Sunday, November 1, 2015
World Picture Network - Shuttering Assignment Desk
With "hundreds of photographers in over 70 countries whose experience covers the spectrum of editorial and commercial photography, including conflict coverage, news, sports, entertainment, science, technology, fashion, lifestyle, portraiture and documentary photography" benefiting from assignments, The shuttering of the World Picture Network's assignment desk, this should have a bit of an impact.The agency was founded in 2001, and grew to a point where a move to New York City in 2004 was in order.
In a letter to contributors, Brian J Miller, CEO, wrote "WpN is another victim of the severe economic downturn, along with most of our clients and many of you. Our assignment revenue has dropped dramatically in the last five months and it simply does not make financial sense to continue supporting the losses we are sustaining with no improvement in sight. "
(Full text of e-mail, after the Jump)
Dear WpN Photographers,Yes, indeed, this is one more case of a good organization suffering because of the economy. Perhaps this will change, since WpN is not closing up the entire operation, but just the assignments division. Only time will tell.
I am writing to alert you that WpN will stop taking on new assignments in the next few weeks. Beginning today, we are telling clients that they should contact you directly for all assignments to be shot after April 17th.
WpN is another victim of the severe economic downturn, along with most of our clients and many of you. Our assignment revenue has dropped dramatically in the last five months and it simply does not make financial sense to continue supporting the losses we are sustaining with no improvement in sight.
I should note that image sales from our archive, both direct sales and those through our Network Partners, have been less impacted by our clients’ budget constraints. I would encourage you to leave your images with us on a non-exclusive basis. I have always felt that “more eyeballs means more sales,” and many customers know to come to our website or to our Network Partners for your images. The amounts may not be life-changing, but any sales that result are found money for you.
Rest assured that you will be paid on all completed assignments as clients pay us, and you will continue to be paid on all image sales on the same basis.
I do not know what the future will bring for any of us individually or for our industry, but I wish you all the best. I hope you are able to weather the storm and continue to use your considerable talents successfully for many years to come.
If you have any questions or concerns, fee free to call or email:
Brian (646-XXX-XXXX) Xxxxx.Xxxx@worldpicturenews.com
Todd (646-XXX-XXXX) Xxxxx.Xxxx@worldpicturenews.com
Alden (646-XXX-XXXX) Xxxxx.Xxxx@worldpicturenews.com
Brian J. Miller, CEO
World Picture Network LLC
62 White Street, #3W
New York NY 10013
(P) 212-XXX-XXXX
Please post your comments by clicking the link below. If you've got questions, please pose them in our Photo Business Forum Flickr Group Discussion Threads.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment