Getty Images acquired all the outstanding shares of Cass & Cass Limited (TIB-UK) in September for $6.3 million in cash and 247,790 shares worth $10.4 million for a total of $17.1 million. Balance sheet figures analyzed.
News assignments are down. Charles Borst, Executive News Director of Corbis Sygma discusses the causes and explains why he gave a recent TIME assignment to the Sun-Sentinel newspaper in Fort Lauderdale rather than to a Sygma photographer.
Automatic selling on-line can put model's rights at risk, and present legal problems for photographers even when they have a model release. This story outlines the problem, discusses FPG and Getty's recent approach and offers an alternative solution.
The Supreme Court has agreed to review the Tasini copyright infringement case and render a verdict before June 30, 2001. The Court's decision will have a major impact on creator rights in the digital age.
This issue has stories on Getty's Slow Growth in the 3rd Quarter, Death of SuperStock Express Pricing, Index Stock Closes Offices, On-line agency updates, updates on Getty and Corbis activities, things to look for when considering on-line options, and more.
At the PACA International Conference in New York Colin Burke of Stock Photos agency in Australia provided insights to the south-west Pacific market for stock photography, and challenged stock agents in attendance to consider their photographer's interests.
Getty Images, Inc. reported 3rd quarter 2000 revenue of $127 million, up from $123.6 million for the 2nd quarter, or a 2.75% increase for the quarter. In his conference call to investors CEO Jonathan Klein provided some revealing insights to future plans.
This story provides information about the closing of Index Stock Imagery offices and staff reductions, Global State's acquisition of WestStock, the departure of TSM's German office manager for Zefa Visual Media and new policies on Sensitive issues at FPG.
Less than one month after Exactphoto.com announced a new on-line service for photographers Ridgley Evers, CEO of Exactly! said the entire company would be closing its doors. This eliminates the accounting software and the buying services Exactly formerly provided as well as the stock photo services.
Getty Images is moving to close down and consolidate brands. In September they announced the closing of Planet Earth Pictures and the photography section of the Artville brand. PictureArts Corporation is moving to handle sales and marketing of the titles formerly handled by Artville.
The Spanish agency AGE Fotostock has been operating a New York office for about eight months. They have distributed two print catalogs and have a searchable web site. They advertise a number of FREE services to customers including: Free scans, Free delivery by courier or messenger, Free research and Free chromes (which the customers get to keep).
Getty Images is developing a new marketing strategy called ''Special Collections''. The images will be marketed through the TIB portal and special print catalogs. It is believed the initial collections will include: nature, wildlife, scenics, travel and sports. Getty is acquiring work and offering photographers new contracts, but are unwilling to talk publically about this strategy at this time.
There has been a sudden explosion of on-line options for photographers. At least nine companies will be at Photo+Expo in New York offering new or updated service. This story outlines some of the issues, in addition to percentage and cost, that photographers should get answers to from these service providers.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.