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Microstock Photography Forum - General => General Stock Discussion => Topic started by: AYA on April 09, 2014, 08:05

Title: has anyone heard or worked with "Room the agency"?
Post by: AYA on April 09, 2014, 08:05
I was wondering if anyone knows of Room the agency (http://www.roomtheagency.com/ (http://www.roomtheagency.com/)) ? they contacted me through Flickr to distribute my images on Getty and istock at higher price. In return, they are offering 35-40% of THEIR earnings on Getty and iS. their images are on sale on Getty for 15-379$
I asked them what their commission is and the answer I got was that the terms of their contract with Getty are confidential and they can't answer that... not very easy to do the math!
any one has any answers to the following questions?
    -Has anyone worked with this agency?
    -What is the typical commission that an contribution agency would get at Getty?
    -Does it sound like a fair offer or a different version of the Getty-Flickr deal to anyone?

Thanks!
Title: Re: has anyone heard or worked with "Room the agency"?
Post by: Me on April 09, 2014, 08:16
IF I remember correctly, they contacted me a year or two back. Basically they say they will use their positioning on Getty to sell your images - but you sign your images over to them to put onto Getty as their work so they can sell. Whatever they sell of your images, they pay you up to 40% of the commission. For example. Your image in their portfolio sells on Getty for $500, and they get, for example, 50% commission so $250. They will pay you 40% of $250 i.e. $100. You get $100, they get $150.

I declined politely.

If I want my images on Getty, I will sell them there.

They are basically offering their position as an agent on Getty and for it they get paid more than you do.

Caveat - this is all IF I remember correctly.

ETA - I'm pretty sure with me they were talking about Alamy though.
Title: Re: has anyone heard or worked with "Room the agency"?
Post by: AYA on April 09, 2014, 08:26
thanks for your quick answer Me,
is 50% a typical commission for contributing agencies to Getty? it would be great if I could get 65$ per xxxl image sold but if the get 20%, that's a different story.
I'm just surprised that an agency that is selling their reputation and high position at Getty would be so vague about commissions... it gives me a weird scam impression.


Title: Re: has anyone heard or worked with "Room the agency"?
Post by: Newsfocus1 on April 09, 2014, 10:18
They used to be microstock site Pocketstock but then changed their business model. More info on this thread here if you are interested. Regards, David.
http://www.microstockgroup.com/new-sites-general/pocketstock-no-longer-accepting-non-exclusive-content/msg363090/#msg363090 (http://www.microstockgroup.com/new-sites-general/pocketstock-no-longer-accepting-non-exclusive-content/msg363090/#msg363090)
Title: Re: has anyone heard or worked with "Room the agency"?
Post by: Sean Locke Photography on April 09, 2014, 10:21
I asked them what their commission is and the answer I got was that the terms of their contract with Getty are confidential and they can't answer that

I'd tell them to get lost.  I'm not selling my content when I have no idea what I'm supposed to get.
Title: Re: has anyone heard or worked with "Room the agency"?
Post by: stocked on April 09, 2014, 10:28
and they get, for example, 50% commission
very bad example they get 20% so you end up with a commission far less than 10%

Title: Re: has anyone heard or worked with "Room the agency"?
Post by: stocked on April 09, 2014, 10:31
thanks for your quick answer Me,
is 50% a typical commission for contributing agencies to Getty? it would be great if I could get 65$ per xxxl image sold but if the get 20%, that's a different story.
I'm just surprised that an agency that is selling their reputation and high position at Getty would be so vague about commissions... it gives me a weird scam impression.
no they all get 20% you always end up with an actual commission less then 10%, I know this first-hand!
Title: Re: has anyone heard or worked with "Room the agency"?
Post by: AYA on April 09, 2014, 10:42
Thanks guys,
That's what I figured!

have a great day and thanks for your answers  :)

Julie