MicrostockGroup
Agency Based Discussion => iStockPhoto.com => Topic started by: ShadySue on December 15, 2011, 07:26
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iStock seem to have introduced some sort of Facebook app whereby facebook users can choose from a selection of iStock images to send ecards to friends. There is no charge to facebook users, no direct benefit to iStockers whose images are used and no opt out. (With the last artists' agreement change, they forced us into all marketing initiatives.)
http://www.istockphoto.com/forum_messages.php?threadid=338419&page=1 (http://www.istockphoto.com/forum_messages.php?threadid=338419&page=1)
Disclaimer: I don't 'get' Facebook. I had to join to get information about an event I was participating in (why couldn't the organisers have put the info on their website?) and now just sit there, nothing happening, waste of time. Like Twitter - joined at the time of that silly iStock twitter shenanigans last April, posted that day a couple of times, nada since; yet even today, I got some sort of perv as a 'follower'.
Is this sort of free thing really likely to attract actual cashpaying buyers?
[Or is it 'we won't know until we've tried?]
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What an absolute waste of time, money, and resources. The site is riddled with bugs and this is what they are tasking some of their developers with working on?
And they wonder how we know when they're lying to us. They say they have no money and things are "unsustainable" but they have time and money to waste on silly junk like this. Or they're dedicating all of their resources to fixing bugs as quickly as possible, meanwhile they're working on a facebook app. Unbelievable.
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It's more that they chose to advertise for and appoint a person specifically to find ways of monetising social media (Spazerd is that person) rather than a/another bug identifier.
You've got to keep one eye on the Careers page!
Currently recruiting a 'Media specialist'
Who you are:
As iStock’s Media Specialist you will manage the planning, buying and coordination of all print and online advertising efforts. You always look for opportunities for deeper relationships and strategic campaigns with new and existing advertising partners and you love getting a deal on published CPMs. You’re a whiz at trafficking ads and can’t wait for month-end to report on performance. You thrive online, excel at multi-tasking, and are able to stay on your toes in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
This position reports to the Director, Online Marketing.
and a 'VP Online Marketing'
"Who You Are:
This position is responsible for the overall marketing plans to drive and grow online revenues for iStockphoto and other properties in Getty Images’ multiple-site portfolio. Additionally, this position manages the company’s affiliate marketing strategy. Key areas of focus include new customer acquisition strategies and upsell and retention of existing customers using a variety of marketing channels and tactics and through deep analysis of customer segments and purchase behavior. This position reports to the SVP, Marketing."
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Anyway, as is consistent with 'the brand' it doesn't seem to work in certain OS/browser set-ups. ::)
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I decided I should actually have a look at this app.
So I clicked on the link.
This is what you have to agree to:
Access my basic information
Includes name, profile picture, gender, networks, user ID, list of friends, and any other information I've made public
Access my Profile information
About me and Current location
Post to Facebook as me
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
iStock eCard App may post status messages, notes, photos and videos on my behalf
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Well, that's not going to happen! "Don't install".
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Aww like iStock doesn't already know everything about you :-)
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Aww like iStock doesn't already know everything about you :-)
Yebbut they're not going to post as me or on my behalf, no doubt annoying the friends I might have if anyone I knew was on FB!
I'm perfectly capable of annoying my imaginary friends on my own. ;)
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I do use Facebook but am furious that iStock would spend time on something like this instead of fixing the myriad bugs on the site. I'm not sure how much business or name recognition would result from the initiative - seems like someone read one of those marketing how-tos that talks about the importance of social media.
I don't use Facebook apps that want access to my data or which might pester my friends. Given iStock's software track record (which seems intact as lots of people are posting in the iStock thread that they can't actually send the card once they've set it up), they're the last people I'd let near my data :)
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And let me guess - we get 3 cents for an e-card. Be still, my heart.
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And let me guess - we get 3 cents for an e-card. Be still, my heart.
Dream on:
Q: Do the contributors get a royalty for having their images used on the eCard app?
A: No, members are not downloading them for use- they are using them within Facebook to send greetings only.
(isn't 'sending greetings' a 'use'?)
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Dream on:
..
LOL
Thanks, I needed a laugh today. So now they've redefined "use" - I send you an image, and you look at it, but somehow we haven't "used" it.
What's next, in the parallel universe/alternate reality of IStock? I guess they could start charging us for this valuable service, which displays our photos to people who might like them so much they decide to buy them. Oh yeah.
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Is that use covered in their Terms?
So glad I'm out of there.
from ShadySue
Yebbut they're not going to post as me or on my behalf, no doubt annoying the friends I might have if anyone I knew was on FB!
I'm perfectly capable of annoying my imaginary friends on my own. Wink
:D
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Oh yeah, exactely what we needed! Gazillions of brats on FB having acces to our images for free! Wohoo! I'm sure they'll rush over to istock and buy en masse!
What a contrast with Veer who offers $100 for promotional use versus istock's 'let us use your photos for free for whatever we see fit, or sod off!'.
Does anyone know if and where we can look at the selected images outside of FB, or at least without installing the app? (ditto, not installing apps that need acces to my data, and DEFINITELY not letting the istock twonks near it..)
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Is that use covered in their Terms?
So glad I'm out of there.
Yeah, it used to be that you could opt out of all promotions. I opted out the day they cut my commission (i.e. when I hit 10,000 but my commission remained the same), but with the last 'sign on or get out', we were compulsorily opted in. This is what is said in the exclusive ASA, and I'm guessing the indy ASA is very similar (but I can't find it):
"In addition to the foregoing grant iStockphoto and its Distribution Partners may post, reproduce, modify, display, make derivative works or otherwise use any Exclusive Content for their own business purposes relating to the promotion of the Site, the Exclusive Content and their distribution programs, and promote the licensing of Exclusive Content (including, without limitation, the use of the Exclusive Content and the Supplier's registered and unregistered trademarks for marketing, sales and promotional efforts whether on the Site or through third parties). The Supplier agrees that iStockphoto shall have exclusive rights to design marketing literature for the Exclusive Content, at its own expense, and the Supplier agrees to cooperate in that regard. No compensation shall be due to the Supplier for use of Exclusive Content for such business purposes. "
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Giving away our unwatermarked images for free? No thanks. How . do we opt out of this nonsense?
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You don't opt out - that choice was taken away some time in the last year or so. My guess is that independents don't have to worry - they won't use our images anyway.
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Thats just it, I dont think they have any developers left. This pile of junk must be the result of a little "girl Friday", pugh!, what a waste of time.
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So I guess where GIS throws up the chosen images all over the web at 450x300, we'll know the initiative was a great one for giving away images for free.
I keep finding multiple uses of my images at exactly the same non-standard size in multiple websites, suggesting probably one legitimate buyer and a lot of thefts. The problem is knowing which was legitimate. I am so 'going off' RF!