Press Releases 20

Posted on 6/15/2006 by Mele Stemmermann | Printable Version | Comments (0)

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PRESS RELEASES 20


June 15, 2006



Alamy Includes Metadata In All Downloaded Image Files

Alamy has announced that going forward all digital images downloaded from its site will include embedded metadata. Alamy currently has 4.9 million images in its database. The embedded data will aid stock photography buyers, making it easy to re-license and re-use images quickly and effectively. Photographers and illustrators will also benefit as lost licensing information is one of the primary reasons that image buyers inadvertently exceed contractual usage limitations.

"Many image users face the difficult job of tracking images they have licensed" said Alamy CEO James West. "It can be an enormous task, especially for busy picture desks that use lots of imagery."

"Even when buyers are extremely diligent about organizing this information, it can get lost through equipment failure or changes to company structures. The only way to ensure that the information is never lost is to keep it with the image itself. Several of our customers have asked for this and we have even been told by one publisher that they will give preference to those supplying such information. So we are happy to announce that all images on Alamy are now embedded with the information they require."

Alamy is one of the first stock distributors to make use of the IPTC XMP specification. Though basic IPTC metadata was introduced about a decade ago, Alamy uses the emerging IPTC XMP specification to extend the data embedded to include purchasing and licensing information.



Getty Names New Chief Financial Officer

Getty Images, Inc. announced that Thomas Oberdorf has been named as its new senior vice president and chief financial officer. Oberdorf brings more than 25 years of relevant experience to Getty Images.

Oberdorf joins Getty Images from CMGI, Inc. where he has been senior vice president, chief financial officer and treasurer since 2002. Prior to CMGI, Oberdorf served as chief financial officer and senior vice president of BeMusic Direct (BMG Direct), a billion-dollar division of Bertelsmann AG where he was responsible for all accounting, financial planning and inventory management functions, including the negotiation and integration of mergers and acquisitions. Prior to BMG, Oberdorf spent 18 years with Reader's Digest Association, Inc., concluding as vice president, finance for the Global Books & Home Entertainment Group. During his time at Reader's Digest, he spent several years involved with international operations, including time living and working in London.

"Tom brings broad experience in financial and operations management to Getty Images," said Jonathan Klein, Getty Images' co-founder and CEO. "Tom has significant media knowledge and experience, as well as the financial, technical and management skills, both domestically and internationally, to help drive our growth and become a key member of the executive team at Getty Images. I am delighted to welcome Tom to our team at this exciting time in our growth and development."

Oberdorf, who will report to Mr. Klein, will start at Getty Images on June 12, 2006, and will be responsible for all financial operations. Getty Images' current CFO, Liz Huebner, who announced in December 2005 that she would retire in the first half of 2006, will continue in her current role through Oberdorf's arrival to ensure a smooth transition.

Getty And Amana Group Begin Joint Distribution

Getty Images, Inc. and Tokyo-based Amana Group announced that they have begun a reciprocal distribution arrangement which will leverage both companies' mutual distribution channels and powerful imagery, providing customers with more diverse and relevant content.

Under the arrangement, a selection of 50,000 images from the Neovision, Sebun
Photo and Amana brands will be available on gettyimages.com and
gettyimages.co.jp, strengthening Getty Images' position in the Japanese
market. At the same time, Amana will offer Japanese customers Getty Images'
popular and established collections by distributing 50,000 images from Getty
Images' Taxi, Photodisc and Digital Vision collections. The amount of
imagery available through both parties will grow well beyond 50,000 over
time.

"We are delighted to partner with Amana to bring our customers in Japan and
worldwide a greater range of Japanese imagery," said Sean Mooney,
Representative Director, Getty Images Japan. "We have listened to our
customers' requests for imagery, and know that our partnership with Amana
will help us better meet their needs."

"We are very honored to provide Amana images' brands to worldwide customers
through Getty Images' distribution channels and we are also delighted to have
Getty Images' collection to our (www.amana.jp) website," said Hironobu
Shindo, CEO of Amana Group.

In July 2004 Getty Images signaled their commitment to the Japanese market,
the second largest advertising market in the world, with the launch of their
local language website, (www.gettyimages.co.jp) and the announcement
that the company would invest in building their range of Japanese content.
Since then, revenue generated in Japan has increased significantly.

Jolie-Pitt Baby Pictures Will Raise Funds for Charity

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt announced that images from an exclusive photo shoot
of their newborn daughter will raise funds in support of charitable causes. The
photos will be licensed to media worldwide by Getty Images, which
will derive no profits from the sale of the photos.

"While we celebrate the joy of the birth of our daughter, we recognize that
two million babies born every year in the developing world die on the first
day of their lives. These mothers and children can be saved, but only if
governments around the world make it a priority," said Angelina Jolie and
Brad Pitt in a statement.

"When I first met Angelina at a congressional briefing focusing on the role
of business and government in combating HIV/AIDS last year, I was immediately
struck by our mutual passion and determination for creating change through
action," said Jonathan Klein, CEO and co-founder of Getty Images. "We are
honored that the Jolie-Pitt family has recognized our long-term commitment to
these critical issues as well as our ability to use the power of imagery to
make a difference in the lives of many."

NewsCom Partners with Topix.net

NewsCom, (www.newscom.com) announced that it will provide news content to Topix.net, (www.topix.net) an Internet news clearinghouse. The partnership makes NewsCom one of the largest suppliers of news and visual content to Topix.net.

"NewsCom and Topix.net both offer customers a one-stop marketplace for news
and photos from around the globe," said NewsCom General Manager Bill
Creighton. "Our partnership with Topix.net will allow NewsCom to put
valuable content in front of an audience who desires it. With Topix.net, our
text and visuals will be delivered to readers in a way that is relevant and
timely."

NewsCom is providing Topix.net with scores of photos and text from providers
such as UPI, GDA, Photographer Showcase, MaxPPP, Notimex, Fashion Wire
Daily, AdMedia and Icon Sports.

"Topix.net excels in categorizing content, users and advertisers. Users tell
us what they're interested in and we use our proprietary technology to
program both content and advertising to that user's specific interest," said
Mike Markson, Vice President of Business Development at Topix.net. "NewsCom
offers content from a host of news and visual sources that will be great in
meeting the needs of any Topix.net customer. Partnering with NewsCom is a
natural fit for us."

Corbis Artist Representation Team Expands Across Asia

Corbis announced the Asia expansion of its newly named Artist Representation team with the addition of producers in Hong Kong, Singapore and Tokyo. These new positions will be added to an existing team based in Europe, North America and Singapore.

The additions to the team include Lesley Chelvan, a producer based in Singapore; Joanne Yue, a producer based in Hong Kong; and Tenda Teo, a creative producer based in Tokyo. All three will report to Ping Lim, Corbis' head of Artist Representation Asia, based in Singapore.

"We have experienced an overwhelming response from clients in Asia since the introduction of the Artist Representation team one year ago." said Kate McDonald, Corbis vice-president, Artist Representation. "Ping Lim has done an outstanding job building the business these past twelve months. The addition of these three talented individuals will broaden our ability to meet the needs of clients throughout Asia moving forward."

Popperfoto's World Cup Images Available On Alamy

POPPERFOTO's collection on Alamy covers all 16 World Cups, starting with the first one held in 1930, and the company will cover this year's events again.

POPPERFOTO was founded in 1934 by Paul Popper, a Czech-born magazine writer and editor who emigrated to London. The company had several owners between 1969, when Popper died and 1990, when POPPERFOTO was acquired by current owner Bob Thomas. Over the years, the company has amassed a library of 14 million images, ranging from sports subjects, like the World Cup and Olympics, to collections about history, fashion, European royalty, personalities, humor and other topics.

Alamy represents more than 75,000 POPPERFOTO images, including an important part of the World Cup library, making POPPERFOTO one of the largest contributors to Alamy's image library.

"Our World Cup collection is regarded as one of the finest anywhere in the world", said POPPERFOTO owner Thomas. "We have the most complete archive on the life of Pele and this, together with our 1966 files, have been in great demand in recent weeks."



Copyright © 2006 Mele Stemmermann. The above article may not be copied, reproduced, excerpted or distributed in any manner without written permission from the author. All requests should be submitted to Selling Stock at 10319 Westlake Drive, Suite 162, Bethesda, MD 20817, phone 301-461-7627, e-mail: wvz@fpcubgbf.pbz

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