Image Collections Create Cyclical Problems

By Jim Pickerell | 762 Words | Posted 1/8/2008 | Comments
With revenue growth stagnant, if not slightly declining, several portals and picture libraries are looking for ways to cut costs and make their sites more attractive to buyers. The unintended consequence: customers say they can't find the right image, while photographers lose revenue.

Getty Images Launches Second Consumer Site

By Julia Dudnik Stern | 538 Words | Posted 1/8/2008 | Comments
JAM'D, a new consumer-targeted Web site from Getty Images, launched during the holidays without so much as a press release. Conceptualized by Getty CEO Jonathan Klein, JAM'D intends to fulfill the general public's desire to see the latest snaps of their favorite celebs.

Noor Unveils New Work, Enhances Web Site

By Julia Dudnik Stern | 91 Words | Posted 1/7/2008 | Comments

Creative Commons Comes Under Fire

By Julia Dudnik Stern | 417 Words | Posted 1/7/2008 | Comments
Dan Heller, a California-based photographer, industry analyst and author of several professional photography books, is critical of Creative Commons licensing practices. In a huge, 10,000-word series of entries to his popular photo-business blog -- Heller takes on the Creative Commons licensing platform, concluding that it does not fit into the photo world.

Stock Index Online Invests in SEO

By Julia Dudnik Stern | 60 Words | Posted 1/4/2008 | Comments

Global Ad Spending Outpaces U.S.

By Julia Dudnik Stern | 75 Words | Posted 1/4/2008 | Comments

Mary Evans Snaps Up 'Illustrated London News'

By Julia Dudnik Stern | 338 Words | Posted 1/4/2008 | Comments
Founded by a wife-and-husband team in 1964, Mary Evans Picture Library embodies a passion for antiquarian books and prints. The London-based agency has now been chosen to represent, manage and house an important source of 19th- and 20th-century imagery: The Illustrated London News Picture Library.

Copshots.com - A Cautionary Copyright Tale

By Jim Pickerell | 719 Words | Posted 1/4/2008 | Comments (1)
Even if you handle copyright correctly, getting compensated once there is an infringement can be difficult.

Microstock Too Expensive for Book Publishers

By Jim Pickerell | 354 Words | Posted 1/4/2008 | Comments (1)
Microstock sites seem ideal for book publishers -- until one looks closer at the license agreements. Repeat usage prices soar.

"Charlie Wilson's War" Licenses Footage From BBC

By Julia Dudnik Stern | 72 Words | Posted 1/3/2008 | Comments

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.