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Author Topic: iStock expanding  (Read 19859 times)

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« Reply #25 on: May 05, 2011, 15:44 »
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I find the article extremely insulting.


« Reply #26 on: May 05, 2011, 15:45 »
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+1000

« Reply #27 on: May 05, 2011, 15:53 »
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Thanks for posting on this article and highlighting that gaffable Kelly quote.

I saw the article is open for comments. I just left a comment:

Quote
by risamay May 5, 2011 2:01 PM PDT
Expansion has been tough for the company, though, because of a contributor payment system that the company judged financially unsustainable. A switch last year to a performance-based compensation scheme was painful, but in the end, only about 0.1 percent of the more than 100,000 contributors were dramatically affected, Thompson said.

"It didn't really affect most people," Thompson said. "Everyone sort of settled down."

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I don't know if Kelly's numbers are accurate, but what I do know is that I trust him or iStock to be honest and do right by its contributors very little. After our experiences of the last year, it's crystal clear that the company does not have our best interests at heart.

Further, while we may have "sort of" settled down, that's sort of a line of BS because many of the contributors and threads in the iStock forums where "everyone" voiced their displeasure have been either banned (contributors) or deleted (threads). With that kind of censorship, yeah. It would appear that "everyone" has "sort of" settled down.

Is it any wonder why everyone would still be so unhappy?

While "everyone" isn't a posting member, many of us continue to discuss our displeasure and frustrations with the company on the Microstockgroup Forums where, thankfully, Kelly & Co. can't censor us.

http://www.microstockgroup.com/istockphoto-com/
« Last Edit: May 05, 2011, 16:27 by Risamay »

ShadySue

  • There is a crack in everything
« Reply #28 on: May 05, 2011, 16:03 »
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istock site is down here. Could this have anything to do with it? There is one angry topic in the discussion forum. Bet it won't be there when the sites back up.
It's up here now, the thread is still there and it's growing. For the moment, at least.

« Reply #29 on: May 05, 2011, 16:25 »
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I used to think he was a really bad communicator and even felt slightly sorry for him at times, now I just regard him as an outright liar. His remarks make me angry.

« Reply #30 on: May 05, 2011, 16:47 »
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"the PNG, (portable network graphics) format. Its big advantage compared with JPEG: it supports an "alpha" channel that lets designers mark parts of the overall image as transparent."

thanks, but no need for an alpha channel: seeing from sales stats, all of my pictures there are already transparent and invisibile to buyers lately  ;D

That was an LOL for sure!

And now the new Photo+ collection for non-exclusives. Yeah, right, like that's going to change my mind about what a dishonest and greedy company they are.

« Reply #31 on: May 05, 2011, 16:54 »
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Quote
If %.1 of contributors were dramatically affected, why do it? What gains does that provide to iStock to go from unsustainable to expanding?

Because in truth,

more than %.1 of people have been dramatically affected,
many more people have been seriously affected,
many more people have been moderately affected,
and oh by the way, all non-exclusives have been affected.

Perhaps %.1 is the percentage of contributors who benefit from this scheme.

Normally this would be the type of thing to create a survey and see if we could get firm numbers from more than 100 contributors who have been significantly hurt from this change, but it's so obvious, it would be a waste of time.

Source:
http://www.istockphoto.com/forum_messages.php?threadid=328488&page=3


Well said, adamkaz.

« Reply #32 on: May 05, 2011, 18:23 »
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Kelly's answer:

You know what, Kelly does read, and worked his ass off to get the interview so millions of people could read it and remember to come to iStock to buy stuff. As did the rest of the team. And the 15-some interviews we did in the last two weeks in Italy & London.

But I do apologize as I may have botched what I was trying to say. The PR team warned me after the interview I had been very unclear in that section and was jumping around. I think I answered his questions out of order. The fraction of a percent was definitely about the total change in royalties paid out, not the number of people it affected. So I don't think I said that, but it was a 3 hour interview. And I'm jet lagged. And I've screwed up worse before--it's not out of the realm of possibilities.

We announced some important things on CNET today. Please concentrate on which of all your files will work as PNGs. That's exciting news, and we'll be the first agency to have them. And hopefully enjoy the bump in sales these articles (usually) give us.

« Reply #33 on: May 05, 2011, 18:28 »
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You ungrateful contributors! He worked his ass off and he's jet-lagged! Poor KKT :'(

« Reply #34 on: May 05, 2011, 18:38 »
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Kelly's answer:

You know what, Kelly does read, and worked his ass off to get the interview so millions of people could read it and remember to come to iStock to buy stuff. As did the rest of the team. And the 15-some interviews we did in the last two weeks in Italy & London.

But I do apologize as I may have botched what I was trying to say. The PR team warned me after the interview I had been very unclear in that section and was jumping around. I think I answered his questions out of order. The fraction of a percent was definitely about the total change in royalties paid out, not the number of people it affected. So I don't think I said that, but it was a 3 hour interview. And I'm jet lagged. And I've screwed up worse before--it's not out of the realm of possibilities.

We announced some important things on CNET today. Please concentrate on which of all your files will work as PNGs. That's exciting news, and we'll be the first agency to have them. And hopefully enjoy the bump in sales these articles (usually) give us.


Oh, boo hoo.

If the PR team "warned" him of that, why didn't he clarify immediately? And why agree to an interview when you're jetlagged and confused and already know that you have a serious case of foot-in-mouth when you're well-rested and (presumably) not confused?
« Last Edit: May 05, 2011, 18:40 by Risamay »

ShadySue

  • There is a crack in everything
« Reply #35 on: May 05, 2011, 18:39 »
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Hmm, I wonder how much 3 hours of KKT's time is worth, for such dubious publicity. How much traditional advertising could that have bought - and I know it worked.

« Reply #36 on: May 05, 2011, 18:41 »
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You ungrateful contributors! He worked his ass off and he's jet-lagged! Poor KKT :'(

I think i need some clarification. He's doing us some kind of special favor??!!?

« Reply #37 on: May 05, 2011, 18:42 »
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Hmm, I wonder how much 3 hours of KKT's time is worth, for such dubious publicity. How much traditional advertising could that have bought - and I know it worked.

Yes. And how nice, a requisite trip to Italy for a jet-lagged, confused interview. I'm sure that in-person was the only way. Telephone, email, video conferencing via Skype, etc. were (of course) outside of the realm of possibilities. But of course.
« Last Edit: May 05, 2011, 19:00 by Risamay »

« Reply #38 on: May 05, 2011, 18:46 »
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Kelly's answer:

You know what, Kelly does read, and worked his ass off to get the interview so millions of people could read it and remember to come to iStock to buy stuff. As did the rest of the team. And the 15-some interviews we did in the last two weeks in Italy & London.

But I do apologize as I may have botched what I was trying to say. The PR team warned me after the interview I had been very unclear in that section and was jumping around. I think I answered his questions out of order. The fraction of a percent was definitely about the total change in royalties paid out, not the number of people it affected. So I don't think I said that, but it was a 3 hour interview. And I'm jet lagged. And I've screwed up worse before--it's not out of the realm of possibilities.

We announced some important things on CNET today. Please concentrate on which of all your files will work as PNGs. That's exciting news, and we'll be the first agency to have them. And hopefully enjoy the bump in sales these articles (usually) give us.


Is he drunk? He sounds like he's been emptying the mini-bar in that fancy London hotel we're all paying for.

« Reply #39 on: May 05, 2011, 18:56 »
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The only reason I can think of for an exec to be publicly pumping out this  BS is - as others have suggested - that the company is being set up for possible sale.   

« Reply #40 on: May 05, 2011, 19:33 »
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"Everyone sort of settled down.", really? I guess getting tired of ranting to a brick wall on the forums constitutes agreement. I won't forget what they did.

I got a site mail from LOBO warning me about my postings in their forums when they made the big announcement.  All I was doing was speaking my mind and not using any cuss words (like others did) but I figured it was because I was non-exclusive and a nobody in the eyes of ISTOCK.  Shortly after, I joined up here. My sales dropped from around $540 a month to the $250ish range.  So I am not in that fantasy land number of 99 point something percent unaffected. 

« Reply #41 on: May 05, 2011, 19:33 »
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Is he drunk? He sounds like he's been emptying the mini-bar in that fancy London hotel we're all paying for.

And notice he doesn't even touch the comment about "Everyone sort of settled down."

Did you actually say that crap or not, Kelly? Not that I would believe you if you said you didn't. Because it sounds a lot like something you'd try and claim well-rested and in the comfort of your own home. Really don't think you can blame blunders like that one on jet lag or "I was confused."

ShadySue

  • There is a crack in everything
« Reply #42 on: May 05, 2011, 19:50 »
0

Is he drunk? He sounds like he's been emptying the mini-bar in that fancy London hotel we're all paying for.

And notice he doesn't even touch the comment about "Everyone sort of settled down."

Did you actually say that crap or not, Kelly? Not that I would believe you if you said you didn't. Because it sounds a lot like something you'd try and claim well-rested and in the comfort of your own home. Really don't think you can blame blunders like that one on jet lag or "I was confused."
One would have to ask why he and the others would  "work their asses off" to get an interview when you were under-par, confused, and liable to talk rubbish.
BTW, Kelly, it's 'arse'. An 'ass' is a donkey.

« Reply #43 on: May 05, 2011, 20:03 »
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...BTW, Kelly, it's 'arse'. An 'ass' is a donkey.
I know KKT is Canadian, but in the US 'ass' does double duty as both - so convenient :)

ShadySue

  • There is a crack in everything
« Reply #44 on: May 05, 2011, 20:07 »
0
...BTW, Kelly, it's 'arse'. An 'ass' is a donkey.
I know KKT is Canadian, but in the US 'ass' does double duty as both - so convenient :)
:-)
bTW, that was a great an excellent reply you made to him on that thread. Well done!

ShadySue

  • There is a crack in everything
« Reply #45 on: May 05, 2011, 20:15 »
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"Everyone sort of settled down.", really? I guess getting tired of ranting to a brick wall on the forums constitutes agreement. I won't forget what they did.
I got a site mail from LOBO warning me about my postings in their forums when they made the big announcement.  All I was doing was speaking my mind and not using any cuss words (like others did) but I figured it was because I was non-exclusive and a nobody in the eyes of ISTOCK. 
Oh, I can assure you that it's not only independents. I'm banned and exclusive. And I certainly didn't swear. In fact, I only told the truth.

« Reply #46 on: May 05, 2011, 20:26 »
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"Everyone sort of settled down.", really? I guess getting tired of ranting to a brick wall on the forums constitutes agreement. I won't forget what they did.
I got a site mail from LOBO warning me about my postings in their forums when they made the big announcement.  All I was doing was speaking my mind and not using any cuss words (like others did) but I figured it was because I was non-exclusive and a nobody in the eyes of ISTOCK. 
Oh, I can assure you that it's not only independents. I'm banned and exclusive. And I certainly didn't swear. In fact, I only told the truth.

LOL. I'm banned and I was a buyer! So don't feel bad.

« Reply #47 on: May 05, 2011, 21:17 »
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Kelly's answer:

You know what, Kelly does read, and worked his ass off to get the interview so millions of people could read it and remember to come to iStock to buy stuff. As did the rest of the team. And the 15-some interviews we did in the last two weeks in Italy & London.

But I do apologize as I may have botched what I was trying to say. The PR team warned me after the interview I had been very unclear in that section and was jumping around. I think I answered his questions out of order. The fraction of a percent was definitely about the total change in royalties paid out, not the number of people it affected. So I don't think I said that, but it was a 3 hour interview. And I'm jet lagged. And I've screwed up worse before--it's not out of the realm of possibilities.

We announced some important things on CNET today. Please concentrate on which of all your files will work as PNGs. That's exciting news, and we'll be the first agency to have them. And hopefully enjoy the bump in sales these articles (usually) give us.


-------------------------------------------------

Really?  This is the best he's got?  Reading this sure sounds to me like he's saying he really does not have what it takes to be a CEO/COO.  Its a really hard and demanding job, which is why few people are cut out for it.  Successful ones get this stuff right regardless of how long the interview is, even when jet lagged, even if it means reaching out to the writer a couple of hours/days later to ensure they have the information you want them to have.  Successful ones sure don't whine to/about their key suppliers for being pissed when the he admits that maybe he screwed up again (not as bad as before, really) but he can't be sure (though his people thought he muffed it). 

Wow

« Reply #48 on: May 05, 2011, 22:50 »
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The fraction of a percent was definitely about the total change in royalties paid out, not the number of people it affected.

"Oooops!". Then why the h*ll doesn't he call the reporter and tell him to set the facts straight? He just tries to squirm out of anything.

And what does that even mean? That iStock royalty payouts were reduced by .1% and that affected dramatically... what? who?
« Last Edit: May 05, 2011, 22:52 by Perry »

rubyroo

« Reply #49 on: May 06, 2011, 09:18 »
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Kelly's answer:

Please concentrate on which of all your files will work as PNGs. That's exciting news, and we'll be the first agency to have them. And hopefully enjoy the bump in sales these articles (usually) give us.[/i]

Ah.  OK.  If they're keen to be the 'first agency to have them', I won't let them have them.  I'll wait until Jon Oringer wants them thanks.


 

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