Author Topic: iStockphoto management constipated? (Read 20348 times)

scorb · « **on:** October 27, 2010, 09:43 »

Constipated, meaning: Couldn't give a sh*t.

But seriously, there seems to have been a change of attitude in the forums.

Threads or posts which are abrasive or against standard policy have always stood a high chance of getting locked or deleted, so fair enough that those are being ruthlessly dealt with now. But threads which are completely civil, and asking perfectly fair questions which often have nothing to do with the royalty changes, are now being ignored for months or just locked for no clear reason. Just - if you're lucky - a 'contact support' brush off.

I wonder if there has been a management decision to move away from engaging in discussion in the forums. Making people go through support channels could seem attractive: policies have to be found out by contributors and buyers, rather than being broadcast for all to see and criticize. By refusing to discuss things, iStock don't need to try to defend policy changes which are basically indefensible, or back up statements which have been shown to be untrue. And the less said by iStock in the forum, the less opportunity there will be for people to point out "you said xxx 18 months ago and now you're saying the exact opposite".

It does seem strange that in a world where strong and honest communication - clarity and transparency - are well acknowledged as important in modern business, iStockphoto has gone from a position of strength in these areas to one of embarrassing weakness.

It's just difficult to tell whether this is a result of a policy decision, or of employee resignations and a total lack of interest.

lisafx · « **Reply #1 on:** October 27, 2010, 09:59 »

Quote from: scorb on October 27, 2010, 09:43

I wonder if there has been a management decision to move away from engaging in discussion in the forums. Making people go through support channels could seem attractive: policies have to be found out by contributors and buyers, rather than being broadcast for all to see and criticize. By refusing to discuss things, iStock don't need to try to defend policy changes which are basically indefensible, or back up statements which have been shown to be untrue. And the less said by iStock in the forum, the less opportunity there will be for people to point out "you said xxx 18 months ago and now you're saying the exact opposite".

I am sure you are right. I would not be at all surprised if they get rid of the forums altogether at some point.

Jo Ann Snover · « **Reply #2 on:** October 27, 2010, 10:54 »

I have no idea what is in other people's heads, but the ability to get any sort of useful answer to anything via the Help or Discussion forums seems to have evaporated. Same is true in the exclusive forums - lots of woo-yays from those still in the mood, but locks or silence for most everything else.

The search indices aren't being updated regularly - nothing accepted on Monday or Tuesday is showing this morning. The redeemed credit totals haven't budged from last week sometime (for those tracking progress to see if they will meet a target for next year - e.g. me!). The queue is at about a week for exclusives and I assume more for independents. There's not a whisper of an answer on the vector price increases of last week. All in all it's like a car that needs a tune up - cylinders are firing, but the plugs are gunked up and the timing's off so it's lurching and sputtering a lot!

If we keep the e-mail responses we get from support so we can compare notes somewhere other than the IS forums - like here - any attempt to try and keep tight control over information by refusing to answer any questions in the forums isn't going to fly.

I'd guess they'll try and change the forums so they're mostly just happy talk rather than remove them entirely. But the change from a few years back when you actually had dialog with the people running things is noticeable. I can see why Mr. Thompson's recent PR debacle would keep him out of the forums, but even before that, he only very rarely said anything in the forums (unlike Bruce who interacted a lot).

ShadySue · « **Reply #3 on:** October 27, 2010, 13:34 »

Quote from: jsnover on October 27, 2010, 10:54

I have no idea what is in other people's heads, but the ability to get any sort of useful answer to anything via the Help or Discussion forums seems to have evaporated.

Can't be coincidence that it's since the resignation of Uncle Rob as SuperMod (on top of, and probably not uncoincidental) with all the other stuff.

Elgol · « **Reply #4 on:** October 27, 2010, 14:16 »

The recent number of locked threads looks like business as usual. Every now and then this happens - as if it is just the whim of the moderator to close threads they just feel like closing. So they close off a load all at once and it keeps the forums "fresh" (because there's always someone who can't resist a new wooyay).
I don't know why I keep reading the i-Stock forums these days. Maybe it's the same morbid attraction as watching a train wreck happeining in slow motion:-[ .

cathyslife · « **Reply #5 on:** October 27, 2010, 17:20 »

Quote from: lisafx on October 27, 2010, 09:59

Quote from: scorb on October 27, 2010, 09:43

I wonder if there has been a management decision to move away from engaging in discussion in the forums. Making people go through support channels could seem attractive: policies have to be found out by contributors and buyers, rather than being broadcast for all to see and criticize. By refusing to discuss things, iStock don't need to try to defend policy changes which are basically indefensible, or back up statements which have been shown to be untrue. And the less said by iStock in the forum, the less opportunity there will be for people to point out "you said xxx 18 months ago and now you're saying the exact opposite".

I am sure you are right. I would not be at all surprised if they get rid of the forums altogether at some point.

I agree too. I think the forums will be gone soon. And it wouldn't surprise me if they go the route of many other companies...adding multiple layers of customer support, where one has to talk to 2 or 3 people just to get any kind of answer to a question. And the answer might not always be the right one.

jbarber873 · « **Reply #6 on:** October 27, 2010, 17:51 »

Quote from: cclapper on October 27, 2010, 17:20

Quote from: lisafx on October 27, 2010, 09:59
Quote from: scorb on October 27, 2010, 09:43

I wonder if there has been a management decision to move away from engaging in discussion in the forums. Making people go through support channels could seem attractive: policies have to be found out by contributors and buyers, rather than being broadcast for all to see and criticize. By refusing to discuss things, iStock don't need to try to defend policy changes which are basically indefensible, or back up statements which have been shown to be untrue. And the less said by iStock in the forum, the less opportunity there will be for people to point out "you said xxx 18 months ago and now you're saying the exact opposite".

I am sure you are right. I would not be at all surprised if they get rid of the forums altogether at some point.

I agree too. I think the forums will be gone soon. And it wouldn't surprise me if they go the route of many other companies...adding multiple layers of customer support, where one has to talk to 2 or 3 people just to get any kind of answer to a question. And the answer might not always be the right one.

At first I thought - "getting rid of the forums - no way", but the more I think about it, the more it makes sense. Only microstock even has this kind of interaction with the company. Most regular stock agencies are not good at communicating. They prefer the "send it to us and we'll let you know in six months model". It would save them a lot of trouble with contributors comparing notes and publicly complaining. The big producers will go on submitting and the small guys can take it or leave it. I've never really gotten any useful information out of the forums, but it was fun say stuff and see how long it would stay up. At least i won't have to read any more " we love you - great idea- give them a muffin" posts anymore. ( although they are few and far between these days.)

PaulieWalnuts · « **Reply #7 on:** October 27, 2010, 18:00 »

What's odd is while the Istock forums are being locked down Getty is introducing forums (

)

donding · « **Reply #8 on:** October 27, 2010, 18:09 »

Getty.....macro
iStock....mid stock
Thinkstock......micro

non exclusives go exclusive or go to Thinkstock

Just my opinion. Well see what other surprises are still in the bag....

jbarber873 · « **Reply #9 on:** October 27, 2010, 18:14 »

Quote from: PaulieWalnuts on October 27, 2010, 18:00

What's odd is while the Istock forums are being locked down Getty is introducing forums ()

Wow, really! The plot thickens...

cathyslife · « **Reply #10 on:** October 27, 2010, 18:20 »

Quote from: PaulieWalnuts on October 27, 2010, 18:00

What's odd is while the Istock forums are being locked down Getty is introducing forums ()

That is odd. But then again, Getty/IS doesn't object to forums as long as you are woo-yaying and constantly stroking them. It's the ones asking questions that they don't want around.

caspixel · « **Reply #11 on:** October 27, 2010, 18:42 »

Quote from: cclapper on October 27, 2010, 18:20

That is odd. But then again, Getty/IS doesn't object to forums as long as you are woo-yaying and constantly stroking them. It's the ones asking questions that they don't want around.

Haha! And here I thought I was too cynical.

Jo Ann Snover · « **Reply #12 on:** October 27, 2010, 19:48 »

Quote from: jbarber873 on October 27, 2010, 18:14

Quote from: PaulieWalnuts on October 27, 2010, 18:00
What's odd is while the Istock forums are being locked down Getty is introducing forums ()

Wow, really! The plot thickens...

From an e-mail they sent out to contributors on October 5th:

"We will continue to enhance the site over time with improvements and updated information. We’ll soon be launching a discussion forum where you can engage directly with the Getty Images contributor community and Getty Images employees. So keep checking back to the contributor’s site to see what we’ll do next."

I think it was Sean who commented in the IS forums that it was a wonderful idea given their track record handling the IS community. Someone told them social media are hot...

Sean Locke Photography · « **Reply #13 on:** October 27, 2010, 19:51 »

Quote from: PaulieWalnuts on October 27, 2010, 18:00

What's odd is while the Istock forums are being locked down Getty is introducing forums ()

Yeah. The IS forums aren't disappearing. IMO. That's not a fact, lol..:

PaulieWalnuts · « **Reply #14 on:** October 27, 2010, 21:05 »

Quote from: sjlocke on October 27, 2010, 19:51

Quote from: PaulieWalnuts on October 27, 2010, 18:00
What's odd is while the Istock forums are being locked down Getty is introducing forums ()

Yeah. The IS forums aren't disappearing. IMO. That's not a fact, lol..:

They may want to get rid of the forums but I don't think they will. If they did, everybody would just come here and complain which they would have little to no control over. And it's all about control.

Blufish · « **Reply #15 on:** October 27, 2010, 21:11 »

Yeah. The IS forums aren't disappearing. IMO. That's not a fact, lol..:
[/quote]

ROFLMAO!

PaulieWalnuts · « **Reply #16 on:** October 27, 2010, 21:16 »

Quote from: donding on October 27, 2010, 18:09

Getty.....macro
iStock....mid stock
Thinkstock......micro

non exclusives go exclusive or go to Thinkstock

Just my opinion. Well see what other surprises are still in the bag....

That makes sense.

Their big goal seems to be controlling exclusive content. Exclusive's new meaning being... content controlled by Getty.

Getty is already exclusive.

Istock is being loaded up with Getty content and they're pushing for higher end content.

Leftovers and non-Getty content could be pushed to Thinkstock to compete on lowest price with the rest of the micros.

lisafx · « **Reply #17 on:** October 27, 2010, 22:28 »

Quote from: cclapper on October 27, 2010, 17:20

I agree too. I think the forums will be gone soon. And it wouldn't surprise me if they go the route of many other companies...adding multiple layers of customer support, where one has to talk to 2 or 3 people just to get any kind of answer to a question. And the answer might not always be the right one.

Absolutely agree on the customer support thing too. It has already started. Wasn't so long ago that there was one customer support department. Now Customer Support is strictly for buyers. If a contributor has problems we have to go through "Contributor Relations". Not only have they shuttled us off to a separate department, it there isn't even the pretense that it is "Support" anymore.

lagereek · « **Reply #18 on:** October 28, 2010, 01:00 »

No!!! there chance of enlisting non-exclusives to exclusives is long gone, they lost that chance. With exeption of Lisa, I know a further 6 non-excl, diamond contributors, they wouldnt give exclusivity the time of day.

fotografer · « **Reply #19 on:** October 28, 2010, 02:54 »

Quote from: lagereek on October 28, 2010, 01:00

No!!! there chance of enlisting non-exclusives to exclusives is long gone, they lost that chance. With exeption of Lisa, I know a further 6 non-excl, diamond contributors, they wouldnt give exclusivity the time of day.

You can make that 7.

lagereek · « **Reply #20 on:** October 28, 2010, 06:08 »

Quote from: fotografer on October 28, 2010, 02:54

Quote from: lagereek on October 28, 2010, 01:00
No!!! there chance of enlisting non-exclusives to exclusives is long gone, they lost that chance. With exeption of Lisa, I know a further 6 non-excl, diamond contributors, they wouldnt give exclusivity the time of day.
You can make that 7.

Yup! same here, when I turned Diamond, I was seriously contemplating exclusivity and with IS, I would probably have done it but then along came Getty and with their track-reckord, well?

markrhiggins · « **Reply #21 on:** October 28, 2010, 07:13 »

Some forum threads are not just locked they disappear. I was sent a scam "testimonial" from an obvious Nigerian scam source. I put up a beware in the discussion forum to others. I also questioned if more could be done to check credentials of new members. It just disappeared.

lisafx · « **Reply #22 on:** October 28, 2010, 08:44 »

Quote from: lagereek on October 28, 2010, 01:00

No!!! there chance of enlisting non-exclusives to exclusives is long gone, they lost that chance. With exeption of Lisa, I know a further 6 non-excl, diamond contributors, they wouldnt give exclusivity the time of day.

"With the exception of Lisa" ?? Can't tell if I am included in the group that would not consider exclusivity or not....

I may have considered it in the past, but at this point I wouldn't give exclusivity the time of day either. That ship has sailed; that fence has been demolished; the fat lady has sung; sun has set on that idea (and any other metaphors you want to add

)!!

jbarber873 · « **Reply #23 on:** October 28, 2010, 14:18 »

Quote from: lisafx on October 28, 2010, 08:44

Quote from: lagereek on October 28, 2010, 01:00
No!!! there chance of enlisting non-exclusives to exclusives is long gone, they lost that chance. With exeption of Lisa, I know a further 6 non-excl, diamond contributors, they wouldnt give exclusivity the time of day.

"With the exception of Lisa" ?? Can't tell if I am included in the group that would not consider exclusivity or not....

I may have considered it in the past, but at this point I wouldn't give exclusivity the time of day either. That ship has sailed; that fence has been demolished; the fat lady has sung; sun has set on that idea (and any other metaphors you want to add )!!

Can we take it that you are leaning toward not going exclusive?

lisafx · « **Reply #24 on:** October 28, 2010, 15:21 »

Quote from: jbarber873 on October 28, 2010, 14:18

Can we take it that you are leaning toward not going exclusive?

LOL! Maybe I was a bit too subtle?

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Author Topic: iStockphoto management constipated? (Read 20348 times)

scorb

lisafx

Jo Ann Snover

ShadySue

Elgol

cathyslife

jbarber873

PaulieWalnuts

donding

jbarber873

cathyslife

caspixel

Jo Ann Snover

Sean Locke Photography

PaulieWalnuts

Blufish

PaulieWalnuts

lisafx

lagereek

fotografer

lagereek

markrhiggins

lisafx

jbarber873

lisafx

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