Author Topic: What is happening to iStock, is it the end? (Read 52724 times)

Sion · « **Reply #75 on:** June 28, 2013, 11:05 »

Quote from: Beppe Grillo on June 15, 2013, 08:17

I have already deactivated most of the "bad" images that I have uploaded.....

Good move.

If we start to dump everything to a site it would degrade our collection and our brand as we have our names on every photo. There is little point to have our bad photos competing with our good photos. The time uploading them is better served in producing new photos.

landbysea · « **Reply #76 on:** July 11, 2013, 11:12 »

It really feels like they are in the final death throws. I have only 2 dls this week, both Vetta. May as well just shut down the shop and let those buyers go to Getty. Also there is the inability to do basic functions like credit contributors within 2 months of a sale. And the search sort function not even working. And the total reversal on the PP program inclusion for exclusives which seems like a desperate attempt to right a ship already blown over by not paying attention to which way the wind was blowing, despite pleading from the crew. And the total abandonment of the inspection process, which makes me somewhat embarrassed to even be on the site. Everywhere I look I see a pitiful inability to function and desperate attempts to stay alive. Like a fish in a bucket struggling to breath that makes a forceful but meaningless flip. Or a prize fighter that has had one too many blows and is now punching the air. Pitiful to watch really. I don't wish it on them, but that's what it looks like to me. Something about to die.

dingles · « **Reply #77 on:** July 11, 2013, 11:16 »

My sales have actually been strong lately...I've only been in the microstock game for two years or so, but things seemed to have picked up the past month or so

fotoVoyager · « **Reply #78 on:** July 11, 2013, 11:18 »

My Exclusive sales have crashed too, far more than the usual summer slump. It's getting close to sell the house and get a job time.

goober · « **Reply #79 on:** July 16, 2013, 06:29 »

I have noticed that since the 999 upload limit change the quality of accepted art has decreased. I took advantage of this to push through a range of stuff that previously would have been rejected. I also wonder if this helps to account for a sales slump with my images now competing for shelf space with tones of new C grade images. I've only had one rejection since the new upload limits were applied.

Silberkorn · « **Reply #80 on:** July 16, 2013, 09:10 »

IS has a new chief now as it seems: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/getty-images-names-ellen-desmarais-general-manager-of-istockphoto-215622531.html
The latest changements seems to be her merit. Sad that these things does't get announced somewhere on IS - but not surprising anyway ...
Sad also that there are desperate moves being made by the management like the hiring of the BCC, new management instead of simply listening to contributors and making business with heart, mind and ethics instead of blind actionism.

BaldricksTrousers · « **Reply #81 on:** July 16, 2013, 09:25 »

Great. Someone who hasn't heard of "images"
"iStockphoto democratized the stock industry a decade ago, freeing creatives everywhere to create beautiful communications on a budget in brand new ways." Ms. Desmarais said.
What communications did your camera produce today?
Never mind, at least iStock is part of the plain English campaign: "Desmarais has a track record of coupling data-driven strategic thinking and analysis with strong management skills to advance impactful growth initiatives."
And:
"Ellen is a seasoned pro at growing global businesses and brands and has demonstrated a remarkable ability to drive impactful results," Mr. Klein said. "iStockphoto's inspiring collections and user experience are better than ever and I'm delighted to have such a strong leader to advance the business into its next era.
Where will I find this "better than ever user experience"? I'm having trouble locating it.... Oh, it must be that my second PP sale for May has popped up.
Please can I have an inspiring and impactfully driven PP result that will advance my bank account into its next era?

(PS: Just realised that by "communications" she means "artwork" not "photos". I don't know what photos are called, or what was brand new about having photos available).

dingles · « **Reply #82 on:** July 16, 2013, 10:12 »

Come on, you know as well as I contributors aren't users in iStock's mind...we are just slave monkeys they throw peanuts two on occasion. They could care less about a contributors user experience.

ShadySue · « **Reply #83 on:** July 16, 2013, 10:23 »

Quote from: dingles on July 16, 2013, 10:12

Come on, you know as well as I contributors aren't users in iStock's mind...we are just slave monkeys they throw peanuts two on occasion. They could care less about a contributors user experience.

Hmmm, so I read this post on the Best Match search on iS (BTW, have they disposed of Search Fairy and Old Ladybird, or are they on extended leave?):
"I just searched for "vector" and "christmas". On page one of the search results (using Best Match) 48 of 50 images are from the same user, and they're all from 2006-2009 and none of them has sold very much."
http://www.istockphoto.com/forum_messages.php?threadid=353233&messageid=6915700
So I searched on Vector Christmas, Best Match, and found a lot of photos of cupcakes by the same author, i.e. not Vectors and not Christmassy. Not 48 out of 50, but several other photos apparently keyworded Vector.
The search experience nowadays is dreadful for wannabe or might-have-been buyers.
You'd think they'd wait until it was all working before releasing news releases. Or at least search was working, I know 'it's all working' is totally beyond them.

dingles · « **Reply #84 on:** July 16, 2013, 10:33 »

Their best match has been destroyed...I'm not sure if they can get it back at this point. There is a preference for older files and for some reason they group all the same contributors work...and a lot of stuff is not relevant enough for the first pages. They also have so many poorly keyworded files from these"ingestions" which are clearly just added into IS blindly. Not to mention, video search results come up with many dated SD NTSC and PAL files that may of been top knotch in 2005, but just look sad today.

BaldricksTrousers · « **Reply #85 on:** July 16, 2013, 10:38 »

I wonder what's happened to The Great Communicator, Rebecca. Does this change mean that communication will now take a back seat to impactfulness?

Anyone heard anything about her?

jjneff · « **Reply #86 on:** July 16, 2013, 10:45 »

The only one really communicating is Lobo.

jm · « **Reply #87 on:** July 16, 2013, 10:59 »

Long time ago when iStock came up with some fresh idea - like Microsoft deal - I tried to convince myself that I'm too stupid to understand their brilliant strategy. You know - they are the masters of universe or at least their deputies and I'm just average designer and poor microstock photographer. The vision of brilliant strategy disappeared quickly. And vision of ANY strategy disappeared later. They just desperately try anything that could bring some buyers back. It's hard to tell what is happening to iStock - their steps have no logic (I still don't understand their new policy of accepting every snapshot and its benefit for buyers) and I doubt that anybody on this planet including insiders knows what's going on.

luissantos84 · « **Reply #88 on:** July 16, 2013, 11:10 »

Quote from: jjneff on July 16, 2013, 10:45

The only one really communicating is Lobo.

that explains a lot

ShadySue · « **Reply #89 on:** July 16, 2013, 11:58 »

Quote from: jjneff on July 16, 2013, 10:45

The only one really communicating is Lobo.

And that's only to tell us there's no news.

gostwyck · « **Reply #90 on:** July 16, 2013, 12:05 »

Quote from: BaldricksTrousers on July 16, 2013, 10:38

I wonder what's happened to The Great Communicator, Rebecca. Does this change mean that communication will now take a back seat to impactfulness?

Anyone heard anything about her?

I was wondering the same thing. Although Getty have announced her successor as Istock's GM they didn't mention what happened to RR. If my sales at IS were anything to go by then I'm guessing she didn't get promoted!

At least she's not tweeting her rage until her fingers bleed anyway;

https://mobile.twitter.com/rrockafellar

Mellimage · « **Reply #91 on:** July 16, 2013, 12:22 »

watching all the news from istock come in - especially the PP issue - makes me wonder if istock has cashflow problems. just a feeling at this point though.

(I could care less, not being a contributor there anymore, but I know some people on here are and earn significant money there, for them I am worried a bit - hope I am wrong though).

Beppe Grillo · « **Reply #92 on:** July 17, 2013, 01:43 »

Quote from: jjneff on July 16, 2013, 10:45

The only one really communicating is Lobo.

Surname: Lobo
Name: Tom[m]y

JPSDK · « **Reply #93 on:** July 17, 2013, 02:23 »

The istock story is quite interesting.
They came up with a new concept and earned a lot of money for quite some time.

It was too easy money in a booming market and they developed a set of bad and expensive habits and a sick company culture. Such as arrogance towards contributors and customers and the ever appearing low business ethics.

They have offended so many contributers and cheated so many customers with pricing that of course noone trusts them anymore.
Its characteristic that it began to go bad when the market stopped booming as the financial crisis set in, and we recieved the famous "not sustainable" anymore message and they began to prey on the contributors and customers, by lowering commisions and raising prices.
They should have "leaned" the organisation instead.

cobalt · « **Reply #94 on:** July 17, 2013, 03:21 »

It is really strange why they can´t pay out the PP sales. I mean they have been doing it for years, what is the problem now?

After all those weeks it is really hard to believe that it is an IT problem. More likely that everything was put on hold until the new manager comes in to make decisions.

JPSDK · « **Reply #95 on:** July 17, 2013, 03:26 »

Quote from: cobalt on July 17, 2013, 03:21

It is really strange why they can´t pay out the PP sales. I mean they have been doing it for years, what is the problem now?

After all those weeks it is really hard to believe that it is an IT problem. More likely that everything was put on hold until the new manager comes in to make decisions.

plus they terminated the normal payouts for a time.
+ they lowered prices
+ they took everything in

its obvious isnt it? they are changing back their business model, and trying to keep the boat afloat by all means until they get customers again.
My guess is that they have lost 75% of their customers. Just a guess based on what people report from their sales.

ShadySue · « **Reply #96 on:** July 17, 2013, 03:26 »

Quote from: cobalt on July 17, 2013, 03:21

It is really strange why they can´t pay out the PP sales. I mean they have been doing it for years, what is the problem now?

After all those weeks it is really hard to believe that it is an IT problem. More likely that everything was put on hold until the new manager comes in to make decisions.

You mean, until she decides whether to pay people their dues? I really hope it hasn't come to that.

cobalt · « **Reply #97 on:** July 17, 2013, 04:08 »

No, not when to pay people. But to make decisions with priorities in IT for instance. That would definetely be a decision for the general manager.

If they have cut down the IT team and their resources must be spread over many issues, then it is likely that the distribution of their time and attention is decided by the general manager. And if they had a new manager coming in, then it is normal that decisions are delayed.

gillian vann · « **Reply #98 on:** July 17, 2013, 04:27 »

you guys are scaring me with your conspiracies.

although, given that nothing has been said or resolved about the Google debacle, I can see how one presumes they are conspiring to rip us all off (even further than 85%)

cobalt · « **Reply #99 on:** July 17, 2013, 04:29 »

I don´t think there is a conspiracy not to pay us.

Just problems with technology and it´s management and of course the level of priorities...

MicrostockGroup Sponsors

Author Topic: What is happening to iStock, is it the end? (Read 52724 times)

Sion

landbysea

dingles

fotoVoyager

goober

Silberkorn

BaldricksTrousers

dingles

ShadySue

dingles

BaldricksTrousers

jjneff

jm

luissantos84

ShadySue

gostwyck

Mellimage

Beppe Grillo

JPSDK

cobalt

JPSDK

ShadySue

cobalt

gillian vann

cobalt

Related Topics

Sponsors

Microstock Poll Results

Sponsors