MicrostockGroup
Agency Based Discussion => iStockPhoto.com => Topic started by: Perry on September 10, 2010, 14:39
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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 :))
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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
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I'll drink to that! :P
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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 »
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The last update on iStock forums confirmed that they are one foot in the grave already.
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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.
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Byestock.
I'm drunk and I'm going to sleep. Goodnight everybody :)
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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!
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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.
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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.
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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!
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Now GO and ACT!
Does you mom know you're out?
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!
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Now GO and ACT!
Does you mom know you're out?
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.
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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?
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You're joining a large club there Thomas ;)
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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?
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You're joining a large club there Thomas ;)
Hahaha, just noticed :)
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Come on Thomas, ask your mom if you can come out to play!
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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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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?
Sorry I meant diamond (I think I have been making that mistake on all the posts where I mentioned cannister levels, as it doesn't make a lot of difference to me as an independent I'm not always on top of all the BS terminology on all the sites I upload to) thanks for pointing it out.
I'm not sure why all your posts have to be in the tone of a toddler throwing a tantrum. I assume it's because you are frightened by of all the big scary changes going on at IStock :'(
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Alrighty, the Impaler.
IStock is the bestest agency EVER!
They're SEXY!
Now relax, move on ...
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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.
Putting who on ignore...?? ;)
Great quote from Harry S. Truman. He used to make notes in the margins of his speeches. "Argument weak - Yell like hell". ;D