Last in a string of increasing activity out of AP Images, the image division of the Associated Press, is an enhanced commercial Web site targeting professional image buyers.
The revamped apimages.com now offers visitors access to the newest photo content without having to log in. Additional new features include revised landing pages for entertainment, sports, and other sectional content, improved metadata, support for nine languages and simplified registration and log-in procedures.
The AP Images site is also integrated with Cooliris, placing it among the few of the stock-image industry’s early adopters of the browser plugin that is growing in popularity. Others using the technology include Getty Images, iStockphoto, CuboImages and seemingly all of the major search engine, network art and photo sites—such as Flickr, deviantART, Picasa, Facebook, MySpace, Hulu and YouTube.
The site upgrade comes on the heels of the AP becoming the exclusive licenser of National Football League photo content, succeeding Getty Images. In addition to NFL, AP Images represents a variety of media brands, such as Ebony, Jet, VII, NBC Universal and others.
The AP is among the few media companies that have remained profitable amid economic turmoil. The cooperative’s revenues rose by over 5% to $748 million in 2008, while it reduced its operating income by 33% to $23 million. According to April comments by AP president and chief executive officer Tom Curley, the image division is the AP’s fastest-growing area.