Commission change - James West comments

[John Mitchell 4,654]

1 hour ago, Panthera tigris said:

Where does this "50%/exclusive" idea come from? Is it a forum thing or did it come from an Alamy communication/conversation?

 

I've gone back through the posts but can't figure out where it started? 

 

Some of us who e-mailed James West got a response from him suggesting that Alamy might consider this option if the numbers worked, and that details would follow at some point.

Edited December 18, 2018 by John Mitchell

[Panthera tigris 95]

2 hours ago, John Mitchell said:

 

Some of us who e-mailed James West got a response from him suggesting that Alamy might consider this option if the numbers worked, and that details would follow at some point.

 

Thanks John!

[Olivier Parent 748]

8 hours ago, Bill Brooks said:

I think exclusively at Alamy would mean Alamy is the only place a client could license that particular image by that particular photographer today.

 

Today it is an image exclusive to Alamy. Yesterday is another matter, and should not affect the exclusivity to Alamy designation.

 

Looking for a virgin in stock photography is futile.

 

Absolutely! Contributors should not confuse "exclusive image rights" and "only available on Alamy" which are different things.

Edited December 18, 2018 by Olivier Parent

[riccarbi 116]

Quote

Some of us who e-mailed James West got a response from him suggesting that Alamy might consider this option if the numbers worked, and that details would follow at some point.

 

Sorry guys, but this thing makes no sense at all. Think about it. James West said in the video that Alamy needs more money in order to fund some expansion plan involving new localized websites (or local offices, who knows) etc, etc. They need that money NOW, in order to implement such an expansion within a year or so. By reducing contributors' commissions they will be able to increase instantly Alamy's revenues by 20% (here we all discuss our revenue cut, but no one discusses the corresponding revenue increment for Alamy.). Do you really believe that the supposed revenue growth resulting in making some millions of images  "exclusive" would compensate a 20% revenue increase for ALL images sold on Alamy?  If, as a CEO of a company, I proposed such a swap to my stakeholders, I would be unemployed within a week.

 

Edited December 18, 2018 by riccarbi

[Martin Carlsson 433]

41 minutes ago, riccarbi said:

 

Sorry guys, but this thing makes no sense at all. Think about it. James West said in the video that Alamy needs more money in order to fund some expansion plan involving new localized websites (or local offices, who know) etc, etc. They need that money NOW, in order to implement such expansion within a year or so. If you increase Alamy's revenues by 20% (here we all discuss our revenue cut, but no one discusses the corresponding revenue increment for Alamy.). Do you still believe that the supposed revenue growth resulting in making some millions of images  "exclusive" would really compensate a 20% revenue increase for ALL images sold on Alamy?  If, as a CEO of a company, I proposed such a swap to my stakeholders, I would be unemployed within a week.

 

 

I think you're mis-understanding the general sentiment, which IMHO is finding ways too soften the blow of the proposed reduction for the most committed of Alamy contributors. The exact implementation of "exclusivity", or if it is even a genuine offer from Alamy, is a bit unclear. Anyhow, an open discussion in the hope that Alamy picks up on the good suggestions that also works for them as a business and the way forward that they feel the need to embark on. You're right i the sense that there is no way around a reduction somewhere if money is needed ASAP and other ways of facilitating that is off the table (loans, taking on-board investors etc.).

[Tony 161]

I for one would be more than happy to stay at 50% as all my work here (apart from 6 images) is exclusive to Alamy.

It makes total sense and would be a reward for loyalty.

 

My best work is licenced via 50/50 boutique agencies that's also totally exclusive to them. 

I don't sell the same images via multiple outlets, it's just not cricket.

 

Seems like the those touting the same images via multiple sites, microstock, etc, are the only ones not happy with the idea.

[BobD 572]

Whatever happens now, I will work differently in the future. This is a wake up call.

I am 95% exclusive with Alamy and that will remain the case if they go with 50% for exclusive. If not I will not upload anymore.

I will however submit to other agencies regardless but that will be different work.

I uploaded to another agency that gives 50% a year ago, went on holiday and forgot about them.

They are better known for video and I uploaded 6 After effects animations and 4 images. I looked at my account yesterday for the first time in a year and found they have sold 2 x animations and 1 image. You can set your own price for images.

While this is not earth shattering figures it does represent over a 25% sell rate and at prices well above my Alamy average.

 

I feel the reason Alamy needs money is because they are failing in their responsibility, not only to us, but to themselves as well. There are so many things wrong, all been touched on here. Personal and presentation use abuse, reporting failure, refunds and ridiculously low prices are just the main gripes and all of which cost us and Alamy money. Before they come taking money away from contributors they should put their house in order for all our benefits first. 

 

[Gordon Scammell 115]

I understand from another contributor that Alamy is about to announce the exclusivity deal today.

 

To be honest I wouldn't sign up to a cynical deal that I believe was Alamy's intention all along.  Announce a reduction in commission paid to contributors, sit back and wait whilst all the messages of anger come pouring in and then announce that they have listened to the complaints and have come up with a wonderful answer that will please people.

 

Not buying it.  

 

 

[FRP 6]

I am just coming back from a trip and have this horrible surprising news… I took time to read many of your comments. I agree that Alamy is not thinking about us. Photographers. 

BUT I AM A VERY OPTIMIST PERSON, and I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO BELIEVE THAT "JAMES AND HIS TEAM", are GOING TO RE CONSIDER The ACTION TO BE TAKEN.

The price of images sold in Alamy , as we many of us know , is quite a joke, prices are already very low if we look at other  agencies. But worst of all ; a reduction of commission paid to photographers? is very much : luck of respect for our work, time, ideas, etc etc. 

 

So M. James, and Alamy team, I think you guys got plenty of  mails, messages, letting you know how disappointing and disrespectful your actions would be.

HOPING YOU ARE REALLY READING ALL THIS AND TAKE THE RIGHT DECISIONS IN THE FUTURE.

LOOKING FORWARDS TO 2019 WITH "GOOD AND HAPPY NEWS FOR  ALL PHOTOGRAPHERS CONTRIBUTING TO ALAMY"

Wishing you a great day

F

 

[Tony 161]

Looks like Ian Murray or Geogphotos has had enough and disappeared from the forum, all his posts have gone, strange ?

Edited December 18, 2018 by Tony

[BobD 572]

He did mention the other day that he had asked Alamy to remove his forum account but still wanted to be able to view the threads.

 

 

7 minutes ago, Tony said:

Looks like Ian Murray or Geogphotos has had enough and disappeared from the forum, all his posts have gone, strange ?

 

[Tony 161]

Just now, BobD said:

He did mention the other day that he had asked Alamy to remove his forum account but still wanted to be able to view the threads.

 

Maybe he took getting so many red arrows too personally!

 

[KevinS 142]

13 minutes ago, Tony said:

 

Maybe he took getting so many red arrows too personally!

 

Maybe, but I'm sure he's got thick skin. I'm actively seeking green arrows, though, as it's the only green coming my way from Alamy lately.

[KevinS 142]

The only Twitter I see is on the home page of these forums. 5 hours ago Alamy said;

We're having a few technical issues with our contributor email service. Please bear with us, we're working on the issue and we'll get this back up and running as soon as possible. 

I was expecting a follow up statement today regarding commission split. Oh well, soon they'll be able to get an email out, I guess. 

Edited December 18, 2018 by KevinS

[Gordon Scammell 115]

If there is a new exclusivity 'deal' will be applied to live news images?  If so, it's another reason why exclusivity is a bad choice.

[BobD 572]

4 minutes ago, Gordon Scammell said:

If there is a new exclusivity 'deal' will be applied to live news images?  If so, it's another reason why exclusivity is a bad choice.

 

Actually live news hasn't been mentioned at all by Alamy, AFAIK

[KevinS 142]

29 minutes ago, Gordon Scammell said:

If there is a new exclusivity 'deal' will be applied to live news images?  If so, it's another reason why exclusivity is a bad choice.

The new rates will likely be put in the Alamy Commission Table in the contract. Currently there is no entry for live news; those are in with sales made through alamy.com (aka 'direct sales'). A new row would be needed for non-exclusive news images licensed through alamy.com to stay at 50%, I think.

Edited December 18, 2018 by KevinS
Clarification

[Tony 161]

9 minutes ago, funkyworm said:

Alamy is far less global in their reach than some reckon

 

I thought the internet was global, correct me if I'm wrong.

 

Your comparison makes no sense at all we are not selling actual cakes but internet downloads.

 

[BobD 572]

13 minutes ago, funkyworm said:

 

That may be the case for some but not for all. Alamy is far less global in their reach than some reckon.

 

Imagine I am a baker here in Amsterdam. I make the lekkerste (tastiest) gevulde koek in all town. I sell some of my gevulde koek through West's Corner shop in Oxford. It would be folly only to supply my gevulde koek exclusively to them as I have a market on my doorstep which West's corner shop doesn't cover. If I did supply West's Corner shop exclusively then Bakkerij Ries would have been out of business a long time ago. West's Corner shop would survive the hiccup, they dont sell that many gevulde koek anyway

 

Now I am faced with a yet another cut in the my slice of the income from the sales of the gevulde koek unless I am "loyal." Whilst at the same time the "loyalty" in the opposite direction is extremely limited. We are constantly aware that they can always swap Bakkerij Ries for Bakkerij Stanley or Bakkerij Andre.

 

Imagine I decide not to be disloyal and give West's Corner shop the benefit of the doubt and against better judgement I give them exclusivity over my gevulde koek so they can expand to Buckinghamshire. A year later my sales are still have not increased so I contact Mr West of West's corner shop to ask what has happened... tsja, he replies, yeah, market conditions, Brexit, exchange rate, oh and we rearranged the shelves. You rearranged the shelves? Yeah, gevulde koek wasn;t selling so well so we put at the back... near the rat poison. 

 

I would be left as the Dutch say, with a mouth full of teeth... and not because I was trying to have my koek and eat it.

 

 

But would you be better off or feel better if Bobs Buns, who does supply Wests corner shop exclusively, got the same deal as yourself. 

[Allan Bell 2,409]

Just received this email from Alamy.

 

 

We're making some more changes We recently sent an email regarding a change in the commission structure at Alamy where the commission contributors receive for direct sales will change from 50% to 40% in February 2019.   After careful review, and taking into consideration photographer feedback, we have come to the decision that images exclusive to Alamy will remain at 50%.   Our CEO James West has explained the exclusivity commission in further detail in a video which you can view, and leave comments on below.

View the video

 

 

Allan

 

 

[BobD 572]

Just got it myself as well.

 

[spacecadet 3,782]

3 minutes ago, Allan Bell said:

Just received this email from Alamy.

 

 

We're making some more changes

Allan

 

 

I've started a new thread, possibly superfluous.

Suits me. Others, not so much, he says glibly.

Edited December 18, 2018 by spacecadet

[Cryptoprocta 779]

2 minutes ago, Allan Bell said:

Just received this email from Alamy.

 

 

We're making some more changes We recently sent an email regarding a change in the commission structure at Alamy where the commission contributors receive for direct sales will change from 50% to 40% in February 2019.   After careful review, and taking into consideration photographer feedback, we have come to the decision that images exclusive to Alamy will remain at 50%.   Our CEO James West has explained the exclusivity commission in further detail in a video which you can view, and leave comments on below.

View the video

 

 

Allan

 

 

Thanks for posting this info.

[CAROL SAUNDERS 128]

My email just dropped in also guess I'll keep clicking 

 

Carol

[Alamy 572]

Here is the official follow-up from James:

 

 

Best,

 

With this fresh update, please discuss further on the new thread:

 

https://discussion.alamy.com/topic/10842-its-official-50-for-exclusive/

 

Best,

Alamy