News Analysis
Speedpix is launching a marketing campaign to both photographers and clients in the U.S. They have dropped their up-front charge for placing images on their site. Their pricing strategy is also outlined and explained.
Peter Howe has combined forces with a technology company in Southern California, and will shortly offer a technology and service platform to stock agencies that will enable them to distribute their content worldwide on the web. Pricing for the service will be available in the near future.
This article includes brief news items on Getty and Corbis. Those interested in TIB and Sygma should read. Also items on why photographers need to search for their images on on-line sites and a list of some of the things needed in the online environment.
SuperStock has cancelled their Express Pricing strategy for Rights Protected images that they instituted in January proving that discount prices don't always result in increased sales volume. Meanwhile PhotoSpin has introduced an even lower price model for RF in an attempt to grab market share.
We have several short items for you including a variety of developments at Getty and Corbis, Exactly!'s plans to launch a service for stock photographers, MIRA's hiring of an editor, developments in the photographer action against the Boston Globe, and the termination of the Professional Photographer's of America's copyright licensing program.
Stories this month include: New developments at Getty and Corbis, Finding Other Marketing Options,Things Needed to Sell Worldwide on the Internet, an analysis of Alamy.com and more.
News about Getty, DOJ investigation of Corbis, Magnum's rejection of Getty and Corbis, Picture Perfect still not paying, Speedpix eliminates up-front charges, Pictor representing PhotoAlto and PPA licensing organization.
Corbis abruptly cancels a press conference at Perpignan in an effort to avoid tough questions about the Sygma contract. Relations with editorial photographers are rapidly detoriating.
Photographer Allan Tannenbaum sends an open letter to other Sygma photographers outlining his reasons for leaving Corbis after more than 20 years as a Sygma photographer. Other photographers are also leaving.
alamy.com, in the United Kingdom, will launch a new brokerage service designed to aid photographers in marketing their work through the Internet. Alexandra Bortkiewicz, formerly with Tony Stone Images, is Director of Photography.
Photographers unaffiliated with Getty or Corbis can still sell stock images, but to reach their maximmum potential income they may need a variety of services outlined in this article.
Photographers with Getty Images and Corbis are concerned about contract terms, but many have a tendency to overlook the overall business strategies of these two companies. Understanding how these strategies differ from those of traditional stock photo agencies is critical and much more important than contract terms.
When it comes to digital file size Bigger is usually considered Better. But, there are some down sides to always trying to offer the customer the largest possible file. This issue is explored in this article.
This story explains the differences betweeen Image-Exclusive and Non-Exclusive and the photographer's rights in each case. It also discusses how a ''Similars'' definition affects value in an Image-Exclusive relationship.
In the spring, PACA surveyed photographers in an effort to get a sense as to how the picture agency community could better serve photographers. This article details the results.
This article explains why sub-agents will continue to play an important and necessary role in the licensing of images marketed on the Internet. Many photographers think the Internet will make it possible to eliminate the middleman. This will not happen.
With Corbis offering 45% on commercial sales and 50% on editorial sales, and offering to eliminate catalog fees, I have prepared a comparison to show how photographers might benefit if Getty were to match these rates.
Getty's 2nd quarter shows flat revenue growth after an outstanding 1st quarter. Total sales were $123.6 million up from $104.8 million in the 1st quarter. However, this was the first full quarter that included VCG revenues which should have been approximately $22.5 million based on 1999 figures.
Stories in this issue include: Getty Call Center Statistics, Getty Pricing Strategy, Usage Fees Rising at Stock Connection, Cost of Credit Card Sales, Webshots Update, Boston Globe Update, AntiquesPortfolio Case in U.K., and new Managing Director at BIF in Mexico.
The new Corbis contract has been released. The good news is that royalty percentages are up for photographers, no dispute over photographer copyright ownership, no future catalog fees, options for image-excluive and image non-exclusive contracts, monthly payments and more. Also still a few problem areas of concern. Details of interest to photographers and other agencies.
Direct Stock has secured a seven figure venture capital investment from Stonehenge Capital Corporation to reshape directstock.com into an operation that can compete with Getty and Corbis for on-line sales.
Stories this month include: Stone Photographer Income Growth, Photographers Win On Copyright At Corbis, Outstanding 1st Quarter At Getty, Online Use, Getty/Geographic Deal, Freelances Sue Boston Globe, New Business Week Contract and Rates and other short items.
Corbis is listening to photographers and has made changnes in their position on copyright registration. The new clause that will be part of their New Standard Contract is included in this article.
Corbis has announced a new division - Corbis Documentaries - that will operate as a production company and develop innovative documentaries for television, theatres, and the Internet. On another front there is a resurgence in demand for short six minute films to be used on the net. Hollywood moguls are backing student projects.
Short news items include: eMotion Secures $34 Million, Update on Boston Globe Freelancer Suit, Patrick Donohue Joins Corbis, Getty Acquires IPL in Australia, Art Resources Represents French Museums and Speeding Request to Photographers at The Image Works.