Priceless?
In this day and age, where some people would do just about everything to be seen, it’s interesting to see companies trying to take advantage of that.
Some time ago, I was contacted by the ad agency responsible for MasterCard’s Priceless web site. They wanted to use my pictures from Easter Island and write a little story about them, to promote priceless situations.
What would I get out of it? My name on the site, as a photo credit.
Maybe I’m a bit cynical now, but having an idea of how much money MasterCard, and no doubt their ad agency, bring in, I’m sure they have enough funds to actually pay for using pictures which will help them make even more money. It’s not really like it’s a charitable source…
So, I declined.
Photos for education
Just recently an educational facility in Turkey were interested in having one of my pictures from Brunei in a magazine for kids, helping them to learn things. They asked if it was ok, and said that they might want to use the picture on their web site as well to promote that specific magazine issue.
All I wanted was a copy of the magazine, since I thought it would be fun. Some weeks later, the magazine arrived and my picture was in it. Cool!
But attached in the letter was that a paper they wanted me to sign, basically giving them the rights to use my photo in any media known to man, and all other ways they couldn’t think of but wanted to reserve, and I would not ask for anything back for this. I mean, seriously?
The picture will be in the magazine, and that’s that. I have no idea how it went from being helpful about something which would make kids learn, to they taking over all control of the photo from my trip.
So, I declined.
Priceless, eh?
