Just seen this message 'We will be removing Profile Views data on the 13th of September. With so many new features on the way, we needed to make some room for them.' What are these new features? Given we pay for a platform it would be courteous to let us know in advance of major changes being made? Profile views data is a very useful tool, so this constitutes a major change in my view. What is it specifically being replaced with and how is it advantageous to users? So far all the changes that we've collectively been paying for with our memberships have involved removing functionality and I'm yet to see any improvements or additions. Also, how is it ever necessary to remove a feature to 'make room' for another? Are you referring to server space? Screen layout space? Why cannot new features be added without removing others? Please don't post a generic response then lock the thread. Thanks.
Editorial Comment Hi Sally, thanks for posting in the forum.
The Mandy platform resides on an aging codebase and is extremely difficult to maintain. We are in the process of migrating our existing codebase so that we can quickly start to implement improvements and product features our users are demanding. In this process, we are temporarily removing some of our legacy features to make space for newer exciting additions to our service, leading to improved privacy for casting directors and employers, which should lead to even more applications being viewed and shortlisted behind the scenes. An improved version of these tools could be relaunched in the future.
Our goal continues to be to provide a platform with the best job opportunities to help our talent grow their careers and become successful. We can assure you we're not going anywhere and the core of our service is remaining the same.
I'm very sad and annoyed to see they went ahead with removing the ability to check if your applications have been viewed. I'm so done with the rolling back of the sites features and the awful customer service since the Backstage takeover, that I've finally just cancelled my membership payments to both Mandy Voices and Actors. I'll be around for a while due to my current membership not running out until next year, but I have little faith that whatever "new features" backstage intended on rolling out before then will convince me to rejoin.
I'm sure I'll see some of you at next year's One Voice Conference, where we can drink a toast to the death of Voices Pro/Mandy Voices.
I totally agree with all the comments. The fact I could see how my applications are doing was a vital part of the whole progress. Voices.com are much clearer and voice123 are pretty good too, so is the level of work I am getting from each site. I am also fascinated how the same job can be on voices.com for $1750 and for £750 on Mandy! I am wondering too whether it will be worth continuing on this site much longer, which is a shame because I used to think it was the best... this is sadly no longer the truth.
I totally agree, I thought when sites make improvements it was supposed to get better not worse. I too will seriously think about cancelling my membership.
I am extremely disappointed with the removal of profile views and application status. This was a feature that set Mandy apart from other platforms, and now Mandy is similar, but with fewer paying jobs.
What are these new features? When will they be launched? Why is it important to shield actors from seeing if casting has viewed their profile or application when actors are the ones who pay for this site?
As someone who both applies to and posts jobs, this makes no sense. I will be reconsidering my subscription if these new features are not useful.
Due to the erosion of features on the site, total lack of transparency surrounding the changes, alongside the complete dearth of jobs paying industry standard rates, I have cancelled my contract. I have never been impressed with Mandy's communications with it's clients - copy paste responses that manage to say nothing of any use and a total lack of engagement and acknowledgement of general feeling also play into my decision to take my money elsewhere.
I'm really missing knowing how my profile is doing; where are the new exciting features to replace the profile and application views that were so useful, and when will they be appearing? My subscription has a few months left on it so I'd like to be able to make an informed decision!
Bodalgo is a probably the best p2p service, although the audio you produce really does have to be of professional broadcast quality as your samples and voice reels will be checked for quality to be approved before you can complete your profile.
I wonder if the revised format of Mandy would put prospective clients off too.
At the moment I just fail to see how the layout is helpful.
One positive I noticed with greater specifics on what the client is looking for with regards to a tone, performance etc but that may have just been a one off.
My mind is boggled
Here’s what I just sent to Mandy: Hi,
After being a member with you for many years I have decided that due to the many detrimental changes to Mandy following the merge with Backstage I now wish to cancel my membership. I have only recently renewed for the year and was not aware at that time.that profile views and application status would be removed. I was already unhappy with the way the jobs listings had changed making it much less accessible but the latest changes are the last straw.I therefore have basically signed up for something which I do not want and feel quite cheated. Sadly it seems to me that this merge is purely to do with profit at the expense of the user and your justifications in your responses to the many people who have complained are,at best, flimsy. Please reimburse me the remainder of the annual fee immediately.
Regards,
Ruth
Will let you know if they do the honourable thing or not!
It's probably worth mentioning these issues to employers who've booked us before (and may want to again....) just in case they're wondering where we've all gone.
Fare Thee Well, Mandy.
Now that you have been swallowed by the big corporation system and adopted its modus operandi, the fundamental rule of respect for your clientèle has gone out of the window.
The Mandy Team does not even have the basic courtesy to reply humanely and explicitly to its clientèle's comments, and instead, sends the same automated and vague reply to each thread...:
"Editorial Comment Hi Sally, thanks for posting in the forum.
The Mandy platform resides on an aging codebase and is extremely difficult to maintain. We are in the process of migrating our existing codebase so that we can quickly start to implement improvements and product features our users are demanding. In this process, we are temporarily removing some of our legacy features to make space for newer exciting additions to our service, leading to improved privacy for casting directors and employers, which should lead to even more applications being viewed and shortlisted behind the scenes. An improved version of these tools could be relaunched in the future.
Our goal continues to be to provide a platform with the best job opportunities to help our talent grow their careers and become successful. We can assure you we're not going anywhere and the core of our service is remaining the same.
Their business model is simply to provide a database site and to have as many subscribers as possible. Don't imagine there are people passionate about this industry behind the scenes. The quality of the jobs and talent and their overall reputation is of no concern, as long as the subscriber numbers stay up. Even if all the jobs are for pitiful rates there will still be people willing to subscribe and apply for them so Mandy have no interest in engaging with any discontent. They are very much 'take it or leave it.' Also VO is the smallest arm of their business, I imagine, so our grumbles will be of very little concern to them.
Exactly Sally.
The only way, as far as I can see, is therefore to quit and not spend any more time and energy with something that is not worth it. Self-respect first, and the rest follows.
Absolutely ridiculous responses from an organisation that is providing a paid service... I worked in the IT industry for 20+ years, and to suggest that much-valued, "legacy" features are being discontinued to make way for mysterious, secret, (yet highly demanded), functionality sounds pretty shabby. Very poor, and I think I'll be leaving the platform.
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