Author Topic: sjlocke was just booted from iStock (Read 128026 times)

rubyroo · « **Reply #50 on:** February 11, 2013, 13:55 »

Wow. What a shock that must have been for you Sean. I'm so sorry to hear of it, but glad that you're adjusting so well and looking at things positively.

No doubt your terrific port will be welcomed with open arms elsewhere and I'm sure you'll do brilliantly well out in Indie-world. Wishing you so well in the fresh air of a new landscape.

djpadavona · « **Reply #51 on:** February 11, 2013, 13:58 »

What a travesty.

I can't think of anyone in stock that I respect more than Sean Locke. We don't always agree, but his opinion is one I value to the nth-degree. He was one of the animation artists for major Disney films like Mulan. Why would you ever part ways with an artist that valuable? This is so short sighted.

Good for Sean long term, I have no doubt. Hopefully he not only lands in Stocksy, but does so as a major part of the company. Whatever he does I'm certain he will profit from it immensely.

mattdixon · « **Reply #52 on:** February 11, 2013, 14:16 »

I guess this is their way of stopping Sean pursuing legal action over the Google Drive deal.

Gobsmackingly Machiavellian move by Getty.

Graffoto · « **Reply #53 on:** February 11, 2013, 14:18 »

I suspect the Feb 2 deactivation protest hurt them more than we knew.

What fools these mortals be.

Bruce and his new venture will crush iStock. I predict a great number of exclusives will jump ship now.

fotografer · « **Reply #54 on:** February 11, 2013, 14:19 »

I really am shocked. Whoever made the decision needs to lose their job. What an absolutely stupid thing to do. They really are slowly digging their own graves!!!

Travelling-light · « **Reply #55 on:** February 11, 2013, 14:20 »

Crikey. I can't think of anything to say that hasn't been said, but yes, everything that everyone else is saying, just wanted to add my two cents.

luissantos84 · « **Reply #56 on:** February 11, 2013, 14:22 »

after this one, do we still have HAPPY exclusives?

2 happy so far

heywoody · « **Reply #57 on:** February 11, 2013, 14:42 »

Quote from: fotografer on February 11, 2013, 14:19

I really am shocked. Whoever made the decision needs to lose their job. What an absolutely stupid thing to do. They really are slowly digging their own graves!!!

I'm actually not surprised - for corporates loyalty is a one way street. I think the graves are now dug and burying has commenced - it's not just the loss of the portfolio but the complete and utter loss of credibility - I can't imagine that any exclusive is not thinking about an exit strategy and, without them, all IS can offer is high, convoluted prices.

click_click · « **Reply #58 on:** February 11, 2013, 14:47 »

Sean, I think this very unprofessional kick-out is a blessing in disguise.

IS should have valued your support and efforts a lot more, actually you should have been on their employee payroll IMO for your tremendous amount of help you provided all around IS related questions in your blog and here.

I truly hope you have prepared yourself for such a short term disaster to provide for your family.

We all know that your skills will ensure further safety and security of your loved ones by selling at (many) other places.

Best of luck. Stay strong and keep posting here about your new ventures.

Microbius · « **Reply #59 on:** February 11, 2013, 14:47 »

You don't think they did it when they did, with the deadline and all, just to get him out pre-Google statement; knowing how on the ball he is in terms of analyzing the ramifications of their decisions and ins and out of their dealings (read seeing through the bullsh*t)

Perhaps that statement wont make any reference to Sean at all

gostwyck · « **Reply #60 on:** February 11, 2013, 14:48 »

Really shocked and sorry to hear this news Sean.

I note from your blog that the original email, threatening such action, appears to have been dated 5th Feb which was actually 2 days before the Stocksy site announcement. Therefore they can't be directly related.

It looks to me that Getty have, in a bid to stem the revolution, chosen to go for the revolution's 'leader', at least in their own minds. I'm sorry that you've had to pay the price for standing up for fair treatment and helping your fellow contributors.

Good luck with expanding into new areas for licensing your content although I doubt that you'll need it.

The decisions being made by Getty recently are becoming more bizarre by the day. They appear to be committing suicide by a thousand cuts.

Fran · « **Reply #61 on:** February 11, 2013, 14:49 »

iStock/Getty's lack of professionally in dealing with contributors is appalling to say the least.
Sean, i very sincerely wish you best of luck in your next choices, and I'm also sure this is going to be nothing more than a good thing for you.

crazychristina · « **Reply #62 on:** February 11, 2013, 14:50 »

One door closes, another (or several others) opens.

ffNixx · « **Reply #63 on:** February 11, 2013, 14:51 »

On Sean's blog in the comments, Rob Sylvan reports his contract was also terminated with 30 days notice. Are there any more, anyone else getting booted?

LSD72 · « **Reply #64 on:** February 11, 2013, 14:56 »

This should have been filed under "it was coming". Sean asked questions that they were either afraid to answer or just plain out did not want to. This is a sign of worse things to come for the crowns. My opinion, no sympathy for those who stay there exclusively. Plenty of other places to go that do not operate that way. It would just take some time to move images over.

EmberMike · « **Reply #65 on:** February 11, 2013, 15:06 »

Quote from: ffNixx on February 11, 2013, 14:51

On Sean's blog in the comments, Rob Sylvan reports his contract was also terminated with 30 days notice. Are there any more, anyone else getting booted?

So this was because of their relationship with Stocksy, right? Seems like that has to be the issue there. I can't see why else Rob would get the same termination notice at around the same time.

cmannphoto · « **Reply #66 on:** February 11, 2013, 15:08 »

Quote from: EmberMike on February 11, 2013, 15:06

Quote from: ffNixx on February 11, 2013, 14:51
On Sean's blog in the comments, Rob Sylvan reports his contract was also terminated with 30 days notice. Are there any more, anyone else getting booted?

So this was because of their relationship with Stocksy, right? Seems like that has to be the issue there.

There is no mention of Stocksy in Sean's blog post

cobalt · « **Reply #67 on:** February 11, 2013, 15:09 »

I am just stunned. Sean is one of the most respected members of the stock community and we all admire his brainpower.

And his portfolio has incredible commercial value, whatever agency can sign him up, exclusive or not will be lucky to have him.

The only people benefitting from this strange decision is the competition. It is a direct gift for them.

Like Joe says, if the threats started before the stocksy announcement then it has nothing to do with it. stocksy is anyway a non existent entity without customers.

Shutterstock, Fotolia, Dreamstime - that is the real competition, especially Shutterstock.

But the biggest enemy of business success for Getty are their own decisions. First they create a terrible situation with the Getty/Google Deal and now they crash their reputation even more by kicking out Rob and Sean with 30 days notice.

They seem to spend a lot of energy into looking for "enemies" outside that they can blame.

Why don´t they just focus on their company instead and grow the business?

Sean didn´t send over files for 12 dollars to 425 Million people on Google without Metadata. This was the decision made by Gettyimages.

I am really sorry Sean. Even with your resources, 30 days notice must be difficult to manage and your family depends on your full time stock income.

tickstock · « **Reply #68 on:** February 11, 2013, 15:09 »

Quote from: cmannphoto on February 11, 2013, 15:08

Quote from: EmberMike on February 11, 2013, 15:06
Quote from: ffNixx on February 11, 2013, 14:51
On Sean's blog in the comments, Rob Sylvan reports his contract was also terminated with 30 days notice. Are there any more, anyone else getting booted?

So this was because of their relationship with Stocksy, right? Seems like that has to be the issue there.
There is no mention of Stocksy in Sean's blog post

Sure there is just not by name.
"A week or so ago, I became aware of a new entrant to the stock agency world, still in Beta testing (not available to the public). As I have done at other times, at other sites, I took the opportunity to join the membership when it arose, to investigate the site, the workflow, the pay schedule, etc. For while I have been successful as an exclusive iStockphoto contributor, I am not blind to the opportunities that can be provided by others. Since I joined, I uploaded files to test and experiment with the system. Keep in mind, at this stage in the game, the other site is not licensing content and does not violate any exclusivity agreement."

EmberMike · « **Reply #69 on:** February 11, 2013, 15:12 »

Was Sean's name on the previously public facebook list of Stocksy members? I thought it was, could be wrong, though.

Sounds like this may have been the result of several things, but his Stocksy involvement and the fact that Bruce is at the helm of Stocksy probably rubbed a few Getty folks the wrong way.

Not that it should have mattered. Sean violated no part of his ASA with istock.

I'd be surprised if this is limited to just Rob and Sean. I suspect there are others involved, maybe folks who aren't forum regulars or people who just haven't let us in on the news yet.

polar · « **Reply #70 on:** February 11, 2013, 15:18 »

I just want to add my voice to those thanking Sean for his leadership and wishing him the best. With the quality of his work, I'm sure he'll land on his feet -- and deservedly so.

He's handled this situation (and the events leading up to it) with a lot more class than Getty/iStock did.

Jo Ann Snover · « **Reply #71 on:** February 11, 2013, 15:21 »

Quote from: Travelling-light on February 11, 2013, 14:20

Crikey. I can't think of anything to say that hasn't been said, but yes, everything that everyone else is saying, just wanted to add my two cents.

Go on, say it - +1

jamirae · « **Reply #72 on:** February 11, 2013, 15:24 »

As crappy as this was handled, I believe it will end up a true "blessing in disguise" for you, Sean. You will definitely be back up and running with other agencies in no time!

It is a shame they stooped to such lows but Getty seems to think they are "too big to fail." I believe they will find they are sorely mistaken.

JohnItalia · « **Reply #73 on:** February 11, 2013, 15:26 »

I don't contribute to istock, but maybe it is time to crush the istock empire! Literally put them out of business and end their madness. Stop contributing and pull your photos off their site, see how fast they do a 180!

Poncke · « **Reply #74 on:** February 11, 2013, 15:31 »

Quote from: JohnItalia on February 11, 2013, 15:26

Maybe it is time to crush the istock empire! Literally put them out of business and end their madness. Stop contributing and pull your photos off their site, see how fast they do a 180!

If you know of a remedy to cure the Stockholm Syndrome it might work. Otherwise, it will be an impossible project.

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Author Topic: sjlocke was just booted from iStock (Read 128026 times)

rubyroo

djpadavona

mattdixon

Graffoto

fotografer

Travelling-light

luissantos84

heywoody

click_click

Microbius

gostwyck

Fran

crazychristina

ffNixx

LSD72

EmberMike

cmannphoto

cobalt

tickstock

EmberMike

polar

Jo Ann Snover

jamirae

JohnItalia

Poncke

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