Select Model Management is a global talent agency representing some of the most recognisable faces in fashion, entertainment and culture. With offices in major cities across the US and Europe, Select’s influence spans continents – but like many agencies with an established offline reputation, digital visibility in competitive markets was underdeveloped.
In early 2025, Select partnered with Climb & Conquer to change that. With a focus on improving organic search performance in the US, we set out to make Select the top-ranking modelling agency in key territories – fast.
What we did
Our SEO strategy began with a clear objective: to dominate search results in key US cities such as Atlanta, Miami, and Chicago. We kicked off with a comprehensive audit and developed a campaign focused on location-based intent, optimised landing pages, and meticulous on-site enhancements. But, as is often the case with high-profile brands, there was a unique challenge.
For modelling and talent agencies, brand identity is paramount. That meant there were limits to how much visible on-page content we could implement. We needed to find the right balance – enhancing SEO performance without compromising the site’s visual appeal or brand aesthetic.
Local SEO for Major Markets
To do this, we targeted geo-specific keywords with strong commercial intent, ensuring Select appeared in front of agencies, talent, and industry professionals searching locally. Our initial focus was the homepage optimisations using carefully selected keywords with relevant user intent. However, the client was clear – minimal visual disruption was essential.
After several discussions and strategic considerations, we agreed to implement only essential on-page changes. Although we proposed adding FAQ sections to support semantic relevance, this ultimately didn’t align with the client’s brand presentation and was ruled out.
In the end, we introduced concise H1 tags and optimised metadata – subtle additions that enhanced search visibility while respecting the visual integrity of the site. The metadata was crafted to be both optimised and highlight key USPs, providing a competitive edge in the SERPs.
Schema Implementations
We also implemented location schema across all US pages – a vital addition that helps search engines better understand page context and improves local relevance, which is crucial for appearing in geographically targeted search results.
Technical SEO
On the technical side, we addressed image optimisation. Recognising the importance of visuals in the modelling industry, we ensured images were converted to modern formats with reduced file sizes without compromising quality. This not only preserved the visual impact but also improved page speed – a critical factor in both user experience and SEO.
Local Pack Optimisations
Behind the scenes, we are also working to optimise Select’s Google My Business profiles. This ongoing effort is aimed at boosting their presence in the local pack and expanding their visibility in high-value local searches. Essentially, we want to increase their ‘real estate’ in the SERPs as much as possible.
This campaign, like many others, required creativity and adaptability. With brand constraints in place, we developed an innovative strategy to deliver exceptional results without compromising Select’s core identity.
What we achieved
In under 3 months, Select Model Management achieved first-place rankings in multiple high-intent, location-based searches:
#1 for “Atlanta Georgia model agency”
#1 for “Modelling agency Chicago”
#1 for “Model agency Miami”
#1 for “Model agency Atlanta”
“LA models” – From 100th to 15th
And this is just the start – we’re now ranking for 30+ targeted keywords with new opportunities opening up weekly as the site gains authority.
With a fast start and strong momentum, Select Model Management is positioned digitally as a market leader in the US organic search space, but… the work continues.
