Universal Images Group Limited (UIG), has extended its regional content management facilities by opening offices in Florence, Italy and Sydney, Australia. UIG already has such facilities in Chelmsford, Essex and London in the UK, as well as Chicago and New York, and a video editing studio in Anchorage. The new facilities are managed by experienced editors with college degrees in art history and prior long term services with Alinari, and Photolibrary.
UIG had acquired three picture archives (Omni Photo, MyLoupe and AdStock Photos) in the USA during 2011 and 2012 providing over 90,000 contributor based rights managed digitized images. UIG processed a further 230,000 new images from image partners in 2012 for its distribution and agency network.
The increase in premium RM images contributed to a 141% increase in distribution revenues in 2012 and a 120% increase in revenues from the online education market.
One of the company's major projects is Encyclopaedia Britannica Image Quest (see
here and
here for more information). Revenue from this activity grew 125% in 2012 and they are projecting an additional 65% increase in 2013.
To maintain its growth UIG plans to increase the number of Premium RM picture images to 360,000 during 2013. UIG’s vast network of image providers, plus its pool of photographers and illustrators, will provide the new RM content. Revenue is expected to grow a further 65% in 2013 in the creative, corporate & editorial markets through UIG’s distributors and agents, and over 100% in the online education market. UIG does not license images directly, only through its international representatives.
To fully support their photographers, illustrators and artists, UIG has launched its Contributor’s Web Site under the management of the UIG Editorial Director for North America based in the New York office. The Contributor’s web site will provide full creative and editorial guidelines, content needs lists and production status reports for each contributor.
Matthew Pope, the European Content Director of UIG, is thrilled with the expansion, depth and growth of new content. “Adding content offices and experienced professionals in Sydney, Florence and New York allows us to more easily source and process local and regional content from our image partners and contributors.”
The
Virtual Picture Desk (VPD), the sister company to UIG and also founded by George Sinclair in 2002, will continue to provide services to the UIG Image Partners including editing, digitization, key wording and indexing. VPD will continue to assist in mergers and acquisitions as the industry continues to consolidate and utilize common services and expertise, as well as providing business and distribution consulting services. UIG and VPD are strong advocates for establishing and maintaining industry standards and guidelines, and the protection of copy right ownership.
For further information please contact George Sinclair via email:
TFvapynve@ICQPbec.pbz; Matthew Pope via email:
ZCbcr@ICQPbec.pbz; or Danny Russelman via email:
QEhffryzna@HavirefnyVzntrfTebhc.pbz.