CMCTALENT - Key Persons
Alison Brahe burst on the Australian modelling scene as a 16 year old in the mid-80's and her career journey has travelled through roles in education, charities, podcasting and writing.
Her first book, QUEEN MENOPAUSE - a friendly, frank, compassionate and comprehensive companion for any woman experiencing menopause - was published in 2022 by Allen & Unwin. She also Co-hosts with her husband of 30 years on their hit podcast "Separate Bathrooms". Interviewing some of the most interesting couples in Australia, they take a look behind the closed doors of their relationships. Separate Bathrooms has had over 100,000 downloads in 2021.
With her gorgeous smile and all-Australian beach body, she lit up the covers of Australia's top fashion and pop magazines. Cleo, Dolly and Cosmopolitan, kept her face front and centre with fashion spreads and stories. It was rare that she was not on the cover every month of one of these publications, well into the 90's. Cleo and Dolly readers often voted her as one their women of the century, such was the impact Alison was having. Advertisers knew this and clambered to have Alison Brahe be their face - Portmans, Cover Girl makeup, Nivea, Blackmores, Brian Rochford and JaquieE were major clients.
Television soon followed with Channel Nine giving Alison her the daily afternoon children's show GUESS WHAT, which enjoyed great success and she was a popular guest host of the iconic, HERE'S HUMPHREY which cemented a place in the hearts of many Australian families.
In 1991 Alison Married Cameron Daddo and the pair emigrated to the USA where Alison's life began a new path. She studied acting and worked on television commercials, was cast in the pilot remake of VALLEY OF THE DOLLS and some episodes of comedy television. But this was not Alison's passion… teaching children/ taking care of children and indeed, having her own children were her heart's desire and she took a break from the entertainment scene.
Alison studied at the Bodyfulmind Institute, founded by LA 80's health expert Doreen Rivera (the driving force behind Jane Fonda's Workout). There she trained and taught Bodyfulmind exercise classes and headed up the Pregnancy Program which readied couples for birth, labour support and post-partum support. Whilst doing this she studied Massage Therapy at IPSB and in 1999 received her degree. Alison's work at DRBMI took her into 2010.
Her passion for teaching moved into another phase, school teacher. She'd given birth to 3 children- Lotus '96, River '00 and Bodhi '06. For three years she worked close to south central Los Angeles at Windsor Hills Elementary School (LAUSD) teaching 3rd graders expression of emotions and anti- violence through nature- based arts.
In 2013, she achieved her teaching degree from UCLA in Early Childhood, and began full-time teaching at Under the Oaks, Malibu with the pre-school class. She continued her own studies and training in Rudolph Steiner Education at Highland Hall Waldorf School.
Alison has always been active in charity work, sponsoring children of WORLD VISION for three decades. From 2007-12 she was involved with GULU WALK and The Invisible Children, a charity that works with rehabilitating child soldiers in Uganda.
2017 saw Alison and her family move back to live in Australia, since moving she has become patron of RizeUp Australia a charity that assist domestic abuse families settle in a new home and begin their lives in safety.
Alison continues to write articles on parenting, relationships and the joys of being a woman. Her articles have been published in Kidspot, Powderoom Graffiti and Mamamia.
Australian/American soprano Amy Manford first performed the role of ‘Christine Daaé' in Andrew Lloyd Webber's original production of The Phantom of the Opera on the West End in 2018 before reprising the role to great acclaim in the Australian tour of The Phantom of the Opera at The Sydney Opera House and the Victorian Arts Centre in 2022/23. Amy also performed with Andrea Bocelli for his Australian tour in October 2022 and has continued to tour the US and Europe with him in 2023.
Prior to her West End debut, Amy had performed internationally as a soloist with some of the worlds leading Symphony Orchestras at iconic concert venues such as The Seoul Arts Centre, The John Sutherland Theatre, and at Buckingham Palace for the Prince of Wales. She was especially honoured to sing the Australian Anthem for HRH Prince Harry and Ms. Meghan Markle for the 2018 Anzac Day Memorial Service in London. Amy was also honoured to sing the National Anthem again for the 2021 AFL Grand Final.
In 2023 Amy starred in Australia's first tour of Disney in Concert, to high acclaim. Later that same year, she won The Creative of the Year Award at the Marie Claire Women of the Year Awards.
Amy has graduated with a Master of Performance from the Royal College of Music in London and a Bachelor of Music from The Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts in her hometown, Perth.
A diverse performer, Amy also has a unique history competing at the Australian national championships for both rhythmic gymnastics and pole vaulting.
Bobby Fox is an Irish born Australian actor who originated the role of Franki Valli in the Australian production of Jersey Boys which he performed over 850 times. He is a 4 times World Irish Dance Champion and toured with dance productions Riverdance, Dancing on Dangerous Ground, To Dance on the Moon and starred in the revival of Australian musical Hot Shoe Shuffle as Spring. On stage Bobby has had lead roles in Blood Brothers, Mamma Mia!, Leader of the Pack, Dusty - The Original Pop Diva, We Will Rock You, Spamalot and The Production Company's Oklahoma, Sweet Charity and Damn Yankees. In 2016 and 2017 he appeared in Ladies in Black which toured nationally and for which he received a Green Room Award nomination. Later in 2017 he performed in Assassins at The Hayes Theatre and he received a Helpmann Award nomination.
Onscreen Bobby's credits include Upper Middle Bogan, It's a Date, Tricky Business and Househusbands. He also appeared in the feature film The Cup.
Bobby performed as a star vocalist in Saturday Night Fever's Sydney season for GFO in 2019 before debuting The Irish Boy to sell out shows at The Sydney Opera House and The Adelaide Cabaret Festival. Later that year he supported the incomparable Michael Feinstein at The Sydney Opera House and Melbourne's Hamer Hall before debuting in Ch 9 ‘s Carols by Candlelight.
James joined CMC talent in 2016 tasked to build the scripted side of the business, and with clients earning international credits and awards the success of this division keeps growing.
James Grierson's solid reputation across Australia's media, arts and entertainment industries has come from his 20 years plus, managing high profile and established artists as well as developing newcomers careers with advice and sourcing opportunities. As a respected and dedicated manager James has represented credited talent locally and internationally. He has used his industry know-how and relationships to discover, develop and launch the careers of aspiring actors, writers and performers.
James graduated with an Economics and Accountancy degree from the Australian National University in 1991. He decided the corporate world wasn't for him and immediately commenced managing and promoting bands in Queensland and then Melbourne from 1995. After completing a graduate diploma in Arts and Entertainment Management at Deakin University he commenced work in the Melbourne Office of an International Management Company where he oversaw the career development of numerous actors, performers and presenters in the Australian film, TV and theatrical industries. He has extensive relationships with producers, casting directors, TV networks and theatre companies in Australia and continues to grow through his role at CMC Talent as head of the acting and performing division.
Lucy joined CMC Talent in July 2018 after more than 6 years in the advertising industry at one of the world's most iconic global commercial agencies, Y&R.
In her time there she was Executive Assistant to the Managing Director, as well as the EA to the Chief Creative Officer. Lucy moved onto the role of Creative Services Manager liaising between creatives, sales and marketing for brands and the agency. She left that role to join CMC to run with Client Services. This role not only reunites her with many of CMC's talented clients with whom she has worked with in the past, but also marks a professional reunion with Cathy and Claire. Prior to working in advertising Lucy worked alongside Cathy and Claire as a valued Talent Assistant before supervising her own management list of clients at Profile Talent Management. Before working in the Australian media and entertainment industry, Lucy studied a BA majoring in Media Studies & Art History, and spent 3 years in London where she worked as a Trading Floor Assistant amongst some of the world's biggest Investment Banks.
Natalie joined CMC Talent in April 2021 after working for more than 10 years representing and co-ordinating local and international clients for speaking, trade, commercial and corporate engagements. Her experience as a speakers bureau agent has seen Natalie work with brands and companies to create tailored and dynamic opportunities for her talented clients for mutual commercial success.
Most recently Natalie spent 6 years in New York City where she was Manager of the in-house Speakers Bureau at HarperCollins Publishers, working on events with New York Times bestselling authors. This gave her an opportunity to combine her love of books with her expertise in events, and saw her work with authors on a range of events, from Fortune 500 corporations to extensive academic programs with universities and colleges across the USA.
Natalie (nee Duncan) began her career at Saxton Speakers Bureau where she spent three years managing corporate events and endorsements for hundreds of Australia's top speakers, celebrities and musicians. Natalie then moved to Profile Talent Management where she managed the corporate division for three years. Prior to this, Natalie completed her Bachelor of Arts (Art History & Cultural Studies) at the University of Melbourne in 2005.