| Author | Thread |
|
|
10/20/2006 09:16:37 AM · #1 |
I have had a long (15 years) relationship with a local advertising agency, but primarily for graphic design & illustration. Over the last 2 years, I have been providing them with photography as well.
I had a nasty situation develop. The Account Executive I was dealing with on a panoramic shoot agreed to a price, and agreed to the products that I'd deliver, which I did. Here are the results, which everyone concerned is thrilled with:
//www.levelfive.com/HTML/PORTFOLIO_PAGES/RE_PHOTOGRAPHY/ArlingtonPano.html
HOWEVER, the problem is that the AE quit, and the new AE found some old emails, which say in slightly unclear language (my fault) that I'd do a second shoot of lifestyle shots (shopping, entertainment, local color, etc.) for an additional sum, which was the same price that I charged for the panoramas. I did't do a formal quote.
I think the same dollar amount has confused the end client, and they are demanding the "balance" of their photography.
I didn't refuse to do the additional work, but I asserted that I did what I agreed to do, I suggested that they were mis-reading the old email, and that they should reconsider what they were asking. Also, didn't they think that the price for the panoramas represented a very good value, and why would I more than double the work for the same price?
I heard through the grapevine that I've been black-listed. I don't know what I'm wanting from DPC, maybe just confirmation that I'm not the A-hole they're making me out to be. I was entirely too casual and trusting by not using a formal quote. What would you have done differently? Ugh. The whole situation has really been pushing my buttons. |
|
|
|
10/20/2006 09:23:29 AM · #2 |
Why don't you ask them to call the old AE to confirm your story?
|
|
|
|
10/20/2006 09:35:21 AM · #3 |
Sounds to me like the new AE is trying to get out of using you at all. Maybe he/she and someone else they want to use and need a reason to dismiss you.
If you think the relationship is salvagable, I would do the additional work in the name of good relations and self promotion. If you feel you can not slavage the relationship I would move on.
There are some in the industry that think photographers can be replaced by anyone with a camera. It can be very frustrating.
Good luck and don't let the a**holes get you down!
|
|
|
|
10/20/2006 09:37:28 AM · #4 |
Originally posted by xantangummi:
Why don't you ask them to call the old AE to confirm your story? |
Thats a good suggestion unless the old AE left on bad terms. Account Execs in the ad agency world jump agencies so often it looks like musical chairs and ..frankly..the agencies are more often than not very slippery so you are right.... a written quote detailing your services and charges is A MUST!
You need to evaluate your relationship with the agency. Are they very important to your success? Meaning..do they refer a lot of business to you? Are they big and powerful enough to hurt you longterm in your world?
If you answer yes to one or both of the above, you need to find a way to do whatever it takes to make the situation right. There are just too many photographers out there willing to do work and success is all about relationships.
The current Advertising Exec may have made incorrect promises to the client either because the Ad Exec is new and doesn't know how to sell photography or they are not very good and are doing the old "I'm your friend and if I had my way I would give you the photography but the bad old photographer is just being a jerk"
Advertising world is full of ass kissing and Ad Execs (because it is so cutthroat for ad accounts out there)
will say anything to the client to keep them. You just got caught in the switch.
Sit down with the ad exec...clearly explain what the original deal was with a properly executed quote...underline the costs of each photo service...then take a big black marker and circle what you are going to GIVE HIM and make him/her understand the huge favor you are doing for them and hwo relationships are important to you.
I can't say this will help for any blacklisting but..you know the advertising world.
Message edited by author 2006-10-20 09:38:41. |
|
|
|
10/20/2006 10:24:31 AM · #5 |
I've been a freelance artist for 15 years, and brother, I feel your pain.
This is a scenario that has presented itself to me many times in different forms. I've tried every reaction I can think of - blowing up, rolling over, going above heads, going below heads...
I think it comes down to what's the value of a client? How much are you going to make if they stay your client? How painful is doing the work going to be. How painful is it going to be to work the the AE over time...
I fired a client once because the AE was just too painful to deal with - best decision I ever made. Once the client left the agency they called me back and I still work for them - but I digress...
The majority of the time I've found that the client is so valuable that it's worth it. In fact in my old age I do lots of gig's as a favor for my main clients just to promote goodwill.
If the client says "Hey you said you would do more", I say "I think there was a misunderstanding, here's what I thought we said, now what can I do for you". (always painting myself as the hero come to save their day - digital knight in shining armor as it were)
Agencies are too hard to crack into to let them go over one gig.
So in my world, what could you have done differently? Do the work! Roll over on this one and live to fight the battle another day.
Plus you COULD have bumped your next 5 bids or gigs by another 2 hours each, they never would have known the diff, and you'd be paid for what they had you do for free. The power of being able to invoice is a sweet power indeed.
Now go start schmoozing with other agencies and different people in that same agency. You can salvage this through other channels, that guy will be gone in a year anyway. :-)
|
|
|
|
10/20/2006 10:33:01 AM · #6 |
Just went to your link -
Nice photography...
Dude, get that whining off of your web site! You've got to say what a thrill it was to work for such a distiguished client, what great vision they had, how nice the people are to work with, how you look forward to many more projects just like it -
The client COULD see what you've written - not good. You're on PUBLIC record on how dumb they are -
Others will see it for sure - and you look like a pre-madonna artist that knows better than they do and it will turn them off - they won't even call you.
As a freelance you've got to be the most wonderful, flexible, maleable, spinmeister on the planet!
I want you be successful - public bashing of clients isn't the way to do it. IMO, FWIW
Message edited by author 2006-10-20 10:42:07.
|
|
|
|
10/20/2006 12:59:53 PM · #7 |
The agency in question runs hot and cold. We've had fallings-out in the past, almost always over money. We won't work together for a while, then there is a job that has a wildly over-due deadline and they call me because I'm known to work quickly and accurately for illustration work. The AEs turn over, and all is forgiven, or at least forgotten.
The original AE on the job had pretty abysmal communication skills, and I had quite a bit of difficulty understanding what she wanted right from the start. I don't know the conditions of her departure, nor have her current contact information.
DK, thanks for the compliment. You're right about getting rid of the negative commentary on the client. I went back and looked at it, and it definitely has a pretty bitter tone. I probably should have had my wife write it.
I have already sent two "I'm puckering up here, what can I do to make this right" letters, both with no response.
Unfortunately, they represent a pretty decent percentage of my bottom line. Time to get out and market to new agencies. |
|
|
|
10/20/2006 01:07:02 PM · #8 |
Originally posted by alanbataar:
...I don't know what I'm wanting from DPC, maybe just confirmation that I'm not the A-hole they're making me out to be. I was entirely too casual and trusting by not using a formal quote. What would you have done differently? Ugh. The whole situation has really been pushing my buttons. |
You answered your own question, you should have had a formal quote.
|
|
Home -
Challenges -
Community -
League -
Photos -
Cameras -
Lenses -
Learn -
Prints! -
Help -
Terms of Use -
Privacy -
Top ^
DPChallenge, and website content and design, Copyright © 2001-2024 Challenging Technologies, LLC.
All digital photo copyrights belong to the photographers and may not be used without permission.
Current Server Time: 04/18/2024 01:21:02 AM EDT.
