Getty Image Partner Rebels

Posted on 9/7/2007 by Jim Pickerell | Printable Version | Comments (2)


As promised, Getty is heavily promoting its new $49 price for Web use of any RM, RR or RF image in its collection. But some suppliers are rebelling. There is an asterisk after the $49* that says, "...does not include images from Image Source or Arnold Newman Collection, or select editorial images."

Image Source refused to allow sale of its images at this price to avoid undermining its relationships with other distributors and its own direct sales to customers. Industry rumors have it that Getty is now punishing Image Source by lowering its position in the search return order, which will undoubtedly lead to fewer Getty sales overall for Image Source for all types of uses.



As part of their contracts, RF image partners have some rights to set prices for the licensing of their images. Many appear to be unhappy with Getty's recent move, but so far no others have joined Image Source in refusing to allow their images to be licensed in this way.

One partner offered the following analogy for Getty's new strategy. He said, "It's like going to Morton's Steakhouse to get a hamburger. If Morton's wanted to increase volume, they wouldn't start offering Big Macs for $49. If someone wants a Big Mac, they will not go to an upscale steak house to get it, they will go to McDonald's and get it at the McDonald's price."


Copyright © 2007 Jim Pickerell. The above article may not be copied, reproduced, excerpted or distributed in any manner without written permission from the author. All requests should be submitted to Selling Stock at 10319 Westlake Drive, Suite 162, Bethesda, MD 20817, phone 301-461-7627, e-mail: wvz@fpcubgbf.pbz

Jim Pickerell is founder of www.selling-stock.com, an online newsletter that publishes daily. He is also available for personal telephone consultations on pricing and other matters related to stock photography. He occasionally acts as an expert witness on matters related to stock photography. For his current curriculum vitae go to: http://www.jimpickerell.com/Curriculum-Vitae.aspx.  

Comments

  • Robert Dahl Posted Sep 10, 2007
    A quick check of the Mortons Steakhouse web site shows they have "slightly smaller STEAKS", as well as lamb, shrimp, lobster, salmon, tuna, and even chicken. Not to mention Cesar Salad, asparagus, spinich, and wild mushrooms.

    If Getty has customers who sometimes need a $49 web image, but cannot get it at Getty, they will go elsewhere. And they may not come back. It is all about giving the customer what they need, at the price their customer's customer is willing to pay. Morton will still draw the big spenders with the famous Double Cut Filet Mignon and Bone-In Double Cut Prime Rib, but they need something for the wife, daughter, health concious son-in-law, or post by-pass customer. Morton has apparently learned to face that reality without changing their "core competence". Getty (and all of us) need to see that reality as well.

  • Peter Bisset Posted Sep 10, 2007
    Fortunately I have very very few images with Getty, and in recent years I have resisted the temptation to greatly increase the number of images I have with them. Thank goodness I resisted as it seems that they have less and less respect for their photographers and working in a favourable invironment with them. There are still some other stock agents out there with a much better attitude it seems. Peter B.

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