...saying: Thank you!

He goes on to say that they will "continue to work at making Shutterstock a rewarding experience for contributors..." - considering how other places are treating their photographers lately (or not so lately), I hope he keeps his word 

nice letter

Got it, too.  I wish them the best.

I deactivated my account a few months ago to turn exclusive at iStock.  Beginning to think I may have made a (temporary) mistake, not based on income, but based on the enjoyment and ease of working with a company.  I just wish SS would offer some means of making more than pennies per sale (on the majority of sales....in my experience anyways).

See how easy it is.
Just a letter, just some kind words.

Smart move.

Despite the fact that it was an automated message being sent out to most likely all contributors I thought it was a nice move to keep us in the loop.

I almost forgot about the IPO so therefore I checked into it again.

Today, Jon became officially a very wealthy person and I truly hope he will stay with SS and do his best to keep it successful. He deserves it.

it's nice to be treated like normal human being with feelings, isn't it? such a pity that other agencies just don't get it.

I wish them the best!

Quote from: click_click on October 11, 2012, 19:24
Despite the fact that it was an automated message being sent out to most likely all contributors I thought it was a nice move to keep us in the loop..

You mean he didn't type, sign and send it personally to a selected few? 

I can't remember the last time someone from upper management in microstock contacted me for anything else than to announce a "rate adjustment" - as you say, it was a nice move and it felt good to get a pat on the back instead of a kick in the ass, for once in a while...

Quote from: SIFD on October 11, 2012, 19:29
it's nice to be treated like normal human being with feelings, isn't it? such a pity that other agencies just don't get it.

I wish them the best!

Yes indeed.  I appreciated that letter very much!  Thanks so much to Jon.

so shutterstock was started as a website to sell his own image..so he is the first contributor, i wonder does his portfolio still in shutterstock?

Why is everyone so happy about this??

Soon it'll be being run by suits squeezing every dime out of each and every one of us. SS has been great until now, I fear this 'lovely heartfelt letter' from Jon is merely a harbinger of changes afoot.

Quote from: mtkang on October 11, 2012, 19:45
so shutterstock was started as a website to sell his own image..so he is the first contributor, i wonder does his portfolio still in shutterstock?

Here;

http://www.shutterstock.com/gallery-81p1.html

Jon used to have about 15K images there but his port is now much smaller. He was originally listed as 'Shutterstock' rather than JEO and, slightly strangely, is actually contributor #81. Maybe that was his lucky number or something.

as we say here, "being friendly costs no money".
Thats what he is doing. Being friendly.

And yes, it is mass produced, but it still reached us, and was kind.

Compare that to the darkness and arrogancy of other agencies.

Funnily enough I don't recall getting an email from Brucie when he trousered $50M of Getty's money.

Quote from: doglikehorse on October 11, 2012, 19:54
Why is everyone so happy about this??

Soon it'll be being run by suits squeezing every dime out of each and every one of us. SS has been great until now, I fear this 'lovely heartfelt letter' from Jon is merely a harbinger of changes afoot.

I can't say I feel any doom or gloom about it. I'd say it is more apathy.

"This milestone is the result of many years of hard work and innovation, and perhaps most importantly, the incredible talent of each of our contributing artists. Together we have built a thriving, diverse, global creative marketplace that spans more than 150 countries. "

At least one "owner" that recognizes our input as part of his business success and his dependance on us. Unlike the general attitude I met since starting in stock of "you should be glad we are even considering your work".

All those good feelings are now history.  The company now belongs to investors, and its purpose is to generate bigger profits immediately, by any means necessary, so they can cash out with big gains.   This won't be good for contributors.

Suits are not all dumb. They can look at IS and figure out it is best not to get greedy. Nice to receive the email.

Quote from: CD123 on October 11, 2012, 20:27
"This milestone is the result of many years of hard work and innovation, and perhaps most importantly, the incredible talent of each of our contributing artists. Together we have built a thriving, diverse, global creative marketplace that spans more than 150 countries. "

At least one "owner" that recognizes our input as part of his business success and his dependance on us. Unlike the general attitude I met since starting in stock of "you should be glad we are even considering your work".

This statement makes me laugh a little bit. They value our work by assigning one of the lowest values in the industry to it. 

Sorry, I couldn't resist. 

Quote from: cthoman on October 11, 2012, 20:47

Quote from: CD123 on October 11, 2012, 20:27
"This milestone is the result of many years of hard work and innovation, and perhaps most importantly, the incredible talent of each of our contributing artists. Together we have built a thriving, diverse, global creative marketplace that spans more than 150 countries. "

At least one "owner" that recognizes our input as part of his business success and his dependance on us. Unlike the general attitude I met since starting in stock of "you should be glad we are even considering your work".

This statement makes me laugh a little bit. They value our work by assigning one of the lowest values in the industry to it. 

Sorry, I couldn't resist. 

and yet, still get it right to be many of the contributor's top earners  (at least they still make me laugh to the bank as well). 

A mass produced mass mailing sent to all 35,000 of us.

Same thing for everyone made by the mail dept by order of Jon to be sent to all.

Yes it was nice to get one but I would prefer and think most here would as well think that perhaps it is time for some type of a small raise for all of us 35,000 unique and talented artists.


Yes

Quote from: ruxpriencdiam on October 11, 2012, 21:08
A mass produced mass mailing sent to all 35,000 of us.

Same thing for everyone made by the mail dept by order of Jon to be sent to all.

Ow come on, you cant expect him to write 35000 personal letters. Get with it, its 2012.

Quote from: ruxpriencdiam on October 11, 2012, 21:08
A mass produced mass mailing sent to all 35,000 of us.

Same thing for everyone made by the mail dept by order of Jon to be sent to all.

Yes it was nice to get one but I would prefer and think most here would as well think that perhaps it is time for some type of a small raise for all of us 35,000 unique and talented artists.

Reminds me of a birthday card I once saw.  On the front it says "For your birthday, you have your choice of an expensive gift or a simple card."  Open it up, and on the inside it says "I see you've chosen the card."

I thought it was a nice note.  Seemed to suggest Jon will be staying on at the helm, which is good news.  Hopefully they continue to grow the business intelligently, as they've been doing, without any radical changes for the worse. 

Quote from: stockastic on October 11, 2012, 20:39
All those good feelings are now history. The company now belongs to investors, and its purpose is to generate bigger profits immediately, by any means necessary, so they can cash out with big gains.   This won't be good for contributors.

I thought Jon was keeping majority control; am I wrong about that?

Quote from: Poncke on October 11, 2012, 21:17

Quote from: ruxpriencdiam on October 11, 2012, 21:08
A mass produced mass mailing sent to all 35,000 of us.

Same thing for everyone made by the mail dept by order of Jon to be sent to all.

Ow come on, you cant expect him to write 35000 personal letters. Get with it, its 2012.

+1

No one in any business has the authority to write a letter and then states it comes from the CEO or MD. Although he did not come over and shook our hands individually, the letter and the words it contains originates from him (or his Marketing or Contributor Relations Manager, or whom ever, and then he approved it).  Sigh.......... (Poncke will they ever grow up)