Here are 1-3 brief analogies for Getty Images (GETY):

• Netflix for professional photos and videos
• Amazon for licensing professional visual content

• Content Licensing: Provides licenses for a vast collection of high-quality editorial, commercial, and creative images, videos, and music for various uses.
• iStock by Getty Images: Offers affordable, royalty-free stock photos, illustrations, vectors, and video clips for a wide range of personal and commercial projects.
• Custom Content Solutions: Delivers bespoke photography and videography services tailored to specific client needs, producing unique visual content.

Getty Images (GETY) primarily operates as a business-to-business (B2B) company, licensing its extensive collection of images, video, and music to a wide array of professional clients and organizations globally.

While specific named major customers are typically not disclosed publicly due to the company's vast client base and confidentiality agreements, Getty Images' primary customer categories, which represent its major revenue streams, include:

• Media and Publishing Organizations: This category encompasses newspapers, magazines, online news outlets, digital publishers, and television broadcasters worldwide. These clients license content for editorial use, news reporting, features, and website content.
• Advertising and Marketing Agencies: Both global holding companies and independent agencies license content from Getty Images for use in advertising campaigns, marketing materials, brand promotions, and client projects across various industries.
• Corporate and Enterprise Clients: A broad range of businesses, from small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to large multinational corporations across diverse sectors (e.g., technology, finance, retail, healthcare), utilize Getty Images for their own branding, marketing, websites, social media, internal communications, and presentations.

• Amazon.com, Inc. (AMZN) - through its Amazon Web Services (AWS) division

Craig Peters, Chief Executive Officer

Craig Peters was appointed CEO of Getty Images in 2019, having joined the company in 2007. Before his role as CEO, he served as Chief Operating Officer and held various leadership positions within Getty Images, overseeing Content, Product, Marketing, Technology, and Business Development. Prior to joining Getty Images, Mr. Peters held leadership roles at other organizations, including FOX Sports Interactive, the PGA TOUR, and Eastman Kodak Company. He was also involved with WireImage, which was acquired by Getty Images, and Homestead.com, which was acquired by Intuit. In 2005, he received an Emmy for Outstanding Achievement in Advanced Media Technology for the Enhancement of Original Television Content during his time at the PGA TOUR. He holds an MBA from The Wharton School and a BS in Finance from The Ohio State University.

Jennifer Leyden, Chief Financial Officer

As Chief Financial Officer, Jennifer Leyden is responsible for Getty Images' Global Finance and Accounting, Financial Planning and Analysis, Business Intelligence, Tax, Treasury, and Investor Relations functions. She joined Getty Images in 2016, initially as Senior Director of Financial Planning and Analysis, and was later promoted to Senior Vice President of Investor Relations and Finance in 2021. Before her tenure at Getty Images, Ms. Leyden served as CFO for six years at Physique 57, a global fitness brand, where she guided the company through rapid expansion and growth. She also spent a decade at Sony Music Entertainment, holding several financial roles, culminating as Senior Director of Finance for Columbia Records. Ms. Leyden began her career as a Certified Public Accountant in public accounting and holds an MBA from the NYU Stern School of Business.

Grant Farhall, Chief Product Officer

Grant Farhall leads Getty Images' overall product strategy and vision, overseeing the company's e-commerce platform, user experiences, customer research, and SEO strategy. His career at Getty Images spans a decade, including previous roles as Vice President of E-Commerce and General Manager of iStock, where he helped execute a turnaround strategy. Before joining Getty Images, he worked in broadcast journalism and as a Studio Manager for advertising and web development agencies, including a small design studio where he first encountered stock photography. Mr. Farhall holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Calgary and a Broadcasting Diploma from Mount Royal University.

Gene Foca, Chief Marketing and Revenue Officer

Gene Foca is responsible for global performance marketing, brand and communications, customer data science, sales, and customer care for Getty Images. He joined Getty Images in early 2017. Prior to this, Mr. Foca was at Fresh Direct, Amazon (where he led the Quidsi subsidiary to its most profitable year and headed business development for Kindle North American Newsstand), and News Corporation, where he worked on new content apps and the launch of The Daily. He also spent nearly two decades in marketing leadership roles with Time Incorporated and Time Warner, across brands such as Time, Fortune, and Sports Illustrated.

Nate Gandert, Chief Technology Officer

As Chief Technology Officer, Nate Gandert is responsible for leading Getty Images' overall technology strategy and vision, as well as the company's data and insights capabilities. He oversees advancements and operations in technology and product functions, including search architecture, application development, and the e-commerce platform. Mr. Gandert's career at Getty Images spans over 13 years, during which he held vice president positions in application development, technology, and engineering. He has more than 25 years of industry experience, having held vice president and leadership roles at various companies in the e-commerce and media sectors prior to joining Getty Images.

The emergence of generative artificial intelligence (AI) models capable of creating high-quality images, video, and audio from text prompts poses a significant and clear threat to Getty Images' core business model. These AI tools provide businesses and individuals with a fast, customizable, and often more cost-effective alternative to licensing traditional stock content. As AI-generated content becomes increasingly sophisticated and accessible, it directly cannibalizes the demand for human-created stock photography and videography, potentially reducing Getty Images' licensing revenue and impacting its network of contributors.

• Stock Photography Market: The global stock photography market size was valued at approximately USD 4.2 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 7.5 billion by 2032, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.5%. Other estimates for the global market include USD 3.74 billion in 2024, projected to reach USD 5.26 billion by 2033 (CAGR 4.35%), and USD 7.19 billion in 2025, expected to reach USD 11.25 billion by 2032 (CAGR 6.6%). The global stock images market was valued at $6.4 billion in 2022 and is forecast to reach $12.2 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 6.8%. Regionally, the United States stock photography market is projected at USD 1.26 billion in 2025, Europe at USD 1.04 billion in 2025, and China at USD 512.04 million in 2025.
• Video Licensing Market (part of the broader Video on Demand Market): The global video on demand (VOD) market size was valued at USD 113.78 billion in 2024. This market is projected to grow from USD 133.44 billion in 2025 to USD 381.16 billion by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 16.2%. Another estimate valued the global VOD market at USD 84.6 billion in 2022, projected to reach USD 387.5 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 16.7%. North America dominated the global VOD market in 2024 and 2022. The global movie licensing market size was valued at USD 5.59 billion in 2024 and is expected to grow to USD 10.5 billion by 2035.
• Digital Asset Management (DAM) Market: The global digital asset management market size was valued at USD 4.22 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 11.94 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 16.2%. Other reports indicate the global DAM market was valued at USD 4.9 billion in 2022, projected to reach USD 20.6 billion by 2032 (CAGR 15.8%), and estimated at USD 5.3 billion in 2024, projected to reach USD 10.3 billion by 2029 (CAGR 14.0%). North America held a significant share of the digital asset management market in 2023.
• Digital Content Creation Market (overall market encompassing Getty Images' offerings): The global digital content creation market size was valued at USD 32.26 billion in 2024 and is expected to grow to USD 117.51 billion by 2034, at a CAGR of 13.8%. Other projections show the market valued at USD 32.28 billion in 2024, growing to USD 69.80 billion by 2033 (CAGR 13.9%), and USD 33.37 billion in 2024, expected to reach USD 108.36 billion by 2034 (CAGR 12.50%). North America accounted for the highest market share in 2024.

Getty Images (NYSE: GETY) is anticipated to drive future revenue growth over the next 2-3 years through several key initiatives:

1. Expansion of Subscription Business: Getty Images is strategically focused on expanding its annual subscription offerings, including premium access, iStock, and Unsplash+. This shift towards recurring revenue streams has consistently been highlighted as a growth driver, with annual subscription revenue accounting for a growing percentage of total revenue. The company has seen increased active annual subscribers, with a significant portion being new customers.
2. Advancements in AI and Generative AI Solutions: Getty Images is actively integrating and upgrading its AI suite of services, including the launch of Generative AI by Getty Images. This platform allows users to create and customize images using text-to-image generation from commercially safe, licensed content, positioning it as a future-proof growth driver. The company is also integrating AI capabilities into iStock image subscriptions to offer bundled services.
3. Diversification of Content and Strategic Partnerships: There is a strong emphasis on meeting demand for various content types, particularly video, news, and sports content. Getty Images has accelerated growth in its corporate segment and seen media return to growth. The company is also expanding its content offerings through new and expanded partnerships with organizations such as the British Film Institute, Bloomberg, WWE, MLS, and UEFA. Acquisitions like Motorsport Images further demonstrate targeted expansion into specific content niches.
4. Geographic Expansion and New Customer Acquisition: Getty Images continues to reach new customers and tap into new markets. Over 60% of new annual subscribers have come from growth markets across Latin America, Asia-Pacific, and EMEA, indicating ongoing opportunities for geographic expansion.
5. Proposed Merger with Shutterstock: The announced merger agreement with Shutterstock, if approved, is expected to create a leading player in the stock image market. This combination is projected to result in a significantly larger pro forma revenue and generate substantial cost savings within the first three years, enhancing the combined entity's financial performance. However, this merger is currently undergoing regulatory review, including a Phase 2 review by the UK's Competition and Markets Authority.

Share Repurchases

• Information regarding specific dollar amounts of share repurchases made or authorized to be made in the future by Getty Images was not explicitly available in the provided search results for the last 3-5 years.

Share Issuance

• Getty Images went public on July 22, 2022, through a Business Combination (SPAC merger).
• In connection with this Business Combination, Getty Images issued 66,000,000 shares of Class A common stock for gross proceeds of $660.0 million, and an additional 20,000,000 shares of Class A common stock and 3,750,000 Forward Purchase Warrants for $200 million, resulting in total gross proceeds of approximately $864.2 million.
• As of March 11, 2024, Getty Images had 405,870,456 shares of Class A common stock issued and outstanding.

Inbound Investments

• The Business Combination (SPAC merger) in July 2022 served as a significant inbound investment, generating approximately $864.2 million in gross proceeds from the issuance of Class A common stock and warrants.

Outbound Investments

• On April 1, 2021, Getty Images acquired Unsplash Inc. for $95.4 million in cash, along with additional consideration.
• On January 7, 2025, Getty Images announced a definitive merger agreement to combine with Shutterstock in a merger of equals, which would create a combined entity with an estimated enterprise value of $3.7 billion.
• The aggregate consideration payable by Getty Images for the Shutterstock merger is expected to include $331 million in cash and 319.4 million shares of Getty Images stock, with Getty Images stockholders owning approximately 54.7% of the combined company on a fully diluted basis.

Capital Expenditures

• Capital expenditures were approximately $57.0 million in 2022, $59.29 million in 2023, and $49.32 million in 2024.
• For Q2 2025, capital expenditures were $16.1 million, representing 6.9% of revenue, which is within the company's expected range of 5% to 7% of revenue.
• The proposed merger with Shutterstock is anticipated to result in a reduction of overall capital expenditures for the combined company by approximately $150 million to $200 million within the first three years post-merger.