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The Directors Guild of America has reached a tentative two-year contract agreement with the independent commercial producers org.

DGA's deal with the Assn. of Independent Commercial Producers runs from Nov. 1, 2009 to Oct. 31, 2011. It calls for wage increases and for the association to adopt a code of "preferred practices on creative rights," plus it has provisions relating to pension and health coverage for helmers who work on indie blurbs.

DGA prexy Taylor Hackford noted that both sides worked together to craft a progressive deal that should provide "more work for all of us" despite the general slump in the advertising biz. DGA national exec director Jay Roth praised the "preparation, hard work and flexibility" of the guild and AICP negotiators.

The tentative agreement will be presented to the DGA board for approval on Saturday.