What Nine9 does

Nine9 is a US-based talent listing service (not a licensed talent agency) founded in 2003 and operated as a DBA of Coralreef Productions, Inc., a Michigan-incorporated entity. The company positions itself as "The UnAgency," providing commission-free access to casting opportunities for the 99% of models and actors not represented by traditional agencies. Its core product is a web-based talent marketplace with a searchable nationwide database, digital composite (comp) cards, real-time casting notifications, and a mobile app, supplemented by weekly virtual workshops delivered via Zoom, a photography network, a talent scout referral program, and physical office/casting-call facilities in nine major US markets including Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, and New York.

The underlying technology stack is a conventional web platform with a mobile app, an interactive comp card system, and what is described as proprietary casting matching software that notifies talent 24/7 of relevant opportunities. Distribution is multi-channel: SEO-driven blog content, organic social (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram), virtual open call appointments as the primary acquisition surface for new talent, and direct relationship management for casting directors and production companies.

Revenue is generated almost entirely from individual talent rather than from industry clients: a one-time $99 enrollment fee plus a recurring $39.95 monthly subscription, with no commissions charged to talent or to casting clients. The customer base is highly fragmented on both sides — tens of thousands of monthly talent applications and a long list of named industry clients spanning film, television, fashion, music video, and commercial production. The company is privately held, self-funded (no disclosed venture or institutional capital), and reports a headcount of 101-250.

Name

Nine9

Legal name

Coralreef Productions, Inc.

Website

https://nine9.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Nine9 is a US-based commission-free talent listing service (The UnAgency) that connects aspiring models and actors with casting directors and producers via a subscription platform, nationwide database, and offices in nine major US markets.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Talent Listing and Casting Services

NAICS

Employment Placement Agencies (561311)

SIC

Services-Employment Agencies (7361)

akta.pro primary industry

Talent Casting & Auditions (Casting Directors, Open Calls) (HSACAHAL)

Keywords

• Talent listing services
• Casting and auditions
• Modeling and acting opportunities
• Subscription casting platform
• Entertainment talent marketplace

Headquarters

HQ city

Troy

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Initial enrollment fee: One-time $99.00 USD initial cost for joining Nine9, covering onboarding, profile setup, and initial marketing materials.
2. Monthly subscription: Recurring $39.95 monthly membership fee (starting after 14 days, then every 30 days) providing access to the casting database, weekly virtual workshops, casting submissions, and ongoing support.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Nine9 is a commission-free talent listing service that connects aspiring models and actors with casting opportunities in the entertainment industry. The core offering consists of a subscription-based membership ($99 enrollment + $39.95/month) that grants talent access to a searchable nationwide casting database, digital comp cards, real-time casting alerts via proprietary matching software, and free weekly virtual workshops. Industry clients (casting directors, producers, photographers) can register to search the talent database and post castings at no charge.

Product overview

Nine9 operates as "The UnAgency," a talent listing service (not a traditional agency) that helps the 99% of models and actors not represented by agencies access the entertainment industry. The platform consists of a core subscription service providing digital composite cards, access to a nationwide castings database, and real-time casting submissions. Supporting services include free weekly virtual workshops via Zoom covering acting, modeling, speech, voice-over, and professional development; a Featured Castings portal showcasing opportunities from major productions; a blog with industry education content; a talent scouting referral program; a network of professional photographers; and office/casting facilities in major markets. The company was founded in 2003 and is headquartered in Birmingham, Michigan with offices in Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, and New York.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• The UnAgency: Brand name and tagline used to distinguish Nine9 from traditional agencies; emphasizes commission-free services and accessibility for unsigned talent

Products and services

• Nine9 The UnAgency Membership A subscription-based talent listing membership ($99 enrollment + $39.95/month) that gives aspiring models and actors commission-free access to a nationwide casting database, digital comp cards, real-time casting alerts, and weekly virtual workshops. The service differentiates from traditional agencies by not taking commissions on talent bookings.
• Talent Database & Castings Portal A searchable nationwide database of talent with detailed characteristics (measurements, photos, skills) that industry clients can access to find and book models and actors. Talent members can view and submit to castings across the U.S.
• Virtual Open Call
• Virtual Workshops
• Featured Castings
• Talent Scout Program
• Photography Network
• Office Space & Casting Facilities

Quantifiable outcome

• 60,000+ monthly applications from prospective talent
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Nine9 Photographers NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork of professional photographers (Georgia Mitropoulos, Jason Bush/Preppyman, Rex Lott, JR West, Greg Daniels) who work with Nine9 talent for professional portfolio shoots. Photographers have experience with major agencies and publications, bringing professional-grade imagery to Nine9 talent. The relationship helps talent build portfolios while photographers gain access to Nine9's talent pool.
• ZoomcoreTechnology or IntegrationZoom is used as the platform for Nine9's weekly virtual workshops, new talent orientations, and virtual open call appointments. This enables nationwide talent to participate in professional development without geographic constraints.
• Thousands of Casting Companies, Directors, Agencies, and ProducerscoreOthersOver 19+ years, Nine9 has built relationships with thousands of casting companies, directors, agencies, producers, and other industry clients who use Nine9 talent for their projects. Clients receive access to a searchable talent database with detailed characteristics and commission-free booking. No fees or commissions charged to industry professionals.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Backstage: Backstage is the dominant talent marketplace for actors and models in the US, connecting casting professionals with talent through paid auditions and subscription services. Directly competes with Nine9 on digital casting for aspiring and professional talent across film, TV, theater, and modeling.
• Actors Access (Breakdown Services): Actors Access is an online casting platform used by actors to submit to breakdowns posted by casting directors. Closest direct competitor to Nine9's nationwide casting submissions and comp card functionality for actors.
• Casting Networks: Casting Networks provides talent profile platforms and casting submission tools used across the entertainment industry. Serves the same dual-sided market (talent + casting directors) as Nine9 and is a direct competitor in the auditioning/matchmaking layer.
• Central Casting: Central Casting is the largest extras casting agency in the US, specializing in background talent for film and TV productions. Overlaps directly with Nine9's extras/background casting use cases and shares the same customers (casting directors and producers).
• Model Mayhem: Model Mayhem is a free online community connecting models, photographers, makeup artists, and other talent with casting/modeling opportunities. Directly competes with Nine9 in the unsigned-model and freelance-talent discovery segment.
• Explore Talent: Explore Talent is an online talent listing and competition platform for aspiring actors, models, singers, and dancers. Operates a similar subscription-based business model targeting the same mass-market, unsigned-talent demographic as Nine9.

Broad incumbents

• IMDbPro: IMDbPro is the industry-facing subscription service for finding and managing cast/crew talent; owned by Amazon. While broader and more prosumer-leaning, it competes for casting-director demand-side attention and represents a platform-style incumbent.
• William Morris Endeavor (WME) / Endeavor: Endeavor/WME is a global talent agency representing top-tier artists across acting, music, sports, and modeling. Represents the traditional 15-20% commission agency model that Nine9's 'UnAgency' positioning is built against — comparable service outcome, opposite business model.

Regional players

• Spotlight: Spotlight is the leading UK-based casting directory used by actors and casting professionals in British and international productions. Comparable model to Nine9 but focused on the UK/Ireland market and traditional professional actors.

Emerging players

• One on One Matching: One on One Matching is an online casting and matching platform serving models, actors, and industry professionals with free or subscription pricing. A smaller but conceptually overlapping player in the digital casting/talent-discovery category.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Nine9dotCOM
• Facebookfacebook.com/nine9dotcom
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/nine9
• Instagraminstagram.com/nine9dotcom

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Nine9