Bulls Press in Germany have closed all photo and video operations. The press agency closed photo operations outside German speaking territories in 2016.
Here’s what they sent PAN this morning, an email which went to photo suppliers a few days ago:
Dear partners and friends,
I write to you today in an important matter. In spite of the hard work of our excellent picture team, our traditional picture operation has come to a crossroad also for the Bulls Pressedienst GmbH in Frankfurt now after the other departments within the Bulls Group had already closed down their picture departments.
The transformation of the media-landscape has fundamentally changed Bulls business as an agent. Digitalisation and globalisation have opened up for new co-operations and clients. Fast business growth has firmly established Bulls in the global fields of digital syndication strategies, publishing, new projects with media / non-media clients and also digital content & technology solutions as a marketer and service provider.
New Bulls digital solutions combine editorial properties and streams of content with digital tools. A growing number of editorial and commercial clients have teamed up with us worldwide. The content solutions are set up as client-subscriptions on pre-edited digital content streams and packages that include editorial properties and comics, pictures, videos, text, articles, games, crosswords/activity material as well as digital marketing tools based on state of the art technology.
Strategically, we follow the shift of business and time is right to take the decision to close down our traditional picture agency operation in the German speaking territories by the end of June 2018. Despite of this, we hope to switch together into a fulfilling and prosperous common future and look forward to a continued co-operation with you in the digital field for current and future projects based on new developments and services.
Regarding the traditional activities in picture business we hereby formally terminate our agreement for the GAS territories and would kindly suggest a cancellation date of June 30, 2018. It is also important for us to learn how you would like us to handle your material.
Please send us information latest by June 15, if we have to delete your material / archive material then or if you want to receive it back or transfer it to another company/agent. In this case costs would occur but we can store the material on a hard-drive and send to you or any other authorized recipient. Please note: If we get no feedback until June 15, we have the obligation to erase the data then.
We highly appreciate our mutual co-operation and we always were proud to have your trust and reliability. Your content and support is vital to us. We are committed to making sure that we facilitate your transition in the classical agency business. We will keep our service to you running in full until June 30, with the last collection reports in the months thereafter.
UPDATED • On this news The Mega Agency have sent us this:
“With the closure of Bulls Press, many contributors will be searching for a new partner to represent them in Germany – The Mega Agency would like to help.
Mega’s Deutschland bureau is a huge part of the agency’s growth plan, with revenues climbing steadily month-over-month. Headed by industry veteran Ulrike Gauss, the office is now the third largest revenue territory for Mega, and covers sales not just in Germany, but also the German speaking countries of Austria and Switzerland. While other agencies have been closing offices, Mega is experiencing stellar sales with publishers, and clients are eager for more. “Bulls Press was very professional outfit with some great staff, and it is sad to see them exiting this market to focus on other ventures.
“But the closure has left a void, and we are keen to help those looking for a German home for their images and video. Drop Ulrike a line, she will be happy to sign you up,” said Kevin Smith, Mega’s president. [email protected]