What is a master agent?

Join Hyperion CEO, Kerry McGonigal, in unpacking what it means to be a true master agent.  

As the CEO of industry-leading mobility master agent, Hyperion Partners, I’ve made it the company’s personal mission to demystify mobility. The world of telecommunications can seem daunting, but with our industry expertise and problem-solving skills, our audience accomplishes goals previously thought unattainable. In this insight, I unpack what it means to be a master agent to help readers find success. 

Master Agent Definition: 

Simply put, a master agent can be defined as the holder of a contract with a carrier (T-Mobile, AT&T, Verizon and UScellular) or a solution provider (Samsung, Apple) with the goal of extending said contract to a robust network of numerous subagents or partners. 

Master agent synonyms may include: distributor, master dealer, master partner, solution provider, mobility solution provider (MSP), telecom agent. 

The History of Master Agents

The digital age was marked by rapid changes and advances in the world of technology. Master agents became extremely important when telecommunication equipment transformed industry standards. As carriers and solution providers accumulated more and more direct partners, it became overwhelming for them to maintain partners, while prioritizing their original business goals. Master agents came into play to remove this burden, making managing thousands of subagents their main purpose.  

Traditionally, master agents view themselves as pathways for smaller partners to monetize solutions. However, this narrow view often leads subagents to fail due to misconceptions about what services most master agents really offer. 

Common Misconceptions: 

  1. “Every master agent is the same.” 

Many subagents think all master agents are the same, so they should chase the master agent with the highest compensation. Even if a master agent grants more compensation up front, if they aren’t willing to give the subagent big-picture support, that master agent might not be worth the investment. If I haven’t made it clear up until this point: Not all master agents are the same. 

  1. “Every master agent is full-service.” 

Most master agents are in the business of offering a larger percentage of compensation to avoid putting forth maximum effort. While this is ideal for some experienced companies, companies who are looking to break into new disciplines of technology need someone to do the heavy lifting. Deciphering which master agents are truly full-service will help subagents decide on the right fit for them. If you’re looking for a master agent that is truly full-service... that's where we step in. 

How Hyperion Does it Better: 

Master agents can and should be far more than what they are known for today. A true master agent walks subagents through the entire process of monetizing solutions and teaches them along the way. 

At Hyperion, we don’t view ourselves as a traditional “contract holder” master agent. We know we are a true partner. We cater our master agent services to our subagents’ exact needs, so they are prepared to succeed. If that means a little handholding is necessary, we are more than prepared to do so. If the subagent is ready-to-run without help? We can do that too. Ultimately, we want to serve our partners however they need to extend their sales past what they are today.  


Want to learn more about Hyperion?  

Take a peak around our website, or contact us today. Click here if you're interested in partnering with a true mobility master agent.

The term "master agent" has recently been replaced with "primary agent." This article was repurposed under the title, "What is a primary agent?"