Corbis Images has introduced a Web and mobile-resolution product that offers stock images starting at $5.
The move is unsurprising; it follows and closely resembles the product launched by Getty Images last summer. Many in the traditional industry, including Alamy, have since adopted a similar pricing strategy, which attempts to compete with microstock by offering premium content in smaller file sizes for digital uses.
Corbis is indeed focusing on the premium quality of its collection in promoting the new offering. The company cites research that says creative quality is 50% to 75% responsible for the success or failure of digital campaigns—and stresses that imagery can make the execution.
In addition, Corbis points to two prevailing market trends: the continued shift of advertising dollars to digital media and rising popularity of mobile products, particularly those by Apple.
Some researchers predict that this year will see digital ad revenues exceed print for the first time. Outsell Inc. predicts that spending on Web sites and other digital media will rise by nearly 10% to $120 billion, accounting for 33% of the U.S. advertising market.
Just as the iPhone and other smart phones brought an upsurge in image uses, products and applications, Apple’s iPad promises an increase in demand for imagery. Corbis feels that this demand will be highest for premium-quality low-priced imagery, suitable for uses in digital magazines and advertisements.
To meet this demand, Corbis is offering a 400-pixel royalty-free image product for $5 to $20, and two rights-managed options: 400-pixel and 600-pixel files priced between $15 and $60. The company promises that these new products continue to offer customers indemnification and high levels of rights control.