A Yorkshire press agency has been benefitting from worldwide media exposure after securing a photograph of a high-profile abduction suspect.

Ross Parry Agency, based in Pudsey near Leeds, acquired a photo of Michael Donovan, the suspect arrested after missing schoolgirl Shannon Matthews was found.

When reporters started asking questions, they discovered a family connection that led them to the suspect’s sister Alice Meehan, mother of Shannon’s step-father Craig Meehan.

Staff at Ross Parry Agency learned that Alice’s maiden name was Drake – the same as Michael Donovan’s birth name, Paul Drake.

Reporter Liam Miller visited Mrs Meehan Friday night, a few hours after Shannon had been found, and bought the old photograph of Michael Donovan and his young nephew Craig Meehan.

It has since been used carrying the Ross Parry Agency byline on Sky and BBC News, their websites and countless other national news papers and news organisations, bringing the agency unparalleled exposure.

News editor Sam Yule said: “There was word going round that he (Donovan) was related to the Meehan family.

“In the run up to Friday we had spoken to a lot of the family and got some phone numbers. We ended up getting hold of Caroline who is Craig’s sister.

“We met both Alice and Caroline and Alice gave us the photo. It was the only one she could find.”

Sam added: “It was just good journalism, a bit of persistence.

“We worked very, very hard for that and it was not just one day’s work. We got to the stage where a couple of reporters were working on the story all the time.

“We got the picture exclusive and everybody has no alternative but to use our picture. We feel proud of ourselves.”

Comments

Braz (18/03/2008 17:31:41)
What about copyright grabs, someone somewhere created that image and it was not Ross Parry agency.
I feel that to watermark someone else’s image with your own copyright mark is both malicious and mis leading.

Brodie Bruce (18/03/2008 20:54:32)
I do hope the copyright holder has received some of the proceeds of this ‘exclusive’. I would hate to think people who are not media savvy have been taken advantage of

jason hurst (19/03/2008 09:17:10)
how can you rant about this image and water marks, media savvy victims, these pix are clearly whats known as collects, i should think money for the pic was the last thing on the families mind!

brodie bruce (19/03/2008 12:29:44)
They are known as collects, but there is also such a thing called copyright law, which as far as I know, is still in operation in this country. The copyright holder is entitled to the proceeds of the picture (unless of course they signed a contract stating otherwise)

Bish Bash Bosh (20/03/2008 10:31:39)
Isn’t this what agencies do !!
This is a massive story and Ross Parry beat everyone to get the collect pic. Top operating in my book !

Snapper (20/03/2008 19:50:18)
What about the agencies that acquire COLLECT images from peoples Facebook & Myspace accounts without permission and sell them on?

jason hurst (20/03/2008 21:17:17)
well said bish, if the said feels that strongly maybe he should inform the said family on what they are missing out on, i know who i wouldnt employ!