Nothing Stays the Same and Nothing Changes

I attended my first PACA meeting in the late 1970’s. I came to NYC on Jane Kinne’s advice to meet with others who actually knew what they were doing in the photo licensing business. I had just put my hat in the ring and Jane had figured out how much I didn’t know about what I was doing. I believe all 8 members of PACA were in attendance at the meeting at a Chinese restaurant in midtown.I’ve watched the stock photo industry evolve, devolve and stay the same for nearly 40 years. It’s gone from a collection of companies that specialized in only rights managed editorial content, evolving to embrace advertising uses with the advent of Image Bank. Then came a technology in search of a product: royalty free photos on a CD. Oops, just when it seemed that there could be no further changes, microstock appeared on the scene. Today we have a large variety of companies seeking to monetize photographs, illustrations, music and video using innovative technology, a variety of revenue generating positions and innovative technology.What will the future bring? DMLA (PACA) has always helped me to see the way forward often through people or companies that I met at the annual conference. For example, I was able to learn about microstock and ultimately join Dreamstime in 2006 because I had met Serben Enache, the CEO, at a PACA Conference in Key West.We have designed the 2015 DMLA Annual Conference to present discussions about the new world as well as providing up-to-date information on a variety of topics that apply to all licensing models and monetization positions. Nothing has changed but everything has. Join us October 25th through the 27^th to find out what is staying the same and what isn’t. Meet old colleagues and new. Party at the Condé Nast Gallery in the World Trade Center.We're looking forward to seeing you there!Ellen Boughn2015 Annual DMLA Conference Program Chairperson.