MicrostockGroup Sponsors


Author Topic: 500px - Kelly Thompson strikes again  (Read 61468 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

« Reply #50 on: March 21, 2016, 14:44 »
+23
Getty has nothing to fear from 500px!

Did you ever think Getty has something to fear from 500px? It is partly funded by Visual China Group which has a long standing partnership with Getty Images that was just deepened by the Corbis deal.

Now a former Getty manager is hired by 500px to head the market.

Can't you guess already what the next exciting news will be? Let me write it for you:

"We are excited to announce a partnership with Getty Images that will allow more customers to see and buy your content. Of course you will still receive your usual 30% of the 20% Getty pays us. But you know what? We might drop the weekly upload limit, so you can give us your images faster than ever."

Sorry to disappoint, but no Getty deals on the horizon.

Kelly

But you sure know how to screw contributors dont you!
Anyway I've closed my account on 500px and hope that many will follow: https://500px.com/settings   (the delete my account forever is down on right)
All the best with your new venture ;)


« Reply #51 on: March 21, 2016, 14:57 »
+28
Account closed. Cannot stand this kind of garbage anymore.......

« Reply #52 on: March 21, 2016, 15:17 »
+28
Marketplace and account closed!!
5600 less images in 500px  >:( >:( >:( >:( >:(

Anyway, Im not sad, this place is only smoke, I've never had a single sale there with such portfolio...
« Last Edit: March 22, 2016, 02:59 by klublu »

« Reply #53 on: March 21, 2016, 15:53 »
+6
Quote
...from the email:
"We still believe it is important to reward the creators, which is why we will continue to give you an industry-leading royalty rate of 60% on images exclusive to 500px..."

This is simply not true. As an example, Zoonar paid 60% for non-exclusive material!
« Last Edit: March 21, 2016, 15:55 by roede-orm »

« Reply #54 on: March 21, 2016, 16:01 »
+16
Quote
"We still believe it is important to reward the creators..."

What a cheek!   Did KT write that?

When will all these "agencies" understand  they are not doing us any favor when they pay us our part of the money of each image sold?    It's OUR WORK, OUR IMAGES, OUR MONEY!     
« Last Edit: March 21, 2016, 16:04 by Digital66 »

Fudio

« Reply #55 on: March 21, 2016, 16:13 »
+17
I try to avoid commenting on any agency here, but it seems to me if there were one outfit which really couldn't afford to pull this kind of stunt it would be 500px. A 40% cut in one fell swoop? Either it's a massively idiotic blunder or an orchestrated effort to cull the herd. Unfortunately it's their show and they can do whatever they want with it - just not with my stuff anymore. I've decided to join the cull. Deleted everything, closed my account and didn't even bother to read their "goodbye" email.

I'm confident I won't be missed too much, but if the groundswell continues who knows - maybe the message will get across. There's only so far you can push before everyone pushes back. Time will tell, meanwhile though I'm not holding my breath.

« Reply #56 on: March 21, 2016, 16:17 »
+1
40 percentage points

« Reply #57 on: March 21, 2016, 16:25 »
+18
Hey everyone! My name's Alex, I work at 500px. I'm here to answer any questions you've got. I'll start with a few of the common ones I saw in this thread.

How can we afford to switch from 70% to 30% so quickly?
It definitely takes a cut out of our profits, to give the photographers 70%! There's no denying that. But we think it's better to tighten our margins and attract world class photographers. We'll make up the difference in volume, because we have the best photographers in the world selling their work.



oh the irony

« Reply #58 on: March 21, 2016, 16:36 »
+15
"Money won't make you happy" Kelly Thompson

I'm amazed anyone would employ this disaster case.

Time to pull all our ports. Not going to be squeezed anymore. Disgusting corporate greed.

« Reply #59 on: March 21, 2016, 16:39 »
+15
Anyway I've closed my account on 500px and hope that many will follow: https://500px.com/settings   (the delete my account forever is down on right)
All the best with your new venture ;)

Thanks, you save me the time to find out how to delete my account.  Just did it.

« Reply #60 on: March 21, 2016, 16:40 »
+21
I sent a note to PetaPixel about this anouncement and they put together a story

http://petapixel.com/2016/03/21/500px-cuts-royalty-rate-70-30-non-exclusive-photos/

« Reply #61 on: March 21, 2016, 16:45 »
+16
So, let me get this straight.  They charge you an annual fee to enter into an agreement to sell your photos at a specified royalty - and then they decide they aren't going to pay what they agreed to?  Are you kidding me?

You guys aren't going to sue them for breach of contract or whatever pretty words?  Wasn't the letter from Mr. Money Doesn't Make Us Happy signed on Duncan St in Toronto unless I have another post confused with this one (not going back to check).  Ontario observes contract law.

« Reply #62 on: March 21, 2016, 16:52 »
+1
...They charge you an annual fee to enter into an agreement to sell your photos at a specified royalty - and then they decide they aren't going to pay what they agreed to? ...

Not quite how it works. You can sell via Marketplace from a free account - there's no connection between the upgraded accounts and ability to sell or the terms under which sales are made. They offer some benefits if you pay them fees (I got my Awesome account for free for a time because I participated in their watermark survey). Even before this announcement, I'm not sure if I'd have paid when the time is up.

« Reply #63 on: March 21, 2016, 17:13 »
+1
Getty has nothing to fear from 500px!

Did you ever think Getty has something to fear from 500px? It is partly funded by Visual China Group which has a long standing partnership with Getty Images that was just deepened by the Corbis deal.

Now a former Getty manager is hired by 500px to head the market.

Can't you guess already what the next exciting news will be? Let me write it for you:

"We are excited to announce a partnership with Getty Images that will allow more customers to see and buy your content. Of course you will still receive your usual 30% of the 20% Getty pays us. But you know what? We might drop the weekly upload limit, so you can give us your images faster than ever."

i never went in originally because one look at the site with all those "love your portfolio,
please come and see mine"; "great shot, have a look at my photos",etc..
and those thumbs up or whatyamightcallit a la fb , flickr,etc...
i left immediately as i take it that 500px does not know whether it wants to be a social-media
or a stock agency.

i am not familiar with kelly, but i take it the name is as popular/unpopular as bruce selling istock to getty,etc.
with such an amazing PR of either personality, one wonders why any agency would like kelly or bruce name attached to it. as they say, you can take the leopard out of the jungle but you cannot remove its spot... or something like that.

« Reply #64 on: March 21, 2016, 17:39 »
+16
Just sent them a note to NOT keep my account open for "a little while" in case I change my mind.  I went to my account settings and hit "delete account" and I'm done with KT and his contributor-unfriendly ways. I hope they go out of business.
« Last Edit: March 21, 2016, 17:49 by Mantis »

Fudio

« Reply #65 on: March 21, 2016, 17:43 »
+14
Hey everyone! My name's Alex, I work at 500px. I'm here to answer any questions you've got. I'll start with a few of the common ones I saw in this thread.

How can we afford to switch from 70% to 30% so quickly?
It definitely takes a cut out of our profits, to give the photographers 70%! There's no denying that. But we think it's better to tighten our margins and attract world class photographers. We'll make up the difference in volume, because we have the best photographers in the world selling their work.

Hello Alex! My names Fudio, Im self employed as a photographer. If you still happen to be with 500px then Im here to answer any questions you might have about the blowback you are receiving with your recently announced royalty cuts.

How can I afford to switch from 70% to 30% so quickly?
Well frankly Alex, I cant. It definitely takes a cut out of my livelihood, to give your agency 70%! Theres no denying that. So I think its better that you tighten your corporate belt and allow me to continue feeding my children, heating my home, lighting my studio, making my insurance payments, paying my taxes, purchasing props, paying models, upgrading my equipment and software in order that my images can help you attract world class buyers. You  can make up the difference with innovative marketing, customer service, and good old fashioned hard work.

« Reply #66 on: March 21, 2016, 17:46 »
+3
I try to avoid commenting on any agency here, but it seems to me if there were one outfit which really couldn't afford to pull this kind of stunt it would be 500px. A 40% cut in one fell swoop? Either it's a massively idiotic blunder or an orchestrated effort to cull the herd. Unfortunately it's their show and they can do whatever they want with it - just not with my stuff anymore. I've decided to join the cull. Deleted everything, closed my account and didn't even bother to read their "goodbye" email.

I'm confident I won't be missed too much, but if the groundswell continues who knows - maybe the message will get across. There's only so far you can push before everyone pushes back. Time will tell, meanwhile though I'm not holding my breath.



Wow :o, incredible images (www.savourns.com), you will be one of several that will be missed in 500px, congratulations for the beautiful images ;D 8)
« Last Edit: March 21, 2016, 17:51 by idesign »

« Reply #67 on: March 21, 2016, 17:48 »
+8
...i am not familiar with kelly...


There are many minor quibbles, but the big mess was from September 2010. Here's the MSG thread which has a link to the iStock forum announcement

http://www.microstockgroup.com/istockphoto-com/istock-changing-royalty-structure/

To save you reading through to page 28, here's the link to the 2nd announcement, the one with the classic "But money isnt going to be what makes you all happy."

http://www.istockphoto.com/forum_messages.php?threadid=253522&page=1

KK Thompson at his tone deaf best

« Reply #68 on: March 21, 2016, 18:13 »
+8
I hope they go out of business.

They will, eventually. Or they'll turn into Flickr and try to cash in on advertising although... there is already a Flickr.  It was feeling weird for a while now. Change of management direction may save them in the future, but right now looks like all they are doing is destroying their formerly very loyal artist base.

« Reply #69 on: March 21, 2016, 18:13 »
+3
Hey everyone! My name's Alex, I work at 500px. I'm here to answer any questions you've got. I'll start with a few of the common ones I saw in this thread.

How can we afford to switch from 70% to 30% so quickly?
It definitely takes a cut out of our profits, to give the photographers 70%! There's no denying that. But we think it's better to tighten our margins and attract world class photographers. We'll make up the difference in volume, because we have the best photographers in the world selling their work.

Hello Alex! My names Fudio, Im self employed as a photographer. If you still happen to be with 500px then Im here to answer any questions you might have about the blowback you are receiving with your recently announced royalty cuts.

How can I afford to switch from 70% to 30% so quickly?
Well frankly Alex, I cant. It definitely takes a cut out of my livelihood, to give your agency 70%! Theres no denying that. So I think its better that you tighten your corporate belt and allow me to continue feeding my children, heating my home, lighting my studio, making my insurance payments, paying my taxes, purchasing props, paying models, upgrading my equipment and software in order that my images can help you attract world class buyers. You  can make up the difference with innovative marketing, customer service, and good old fashioned hard work.

That's a good one!!

« Reply #70 on: March 21, 2016, 18:48 »
+1
I hope they go out of business.

They will, eventually. Or they'll turn into Flickr and try to cash in on advertising although... there is already a Flickr.  It was feeling weird for a while now. Change of management direction may save them in the future, but right now looks like all they are doing is destroying their formerly very loyal artist base.

they were like flickr already, as i mentioned my reason for not joining them in the first place.
the things is, to many ppl out there  globally, there is an appeal to fb, flickr,... social media
and yes, they make money on other ppl's stuff...
and they do become millionaires without having to pay a penny for your photos etc

i suppose the only way to make money these days is in fact having your own blog.
and using ads from google,etc which pays you money if you add their ads in your blog.
already there are lots of ppl who quit work and have made alot of money writing their own blog.
the news BBC or CBC ... in UK and Canada, did a coverage on that recently, i think it was on yahoo world
« Last Edit: March 21, 2016, 18:56 by etudiante_rapide »

Fudio

« Reply #71 on: March 21, 2016, 18:53 »
+2

Wow :o, incredible images (www.savourns.com), you will be one of several that will be missed in 500px, congratulations for the beautiful images ;D 8)
[/quote]

idesign, thank you very much for the compliment, but I mean it. I know I won't be missed there. 500px is so full of so many ultra talented awe inspiring photographers that I find myself watching the chromecast 500px feed on a daily basis now. That's part of the reason I'm especially ticked by this move from them. Apart from the mutual adoration system they have which I never really got into either, I did like what the site was doing both in terms of image quality in general as well as contributor equity. It just seems like such a heavy handed bait and switch now.

« Reply #72 on: March 21, 2016, 19:00 »
+3

It definitely takes a cut out of our profits, to give the photographers 70%! There's no denying that. But we think it's better to tighten our margins and attract world class photographers. We'll make up the difference in volume, because we have the best photographers in the world selling their work.

did i read it wrong or did they mention world-class photographers will go with that???

Hongover

« Reply #73 on: March 21, 2016, 19:01 »
+2
Let's take a different perspective on this.

They've gone through 7 rounds of financing and they've pretty much gave the majority of the company away to investors. In 2014, the founder & CEO of the company was ousted because he was basically being too nice to the community instead of making money off of them.

With pressure from the board, the new CEO needed to start making money or else. Oh, let's not forget that investors in Silicon Valley are incredibly nervous right now and has been pressing their investments toward a path of profitability. And any chance of 500PX getting more funding was pretty slim in this funding environment.

And all the the pressure and nervousness has led to this. Investors want higher revenue so it can possibility go public one day or secure a nice exit in the future. Higher revenue always means higher valuation. 70% was always too good to be true. It was not sustainable for 500PX and it can never be. Now the party is over and they're like everyone else.

So I wouldn't blame Thompson. He's just the messenger.
« Last Edit: March 21, 2016, 19:11 by Minscer »

ShadySue

  • There is a crack in everything
« Reply #74 on: March 21, 2016, 19:21 »
+14
So I wouldn't blame Thompson. He's just the messenger.
Once is unfortunate; twice is a pattern forming.
Honourable people would resign rather than announce this sort of 'deal'; or, if that was impossible, immediately afterwards.


 

Related Topics

  Subject / Started by Replies Last post
4 Replies
4261 Views
Last post November 19, 2008, 22:43
by hali
22 Replies
8566 Views
Last post September 21, 2010, 11:24
by Case
107 Replies
35784 Views
Last post April 13, 2011, 04:53
by ShadySue
84 Replies
32409 Views
Last post January 23, 2012, 21:38
by Suljo
87 Replies
25789 Views
Last post November 27, 2015, 01:49
by shiyali

Sponsors

Mega Bundle of 5,900+ Professional Lightroom Presets

Microstock Poll Results

Sponsors