Hiring managers getting paid up to 20% more than two years ago: report

The quote from an Ottawa Business Journal: " Canadian companies are paying recruiters up to 20 per cent more than they were two years ago as firms struggle to find new talent, according to a new report ..."

I don't know about you but I suddenly pictured a restaurant with hungry visitor, absolutely incompetent in cooking, skillful waitor and well-done steak (which is just a piece of meat, obviously incapable of anything except being tasty).

Is it true that apriori a talent can not get himself hired without an intermediary? It sounds about right for IT guys :) but what about artists or MBA's?