Product for the exact reasons you stated. Good luck!

What a delighful problem to have!

Product has a terrific reputation, but they are only print. If you think you may want to someday try for commercials, Ford has a relationship with Innovative. Of course, you could go with Product and try commercial agencies on your own. In the end it is your relationship with the agency that counts so go with the one you feel more comfortable with.

Ford does have a relationship with Innovative, but that relationship does not guarantee that you'd be signed by innovative for commercial or legit. I agree with the other posters...you can't make a bad choice. In the end, you want to be somewhere you feel comfortable.

Marilyn Zitner who has an office at Product has gotten tv for Product kids. You may want to see if marilyn would represent your son for tv.

Marilyn Zitner is a manger, not an agent. MZ and Product do have offices in the same suite but, other than proximity, there is no professional relationship. Signing with Product in no way gives you an edge with MZ. MZ is reputed to be an excellent, highly experienced and well-respected (by agents and CDs) manager. Many of her kids are doing very well, but she is very selective.

Mommyof3, Helene was asking specifically about representation for print. Another post brought up the options if one were interested in seeking reps for other aspects of the biz considering the fact that Product and Ford are both print-only agencies.

You may want to also consider that Ford is bi-coastal. Actually, Ford has offices in several cities as well as internationally. Ford has been around for years and years. Product has been around for about 10 yrs. Ford is also somewhat more prestigious and has some clients that are exclusive to only them and Willy.
That said, Product is certainly one of the top kid agencies in the business and may be more attentive to their kids due to their boutique set up. Many people would give their left arm to be signed to Product and so as other posters have said ...it's not a bad dilemma you are having.
Depending on the age of your child, you may also want to consider that Ford can take your child from Youth, to junior to adult model if they have the looks and height. The other agencies are mostly youth agents and so many kids just size out eventually and that's the end of their modeling career.
In the end, I would go with who I felt most comfortable with.

First of all congratulation for having both agency want your child. That is GREAT!!! My son is with ford. I signed with them in September 2007. To be honest I just set my son's picture to ford and they called right away. I didn't send it to anyone else. My experience with ford is good. The only thing is I felt very rushed with I signed with them . I am new and I don't know much about the business. They really don't explain a lot at the beginning. But I think they are very friendly, (but I really don't have anyone to compare them to). Ford also did say when my son turns 5 they will send him with Innovative. They feel children under 5 have not really developed there own personally until then and they shouldn't be doing T. V. until them .Of course if there looking for a child that fits my son she would send me there. One other good thing from ford, when my son turns 3 they do pay for his comp cards. I hope this helps..I am sure whoever you choose he will do good..

Thank you everyone for your advice. I decided to go with Ford. Product was pitching a more personal relationship but I wasn't actually feeling that and all the money Product wants you to lay out upfront for their website made me feel uncomfortable. Hopefully I have made the right decision. Thanks again.

Product does not require you to be on their website. It is just suggested. You still get calls for gosees frequently if you fit the bill. However, in cases like this you have to go with your gut feeling. They both have excellent reputations. Congratulations!

Although there may not be an official relationship, there is some type of relationship between the two.My daughter was sent on an audition by Marilyn and booked a National commercial that ran for 2 years when we had never even met her. She also sent her on others that she got call backs for. Our only connection to Marilyn at that time was that we are with product and she called one day with an audition. Granted, that was acouple of years ago. Since then we have gone in to visit her so she can see how my daughter has continued to develop and she continues to send us out on great stuff. You should talk to her.

oops. i see you made your choice. congrats! I'm sure there are people who would have killed to have your dilemma

So I sent all the paperwork into Ford yesterday and he's got his first gig tomorrow. Everything is happening so fast.