Fotegrafik Opens for Business

By Julia Dudnik Stern | 79 Words | Posted 5/29/2008 | Comments

Jupitermedia Launches Online Training for Creatives

By Julia Dudnik Stern | 85 Words | Posted 5/29/2008 | Comments

Latin Stock Reps Magnum in Latin America

By Julia Dudnik Stern | 64 Words | Posted 5/29/2008 | Comments

Thought Equity Signs Exclusive Deal With MGM

By Julia Dudnik Stern | 441 Words | Posted 5/29/2008 | Comments
Denver-based Thought Equity Motion has become the exclusive global-licensing agent for HD stock footage from select films in the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios library.

Tracking Copyright Holders

By Jim Pickerell | 715 Words | Posted 5/29/2008 | Comments (1)
As the orphan works bill wends it way through the U.S. Congress, it is easy to appreciate what a nightmare it is for book publishers to try to clear rights to certain older images. Last week, Stock Connection became involved in a situation that illustrates the point.

OnAsia Upgrades Keywording Software

By Jim Pickerell | 314 Words | Posted 5/29/2008 | Comments
OnAsia has released a significant upgrade to its Windows-based Image Keyworder software that includes a customized Alamy Mode for users submitting images to the UK-based photo agency.

AudioMicro Seeks Submissions

By Julia Dudnik Stern | 75 Words | Posted 5/28/2008 | Comments

U.K. Collective Objects to U.S. Orphan Works Proposal

By Julia Dudnik Stern | 71 Words | Posted 5/28/2008 | Comments

Chasing Lost Business Ignores New Markets

By Julia Dudnik Stern | 642 Words | Posted 5/28/2008 | Comments
The proliferation of the royalty-free model, strengthened by the advent of microstock, has turned stock licensing into a volume business. Though most severe in creative stock, pricing is on a clear downward trend across most image categories. While there will always be a professional buyer segment that seeks premium imagery and related services, many art directors and designers have shifted from traditional to micro-payment imagery for certain projects.

Is Microstock Pricing Simple?

By Jim Pickerell | 995 Words | Posted 5/28/2008 | Comments
Microstock sellers insist that simple pricing is a key to their success, but many of the current strategies bely that notion.

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.