Independent non-fiction producers looking for ways to access a global market have a new shortcut, through the agreement signed between NPACT and Pond5, which works both ways: to buy or license work.

NPACT, the trade organization that serves the producers of non-fiction entertainment  content in North America, signed an exclusive partnership with leading stock-footage and creative-asset company Pond5, making the media marketplace the first Gold Associate Member to join NPACT. NPACT General Manager John Ford and Pond5 CEO Jason Teichman made today’s announcement.

Through the deal, Pond5 will offer NPACT members unique access to more than 8 million professionally filmed video clips from its global network of over 25,000 cinematographers in 150 countries. Pond5’s keyword-searchable collection grows by more than 10,000 clips per day and includes roughly 2.5 million 4K shots and 500,000 aerials, plus music, sound effects, and motion graphics. Founded on an artist-first philosophy, Pond5’s international community of entrepreneurial contributors reflects and complements the spirit of the independently minded producers that are members of NPACT.

Said Ford, “With the volume and breadth of content Pond5 offers to NPACT members, the selection of shot choices and on-screen possibilities is massive – a boon for creativity that is also well beyond what many of our members have available now. Combined with cost-effective licensing terms and other offers unique to our membership, this partnership is a game-changer for our producers.”

Added Teichman, “Nonfiction content is being created and consumed in greater volume and across more platforms than ever before. As network buyers tighten production budgets and schedules, Pond5 is committed to saving NPACT members real money and time. By relying on our footage from development through post-production, producers can measurably reduce the toll on their budgets and schedules that comes from creating every shot from scratch, without compromising on quality. This also represents a huge boost for our artists, who will reach another entirely new audience for their work.”

Several NPACT members already use Pond5’s collection in their hit series, including Lion TV (Cash Cab); Optomen (Mysteries at the Museum); Renegade 83 (Naked and Afraid); and Truly Original (Vanity Fair Confidential). Pond5 also offers NPACT members the opportunity to add a new revenue source, by using Pond5’s marketplace to license out their own stock shots and program outtakes for use by other creative professionals.

NPACT’s Associate Membership is available to select vendors and service providers to the non-fiction production business; Gold Associate Members receive robust benefits from NPACT that help them offer their services to the organization’s accomplished producers, including exclusivity in their category. Full details of this new partnership and an overview on content-sourcing best practices will be announced during NPACT’s August meetings in New York and Los Angeles.

NPACT was formed in 2017 through the merging of the Nonfiction Producers Association (NPA) and PactUS – the two major trade organizations formed in 2014 to serve the producers of non-fiction entertainment content in North America. With more than 100 member companies, including production companies of all sizes, as well as allied services companies, NPACT serves as the voice for the non-fiction creative community, helping producers tackle the challenges they face in an age of media disruption, and offering a forum for producers to address critical business issues. NPACT members collectively produce the vast majority of all non-fiction content for US broadcast, cable television and digital platforms. John Ford is General Manager of NPACT, with David Lyle serving as President Emeritus. NPACT maintains offices in New York, Los Angeles and Washington, DC.