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We are happy to announce the results of the first video contest launched by Fotolia to greet our new contributors, video makers and digital designers, who are populating the Fotolia video collection with great video clips and footage.

The video contest was launched last May 19th. The challenge consisted to reach the maximum number of video files approved before June 20th.
This time we have 1 Algerian (first) and 2 Italian contributors (2nd and 3rd) on the Fotolia podium!

Here the winners are :
1 prize 3000 credits with 1848 accepted video clips :Yahia LOUKKAL

Yahia is a Algerian designer, that's how he comments his victory:
"I’ve been contaminated by the Fotolite (sounds like a disease in French) in October 2008 thanks to a friend. Since then, I enjoy the power of the Fotolia website and services and I am now very happy and proud to be part of this family. That’s why I don’t miss any occasion to speak about Fotolia everywhere I go. My biggest wish would be to see one day A Fotolia Algeria website.
I want to also invite all photographers, designers, video designer to join Fotolia which allows us to expose and sell our works but also to learn from other contributors who belong to this great family. I like challenges, so I have not hesitated for one second to participate with this contest . I did my best and I would like to thank my computer which worked days and nights during one month.

2nd prize of 1000 credits with 1839 accepted video clips goes to
Designer Andrea aka Andrea Di Flaviano:

Andrea,Italian from Abruzzo, the region recently hit by a heartquake catastrophe, is a 27 year old digital designer with a passion for videos. Andrea is a freelancer and has been actively producing work for Fotolia since October 2007. He is an exclusive Fotolia contributor for microstock content. Andrea, who is still under shock for the great news, tells us how she managed to have 1839 videos accepted on Fotolia in one month:
"Over the past month i have been an octopus latched on my pc, actually on 3 PC, of which one borrowed from my girlfriend who has also helped me a lot in the indexing process. I hardly went out, but for 2 family events i just could not miss. Every day from 7 AM until 2 AM i have created and uploaded videos non stop up to about 30 GigaByte in total. At night i was uploading the heaviest renders." Thank you Fotolia for this great opportunity and much love to this fantastic community that makes me grow everyday, professionally and personally!"

3rd prize of 500 credits with 1205 accepted video clips goes to BMG aka Francesco Lombardo:
Francesco is Fotolia addicted too, since October 2008. He lives in Genoa and has his own company BananaMonsterGraphic, specialized in digital arts, from creative design to video-clips productions.
Passionate about drawing, video and movies since he was a child, started his creative path when he was a teen, with urban graffiti as writer and with comics illustrations. For his works Francesco prefers open source applications: Blender for the advanced mesh modelling and professional renders, Wings, The Gimp, Photoshop, Illustrator and Inkskape.
His comments: "This video contest is the proof that nothing is impossible if you work hard at it ! I had a computer crash in the first days, and went through 10 days of desperation before the new one was delivered. I feel at home in Fotolia, this community is made of very special people and this prize is an immense achievement for me, it shows one can make his own passion into a real job. Thank you Fotolia"

Congratulations to our 3 winners and a big thank you to All who participated to this contest!

“Fotolia has continued to be an innovative pioneer in the microstock space. They continue to democratize the microstock industry, keeping stock imagery affordable for small business owners, non-profit
organizations, and other groups that would otherwise not be able to afford the costs of licensing imagery associated with other companies,” says Lor, President of Fotolia, North America. “A major goal for Fotolia is the continued expansion of our offerings through strategic partnerships with businesses around the world. Garth proved his competency in our previous work together, and he will make a valuable addition to Fotolia's already talented team.”

Johnson will be responsible for overseeing business development and strategic partnership opportunities for Fotolia North America, which currently has a presence in 11 countries worldwide. He will be working with Lor and Fotolia's co-founder and CEO, Oleg Tscheltzoff, on continued expansion strategies for the company, which has nearly four million monthly unique visitors (comScore), more than six million images available for license and more than 1 million members worldwide.

“I've really admired Fotolia's strategy and innovation in the marketplace," adds Johnson, of his decision to join the Fotolia team. "They have remained true to their vision of providing the highest quality imagery to media buyers for the lowest possible cost, making it possible for small businesses to legally access stock imagery that, in many cases, is essential to the success of their business, for use in creation of brochures, advertisements, Web sites and other promotional materials. Now, more than ever, with small businesses struggling to compete, Fotolia is empowering the small and home business owner. It will be a pleasure to work with the team to ensure that more businesses have access to our image library through strategic partnerships in North America."

Johnson and Lor both joined the Fotolia team on the heels of the announcement of Fotolia's expansion into the microstock video market, which was launched on April 28.

“Fotolia has continued to be an innovative pioneer in the microstock space. They continue to democratize the microstock industry, keeping stock imagery affordable for small business owners, non-profit organizations, and other groups that would otherwise not be able to afford the costs of licensing imagery associated with other companies,” says Lor, of his decision to join the team. “They also continue to make it possible for talented photographers to connect with an audience of potential buyers, without the hurdles and costs of traditional stock firms. It’s a pleasure to join such a talented global team, and I look forward to working with them on bringing the company even more success as we continue to expand and enter new ventures.”

Lor will be overseeing North American operations for Fotolia, which currently has a presence in 10 countries worldwide. He will be working with co-founder and CEO Oleg Tscheltzoff on continued expansion strategies for the company, which has nearly 4 million monthly unique visitors (comScore), more than five million images available for license and more than 1 million members worldwide.

“Patrick had tremendous success with his work at iStockPhoto, and I’ve always admired his talent and what he was able to achieve,” explains Fotolia co-founder and CEO Oleg Tscheltzoff, “Fotolia has seen a tremendous amount of growth over the past years, and we’ve continued to expand both our physical presence globally and our service offerings. We have a number of exciting projects in the pipeline and are thrilled to have Patrick on board to help us bring Fotolia to the next level of success.”

The hire announcement comes on the heels of Fotolia’s expansion into the microstock video market, which was announced on April 28.

Since its launch in November, 2005, Fotolia has grown to offer one of the world’s largest libraries of legal, micro-priced images on the Web, offering professional and amateur photographers the ability to connect with more than 500,000 media buyers worldwide – from small businesses and design firms to some of the world’s most recognizable brands. With the launch of its stock video offering, Fotolia continues to expand its reach into new markets, satisfying the needs of videographers and video buyers worldwide by providing high-quality, low-cost alternatives to traditional stock video offerings.

About Fotolia
Fotolia.com is one of the world's leading providers of affordable stock imagery, with a database of over five million images and over one million international members. With web sites in 10 languages, Fotolia, LLC is based in New York and has offices in 11 countries. In 2007, Fotolia became the first independent microstock agency to enter the traditional stock marketplace with the launch of Fotolia Infinite Collections.

For more information on Fotolia United Kingdom, please visit www.fotolia.co.uk

Press Contact:
Daniela Reissmann
Director of Operations
Fotolia United Kingdom
P: 020 881 67284
Daniela@fotolia.com
www.fotolia.co.uk

“Fotolia has been, for years, one of the world’s most trusted sources for high-quality, low-priced, legal imagery and illustration,” explains Oleg Tscheltzoff, co-founder and president of Fotolia, LLC. “In January, we began accepting submissions for stock video clips because of an overwhelming demand from our customers, and the submissions we’ve seen in just a few short weeks – more than 10,000 accepted clips – have shown us that Fotolia is able to attract some of the best videographers from around the world to license their work through our agency.”

Fotolia’s video collection features a wide variety of content – from animation and stop motion to digital film and traditional video. Clips range in size and length from 320 X 240 to 1920 X 1080, 24 – 30 frames per second, and 5 – 60 seconds long. These clips – including HD video clips – prices are starting for as little as $10. Contributors can learn more about the offering and register to begin submitting clips by logging on to http://us.fotolia.com/Info/Contents/Videos.

Since its launch in November, 2005, Fotolia has grown to offer one of the world’s largest libraries of legal, micro-priced images on the Web, offering professional and amateur photographers the ability to connect with more than 500,000 media buyers worldwide – from small businesses and design firms to some of the world’s most recognizable brands. With the launch of its stock video offering, Fotolia continues to expand its reach into new markets, satisfying the needs of videographers and video buyers worldwide by providing high-quality, low-cost alternatives to traditional stock video offerings.

About Fotolia

Fotolia, LLC, based in New York, with offices in 11 countries around the globe and offering Web sites in 10 languages, is one of the world's leading providers of micro-priced stock images. Launched in early November, 2005, Fotolia's image marketplace has acquired over five million images in its database and over one million international members. In December, 2007, Fotolia became the first independent microstock agency to enter the traditional stock marketplace, with the launch of Fotolia Infinite Collections. For more information about the company or to access the Fotolia Web site, visit www.fotolia.com.

ComScore also shows some health growth, with 2.3 million unique visitors a month (the vast majority of which are obviously not registered members). Competitor iStockphoto , which was purchased by Getty Images for $50 million in 2006, has about twice as many monthly visitors (5.2 million). But on ts Website, iStockphoto says it only has 4 million images.

Another interesting stat the company shared with me: the number of uploads is very close to the number of paid downloads. People upload 40,000 images and other content every day, and download 50,000 images a day. That download rate translates to 1.5 million paid downloads a month. Fotolia takes 20 to 50 percent of the sales price.

Next up, Fotolia will begin selling stock video (something iStockphoto has been doing for a while). Fotolia already has 20,000 videos uploaded, and plans to roll out the new category generally in March or April.

As we announced a few days ago, Fotolia is changing the exclusivity definitions and adding a new level of exclusivity called “Total Exclusivity”.

This change will take place as early as March 1, 2009.

Total Exclusivity Status is defined as a contributor who only offers his royalty free files (images, vectors, videos) to Fotolia. It is strictly prohibitive for a Total Exclusive member to supply their creative works on other photo agencies or microstock websites.

As compensation, Total Exclusive contributors will receive many advantages like higher exclusive commissions and the ability to increase their sales prices (see charts below).

However, the Total Exclusive Contributor will retain the rights to:

- to sell their other creative works as Rights-managed files, on their own or through a company dedicated to this activity;

- to sell their works through their personal portfolio website. In such case, the website shall not offer works for free or sell other author’s works;

- to sell their works directly to an end user in accordance with an assignment or work for hire contract;

- to sell their works directly to the end user in accordance with an editorial contract;

- to sell prints of their works;

- to print and sell derivative products, including, without limitation, posters, t-shirts, clothing, decorations and the like, whether on their own or through a dedicated website. In such case, the website must not offer works for free or sell other royalty free creative works.

Procedure

Starting today Fotolia will allow you to declare your status as a Total Exclusive contributor, and once the website has been updated you will be ready to receive the benefits as a Total Exclusive contributor.

However before updating your account we encourage you to verify that all of your royalty free files have been removed from other agencies and websites as described above to be eligible for Total Exclusivity status on Fotolia. Total exclusivity may be declared in the my profile section of your Fotolia account.

While you are free to choose we do hope you will consider becoming a Total Exclusive contributor to Fotolia and wish you much success.

Click here to modify your exclusivity options in your Profile

For additional information please reference the charts below or contact support.

Maximum sales price for exclusive files - Total Exclusive status

Contributor royalty (%)

White

47
1
2
4
5
6
7
8
20
Bronze

49
2
4
8
10
12
14
16
50
Silver

51
3
6
12
15
18
21
24
100
Gold

53
4
8
16
20
24
28
32
150
Emerald

55
5
10
20
25
30
35
40
200
Sapphire

57
6
12
24
30
36
42
48
200
Rubis

59
7
14
28
35
42
49
56
200
Diamond

61
10
20
40
50
60
70
80
200

Maximum sales price for exclusive files - Partial Exclusive status

Contributor royalty (%)

White

30
1
2
4
5
6
7
8
20
Bronze

32
2
4
8
10
12
14
16
50
Silver

34
3
6
12
15
18
21
24
100
Gold

36
4
8
16
20
24
28
32
150
Emerald

38
5
10
20
25
30
35
40
200
Sapphire

40
6
12
24
30
36
42
48
200
Ruby

42
7
14
28
35
42
49
56
200
Diamond

44
10
20
40
50
60
70
80
200

Maximum sales price for non-exclusive files - Non-Exclusive status

Contributor royalty (%)

White

30
1
2
4
5
6
7
8
20
Bronze

32
1
2
4
5
6
7
8
50

Silver

34
1
2
4
5
6
7
8
100
Gold

36
1
2
4
5
6
7
8
150
Emerald

38
2
4
8
10
12
14
16
200
Sapphire

40
3
6
12
15
18
21
24
200
Ruby

42
4
8
16
20
24
28
32
200
Diamond

44
5
10
20
25
30
35
40
200

NEW YORK, NY - January 27, 2009
Today, Fotolia (http://www.fotolia.com) one of the world's leading sources for legal, low-cost imagery announces a call for high quality, user-generated video submissions, in preparation for the launch of its stock video offering, which will supplement its current library by licensing royalty-free video clips at microstock prices.

"Fotolia has been, for years, one of the world's most trusted sources
for high-quality, low-priced, legal imagery and illustration,"
explains Oleg Tscheltzoff, co-founder and president of Fotolia, LLC.
"In response to an overwhelming demand, Fotolia is announcing a call
for video submissions. We are seeking thousands of videographers from
around the world who would like to sell their footage and make money
through their videography passion."

Fotolia is looking for a wide variety of content submissions - from
animation and stop motion to digital film and traditional video.
Submissions should be 320 X 240 to 1920 X 1080, 24 - 30 frames per
second, and 5 - 60 seconds long. Beginning in mid-February, Fotolia
will begin licensing broadcast-quality footage, in a variety of
digital formats, including HD video, for as little as £10.
Contributors can learn more about the offering and register to begin
submitting clips by logging on to the UK site at:
http://en.fotolia.com/Info/Contents/Videos

Since its launch in November, 2005, Fotolia has grown to offer one of
the world's largest libraries of legal, micro-priced images on the
Web, offering professional and amateur photographers the ability to
connect with more than 500,000 media buyers worldwide - from small
businesses and design firms to some of the world's most recognizable
brands. With the launch of its stock video offering, Fotolia continues
to expand its reach into new markets, satisfying the needs of
videographers and video buyers worldwide by providing high-quality,
low-cost alternatives to traditional stock video offerings.

About Fotolia

Fotolia, LLC, based in New York, with offices in ten countries around
the globe and offering Web sites in nine languages, is one of the
world's leading providers of micro-priced stock images. Launched in
early November, 2005, Fotolia's image marketplace has acquired nearly
5 million images in its database and over 950,000 international
members. In December, 2007, Fotolia became the first independent
microstock agency to enter the traditional stock marketplace, with the
launch of Fotolia Infinite Collections.

For more information about the company or to access the Fotolia UK Web site, visit http://www.fotolia.co.uk

Press Contact:

Michael Conner
Director of Communications
Fotolia, LLC
P: 541-704-0800
Michael(at) fotolia.com
www.fotolia.com

Alternative London contact:
Daniela(at) fotolia.com
London: 020-881 67284

LINK: http://www.fototv.com

Link to the Interview:

http://uk.intruders.tv/Oleg-Tscheltzoff-CEO-and-co-founder-of-Fotolia_a481.html

As Oleg mentions in this interview, top photographers can make a good living on Fotolia alone with revenues ranging from a few hundred dollars to tens of thousands per month.

Next for Fotolia, the launch of stock videos at the end of the month.

The official Fotolia Video will be viewable here on December 15th.

Hello Community!

Its about time that we introduce our UK team!

Fotolia UK is managed by Daniela and Andy. Daniela is in charge of
Customer Relations as well as all Marketing and Advertising related
matters. She joined Fotolia during the summer of 2008 after several
years of experience in the image industry as well as in marketing.
She is a native German speaker who lives and works out of New York
City. Any purchases, wire transfer inquiries, technical questions,
API related issues, and photographer inquiries will go to her.
Daniela is fluent in nearly 5 languages and loves photography,
traveling, and yoga.
You can contact Daniela via email at daniela@fotolia.com

Andy is new to the team. He's our Sales Rep on site in London. Andy
has over 8 years experience within the industry and worked across
multiple sectors, including both the advertising & editorial markets.
Andy will be available for sales inquiries & meetings to discuss the
Fotolia Brand in more detail. His hobbies include traveling in Asia, Film, and Sport. Andy can be reached at andrew@fotolia.com

Together they're ready to rock the Kingdom!

Fotolia UK Team
IMAGES FOR ALL!

There will be a two-fold benefit to LCN customers through this alliance -- Customers will be able get three royalty free stock photograph credits at no cost from the world's largest and fastest growing databases of nearly 4.5 million micro-priced, royalty-free images. Not only that, once signed up with Fotolia, customers of LCN, will be entitled to a 10% bonus on every order placed with Fotolia from then on.

Mark Boost, Managing Director of LCN.com commented, "Both LCN and Fotolia are dedicated to providing their customers with the best products within our respective industries. With high quality imagery being such a top level need for quality web design, it was a natural decision for us to partner with Fotolia as our imagery provider.

"With Fotolia, we have gained a trusted partner that offers the largest image bank of free and affordable royalty free images. This announcement is something new and existing web design customers will be delighted to hear." Boost noted further.

"This partnership allows LCN customers deeply integrated access to Fotolia's database of nearly 4.5 million high-quality, micro-priced images, using Fotolia's Partner API. It also gives users a platform to generate their own revenue through the intuitive Fotolia system whereby commission is earned on images they submit to the Fotolia Web site," said Oleg Tscheltzoff, co-founder and president of Fotolia.
Find out more about the Fotolia offer and LCN Web Hosting packages below:

www.lcn.com/fotolia_offer
www.lcn.com/web_hosting

About LCN.com
LCN is one of the top UK domain and hosting providers with over 40,000 hosting customers and over 350,000 domain names registered since its launch in 2000.

About Fotolia:
Fotolia, LLC, based in New York, with offices in nine countries around the globe and offering Web sites in eight languages, is the world's largest provider of micro-priced stock images. Launched in early November, 2005, Fotolia's image marketplace has acquired nearly 4.5 million images in its database and over 850,000 international members. In December, 2007, Fotolia became the first independent microstock agency to enter the traditional stock marketplace, with the launch of Fotolia Infinite Collections. For more information about the company or to access the Fotolia Web site, visit www.fotolia.com.

Fotolia’s contributors range from amateur enthusiasts who use the site to supplement their incomes or for the chance to see their work in print or online, to professional photographers who make generous incomes as full-time microstock contributors. Fotolia has also attracted photographers from some of the world’s largest and best-reputed agencies as contributors, due to our broad variety of media buyers. Since its launch in November, 2005, Fotolia has grown to offer the world’s largest library of legal, micro-priced images on the Web. Professional and amateur photographers alike have the ability to connect with more than 300,000 media buyers – ranging from small home businesses to the world’s top brands.

Christopher Völlmya