New Law Strengthens IP Protection

By Julia Dudnik Stern | 715 Words | Posted 10/14/2008 | Comments
On Monday, the President of the United States of America signed several bills into law. Among them was S. 3325, Prioritizing Resources and Organization for Intellectual Property (PRO IP) Act of 2008, which amends civil and criminal IP laws, establishes a new executive-level coordinator position and authorizes Justice Department grants to assist in combating IP theft and infringement.

IPTC, PLUS Welcome Metadata Group Guidelines

By Julia Dudnik Stern | 68 Words | Posted 10/13/2008 | Comments

PACA Releases Copyright Video, Stresses Education

By Julia Dudnik Stern | 378 Words | Posted 10/13/2008 | Comments
According to the Picture Archive Council of America, copyright "has been a somewhat overlooked point of emphasis in the training of employees throughout the industry." PACA hopes to help address this problem with its copyright education program, posthumously named after stock-industry veteran Jane Kinne.

All Over Press Opens Moscow Office

By Julia Dudnik Stern | 77 Words | Posted 10/13/2008 | Comments
Finnish picture agency All Over Press International has opened a Moscow office to serve local, mainly editorial clients.

Global Ad Forecast Slashed in Half

By Julia Dudnik Stern | 321 Words | Posted 10/10/2008 | Comments
Though the American presidential race has placed the country's economy in the global spotlight, the economic crisis is also global and will have a profound effect on the advertising revenues of developed markets.

The Image Works Celebrates 25 Years

By Julia Dudnik Stern | 97 Words | Posted 10/10/2008 | Comments (2)
The Image Works, an editorial stock agency located in the historic New York state town of Woodstock, is celebrating 25 years in business.

Mary Evans Adds New Francis Frith Imagery

By Julia Dudnik Stern | 64 Words | Posted 10/9/2008 | Comments
The Francis Frith Collection documents the history of Britain from 1860 to 1970.

Ex-Masterfile ADs Launch 2 Girls Productions

By Julia Dudnik Stern | 74 Words | Posted 10/9/2008 | Comments
Leisa Mercer and Vicki Schelstraete have established a production company in Toronto.

Thought Equity Reaches 250,000 Clips, Touts HD Delivery System

By Julia Dudnik Stern | 275 Words | Posted 10/9/2008 | Comments
Denver-based Thought Equity Motion announced that its library has grown to over 250,000 clips, which the company says is twice the size of its nearest competitors. Though Equity also claims to have the industry's most advanced delivery platform for high-definition content: Nearly all of the digital footage files licensed by the company are delivered online.

The Cover Story Relocates to India

By Julia Dudnik Stern | 178 Words | Posted 10/8/2008 | Comments
In an email letter to its business partners, Amsterdam-based features and images agency The Cover Story has announced that it is moving its sales and operations office to Bangalore, India, as of Nov. 1. The letter acknowledges that some may see the move as dramatic but claims that the relocation offers new opportunities.

About Michael Masterson

Michael Masterson has a broad range of experience in marketing, business development, strategic planning, contact negotiations and recruiting in the photography, graphic design and publishing industries. In addition to his long experience at the Workbook and Workbookstock, Masterson owned and was creative director of his own graphic design firm for several years.

Masterson has been a speaker or panelist at industry events such as Seybold, PhotoPlus Expo, Visual Connections and the Picture Archive Council of America (PACA) national conference. He is currently the national president of the American Society of Picture Professionals (ASPP). He also serves on the board of the Silver Lake Neighborhood Council in his Los Angeles community. He chaired the marketing committee for the Los Angeles Conservancy, a historic preservation advocacy group, for many years.

He currently heads Masterson Consulting, working on projects ranging from business development for creative companies and sourcing talent for them to promoting and marketing industry events as well as providing resume and professional profile services for job-seekers. He can be reached at zvpunryqznfgrefba@tznvy.pbz.