A Free Agent's Journey

As director of communications for ASIA, Gary McCoy helped put together a communications plan to encourage members of ASIA and APAA to approve a consolidation. As he said, "I did such a good job, I put myself out of job!" McCoy did not want to move with the new association, so he became a free agent, forming Fairway Communications in January 2000. There are now 27 million free agents in the U.S., and according to Link Resources, the number will rise to 36.5 million by 2001.

"People are becoming free agents to have more control over their lives; because the loyalty/security trade-off is no longer in effect between companies and workers; workers see the need to integrate work into life; and people see free agency as way to restore fun to their working lives," McCoy said.

"The resources available to free agents over the Internet make the prospect less scary," said McCoy. Web sites have emerged to provide free agents with help in locating projects, finding affordable health insurance, and dealing with tax issues.

"We are an outsourcing solution for companies, and not an agency," said McCoy. With low overhead, he has dedicated himself to hands-on management of projects such as copywriting, editing/proofreading, public and media relations, event promotion and marketing. He also is able to provide his clients with access to a network of free agents in such areas as design, printing and photography.

In conclusion, McCoy said "As a juggler of both balls and marketing communication projects, I am dedicated to keeping my eye on the ball, making sure all the elements work together, learning new skills to enhance the experience, and not dropping the ball." McCoy, a pun-master extraordinaire, also added that he is having a "ball" as a free agent.

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