The latest in our 'Industry Names' interviews.
When did you start in the picture library business?
12 years ago at what was Tony Stone Images.
What were you doing before that?
Student - Post graduate in Marketing Management.
How many employees do you have?
12 in the UK office and freelancers when needed.
How involved are you in every day picture sales decisions?
Totally, I still have a client base, negotiate fees, do searches etc. I don’t think you can fully know what is going on in the market without talking to your customers.
Is the future totally digital?
Totally!
Do you have any advice for a new picture library?
Make sure you have a fat marketing budget.
Which picture library web site has caught your eye recently?
There are a couple that I really admire and in all honesty wish ours was up to that standard, but I am not mentioning names...
Which papers do you read regularly?
Evening Standard on the train home. Sunday Times and News of the World at the weekend for both ends of the journalistic spectrum.
What are the most important ingredients for today’s press agency?
A collection with depth, a web site that delivers a sales team with a desire to succeed and a marketing budget to dwarf all others!
What images do you pursue when you are not selling images?
That would be telling...
Do you think being based in London is necessary or could you now run a press agency anywhere?
With the web you can run a digital agency from anywhere, although the large percentage of the client base is in London, so from a face to face angle, it is easiest to meet more clients being based here.
Which system do you use for your online library?
A very temperamental one that was designed in-house.
Is it web based?
Parts of it are.
How many pictures do you sell overnight directly through your web site?
Varies, although only royalty free is available via e-commerce at present. However, watch this space.
What percentage of your outgoings do you spend on marketing the library?
More than I should! Although with the increased competition and them becoming more commercially focused, you have to!
Where do you live?
Near Blackheath, London SE3
Family status?
Single/divorced with a 6 year old daughter called ‘Georgia’.
Do you take photographs?
Not very well!
Describe your day.
They vary greatly, a bit of sales, bit of research, some credit control, pay a few bills, make the tea etc. Too much time though spent chasing people who don’t pay on time!
What’s hot, what’s new?
Digital Vision and Stockbyte now available at zefa.co.uk
Any last thought?
There are 24 hours in a day and 24 beers in a case. Coincidence?