It works as a free agent.

FORBES: NaNoWriMo: Success Stories By The Words

In the most famous case, America's tax breaks allow it in effect to hire the world's most successful businessman, Bill Gates, as its agent for good works, buying the public the benefit of his acumen.

ECONOMIST: Charity and taxation

Having negotiated these deals from the team side for 10 years, I know the code of how this works: teams tell the agent that the deal terms remain confidential yet fully expect the agent to call his media contact of choice to spin it most positively.

FORBES: The Truth About The McNabb Deal

Mr. Crichton viewed "Micro" as one of his most significant works, according to his wife and agent.

WSJ: Deciphering Michael Crichton's Clues for 'Micro'

France considers itself an "agent" of the United Nations where necessary, but often works behind the scenes to influence U.N. decisions.

CNN: France: We're not the pacifists you think we are

American Eagle employee Gabriella Connor works out in the yoga room twice a week with co-workers, including one gate agent who also is a yoga teacher.

WSJ: Working Out ... at the Airport

Representative CURT WELDON (Republican, Pennsylvania): I had a former FBI agent call me last night and he has confirmed the name of a person who works on my opponent's campaign who was bragging that three weeks ago they knew this was going to come down.

NPR: FBI Investigates Pennsylvania Republican Weldon

Some unfamiliar names are also listed such as Chris Nathaniel, a young agent who has negotiated a seven-figure book deal for England's John Terry and works closely with Ferdinand, Micah Richards, Obafemi Martins and Ryan Babel.

BBC: SPORT | Football | The footballing Black List

Avastin in colon cancer only works when combined with older chemo drugs, despite all the hype about it being a less-toxic targeted agent.

FORBES: Drawing The Line On Overpriced Cancer Drugs