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Author Topic: NEWS - Operation Level Ground attracts Artists to Fotolia  (Read 51667 times)

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lisafx

« Reply #125 on: February 03, 2010, 13:51 »
0
It is not an increase of comissions, but of revenue. Prices ara higher, comission is the same.

Understood, but I believe Gostwyck's point is that when Istock raises it's prices contributors get their share, where at Fotolia there has been an increase in revenue, but contributors aren't getting their cut.

Although I am upset about this, I am not entirely ready to write Fotolia off just yet.  Chad's post seems to hint that they are reworking commission structure along with their pricing.  Maybe something positive is in the works.  I certainly hope so....


« Reply #126 on: February 03, 2010, 13:53 »
0
It is not an increase of comissions, but of revenue. Prices ara higher, comission is the same.

Understood, but I believe Gostwyck's point is that when Istock raises it's prices contributors get their share, where at Fotolia there has been an increase in revenue, but contributors aren't getting their cut.



ok, that's true.

« Reply #127 on: February 03, 2010, 14:00 »
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It is not an increase of comissions, but of revenue. Prices ara higher, comission is the same.

Yes OK __ that is true. Basically Istock exclusives are now enjoying lots more money per sale whilst Fotolia contributors have had one direct cut in commissions (less money per sale) and a hefty price rise to customers that they will see nothing of.

Compare and contrast the two agencies. Discuss.

donding

  • Think before you speak
« Reply #128 on: February 03, 2010, 14:14 »
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It is not an increase of comissions, but of revenue. Prices ara higher, comission is the same.

Understood, but I believe Gostwyck's point is that when Istock raises it's prices contributors get their share, where at Fotolia there has been an increase in revenue, but contributors aren't getting their cut.

Although I am upset about this, I am not entirely ready to write Fotolia off just yet.  Chad's post seems to hint that they are reworking commission structure along with their pricing.  Maybe something positive is in the works.  I certainly hope so....
I don't know about that...this is what they posted on the forum this morning...
Good evening everyone,

On behalf of the Fotolia team, I want to thank each of you for your patience and support while we roll-out new purchase incentives and commission structures. Rest assured, our payout averages continue to be amongst the highest in the industry. Fotolia understands and appreciates the investment contributors make in creating their material. We welcome and value your feedback. Should you have questions about Fotolias new program, please contact Customer Service directly and we would be happy to chat with you.

Fotolia Management


Why in the world would they want thousands of contributors to contact customer support and not just post what they are planning to do on the forum...it would be far less stress on the customer service department....I don't know if the buyers are able to read the forum threads or not but I suspect they are doing it this way so the buyers haven't a clue what is going on!!

lisafx

« Reply #129 on: February 03, 2010, 14:20 »
0

Although I am upset about this, I am not entirely ready to write Fotolia off just yet.  Chad's post seems to hint that they are reworking commission structure along with their pricing.  Maybe something positive is in the works.  I certainly hope so....
I don't know about that...this is what they posted on the forum this morning...
Good evening everyone,

On behalf of the Fotolia team, I want to thank each of you for your patience and support while we roll-out new purchase incentives and commission structures. Rest assured, our payout averages continue to be amongst the highest in the industry. Fotolia understands and appreciates the investment contributors make in creating their material. We welcome and value your feedback. Should you have questions about Fotolias new program, please contact Customer Service directly and we would be happy to chat with you.

Fotolia Management


Why in the world would they want thousands of contributors to contact customer support and not just post what they are planning to do on the forum...it would be far less stress on the customer service department....I don't know if the buyers are able to read the forum threads or not but I suspect they are doing it this way so the buyers haven't a clue what is going on!!

I highlighted the part of that statement I had been referring to - the part about reworking commission structures.  Maybe more bad news, but there's a chance that the final rollout could include a more favorable commission structure for us.  Too soon to know for sure right now.

You are probably right that they would rather deal with this through the support dept instead of on their forums to keep customers from reading about it.


donding

  • Think before you speak
« Reply #130 on: February 03, 2010, 14:30 »
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Lisafx...do you think they would even be doing this "restructuring" of commision's if they hadn't made the mistake of posting the credits in error on the contributors pages? I really doubt they would...they don't really have a choice but to do this now if they want to keep their contributors. I feel sorry for the person that posted that mistake...maybe they didn't agree with it so they posted it knowing they would get "whipped" and thrown out the door.

lisafx

« Reply #131 on: February 03, 2010, 14:38 »
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Lisafx...do you think they would even be doing this "restructuring" of commision's if they hadn't made the mistake of posting the credits in error on the contributors pages? I really doubt they would...they don't really have a choice but to do this now if they want to keep their contributors. I feel sorry for the person that posted that mistake...maybe they didn't agree with it so they posted it knowing they would get "whipped" and thrown out the door.

Whether or not it was posted the other day by accident, it would have come out eventually.  Some micro contributors pay attention to what's happening on these sites, and MSG is a great place for the rest to find out about it. 

We can speculate all day about what they would or would not have done in an alternate universe.  Surely the outcome of whether or not they make good on the commissions owed us would make that speculation moot? 

« Reply #132 on: February 03, 2010, 14:42 »
0
...
Meanwhile, over on Istock, all exclusives are enjoying an increase in their commissions of about 50%.

Yep, we're laughing all the way to the bank!
« Last Edit: February 03, 2010, 14:47 by sharply_done »

« Reply #133 on: February 03, 2010, 15:16 »
0
...
Meanwhile, over on Istock, all exclusives are enjoying an increase in their commissions of about 50%.

Yep, we're laughing all the way to the bank!

I'm not sure if you are serious, but just in case you are...

As artists, we shouldn't be heckling other artists when something bad happens to them.  This shouldn't be an issue that divides artists, but rather one that unites artists.

Because I am sure that there will be a day when IS will do something that won't be for the benefit of the artist.

But if you were saying that in jest, then forget what I just said.  Party on :)

« Reply #134 on: February 03, 2010, 15:25 »
0
I'm not sure if you are serious, but just in case you are...
...

Partially in jest, partially not - rest assured I'm not the only iStock exclusive with a bit of Schadenfreude.

I wasn't always exclusive at iStock you know - one of the reasons I made the switch was because of FT and their not-completely-above-board ways. Instead of lobbying for change and/or complaining about it, I put my money where my mouth is and got out of there. Maybe you, along with those who read this, should do the same - you need to face the facts: FT is not going to change the way they conduct business. Sure, you might get some concessions from them, but it'll only be a matter of time until the next contributor crisis.
« Last Edit: February 03, 2010, 15:38 by sharply_done »

« Reply #135 on: February 03, 2010, 15:43 »
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...Surely the outcome of whether or not they make good on the commissions owed us would make that speculation moot? 

The reason it matters (assuming you ever could get accurate information, which is doubtful) is that the best indicator of future performance is past performance.

I don't walk in the dark alleys of crime-ridden cities for a reason and getting home unscathed one particular evening doesn't make the city alleys a safe place to hang out.

« Reply #136 on: February 03, 2010, 15:44 »
0
I'm not sure if you are serious, but just in case you are...
...

Partially in jest, partially not - rest assured I'm not the only iStock exclusive with a bit of Schadenfreude.

I wasn't always exclusive at iStock you know - one of the reasons I made the switch was because of FT and their not-completely-above-board ways. Instead of lobbying for change and/or complaining about it, I put my money where my mouth is and got out of there. Maybe you, along with those who read this, should do the same - you need to face the facts: FT is not going to change the way they conduct business. Sure, you might get some concessions from them, but it'll only be a matter of time until the next contributor crisis.

But I don't like the way Getty/istock are conducting their business at the moment, so I am not jumping out of the frying pan and in to the fire.  I hope it works for you but RF exclusivity has never appealed to me.

« Reply #137 on: February 03, 2010, 15:44 »
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Not many people seem to have followed Fotolia's call, as expected. You can see on the "Ranking" page everyone who has recently reached a new canister level (from gold upwards). There are only two or three photographer's names that are new on that page, and I've been visiting that page quite frequently. Fotolia's "generous" gift of gold, emerald, or saphir icons to people who are successful but new to Fotolia couldn't ever be the main reason for anyone to give up their exclusivity at istock. People who are that successful know the business well enough to be aware of Fotolia's reputation in changing the rules over and over again.
 

« Reply #138 on: February 03, 2010, 15:48 »
0
I'm not sure if you are serious, but just in case you are...
...

Partially in jest, partially not - rest assured I'm not the only iStock exclusive with a bit of Schadenfreude.

I wasn't always exclusive at iStock you know - one of the reasons I made the switch was because of FT and their not-completely-above-board ways. Instead of lobbying for change and/or complaining about it, I put my money where my mouth is and got out of there. Maybe you, along with those who read this, should do the same - you need to face the facts: FT is not going to change the way they conduct business. Sure, you might get some concessions from them, but it'll only be a matter of time until the next contributor crisis.


To be honest Sharply when I read your comment I prayed that you weren't speaking in jest.

I hope you exclusives genuinely are getting your just reward because I'll be joining you guys just as soon as I can. FT have gone too far this time __ much, much too far __ and they are going to lose a lot of their contributors as a result.

lisafx

« Reply #139 on: February 03, 2010, 15:55 »
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The reason it matters (assuming you ever could get accurate information, which is doubtful) is that the best indicator of future performance is past performance.


^^ Agreed (emphasis mine).  But based on past performance, all the indicators have been there for awhile, however this turns out.  

I don't think anyone believes any of the micros are acting from a sense of altruism at this point.  Do they?

 Although we all have opinions about what "might or might not" have happened, and speculating is part of the fun of the forums, lets not let it distract us from the main goal of getting a fairer deal for contributors.
 

« Reply #140 on: February 03, 2010, 15:56 »
0
...
I hope you exclusives genuinely are getting your just reward because I'll be joining you guys just as soon as I can. FT have gone too far this time __ much, much too far __ and they are going to lose a lot of their contributors as a result.

Good for you, gostwyck, good for you.
When all is said and done I'm sure you'll find yourself wondering why you waited so long.

« Reply #141 on: February 04, 2010, 19:09 »
0
I'm not sure if you are serious, but just in case you are...
...

Partially in jest, partially not - rest assured I'm not the only iStock exclusive with a bit of Schadenfreude.

I wasn't always exclusive at iStock you know - one of the reasons I made the switch was because of FT and their not-completely-above-board ways. Instead of lobbying for change and/or complaining about it, I put my money where my mouth is and got out of there. Maybe you, along with those who read this, should do the same - you need to face the facts: FT is not going to change the way they conduct business. Sure, you might get some concessions from them, but it'll only be a matter of time until the next contributor crisis.

But I don't like the way Getty/istock are conducting their business at the moment, so I am not jumping out of the frying pan and in to the fire.  I hope it works for you but RF exclusivity has never appealed to me.

It works for me with amazing results.  And a tonne less work.  Not speaking for him, but I think it works for Sharply too. 

I'm glad you don't think it works for you.  It means that you see an opportunity elsewhere.  I don't want everyone to go exclusive because that would just throw off the entire dynamic of the system in place. 

But at least now some of the points I was saying way back when are justified.  And shady business practices by FT is a huge reason I did it. 

« Reply #142 on: February 04, 2010, 19:12 »
0
I'm not sure if you are serious, but just in case you are...
...

Partially in jest, partially not - rest assured I'm not the only iStock exclusive with a bit of Schadenfreude.

I wasn't always exclusive at iStock you know - one of the reasons I made the switch was because of FT and their not-completely-above-board ways. Instead of lobbying for change and/or complaining about it, I put my money where my mouth is and got out of there. Maybe you, along with those who read this, should do the same - you need to face the facts: FT is not going to change the way they conduct business. Sure, you might get some concessions from them, but it'll only be a matter of time until the next contributor crisis.


To be honest Sharply when I read your comment I prayed that you weren't speaking in jest.

I hope you exclusives genuinely are getting your just reward because I'll be joining you guys just as soon as I can. FT have gone too far this time __ much, much too far __ and they are going to lose a lot of their contributors as a result.

Gostwyk, Glad to see you are coming over to the "dark side" after all the bickering we had going on way back when. 


nruboc

« Reply #143 on: February 05, 2010, 18:19 »
0
Partially in jest, partially not - rest assured I'm not the only iStock exclusive with a bit of Schadenfreude.

Oh the irony....the poor irony


 

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