Model Mayhem
Model Mayhem is a privately held online platform connecting models, photographers, makeup artists, and other creative professionals through portfolio hosting, casting calls, forums, and networking. Owned by Internet Brands, it operates as a freemium marketplace serving a global community.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2006
- HeadquartersLos Angeles, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingDigital Commerce or Content
What Model Mayhem does
Model Mayhem operates a web-based social networking and marketplace platform connecting creative professionals in the modeling and photography industry. The platform serves models (male and female), photographers, makeup artists, hair stylists, wardrobe stylists, retouchers, and related creative roles by providing portfolio hosting, a casting and job posting system with 1,426+ active listings, community forums, and an educational content hub. Founded in 2006 and self-described as the world's largest modeling community, Model Mayhem facilitates direct connections between individual artists and talent recruiters across markets including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Italy, and Mexico.
The core technology consists of a web platform with member profiles, portfolio hosting, a casting management system, and discussion forums. Notable product features include a Verified Credits system for professional credibility, a Friends Network for collaboration requests, Casting Messages, a Picture of the Day contest, and AI-powered image moderation implemented using Google's AI image scanning tool for content policy enforcement. A native Android application was launched in December 2019 to extend platform access to mobile users.
The business operates on a freemium revenue model: free individual artist memberships are monetized through paid VIP upgrades offering enhanced visibility in search and browse results, transaction-based sponsored casting call postings priced at $30 for one week, $50 for two weeks, and $75 for three to four weeks (with a $50 nationwide add-on), and member-only advertising slots. Model Mayhem is a privately held subsidiary of MH Sub I, LLC, operating under Internet Brands, a diversified digital media conglomerate. The company is headquartered in Los Angeles with 11–50 employees and has not raised external funding or publicly disclosed revenue figures.
Model Mayhem firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Model Mayhem
- Legal name
- MH Sub I, LLC dba Model Mayhem
- Website
- https://modelmayhem.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2006
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Model Mayhem is a privately held online platform connecting models, photographers, makeup artists, and other creative professionals through portfolio hosting, casting calls, forums, and networking. Owned by Internet Brands, it operates as a freemium marketplace serving a global community.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Model Mayhem industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Modeling Community Marketplace
- NAICS
- Agents and Managers for Artists, Athletes, Entertainers, and Other Public Figures (71141)
- SIC
- Services-Advertising (7310)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Celebrity & Influencer Talent Booking (HSACAHAE)
Keywords
Where Model Mayhem is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Los Angeles
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Model Mayhem business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Digital Commerce or Content
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Freemium Membership: Free membership for individual artists provides portfolio and community access. VIP/premium paid upgrades offer greater visibility in browse and search results.
- Casting Call Postings: Sponsored casting calls with tiered pricing: 1 Week $30, 2 Weeks $50, 3-4 Weeks $75. Nationwide listing add-on available for $50.
- Advertising: Targeted ad slots available for members to promote portfolios or casting calls to the creative community.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Others | Individual Artist - Free membership |
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | Sponsored Casting Call - Tiered pricing |
| Subscription | Monthly | Talent Recruiter membership |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels5 records
Model Mayhem product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Model Mayhem operates a web-based social networking and marketplace platform that connects creative professionals — including models, photographers, makeup artists, hair stylists, wardrobe stylists, retouchers, and filmmakers — for collaboration and job opportunities. Members can build portfolios, post and browse casting calls, participate in forums, and use a verified credits system to build trusted professional relationships. The platform monetizes through freemium VIP upgrades, paid sponsored casting call postings, and member-targeted advertising.
Product overview
Model Mayhem operates as a unified social networking and marketplace platform connecting creative professionals in the modeling and photography industry. The core platform provides member profiles with portfolio capabilities, a casting/casting call system with over 1,426 active listings, community forums, and an educational content hub. The platform is complemented by a VIP membership tier offering enhanced visibility, an Android mobile application, and member-only advertising services. Key social features include a Friends Network, Verified Credits system, Casting Messages, and a Picture of the Day contest. The platform recently integrated AI-powered image moderation using Google's AI technology for content policy enforcement.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Model Mayhem Platform A web-based social networking and marketplace platform that connects models, photographers, makeup artists, hair stylists, wardrobe stylists, retouchers, artists/painters, body painters, filmmakers, clothing designers, and other creative professionals in the modeling and photography industry. Enables members to create portfolios, browse talent, post and search casting calls, and collaborate on creative projects.
- Model Mayhem Castings A job posting and casting call marketplace where members can post casting notices (Casting Calls, Travel Notices, Availability Notices) to recruit creative talent. Lists over 1,426 active castings and supports both paid and TFP (Time for Print) collaborations. Sponsored casting call pricing: 1 Week $30, 2 Weeks $50, 3-4 Weeks $75, with a $50 Nationwide Listing add-on.
- VIP Membership Paid premium subscription tier providing enhanced visibility in browse and search results, greater prominence in VIP member displays, and access to sponsored casting call placement options. Available as an upgrade on top of free basic membership.
- Model Mayhem Android App Mobile application for Android devices that enables members to access the Model Mayhem platform, manage profiles, browse casting calls, and connect with other creative professionals on mobile.
- Advertising Services Member-only advertising slots allowing users to purchase targeted ad placements to showcase portfolio work and casting notices to the Model Mayhem creative community. Pricing starts at $30 for 1-week sponsored casting listings.
Companies that use Model Mayhem
Customer profileSegments4 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Model Mayhem technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability2 records
Feature1 record
Model Mayhem partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Internet Brands (MH Sub I, LLC)coreModel Mayhem is owned by MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Internet Brands operates the platform and provides corporate infrastructure including customer support, moderation, and legal/privacy services.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Model Mayhem competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Instagram: Instagram is the dominant social platform used by models, photographers, and brands for portfolio distribution, casting discovery, and direct outreach. Competes with Model Mayhem as the primary discovery and engagement surface for the same creator populations.
- Pinterest: Pinterest is a visual discovery platform heavily used by fashion, beauty, and lifestyle models and photographers for inspiration, moodboarding, and audience building. An adjacent, broader-reach platform competing for the same creative-prosumer attention.
- DeviantArt: DeviantArt is a long-running online community and portfolio platform for visual artists, photographers, and creative professionals. Overlaps with Model Mayhem on portfolio hosting, community forums, and creative professional networking, though with a broader artistic scope.
- Behance: Behance is Adobe's online portfolio and creative-professional network used by photographers, illustrators, and designers to showcase work and find opportunities. Overlaps with Model Mayhem's portfolio-and-discovery function but serves a broader creative population at much larger scale.
- 500px: 500px is an online photography community and licensing marketplace for photographers. Comparable to Model Mayhem in serving photographers seeking exposure, portfolio hosting, and commercial opportunities, with a more photography-centric focus.
Direct peers
- Casting Networks: Casting Networks provides casting-call and talent-submission platforms primarily for actors but extends to modeling and on-camera talent. Comparable marketplace structure for casting-call workflows and recruiter subscriptions targeting entertainment talent.
- PurplePort: PurplePort is an online community connecting photographers and models for portrait and creative shoots, with paid membership tiers and a casting/availability notice system. Highly comparable to Model Mayhem in target user base (models + photographers) and marketplace mechanics.
- ModelManagement.com: ModelManagement.com operates a global online model agency and platform connecting aspiring and professional models with agencies, photographers, and casting opportunities. Directly comparable community-and-marketplace model serving the same model/photographer segments as Model Mayhem.
Emerging players
- SmugMug: SmugMug is a portfolio, gallery, and print-sales platform for photographers, with tools for client proofing and commerce. Comparable to Model Mayhem in serving photographers' portfolio and monetization needs, though with a stronger e-commerce orientation.
- Photo.net: Photo.net is an online photography community with forums, galleries, and classifieds for connecting photographers with models and collaborators. Closely matches Model Mayhem's forum-and-marketplace community format for the photography/modeling niche.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Model Mayhem social profiles
Digital presenceModel Mayhem financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Model Mayhem leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Model Mayhem funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Model Mayhem M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Model Mayhem
What does Model Mayhem do?
Model Mayhem operates a web-based social networking and marketplace platform that connects creative professionals — including models, photographers, makeup artists, hair stylists, wardrobe stylists, retouchers, and filmmakers — for collaboration and job opportunities. Members can build portfolios, post and browse casting calls, participate in forums, and use a verified credits system to build trusted professional relationships. The platform monetizes through freemium VIP upgrades, paid sponsored casting call postings, and member-targeted advertising.
Is Model Mayhem a public or private company?
Model Mayhem is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Model Mayhem founded?
Model Mayhem was founded in 2006. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Model Mayhem based?
Model Mayhem is headquartered in Los Angeles, United States, in the North America region.
How does Model Mayhem make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Freemium Membership is the primary driver. The others are casting Call Postings and advertising.
Who are Model Mayhem's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Instagram, Pinterest, DeviantArt, Behance and 500px. Direct peers are Casting Networks, PurplePort and ModelManagement.com. Emerging players are SmugMug and Photo.net.
Does Model Mayhem have an API?
No public API is recorded for Model Mayhem.
What industry is Model Mayhem in?
Model Mayhem's product category is Modeling Community Marketplace. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HSACAHAE, Celebrity & Influencer Talent Booking. Its NAICS code is 71141 and its SIC code is 7310.