MicrostockGroup

I always find it hard to believe when the self-confessed workaholic and visionary leader of an organization resigns to "make some time for myself and the people in my life".

I wonder - is this a harbinger of sea-change at iStock?

It's never for those reasons, although that is the official press release. I think something happens to the owner when he's no longer the owner. Perhaps he considers an idea or a direction the company should go and finds himself up against a board of directors or some other official who doesn't see it that way. I don't think it takes that long before it's time to leave.

regardless the real reasons it is indeed a very big news for microstok

I'm pretty involved in iStock, and I'm not nervous.

I know the word 'culture' gets thrown around pretty loosely in regards to workplaces, but I can definitely say that our workplace has a culture. It's strong and vibrant and it's stayed with us. We've grown a lot over the last few years. There were twenty people in the office when I started. There are more than a hundred now. Throughout all that change and growth, the culture hasn't gone away. Our core team, people who have been together for years, will continue doing what we've always done. So I'm sad that I won't see my friend Bruce as often anymore, but I'm not nervous.

That's good to hear. At the time of posting the above there was no confirmation that Kelly would take over. Other iStock insiders told me directly that they were nervous. Very nervous.

For so many of us iStock means so much! I am sad to see Bruce going but I totally understand his reasons and I respect it. I know iSotck will be in good hands and with people like Kelly, JJ and you rogermexico - to mention only a few from the crew- everything will be OK.

Exactly.  I remember when the original annoucement was made that Getty was buying istock, Bruce said he was contracted to stay on as head of istock for 3 years. 

I am certainly grateful for his vision and efforts in starting this industry.  It has brought a lot of happiness to my life.  I wish him the best.

It is a bit scary for the future of istock.  Wonder if the rest of the long time admins will be staying on or if there will be more high level resignations.

ETA looks like everyone else intends to stay in place.  That is definitely reassuring.

I wonder if he's included in the 110 Getty employees who were asked to leave last week?

Bruce's decision has nothing to do with other recent shakeups at Getty. It's something he's been coming to for a while.

Maybe it is difficult to see something you created being managed differently from what you wanted.  I feel that sometimes at work in a much less significant scale.

Regards,
Adelaide

I agree. He put together a really awesome team and most importantly, he did not micro-manage them. They are more than capable of continuing on without him, though of course he will be missed. For whatever problems someone might have with istock as a company, I have a hard time believing that anyone who actually had direct contact with him would say "good riddance". He took time, on more than one occasion, to answer emails from me ... a tiny little (bronze at the time) contributor in a sea of thousands of others. I've never forgotten that.

Anyway, I wish him well. I hope that iStock is none the worse for him leaving. I don't really expect any dramatic differences. It's not as if he was singlehandedly running the place.

Will they finally introduce exclusive image deals?