Author Topic: Laughing in the purple rain ( all the way to the bank ) (Read 4953 times)

thx9000 · « **on:** April 20, 2022, 09:37 »

I usually don't pay attention to newsletters but this really rubbed me the wrong way:

"Laughing in the purple rain

Today I heard an unusual term applied to content: the gift economy. The idea was to try thinking of whatever you’re making not as operating in service of the commodity economy, but rather as a gift extended to the world without expectation. I love that concept because it requires an immediate mindset of generosity, and a conviction that we live in a world of creative abundance. This is not to say that art should be free; of course, creators need to make money, and I would never devalue the energy, skill, and talent that goes into making something. Rather, I see the gift economy as it relates to content as a recognition of value beyond simple exchange, reaching into what makes something special -- worth beyond measure, as it were. My favorite marketing concept is that a rising tide lifts all boats, which to me is the opposite of a zero-sum situation; more makes more. By putting our creative output into the world in a spirit of generosity, we lift the boat for everyone. How would your work change if you put it through this filter?

Happy creating!

jen

Jennifer Braunschweiger

Senior Director of Content Marketing Shutterstock"

Now check this:

https://www1.salary.com/SHUTTERSTOCK-INC-Executive-Salaries.html

H2O · « **Reply #1 on:** April 20, 2022, 09:45 »

Shutterstock used to be an honourable company until Oringer decided to cope out and hand over the dirty business of shafting the contributors to his new side kick Pavlovsky, a man with no morals.

The company sucked in thousands of contributors and then shafted them, I can only assume that Oringer had this written in his 'Business Model' when he set the business up.

I understand that these days he 'works' in silicon valley, personally if anyone works for him directly or is in business with him I would suggest they run a mile.

Sean Locke Photography · « **Reply #2 on:** April 20, 2022, 10:39 »

"Paid marketing manager tries to convince others to give away their work and just ends up looking cringy. Nation shocked. Film at 11."

Firn · « **Reply #3 on:** April 20, 2022, 10:47 »

Quote from: thx9000 on April 20, 2022, 09:37

How would your work change if you put it through this filter?

It would change into non-existence, because I would live homeless under a bridge.

And If I had a chance, I would love to return the question to Jennifer Braunschweiger: "How would your work for Shutterstock change if you were not paid for it?" But I already know the answer to that.

emjaysmith · « **Reply #4 on:** April 20, 2022, 10:58 »

We call it "taking the piss"

Justanotherphotographer · « **Reply #5 on:** April 20, 2022, 11:00 »

1. "devalues the energy, skill, and talent that goes into making something."

2."I would never devalue the energy, skill, and talent that goes into making something."

This is an absolutely horrific attitude from someone representing our work. Why would you not stop and think for a second before putting pen to paper?

Brasilnut · « **Reply #6 on:** April 20, 2022, 12:07 »

Can't wait to pay my next utility bills with this new "gift economy" currency.

angelacat · « **Reply #7 on:** April 20, 2022, 12:37 »

Well SS accepted my clip of a sheep pooping and funnily enough when I took the shot I was thinking - this is such a creative gift to the world.

Evaristo tenscadisto · « **Reply #8 on:** April 20, 2022, 12:46 »

Gift economy?! ahahhahahahaha

cascoly · « **Reply #9 on:** April 20, 2022, 13:37 »

while i agree with the concept of a gift economy, the newsletter totally distorts the idea. volunteer work is part of the gift economy - labor, donated art to non profits, pro bono, open source, et al - but one needs an income in order to be generous

HalfFull · « **Reply #10 on:** April 20, 2022, 14:09 »

Well, given how low the $ sales have been over the last 2-3 days at SS, I think I'm already contributing to the "Gift Economy"

thx9000 · « **Reply #11 on:** April 20, 2022, 14:37 »

This is coming from a publicly traded company with a board of directors which are all millionaires. Maybe they should try sending this letter to their shareholders and see how quickly they'll be looking for another job.
I think their endgame is going full Freepik but on bigger scale and this is just part of the intermediary steps. As delusional as it sounds convincing creators that giving away is awesome won't be that hard. In another thread today some poor soul was bragging about earning 20 bucks for several hundred downloads...

Zero Talent · « **Reply #12 on:** April 20, 2022, 14:56 »

Quote from: cascoly on April 20, 2022, 13:37

while i agree with the concept of a gift economy, the newsletter totally distorts the idea. volunteer work is part of the gift economy - labor, donated art to non profits, pro bono, open source, et al - but one needs an income in order to be generous

Most of these are not really altruistic "gifts", but rather investments in marketing.

stockman11 · « **Reply #13 on:** April 20, 2022, 15:39 »

"Laughing in the purple rain" is in the same league as "Money won't make you happy".

Wilm · « **Reply #14 on:** April 20, 2022, 16:31 »

What an altruistic reorientation, what a fantastic idea!

I wonder how many joints may have preceded the elaboration of this marketing drivel. It must have been countless.

But, sure, it would make the world a better place. At least the small world of shutterstock shareholders and management.

Personally, I would have preferred it to rain brain before writing this newsletter.

Jaggy · « **Reply #15 on:** April 20, 2022, 17:30 »

Quote from: stockman11 on April 20, 2022, 15:39

"Laughing in the purple rain" is in the same league as "Money won't make you happy".

Money won't make you happy but it can buy you a better quality of misery.

Pacesetter · « **Reply #16 on:** April 20, 2022, 18:29 »

Quote from: Jaggy on April 20, 2022, 17:30

Quote from: stockman11 on April 20, 2022, 15:39
"Laughing in the purple rain" is in the same league as "Money won't make you happy".

Money won't make you happy but it can buy you a better quality of misery.

I think it was Gene Simmons who said: 'Sure, money can't buy you happiness. But it can buy you everything else.'

I'm sure he speaks from experience.

Firn · « **Reply #17 on:** April 21, 2022, 00:47 »

But money can make you happy.

https://www.cnbc.com/2021/01/22/new-wharton-study-people-are-happier-when-they-earn-more-money.html

pancaketom · « **Reply #18 on:** April 21, 2022, 19:19 »

Especially at the level of most SS contributors - money will make you happier.

EmberMike · « **Reply #19 on:** April 21, 2022, 20:00 »

Wasn't it someone from iStock years ago that said money isn't what was going to make us happy?

Uncle Pete · « **Reply #20 on:** April 23, 2022, 08:56 »

Quote from: stockman11 on April 20, 2022, 15:39

"Laughing in the purple rain" is in the same league as "Money won't make you happy".

Thank you and my boat isn't lifted by others tides, neither in my bank account balance increased. We all need money to live. After that, sure donations and volunteer work is fine. I don't make images to sell as a volunteer! I do charity work as a volunteer. There's a big difference.

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Author Topic: Laughing in the purple rain ( all the way to the bank ) (Read 4953 times)

thx9000

H2O

Sean Locke Photography

Firn

emjaysmith

Justanotherphotographer

Brasilnut

angelacat

Evaristo tenscadisto

cascoly

HalfFull

thx9000

Zero Talent

stockman11

Wilm

Jaggy

Pacesetter

Firn

pancaketom

EmberMike

Uncle Pete

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