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Author Topic: Getty Images to Acquire Jupiterimages  (Read 27063 times)

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« on: October 23, 2008, 09:39 »
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« Last Edit: October 23, 2008, 09:42 by Perry »


« Reply #1 on: October 23, 2008, 09:50 »
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So, what does this mean to us?  Will they send Istock's reviewers to StockXpert and then give our photos, the ones that aren't rejected for edges being too feathered or rough, to Jupiter Images for 30 cents?

« Reply #2 on: October 23, 2008, 09:56 »
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They could let istock exclusives upload there or they could sell off StockXpert.  Either way, I don't see how this will be positive for my earnings there.

jsnover

« Reply #3 on: October 23, 2008, 10:12 »
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Here are a couple more links
http://www.abouttheimage.com/3953/jupiter_media_selling_stock_photography_licensing_business_getty_96_million/author2
http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/Jupitermedia-Corporation-Signs-Agreement-Sell/story.aspx?guid={71ADD45D-FBDC-47F5-A146-031A03CA5087}

I can see how the bargain basement stuff could be used (as it doesn't overlap with other Getty stuff) but how do you deal with StockXpert and iStock? A lot of the same content is already on iStock anyway...

« Reply #4 on: October 23, 2008, 10:19 »
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I guess I may as well go exclusive with iStock now? The big fish consume the little fish.

Sh*t, StockXpert was my first way back when they opened. And the sales have picked up nicely with those great commissions to contributors. That only leaves DT and FT (i've almost written off SS) for me, and maybe exclusivity with iStock will make up that difference.  Dam!

vonkara

« Reply #5 on: October 23, 2008, 10:37 »
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I hope StockXpert will stay as it is or be better and not becoming a little Istock. The micros and macros industry is moving day after day, because it still a new industry in a way, let see what will happen

« Reply #6 on: October 23, 2008, 10:41 »
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Wow

« Reply #7 on: October 23, 2008, 10:44 »
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I can't find where, but this week I read something about microstock and it said that in these tough economic times buyers won't take any kind of risk - like a new and slightly different Photoshelter.  They predicted that buyers will stick with the same old trusted names, making the big agencies even stronger and the young agencies will suffer or fail or be consumed.  

I've noticed especially poor sales at 123, StockXpert and BS these days.  I was chalking it up to lack of new content from me, but I wonder if they are feeling the recession worse than others?  The bigger names:  DT, FT have been doing very well for me, and who knows what is going on at IS with the search changes, they seems to be back to normal this week.

bittersweet

« Reply #8 on: October 23, 2008, 10:58 »
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I hope StockXpert will stay as it is or be better and not becoming a little Istock.

I think the chances of that happening are pretty slim.

Isn't photos.com part of Jupiter as well? There was no mention of these two entities, but they weren't among the five that JupiterMedia is going to retain. (ETA: After reading the press release again, it does say "...including the Jupiterimages Unlimited subscription product" which I assume does mean photos.com)

I guess further announcements will come after the shareholders have approved the deal.
« Last Edit: October 23, 2008, 11:07 by whatalife »

lisafx

« Reply #9 on: October 23, 2008, 11:02 »
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I hope StockXpert will stay as it is or be better and not becoming a little Istock. The micros and macros industry is moving day after day, because it still a new industry in a way, let see what will happen

To be honest, they could stand to be a bit more like istock.  I never have had any trouble getting paid by istock, and I have never had sales fail to be recorded or royalties accrued for over two weeks on istock, although both those problems are happening on StockXpert.

« Reply #10 on: October 23, 2008, 11:24 »
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well how many different brands do getty have.  It seems like there are tons.   I don't see any reason why they couldn't have two brands of microstock.

hali

« Reply #11 on: October 23, 2008, 11:26 »
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argh, nightmare. i hate IS but i like StockXpert very much.
now i am really in deep s**t.
all my images with StockXpert will be re-reviewed and rejected if IS reviewers
get their filthy hands on them.
but if StockXpert reviewers review my future IS images, then all will work out 200% to my joy.
this is enough to make me go out and get a large bottle of whisky.
 :-[

bittersweet

« Reply #12 on: October 23, 2008, 11:34 »
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well how many different brands do getty have.  It seems like there are tons.   I don't see any reason why they couldn't have two brands of microstock.

How many operate as separate entities? i hope to be proven wrong. To be honest, I hope they do not merge the two. There is already enough competition on istock as it is. However I think that the exclusive contributors at istock will have a good case for being on StockXpert as well. (But I think this whole scenario is unlikely)

If for some reason they do merge the collections, I cannot imagine istock's acceptance standards being applied after the fact to the incoming images. I'm sure that won't happen. If they were that concerned with it, they'd have cleaned up the collection of old crap they already have. The dollar bin can only accommodate so much.  :D

« Reply #13 on: October 23, 2008, 11:45 »
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all my images with StockXpert will be re-reviewed and rejected if IS reviewers
get their filthy hands on them.

I think if you feel that way then you need to go out and learn how to use your camera.

« Reply #14 on: October 23, 2008, 11:47 »
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well how many different brands do getty have.  It seems like there are tons.   I don't see any reason why they couldn't have two brands of microstock.

Agreed.  And I wouldn't be surprised if the whole JIU and Photos.com revamping had something to do with JI making itself attractive for potential buyers.  If JI can have three different subscription services, Getty can have multiple microstock services as well.

We probably won't even notice much of a change.  The only thing I'm worried about is if this will mean Getty implements disambiguation on StockXpert.  Now that would suck!!!  

« Reply #15 on: October 23, 2008, 11:51 »
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Something to keep in mind.  Getty now own a third of the top microstock sites.  One more purchase and they'll own 50%.

They can now pretty much dictate the market...  I wonder what they'll do to make their traditional collection more attractive to buyers?

bittersweet

« Reply #16 on: October 23, 2008, 11:57 »
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Something to keep in mind.  Getty now own a third of the top microstock sites.  One more purchase and they'll own 50%.

They can now pretty much dictate the market...  I wonder what they'll do to make their traditional collection more attractive to buyers?

Buy all the rest so we won't have a choice?

Seriously, the customer service at Getty has sucked... to the point that I've been given instructions not to use them by one of my larger clients. I've been told to use Jupiter whenever possible, and Veer as a secondary. Was sad to see the release said they would integrate Getty "service".


bittersweet

« Reply #17 on: October 23, 2008, 12:00 »
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If JI can have three different subscription services,  

I'm not sure using their business practices as an example of "why not?" is all that convincing, since their being way in the red is I'm sure a big part of the reason they needed to be sold in the first place.

But who knows!?! :)

« Reply #18 on: October 23, 2008, 12:06 »
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I wonder what will happen to the 50% cut. the new deal with the photos.com already reducing it to 30% .

it seems to me they are actually buying the customers not the site:) Just trying to be optimistic I hope this change will have positive impact on us I have no clue how that could happen though ....

All I can see now is that  the giant is growing even bigger.
« Last Edit: October 23, 2008, 12:10 by stokfoto »

« Reply #19 on: October 23, 2008, 12:10 »
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So what is best...to continue to upload to StockXpert or to wait to see what happens?

bittersweet

« Reply #20 on: October 23, 2008, 12:17 »
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So what is best...to continue to upload to StockXpert or to wait to see what happens?

It will be months before anything "happens" so I don't see any reason not to continue uploading until you hear otherwise (as long as you are getting paid).

hali

« Reply #21 on: October 23, 2008, 13:33 »
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I think if you feel that way then you need to go out and learn how to use your camera.

and take snapshots like you Seren? no thx i'd prefer to stop breathing...
and...you should learn to have some manner, too kiddo ;D
« Last Edit: October 23, 2008, 13:42 by hali »

« Reply #22 on: October 23, 2008, 13:43 »
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... To be honest, I hope they do not merge the two. There is already enough competition on istock as it is. However I think that the exclusive contributors at istock will have a good case for being on StockXpert as well. (But I think this whole scenario is unlikely)

If for some reason they do merge the collections, I cannot imagine istock's acceptance standards being applied after the fact to the incoming images. I'm sure that won't happen. ....

i doubt it's even theoretically possible to merge the holdings of any 2 MS agencies - even assuming photographers use the same profile on each site, the sites dont keep the photographer's original file names [again even assuming p's have a unique naming convention.  so there's no way to eliminate overlap between 2 collections.,

much more likely would be to just shut down one collection and merge customer lists


grp_photo

« Reply #23 on: October 23, 2008, 13:53 »
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I think this is extremely bad news for independent photographers  >:( .
I guess StockXpert and IS will coexist for a while but there is a risk that StockXpert will be either shutdown or getting less exposure and marketing budget. Contributors with a small or none Portfolio on IS and a big portfolio on StockXpert would be the loosers.

« Reply #24 on: October 23, 2008, 13:59 »
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Jupiter had only one strength which was their subscription business. My guess is we will see Getty aggressively moving into subscriptions by using the Jupiterimages brands including StockXpert.

No good news for contributors.


 

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