Articles by Author

Volume Production

By Jim Pickerell | 3641 Words | Posted 5/7/1997 | Comments

In the current environment, VOLUME production of stock photos can lead to disaster, not profits. The issue is examined from many perspectives.

Use Without Permission

By Jim Pickerell | 214 Words | Posted 4/4/1997 | Comments

The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling that commercial exploitation of copyrighted materials by a Michigan copy shop did not constitute ''fair use'' was upheld when the U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear the case. Articles and book chapters may be used in university coursepacks only with permission of the copyright holder.

Microsoft's Creative Contracts

By Jim Pickerell | 308 Words | Posted 4/3/1997 | Comments

Microsoft tries to get all rights when hiring writers to work for their network. The have six different versions of their ''standard contract'' with various levels of rights give up according to ASJA.

Photographers Sue AP

By Jim Pickerell | 545 Words | Posted 4/3/1997 | Comments

Freelancers sue AP alleging AP has historically and illegally infringed their copyrights.

Follow The Money

By Jim Pickerell | 1162 Words | Posted 4/3/1997 | Comments

British corporations taking over the stock business with new acquisitions. Getty acquires Liaison. Visual Communications Group is looking for a major U.S. agency to purchase. Two largest sellers of stock in the world.

End of KPX

By Jim Pickerell | 140 Words | Posted 3/4/1997 | Comments

The Picture Exchange, originally developed by Kodak and now owned by Sprint, effectively discontinues operations.

New Media Sales

By Jim Pickerell | 1350 Words | Posted 3/4/1997 | Comments

This story explores the potentials for the New Media market as of early 1997.

Sales Activity at PNI

By Jim Pickerell | 2873 Words | Posted 3/4/1997 | Comments

Survey shows stead growth in sales. Traditional sales more exciting than New Media. Numbers show some promise, but a long way to go before it has a major impact on the market.

Stock Workbook Online

By Jim Pickerell | 613 Words | Posted 3/4/1997 | Comments

Stock Workbook has launched an online site with emphasis toward the advertising and graphic design market. Over 40 agencies are currently on line.

Sales Activity at Corbis

By Jim Pickerell | 3812 Words | Posted 3/4/1997 | Comments

Photographers report very low sales activity. Personnel changes indicate a re-assessment, but no new directions indicated yet. Problems in building a marketable file outlined.

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.