SAG-AFTRA members have ratified the 2025 Commercials Contracts with the Joint Policy Committee, LLC. This committee represents major national advertisers and advertising agencies. The approval was given by a vote of 96.90% in favor to 3.10% against.
The new contracts include both the SAG-AFTRA Commercials Contract and the Audio Commercials Contract, spanning three years. They will provide wage increases retroactive to April 1, 2025, with a compounded increase of 12.5% by the third year.
Significant A.I. guardrails have been introduced, ensuring consent, fair compensation, control over performances, and prohibiting use of SAG-AFTRA-covered performances for training generative A.I. systems without consent.
The contracts are set to bring $218.4 million in new earnings and benefit plan contributions. Compensation for streaming use has increased; one-year streaming use now pays $10,000 instead of $7,500. An automated commercial use monitoring service is also being developed.
Additionally, the Audio Commercials Contract includes a Digital Plus tier for platforms like Spotify and Pandora, increasing performers’ earnings from Traditional Digital and Digital Plus usage.
Further improvements cover disability accommodations, late fee penalties, per diem on work or travel days, protections for minors among other benefits.
Votes were submitted online and by mail-in ballot until May 21 at 5 p.m., certified by Integrity Voting Systems based in Everett, Washington.
For more detailed provisions of this contract along with rate sheets for the first year are available upon request.
Katie Von Till and Erin Fritch served as National Co-Chairs for the negotiating committee alongside Duncan Crabtree-Ireland as National Executive Director & Chief Negotiator.
