pancakes

MicrostockGroup Sponsors


Author Topic: Getty will own StockXpert! bad news!  (Read 12599 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

lagereek

« on: December 06, 2008, 12:06 »
0
Yes most unfortunately Getty will up to 90% own StockXpert.  So where does it leave the present contributors??
Well, Getty is ofcourse going to treat StockXpert in the same manner as theyve treated IS.
Insisting on exclusivity, kicking out non-exclusives, limit uploads, followed by the usual aggrevation, frustration and hundereds of Forum threads, etc, etc, etc, etc. All the negative and bad stuff we have just experienced is going to be thrown at StockXpert members yet again. ONLY because we dont want to put our eggs in one basket.
Sorry! never again. The power of this Forum is unity and a certain freedom. My reaction to this Getty takeover is to show that we live in a democracy, not communism or worse.
In a few months time I will start de-activating my files at these Sites, 1200 shots at each site. Then I will put, at least my stock- energy and time where it belongs. Namely at SS, DT, Alamy and FT.


« Reply #1 on: December 06, 2008, 12:20 »
0
Really bad news...

« Reply #2 on: December 06, 2008, 12:29 »
0
You don't have to worry about StockXpert it will be as it is now and probbably wont change for a few years. Getty buy all of this with Jupeter images:
    *  Royalty free animations, templates and videos at Animation Factory
    * Share some laughs with a funny ecard from JupiterGreetings.com
    * Get high quality stock photos, royalty free images, and stock photography with Jupiterimages Unlimited
    * Photos.com the premiere stock photography website.
    * Quality footage and stock video clips available at Creatas Footage.
    * Download royalty-free pics at Comstock Images.
    * 10 Million downloadable images by subscription at Clipart.com
    * Web and Print resolution royalty-free photos by subscription from Comstock Images.
    * Royalty-free illustrations and stock photos by Subscription at liquidlibrary.com
    * Listing of royalty-free images available by subscription at SubscriptionImages.com
    * Tips and tricks and royalty-free photos from StockPhotography.com
    * High quality photos and graphics available at Stockxpert.
    * Premium clipart and more at ClipartConnection.com
    * Access royalty-free production music library tracks for background music and more at Studiocutz.com.
    * High-quality royalty free stock music for TV, web, presentation music, and more available at estockmusic.com
and much more companies I didn't listed.

So their main interest is probably audio and music because Jupiter is main player at that field. So if you are not musician don't worry nothing changes for now. Maybe in 2010-2012.

« Reply #3 on: December 06, 2008, 12:56 »
0
My concerns come from consolidation for sure but what really bothers me is the faceless ownership. Neither Getty or iStock are the same companies any more. Not even close really. I started off many years ago with SuperStock. At the time they were a real powerhouse, I used to get monthly 5 figure royalty reports from them, but slowly through one bad decision after the other they managed to acquire bankruptcy protection this week.  What an achievement. I hear a lot of boohoo stories but really its just bad decision making.

At best StockXpert will be viewed as an asset and and worst it will be viewed as an annoyance. With intelligent marketing the majority of the StockXpert costumer base can be shifted to iS. The rest can be simply written off.

Peter



lagereek

« Reply #4 on: December 06, 2008, 13:04 »
0
dbajurin!

Are you kiddin me or what? not talking about Virgin-records here: music and sound.  Im talking about Getty, whos main intrest is the Visual-industry.
Even so?  Who wants to invest time and energy in something that you predict will take a couple of years to destroy?
Its business!  not some pantomime.

lagereek

« Reply #5 on: December 06, 2008, 13:15 »
0
Zeus!

I also started off with Stones and The-Image-Bank ( 1000 years ago), brillant monthly sales-reports, well into the 5 figures and in dollars. Then came Getty and as usual the first year was great THEN came their policies crashing down on them like a ton of bricks, two years later the revenues were gone.
Same pattern with IS and not only for non-exclusives but for many exclusives as well.
Now its on to StockXpert, a good site and one of the big five! well not with me as a sucker member, not again.
Many collegues to me, within the Getty-RM are truly unhappy. I wonder why?

« Reply #6 on: December 06, 2008, 13:26 »
0
Lagereek,

Getty want to enter to the music business so this is start and beginning and specially in mass RF witch they missed (you probably don't know but Getty is very much in music industry all ready and they want more). Off course all other parts like images, cliparts etc. will be more % in their business. But I don't think that they will change much. Probably like Zeus said they will convert StockXpert customers to IS but this is very slow process (so they are not destroying anything, for them :) ).

Well in fact, as for the management they are not in Visual-industry, they are in stock market industry. Who knows what we can see in the future. Everything witch can be sell trough RF and RM or similar license they are interested in. Some think that they have to make company for selling blueprints as RM or maybe RF :)

That is the business - selling licenses!

Dario

RacePhoto

« Reply #7 on: December 06, 2008, 13:41 »
0
Zeus!

I also started off with Stones and The-Image-Bank ( 1000 years ago), brillant monthly sales-reports, well into the 5 figures and in dollars.

You were making over $10,000 a month on these sites? That's good spare change.

AVAVA

« Reply #8 on: December 06, 2008, 14:08 »
0
Hi Race,

 The numbers some were making in stock up until 3 years ago when Micro picked up steam were huge. I know several personally making well into the 7 figure returns per year. There are still a few but the number is dwindling. The money available for buying stock has been spread around between a lot more players and that number is growing every day at the same time the price point dropped to 1-3 % ( Biggest Micro Mistake ) of what it used to be. We will reach a maturation point in this game I am quite sure of it. The winners in the long run are the image buyers. I know Micro saved the fortune 500 companies millions and millions of dollars last year.

Best,
AVAVA

e-person

« Reply #9 on: December 06, 2008, 14:25 »
0

In a few months time I will start de-activating my files at these Sites, 1200 shots at each site. Then I will put, at least my stock- energy and time where it belongs. Namely at SS, DT, Alamy and FT.


Act in haste, repent at leisure.

It does not seem to be wise. What's already online costed you time to upload. Besides we are talking about companies which actively sell, not little useless ones.

lagereek

« Reply #10 on: December 06, 2008, 14:33 »
0
Hi Race,

 The numbers some were making in stock up until 3 years ago when Micro picked up steam were huge. I know several personally making well into the 7 figure returns per year. There are still a few but the number is dwindling. The money available for buying stock has been spread around between a lot more players and that number is growing every day at the same time the price point dropped to 1-3 % ( Biggest Micro Mistake ) of what it used to be. We will reach a maturation point in this game I am quite sure of it. The winners in the long run are the image buyers. I know Micro saved the fortune 500 companies millions and millions of dollars last year.

Best,
AVAVA


Hi Jonathan!

Dont think Race was around in them days?  who can forget guys like Pete Turner, Jay Maisel, Satterwhite, Glinn, Horowitz, Funk, Rivelli?  the list is long.

AVAVA

« Reply #11 on: December 06, 2008, 14:53 »
0
 I hope no one forgets them. They built this industry and I would love to see this new part of the industry learn from what came before them and embrace these masters of their craft. There is so much to learn from our past, always.

AVAVA

lagereek

« Reply #12 on: December 06, 2008, 15:20 »
0
I hope no one forgets them. They built this industry and I would love to see this new part of the industry learn from what came before them and embrace these masters of their craft. There is so much to learn from our past, always.

AVAVA

I really love to admit this but in its simplicity. Nothing and nobody even comes close to their inventive styles and as far as Stock in its true meaning, theyre untouchable.

lisafx

« Reply #13 on: December 06, 2008, 15:33 »
0
HI Christian,

I know just how you feel.  StockXpert is a good earner for me but I worry about what will happen down the line as Getty asserts its ownership.

In my case though, I won't be deactivating any images for the moment.  I have always kind of assumed that this microstock wave we are riding is temporary (although I hope not) and that I am going to ride it as long as possible. 

I do think it is good to have a backup or contingency plan for when/if micro tanks, but in the meantime I am going to keep producing and uploading to the viable sites, and although istock has dropped considerably in my earnings tally, they are still significant enough for me to to upload to. 

lagereek

« Reply #14 on: December 06, 2008, 16:07 »
0
Hi Lisa!

I know what you mean and riding it out. Just dont know if its worth the hassle. Its a time consuming thing this. I also feel that maybe its a good idea to spread the images but only to the sites which can deliver and where there is a future.
Its far from just the money, I mean the IS, best match, only touched me about 20% down, no big deal but now when StockXpert is going into the same carousell, well to put it mildly, its becoming a joke.
Anyway I might follow your instinct and leave the pics where they are.

all the best  Christian


« Reply #15 on: December 06, 2008, 16:10 »
0
Getty were taken over by Hellman & Friedman, so it will be up to them to decide what they want to do with StockXpert.  The way Getty used to do business might not be relevant any more.  Might as well wait and see how it pans out.

« Reply #16 on: December 06, 2008, 16:31 »
0

In a few months time I will start de-activating my files at these Sites, 1200 shots at each site. Then I will put, at least my stock- energy and time where it belongs. Namely at SS, DT, Alamy and FT.


Act in haste, repent at leisure.

It does not seem to be wise. What's already online costed you time to upload. Besides we are talking about companies which actively sell, not little useless ones.


yes, agreed.  I think i will wait and see how it all pans out and only then, if the deal is really unfavorable will I remove any images.  I dont see any reason for negative haste when we have NO idea of how things are going to change or not change.  Maybe things will turn for the better.  Everything in microstock is still very young.  It is impossible to guess the future of any business, let alone one that is so young.


gbcimages

« Reply #17 on: December 06, 2008, 16:56 »
0
the agency list is going to get a lot shorter before not to much longer.there is going to be more agencies bailing out soon.

« Reply #18 on: December 06, 2008, 17:05 »
0


You were making over $10,000 a month on these sites? That's good spare change.

[/quote]

There was no such thing as a site, at least not an internet site back then.

Peter

« Reply #19 on: December 06, 2008, 20:28 »
0
You don't have to worry about StockXpert it will be as it is now and probbably wont change for a few years. Getty buy all of this with Jupeter images:
    *  Royalty free animations, templates and videos at Animation Factory
    * Share some laughs with a funny ecard from JupiterGreetings.com
    * Get high quality stock photos, royalty free images, and stock photography with Jupiterimages Unlimited
    * Photos.com the premiere stock photography website.
    * Quality footage and stock video clips available at Creatas Footage.
    * Download royalty-free pics at Comstock Images.
    * 10 Million downloadable images by subscription at Clipart.com
    * Web and Print resolution royalty-free photos by subscription from Comstock Images.
    * Royalty-free illustrations and stock photos by Subscription at liquidlibrary.com
    * Listing of royalty-free images available by subscription at SubscriptionImages.com
    * Tips and tricks and royalty-free photos from StockPhotography.com
    * High quality photos and graphics available at Stockxpert.
    * Premium clipart and more at ClipartConnection.com
    * Access royalty-free production music library tracks for background music and more at Studiocutz.com.
    * High-quality royalty free stock music for TV, web, presentation music, and more available at estockmusic.com
and much more companies I didn't listed.

So their main interest is probably audio and music because Jupiter is main player at that field. So if you are not musician don't worry nothing changes for now. Maybe in 2010-2012.
Getty bought Jupiter Images, not Jupiter Media. Big difference!

« Reply #20 on: December 06, 2008, 21:14 »
0
Hm, so what that means? Am I wrong then? But Jupiter Images are owner of estoskmusic.com and clipart.com for example. Are you suggesting that they didn't buy StockXpert?

« Reply #21 on: December 06, 2008, 22:09 »
0
Quote
From Talanis:

Getty bought Jupiter Images, not Jupiter Media. Big difference!

This is true.

If some would actually take the time to read and understand the release from Getty, you wouldn't have all the kvetching about StockXpert

Quote
From the release

SEATTLE October 23, 2008 Getty Images, Inc., the worlds leading creator and distributor of visual content and other digital media, today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Jupiterimages, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Jupitermedia (NASDAQ: JUPM), for $96 million in cash. The acquisition will benefit existing and potential customers by making even more digital content easily accessible. The acquisition is subject to the approval of shareholders and the receipt of certain regulatory approvals.

...

Getty Images will retain the Jupiterimages brand and website, and will integrate Getty Images technology, licensing expertise, content, business processes and service. Jupiterimages large portfolio of wholly-owned imagery will allow Getty Images to offer still more versatility and flexibility in providing imagery and other content assets to customers. Additionally, Getty Images global distribution channels will increase international customers access to Jupiterimages products and services, including the Jupiterimages Unlimited subscription product.

There is a relationship of course between StockXpert and Jupitermages Unlimited due to the new offering crossover recently implemented, but it would really be just a matter of StockXpert pulling the plug on that offering if that is what the details of the deal include.

Of course things can always change a bit after all the ink is dry, butI think anyone pulling ports off of StockXpert due to the pending Getty deal is a bit premature.
« Last Edit: December 06, 2008, 22:16 by stormchaser »

« Reply #22 on: December 06, 2008, 22:22 »
0
And just an additional note - an iStock employee, or whatever he is there, did indeed post a misleading headline in the post of the press release, saying

"Getty Buys Jupitermedia"

http://www.istockphoto.com/forum_messages.php?threadid=78556

A pretty big and careless mistake by the poster.

lagereek

« Reply #23 on: December 07, 2008, 03:06 »
0
Yeah!  and another IS- Admin funny man said hes wearing the free StockXpert shirt. Nah,  they dont even know where they are or which leg to stand on.

« Reply #24 on: December 07, 2008, 08:00 »
0
Hm, so what that means? Am I wrong then? But Jupiter Images are owner of estoskmusic.com and clipart.com for example. Are you suggesting that they didn't buy StockXpert?

After checking for more info, you were right in stating they had footage, music, etc. I found that on Jupitermedia page

Quote
Jupiterimages is a leading worldwide provider of stock imagery, offering more than 10.0 million rights-managed and royalty-free images, along with images by subscription. Clients can search for and license single images or purchase entire collections on CD. In addition, Jupiterimages offers footage, Flash, music, clipart, animations and greeting e-cards to serve the needs of creative professionals. All of this makes Jupiterimages and its other offerings the complete solution for any creative project.
Click here to learn more.

Jupiterimages Properties:
AbleStock.com | AgenceImages | AnimationFactory.com | BananaStock | BBM.net | Beauty Archive |BigShot Media | Botanica | Brand X Pictures | Clipart.com | Comstock Images | Comstock Complete Subscription | CreatasFootage.com | FoodPix | Goodshoot.com | IFA Bilderteam | IT Stock International | Jupitergreetings | Jupiterimages Unlimited | Liquid Library | MediaBuilder | Nonstock | PictureQuest | PhotoObjects.net | Photos.com | Pixland | PRDirect | Polka Dot Images | (re)view collection | RoyaltyFreeMusic.com | eStockMusic.com | Stockxpert.com | Stock Image | StudioCutz | ThinkStockFootage | ThinkStockImages | Workbook Stock

I don't think we'll see any change in the near future because Getty has a LOT to learn from the management of all those companies. If they try to change everything now, they'll miserably fail. Then again, who knows what Getty has in mind. They could have the old mentality of trying to strangle the competition, kill microstock as we know to get back to macro stock leading the market but that too would miserably fail. There is simply too much competition at the moment, they could not buy everyone. Maybe they want to offer a wider range of service? iStock would be for their exclusive members and StockXpert for the non-exclusive? So many questions but we can only speculate.

The only reasonable thing we can do at the moment is laying back and watch. I don't think removing pictures at the moment would be a sound advice since we don't know what will happen. Heck, they might even sell the image part to keep only the sound/music/video, who knows? I'll keep my photos there but will keep informed and check what changes are to come.


 

Related Topics

  Subject / Started by Replies Last post
65 Replies
18108 Views
Last post September 09, 2009, 17:05
by Alatriste
55 Replies
19989 Views
Last post July 31, 2009, 06:44
by borg
10 Replies
5628 Views
Last post August 21, 2009, 16:13
by Phil
More bad news on economy

Started by WarrenPrice « 1 2 3 4  All » General Stock Discussion

83 Replies
22758 Views
Last post October 21, 2009, 11:55
by Jonathan Ross
BBC news getty images year in focus

Started by Justanotherphotographer « 1 2  All » General Stock Discussion

27 Replies
8029 Views
Last post March 20, 2017, 12:35
by dpimborough

Sponsors

Mega Bundle of 5,900+ Professional Lightroom Presets

Microstock Poll Results

Sponsors