Australian Comedy Management Firm Junkyard Collapses, Leaving Performers Unpaid

The liquidation of Junkyard Artist Management has disrupted the careers of dozens of comedians, with many owed significant earnings and scrambling to secure future opportunities.

• Junkyard Artist Management, which represented top Australian comedians like Sam Campbell and Aaron Chen, has gone into voluntary liquidation due to financial mismanagement.
• Many comedians report being owed significant sums for performances, including ticket sales from major festivals like Edinburgh Fringe and Melbourne Fringe, with some debts totaling tens of thousands of dollars.
• The company's sudden closure has left artists without representation just months before major comedy festivals, forcing them to find new management and funding for upcoming tours.
• Junkyard was known for its 'artist-first' approach, often funding travel and production costs upfront, but its informal business practices, including handshake deals, have complicated efforts for artists to recover lost income.
• The liquidation also affects West Street Sports, a production company linked to Junkyard, which had received $400,000 in funding for a comedy pilot, leaving its future uncertain.

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The Guardian The Sydney Morning Herald Australian Broadcasting Corporation