Author Topic: iStockphoto.com 2000-2011 R.I.P. (Read 9940 times)

Perry · « **on:** September 10, 2010, 14:39 »

Just wanted to read and feel how it would sound. What text would you put on their gravestone?

(Sorry about this thread, I'm getting a bit drunk here

vonkara · « **Reply #1 on:** September 10, 2010, 15:23 »

I guess I should start drinking as well. Basically, the cost of living is in massive raise, and every business you can work for are trying to cut the grass under your feet... Grrr

anonymous · « **Reply #2 on:** September 10, 2010, 15:39 »

I'll drink to that!

ErickN · « **Reply #3 on:** September 10, 2010, 15:47 »

I would write :

« UNFORGETT(Y)ABLE »
or
« We told you it was unsustainable... » *

* I once read an epitaph on a gravestone in Père Lachaise cemetery in Paris saying : « I told you I was ill »

Perry · « **Reply #4 on:** September 10, 2010, 18:30 »

The last update on iStock forums confirmed that they are one foot in the grave already.

crazychristina · « **Reply #5 on:** September 10, 2010, 18:42 »

istock is changing to a new business model. The Agency collection will be a midstock collection of Getty pros and selected istock contributors, attracting buyers who previously wouldn't consider micro. The micro collections will be kept as the budget outlet but not the core business. A one-stop shop for buyers of all colors, capitalising on the istock brand. Should do well. But the majority of current contributors are not very relevant to this model.

ThomasAmby · « **Reply #6 on:** September 10, 2010, 20:08 »

Byestock.

I'm drunk and I'm going to sleep. Goodnight everybody

Graffoto · « **Reply #7 on:** September 10, 2010, 20:15 »

Quote from: averil on September 10, 2010, 18:42

istock is changing to a new business model. The Agency collection will be a midstock collection of Getty pros and selected istock contributors, attracting buyers who previously wouldn't consider micro. The micro collections will be kept as the budget outlet but not the core business. A one-stop shop for buyers of all colors, capitalising on the istock brand. Should do well. But the majority of current contributors are not very relevant to this model.

If that is true, they are killing the goose that lays the golden eggs.

hoi ha · « **Reply #8 on:** September 10, 2010, 21:22 »

Quote from: averil on September 10, 2010, 18:42

istock is changing to a new business model. The Agency collection will be a midstock collection of Getty pros and selected istock contributors, attracting buyers who previously wouldn't consider micro. The micro collections will be kept as the budget outlet but not the core business. A one-stop shop for buyers of all colors, capitalising on the istock brand. Should do well. But the majority of current contributors are not very relevant to this model.

yes - this is it exactly.

And istock still figures they will weather the storm (and they will) - they know people are angry but already in the forums peope have gone from "F U istock" to "I will wait until the middle of 2011 to see how it goes before I make any decisions ..." (yeah yeah big threat that - not) - so already the majority are on board with the changes - they may not like them, but it is istock's modus operandi to make the decision, post it on the forum, allow people to let off steam in the forum for a week or 2, then same old same old - so they lose a few contributors - big deal. So they lose a couple buyers - big deal ... the buyers just want images they don't care about the other stuff.

It's not istock RIP - istock has won ... as we all knew they would.

Microbius · « **Reply #9 on:** September 11, 2010, 03:34 »

I don't know, don't forget a lot of the buyers are also contributors and all work in the creative industries. I would hope a strong enough negative publicity campaign would hit them where it hurts. If there sales are impacted just enough to tip the balance where it no longer makes sense to be exclusive there whole model collapses.

Gannet77 · « **Reply #10 on:** September 11, 2010, 03:54 »

Quote from: averil on September 10, 2010, 18:42

istock is changing to a new business model. The Agency collection will be a midstock collection of Getty pros and selected istock contributors, attracting buyers who previously wouldn't consider micro. The micro collections will be kept as the budget outlet but not the core business. A one-stop shop for buyers of all colors, capitalising on the istock brand. Should do well. But the majority of current contributors are not very relevant to this model.

Yes, I think that's exactly right. And I'm probably one of those contributors... still, it was good while it lasted!

vlad_the_imp · « **Reply #11 on:** September 11, 2010, 04:03 »

Quote

The last update on iStock forums confirmed that they are one foot in the grave already.

I don't think so. They're moving upmarket and dumping a lot of amateur deadweight contributors. Look at the people who are making the most noise in the forums, non-exclusives and low selling amateurs mostly, making big noises about 'taking their clients with them when they leave'-yeah, right! They wish. Anyone who works professionally in any design related business ( in fact in ANY business) will know that costs are being cut continuously. Fees in design and publishing are lower now, in many instances, than they were 10 years ago, it's the economic reality in a world economic order that's heading towards unsustainability and ultimately collapse.

Microbius · « **Reply #12 on:** September 11, 2010, 04:09 »

Quote from: vlad_the_imp on September 11, 2010, 04:03

Look at the people who are making the most noise in the forums, non-exclusives and low selleing amateurs mostly

A lot of the bigger sellers aren't going to spend time bitching in the forums, but trust me, as a platinum independent I am seriously re-evaluating my relationship with IStock and I'm not the only one. I'm totally behind any negative publicity campaign which points out how badly IStock treats its contributors. For a company built on crowd sourcing the stink lingering on them is a big deal.

iclick · « **Reply #13 on:** September 11, 2010, 04:31 »

re a point raised here, Actually we have seen in the IS Forum and elsewhere that many high end successful talented artists a reevaluating their commitment to IS so if they are planning on just attempting to weed out the smaller less significant contributer they are in for one horrible shock!

vlad_the_imp · « **Reply #14 on:** September 11, 2010, 04:33 »

Quote

the stink lingering on them is a big deal.

It's like a summer storm, it'll pass as quickly as it arrived. I know plenty of big sellers and I don't know any who are seriously leaving IS. They may be unhappy, but having seen 2 instances of middle-to-high sellers leaving, then rapidly returning with bloodied noses no one is keen to jump ship. It may be different for non exclusives but no exclusive in their right mind would leave.

vlad_the_imp · « **Reply #15 on:** September 11, 2010, 04:35 »

Quote

Actually we have seen in the IS Forum and elsewhere that many high end successful talented artists a reevaluating their commitment to IS

Like who? If they go they'll be in for a nasty shock and I'll bet they'll be back pretty quick.

Microbius · « **Reply #16 on:** September 11, 2010, 04:37 »

I agree that no-one would jump ship overnight if they are a platinum or better exclusive, that's why the smart money's on educating buyers. There are other sources out there that sell equally good images more cheaply and pay their contributors better. When enough buyers go elsewhere being exclusive wont add up any more.

vlad_the_imp · « **Reply #17 on:** September 11, 2010, 04:44 »

Quote

Now GO and ACT!

Does you mom know you're out?

Quote

Following the above will quickly lead to a massive raise in sales in the better paying agencies, god for all independent artist - bad for greedy bankers.

Come on, do you really believe that? You are completely naive if you think more than a tiny handful of small time buyers will take any notice. IS have a HUGE buyer base, the vast majority of whom shop at IS for the best pro images, they're not going to be put off by a few small time bloggers. We've seen this all before, every time something big is announced at IS that people don't like, threats to bring them down etc, here's a hint, IT WON"T HAPPEN!

ThomasAmby · « **Reply #18 on:** September 11, 2010, 04:57 »

Quote from: vlad_the_imp on September 11, 2010, 04:44

Quote
Now GO and ACT!

Does you mom know you're out?

Quote
Following the above will quickly lead to a massive raise in sales in the better paying agencies, god for all independent artist - bad for greedy bankers.

Come on, do you really believe that? You are completely naive if you think more than a tiny handful of small time buyers will take any notice. IS have a HUGE buyer base, the vast majority of whom shop at IS for the best pro images, they're not going to be put off by a few small time bloggers. We've seen this all before, every time something big is announced at IS that people don't like, threats to bring them down etc, here's a hint, IT WON"T HAPPEN!

If you believe nothing will change, why are you so fierce?
Don't bother to reply, I'm putting you on ignore. What a child.

vlad_the_imp · « **Reply #19 on:** September 11, 2010, 04:58 »

Quote

as a platinum independent I am seriously re-evaluating my relationship with IStock

A platinum independent? There is no such category of seller on IS. Are you sure you're not some fantasist?

rubyroo · « **Reply #20 on:** September 11, 2010, 04:59 »

You're joining a large club there Thomas

vlad_the_imp · « **Reply #21 on:** September 11, 2010, 05:00 »

Quote

Don't bother to reply, I'm putting you on ignore. What a child.

You're not even an IS contributor. Couldn't make the grade eh?

ThomasAmby · « **Reply #22 on:** September 11, 2010, 05:00 »

Quote from: rubyroo on September 11, 2010, 04:59

You're joining a large club there Thomas

Hahaha, just noticed

vlad_the_imp · « **Reply #23 on:** September 11, 2010, 05:20 »

Come on Thomas, ask your mom if you can come out to play!

Perry · « **Reply #24 on:** September 11, 2010, 05:21 »

Quote from: vlad_the_imp on September 11, 2010, 04:44

Come on, do you really believe that? You are completely naive if you think more than a tiny handful of small time buyers will take any notice.

Then why does it bother you so much?

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Author Topic: iStockphoto.com 2000-2011 R.I.P. (Read 9940 times)

Perry

vonkara

anonymous

ErickN

Perry

crazychristina

ThomasAmby

Graffoto

hoi ha

Microbius

Gannet77

vlad_the_imp

Microbius

iclick

vlad_the_imp

vlad_the_imp

Microbius

vlad_the_imp

ThomasAmby

vlad_the_imp

rubyroo

vlad_the_imp

ThomasAmby

vlad_the_imp

Perry

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