CPC launches best practice guide for fairer production pitches

The Commercial Producers Council (CPC) has released a best practice guide to ensure fair, transparent, and sustainable creative pitch processes for agencies, clients, and production companies.

Pitches demand significant time and resources, yet industry pressures have made the process increasingly complex. CPC’s new guidelines aim to improve efficiency, fairness, and collaboration across the board.

“This guide is long overdue and our intention is that it will improve professional standards across the industry,” said Martin Box, CPC Co-Chair.

“We’ve set out clear, practical recommendations to ensure that production companies are engaged in a way that is fair, transparent, and commercially sustainable. By standardising key elements of the pitching process, we can improve the quality of creative responses while reducing unnecessary costs and frustrations.”

Key standards include:

• Client-approved scripts: Scripts must be approved before being pitched.
• Competitor disclosure: All invited production companies must be disclosed.
• Briefing limit: A maximum of three directors/production companies per pitch.
• Time allocation: Minimum five working days for pitch responses.
• Cancellation fees: $5,000 fee if a pitch is cancelled after commencement.

“This sets a new benchmark for engaging production companies,” added CPC Co-Chair Kate Gooden. “A structured, respectful process leads to better work, stronger relationships, and a more sustainable industry.”

CPC members will implement these guidelines moving forward. The Best Practice Guide is available for download here.