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Author Topic: istock organises conference call with selected few  (Read 82118 times)

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« Reply #225 on: March 15, 2011, 09:40 »
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Take this FWIW, but I just wanted to add a bit of historical context, the distrust of non-exclusive contributors is ingrained in the iStock DNA. Back in 2003-04 (pre-exclusivity) it was becoming rather common to see people who were contributors one day turn competitors the next. Serban's iStock username was Dreamstime (he even had a FIOTW way back when). Duncan, Canstock's founder, was M5laser or something like that on iStock before he started his site. Tim and Dawn at Bigstock, yep, former iStock contributors. I'm sure there were others, but the point is, this is all old stuff that is hard for them to forget. Around the same time as these contributors turned competitors appeared on the scene there was also increasing heat from the so-called "traditional" stock photographers (most notably a group of Alamy contributors), which further contributed to the siege mentality that exists today.

Of course the irony is that current exclusive contributors largely owe their exclusive benefits to these folks, as the exclusivity program was largely a circling of the wagons reaction to everything happening at the time. So, don't take it too personally, this is all old stuff.

isn't Patrick Lor an ex-pat too? thanks for the post Rob. a lot of that stuff is invisible to those of us who weren't here then.


I remember Patrick. Where is he now?


« Reply #226 on: March 15, 2011, 09:43 »
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Thanks for sharing the background Rob. This makes istocks wariness of including non exclusives much more understandable.

lagereek

« Reply #227 on: March 15, 2011, 09:47 »
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Take this FWIW, but I just wanted to add a bit of historical context, the distrust of non-exclusive contributors is ingrained in the iStock DNA. Back in 2003-04 (pre-exclusivity) it was becoming rather common to see people who were contributors one day turn competitors the next. Serban's iStock username was Dreamstime (he even had a FIOTW way back when). Duncan, Canstock's founder, was M5laser or something like that on iStock before he started his site. Tim and Dawn at Bigstock, yep, former iStock contributors. I'm sure there were others, but the point is, this is all old stuff that is hard for them to forget. Around the same time as these contributors turned competitors appeared on the scene there was also increasing heat from the so-called "traditional" stock photographers (most notably a group of Alamy contributors), which further contributed to the siege mentality that exists today.

Of course the irony is that current exclusive contributors largely owe their exclusive benefits to these folks, as the exclusivity program was largely a circling of the wagons reaction to everything happening at the time. So, don't take it too personally, this is all old stuff.

Rob!  thats interesting actually because same thing happend in the old trad-agencies prior to 1993,  a couple of employees within Stones and Image-Bank, set up ACE, Rondanini and Hardings but to be frank they never reached any hights, just barely got off the ground another former Getty photographer split and set up a photo-agency within the London stock-exchange, specialicing only in financial images, rumors has it he got so big that Getty bought his agency in 96. Thats rumors, i doint really know.

Anyway there is lots of scull duggery in this business.

« Reply #228 on: March 15, 2011, 09:49 »
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SNP

  • Canadian Photographer
« Reply #229 on: March 15, 2011, 09:50 »
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skullduggery is an awesome word. nicely used Christian!

« Reply #230 on: March 15, 2011, 09:50 »
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Patrick's at Fotolia, right?

Geez guys, chill out a bit.  Everyone's all "they never tell us anything", and here they are going to tell us something, and then it's all "it's a conspiracy", "they're going to lie", "why do they hate independents", "they're going to gag everyone with this NDA", "istock sux", rhetorical example this that and the other.  Why not just relax and see what the outcome is?

« Reply #231 on: March 15, 2011, 09:52 »
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I guess this is normal business.

« Reply #232 on: March 15, 2011, 09:53 »
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I guess this is normal business.

(NO SARCASM)

« Reply #233 on: March 15, 2011, 09:57 »
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Thanks for sharing the background Rob. This makes istocks wariness of including non exclusives much more understandable.

How so? What is to stop an exclusive from dropping the crown and becoming a competitor? With or without an NDA? Non-exclusivity is just 30 days away from any contributor. The only way to stop an exclusive from becoming a competitor is to have them sign an non-compete agreement. iStock doesn't currently require that, do they?

lagereek

« Reply #234 on: March 15, 2011, 09:57 »
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I guess this is normal business.

(NO SARCASM)

Yup!  just another day at the office.

lagereek

« Reply #235 on: March 15, 2011, 09:59 »
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Thanks for sharing the background Rob. This makes istocks wariness of including non exclusives much more understandable.

How so? What is to stop an exclusive from dropping the crown and becoming a competitor? With or without an NDA? Non-exclusivity is just 30 days away from any contributor. The only way to stop an exclusive from becoming a competitor is to have them sign an non-compete agreement. iStock doesn't currently require that, do they?

So what??? you do like I did back in the 90s, just do business in another name, fat help hey?

« Reply #236 on: March 15, 2011, 09:59 »
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I guess this is normal business.

(NO SARCASM)

Yup!  just another day at the office.

On the path to sustainability. ;-)

« Reply #237 on: March 15, 2011, 10:13 »
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Personally I think we shouldnt get divided about the question if someones included thats indipendent or not. Were sitting in the same boat. I trust Sean - and so would I do Lisa, Rob and some others (from what Ive read from them in the forums). The exclusives are surley better to nail to the NDA - simply because were at the moment dipendent from the IS income. But as someone else has already stated were maby just 30 days away from being independent.

lagereek

« Reply #238 on: March 15, 2011, 10:18 »
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Yes but today, going from exclusive to independant is no duckswalk anymore, its at best a nightmare. Competition is at break neck speed and its time consuming, its a very dangerous step to take, nowdays that is.
I know a few that have tried and failed completely, ended up not knowing which leg to stand on.

« Reply #239 on: March 15, 2011, 10:24 »
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Patrick's at Fotolia, right?

Geez guys, chill out a bit.  Everyone's all "they never tell us anything", and here they are going to tell us something, and then it's all "it's a conspiracy", "they're going to lie", "why do they hate independents", "they're going to gag everyone with this NDA", "istock sux", rhetorical example this that and the other.  Why not just relax and see what the outcome is?

what?  You aren't used to this by now?  :)  this is how it always is after some 'controversial' thing (which often only becomes controversial after it hits the forums and gets 100 different opinions and speculations thrown at it. 

 

« Reply #240 on: March 15, 2011, 10:25 »
0
Yes but today, going from exclusive to independant is no duckswalk anymore, its at best a nightmare. Competition is at break neck speed and its time consuming, its a very dangerous step to take, nowdays that is.
I know a few that have tried and failed completely, ended up not knowing which leg to stand on.

not sure where you are getting this idea. I don't seem to be having any problem going from exclusive to independent.  Maybe I don't walk like a duck.

lisafx

« Reply #241 on: March 15, 2011, 11:11 »
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Thanks for providing us with some context, Rob.  While I don't agree that this prejudice against non-exclusives is justified in the current situation, knowing the history his helpful. 

I can't help but find it ironic that this bit of Istock history is still so deeply ingrained, while every positive aspect of cooperation between contributors and HQ has been abandoned and forgotten by TPTB. 

Take this FWIW, but I just wanted to add a bit of historical context, the distrust of non-exclusive contributors is ingrained in the iStock DNA. Back in 2003-04 (pre-exclusivity) it was becoming rather common to see people who were contributors one day turn competitors the next. Serban's iStock username was Dreamstime (he even had a FIOTW way back when). Duncan, Canstock's founder, was M5laser or something like that on iStock before he started his site. Tim and Dawn at Bigstock, yep, former iStock contributors. I'm sure there were others, but the point is, this is all old stuff that is hard for them to forget. Around the same time as these contributors turned competitors appeared on the scene there was also increasing heat from the so-called "traditional" stock photographers (most notably a group of Alamy contributors), which further contributed to the siege mentality that exists today.

Of course the irony is that current exclusive contributors largely owe their exclusive benefits to these folks, as the exclusivity program was largely a circling of the wagons reaction to everything happening at the time. So, don't take it too personally, this is all old stuff.

lisafx

« Reply #242 on: March 15, 2011, 11:17 »
0
Patrick's at Fotolia, right?

Geez guys, chill out a bit.  Everyone's all "they never tell us anything", and here they are going to tell us something, and then it's all "it's a conspiracy", "they're going to lie", "why do they hate independents", "they're going to gag everyone with this NDA", "istock sux", rhetorical example this that and the other.  Why not just relax and see what the outcome is?

Sean, I am really glad you were chosen.  You were my first thought when this panel was suggested.

Please don't let us down by turning into just another mouthpiece for Getty, trying to pacify us all into submission...

« Reply #243 on: March 15, 2011, 11:21 »
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Sean, I am really glad you were chosen.  You were my first thought when this panel was suggested.

Please don't let us down by turning into just another mouthpiece for Getty, trying to pacify us all into submission...

I don't see that happening with Sean.  :) 

And I'd like to add my thanks - Thank you for agreeing to do this, Sean.

have they posted the selected names yet? or the NDA? 

lisafx

« Reply #244 on: March 15, 2011, 11:40 »
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Sean, I am really glad you were chosen.  You were my first thought when this panel was suggested.

Please don't let us down by turning into just another mouthpiece for Getty, trying to pacify us all into submission...

I don't see that happening with Sean.  :) 

And I'd like to add my thanks - Thank you for agreeing to do this, Sean.

have they posted the selected names yet? or the NDA? 

I am sure you are right.  Just that Kelvin's 180 is still fresh in my mind...

traveler1116

« Reply #245 on: March 15, 2011, 11:41 »
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I hope this is more than a distraction.  IS already knows all the problems with the site, issues with security, anger by nonexclusives, etc... they are written in the forums and sitemails.  I hope we learn something from this call and IS will keep the contributors in mind before making changes in the future. Maybe they have realized they need to change and that's why all this is going on now?

lisafx

« Reply #246 on: March 15, 2011, 11:56 »
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I hope this is more than a distraction.  IS already knows all the problems with the site, issues with security, anger by nonexclusives, etc... they are written in the forums and sitemails.  I hope we learn something from this call and IS will keep the contributors in mind before making changes in the future. Maybe they have realized they need to change and that's why all this is going on now?

I think this is no more or less than trying to distract us from calling for an audit or organizing a class action lawsuit. 

« Reply #247 on: March 15, 2011, 12:16 »
0
I hope this is more than a distraction.  IS already knows all the problems with the site, issues with security, anger by nonexclusives, etc... they are written in the forums and sitemails.  I hope we learn something from this call and IS will keep the contributors in mind before making changes in the future. Maybe they have realized they need to change and that's why all this is going on now?

I think this is no more or less than trying to distract us from calling for an audit or organizing a class action lawsuit. 

that's what I am thinking.

jbarber873

« Reply #248 on: March 15, 2011, 12:38 »
0
I hope this is more than a distraction.  IS already knows all the problems with the site, issues with security, anger by nonexclusives, etc... they are written in the forums and sitemails.  I hope we learn something from this call and IS will keep the contributors in mind before making changes in the future. Maybe they have realized they need to change and that's why all this is going on now?

I think this is no more or less than trying to distract us from calling for an audit or organizing a class action lawsuit. 

   So far it's working pretty well. If they only put this level of effort into making things actually work...

« Reply #249 on: March 15, 2011, 14:08 »
0
I hope this is more than a distraction.  IS already knows all the problems with the site, issues with security, anger by nonexclusives, etc... they are written in the forums and sitemails.  I hope we learn something from this call and IS will keep the contributors in mind before making changes in the future. Maybe they have realized they need to change and that's why all this is going on now?

I think this is no more or less than trying to distract us from calling for an audit or organizing a class action lawsuit. 

that's what I am thinking.

Yup, yup. They think we're f'idiots.


 

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