Author Topic: TMT Investment in DepositPhotos (Read 2007 times)

rubyroo · « **on:** August 29, 2011, 07:28 »

I didn't see it posted elsewhere on the forum, so apologies if it's old news:

http://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/TMT-Investments-Investment-afxcnf-851259011.html?x=0

stockmarketer · « **Reply #1 on:** August 29, 2011, 10:08 »

GOOD FOR US: The investment could give DepositPhotos a lot more money to market itself and drive more downloads of our work.

BAD FOR US: A quick look over my DP stats this month suggests I'm averaging about .35 or .40 per download. That's lower than a bunch of other sites (I think I'm doing about .50 per download at SS), and I don't necessarily want DP to steal downloads from SS and the other sites where I earn more. Plus, the investors will surely pressure DP to increase profitability wherever possible, and that will almost certainly mean a lower commission structure at some point.

The bottom line... I'm rethinking my stand toward DP. Up until taking a closer look today following this announcement, I was quite positive about DP. Now I'll be watching them very closely, and I'll be ready to bail as soon as a commission cut is announced or if I think they're growing at the expense of the others.

helix7 · « **Reply #2 on:** August 29, 2011, 11:53 »

Pretty amazing story, considering the path Dmitry Sergeev has taken from DepositFiles to now running a legit business in DepositPhotos and bringing on investors. Still turns my stomach to ever think about getting on board with DP considering their roots. I'll never send a single image to that site. But there's no denying that this company is positioned to become a more significant player in the business now.

cclapper · « **Reply #3 on:** August 29, 2011, 14:03 »

Quote from: helix7 on August 29, 2011, 11:53

Pretty amazing story, considering the path Dmitry Sergeev has taken from DepositFiles to now running a legit business in DepositPhotos and bringing on investors. Still turns my stomach to ever think about getting on board with DP considering their roots. I'll never send a single image to that site. But there's no denying that this company is positioned to become a more significant player in the business now.

Yeah, I'm with you. Put them right down there with istock, at the bottom of the sleazy pile. But hey, that pretty much means they are going to be wildly successful.

Microbius · « **Reply #4 on:** August 29, 2011, 14:17 »

It's all very odd. Is it right that they have just got 15% of the company for $1988?
ETA, okay I get it now, more details here:
http://telegraph.uk-wire.com/cgi-bin/articles/201108121756013264M.html?epic=TMT
Wow, here's an insight:
"In respect of the year ended 31 December 2010, DepositPhotos's unaudited loss before taxation amounted to $251,869, and unaudited net assets as at that date amounted to ($306,154)."
from
http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=201107271134091701L

Eireann · « **Reply #5 on:** August 29, 2011, 17:22 »

Oh no! I worry now.
Deposit Photos is one of my best sites.
I like everything about that agency - 44% artist commission, upload system super easy, inspections fast and fair, payments never take longer than 3-4 days.
Not to mention the growth in sales. Rising month after month, always on the up.
No question about it, Deposit Photos is one of my best sites.
And now I worry that they will cut commissions soon.
Will they do it?
Ah, but what's to stop them from following in the steps of sites like IStock?
Deposit Photos, if you're reading this, please don't do it

Stay true to yourself and keep on doing whatever you've been doing. At least in my case, it's working