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Tag: Shutterstock

  • Getty Images, Shutterstock $3.7bn Merger Faces UK Watchdog Probe Over Market Domination Fears

    Getty Images, Shutterstock $3.7bn Merger Faces UK Watchdog Probe Over Market Domination Fears

    Britain’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has opened an investigation into the $3.7 billion merger between Getty Images and Shutterstock.

    The Phase 1 inquiry began on August 22, 2025, with the regulator setting October 20, 2025 as the deadline for its initial decision. 

    The CMA is examining whether the merger may lead to a “substantial lessening of competition” in the United Kingdom, as provided under the Enterprise Act 2002. If serious risks are found, the case will move to a Phase 2 probe, which could delay or even block the transaction.

    The deal, announced in January 2025, would create one of the most powerful forces in global stock photography, with projected annual revenues approaching $2 billion. 

    Getty, Shutterstock Plan Merger to Strengthen Market Position

     

    Under the agreement, Getty shareholders will control 54.7% of the new company, while Shutterstock investors will hold 45.3%. Shutterstock shareholders will also receive $9.50 in cash and 9.17 Getty shares for each of their holdings, subject to proration. Craig Peters, Getty’s chief executive, is expected to lead the combined entity.

    In the United States, the Department of Justice issued a “Second Request” in February, pointing to more antitrust issues. Similar reviews are also underway in the European Union and Asia. Both companies have pledged to fully cooperate with regulators across all jurisdictions.

    Shutterstock shareholders have already shown their support, with 82% voting in favour of the deal earlier this month. Analysts estimate that the merger could generate between $150 million and $200 million in cost savings over three years, primarily by reducing duplication and sharing infrastructure.

    Beyond regulatory cases, experts warn of wider consequences. The global stock image market is valued at more than $4 billion, and Getty Images and Shutterstock together control a large slice of it even before the merger.

    By joining forces, the companies plan to increase investment in artificial intelligence, improve licensing systems, and compete more aggressively against rivals such as Adobe Stock, Envato, and Unsplash.

    However, not everyone is optimistic. Contributors who rely on these platforms to sell their content worry that the merger could drive down royalties, reshape algorithms that rank content, and reduce the diversity of platforms available to creators.

    The CMA’s initial ruling in October will reveal how the merger proceeds. If the watchdog pushes the case into a deeper review, Getty and Shutterstock face a long road before they can unite under one roof.

  • Retna Launches as the Shutterstock for Africa

    Retna Launches as the Shutterstock for Africa

    • Aims to Revolutionise Marketing Content Creation in the Region


    Retna, a new library of authentic African imagery, has launched in public beta with the aim of revolutionising the way African stories are told.

    Founded by Tomiwa Ogunmodede, Temi Olateru, and Charles Eke, Retna hopes to provide creatives and brands with an extensive collection of high-quality photos featuring diverse subjects, concepts, and stories, all captured by talented photographers across the continent.

    Retna, the shutterstock for Africa
    Source: Retna

    The platform, which has been dubbed as the “Shutterstock for Africa,” hopes to inspire and uncover the power of meaningful visual storytelling with its vast library of authentic African images that immerse viewers in the continent’s rich and dynamic cultures. The founders of Retna were driven by their frustration with the high cost and impracticality of constant custom shoots during their individual careers at leading Nigerian brands like Farmcrowdy, Treepz, Decagon, and Check DC.

    According to Temi Olateru, Co-Founder of Retna,  “Retna is a game-changer for the creative industry in Africa. Our platform provides access to authentic and high-quality imagery that was previously difficult and expensive to produce.”

    Retna is fueled by a fast-growing community of talented designers and photographers from Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, South Africa, and beyond, who hope to revolutionise the way African stories are told. Contributors on Retna can use their profiles as portfolios and be commissioned based on search data to create fresh and distinctive content, while earning additional income.

    However, Retna’s mission goes beyond simply empowering creatives: the platform also provides education and resources to help them navigate the commercial side of their work, including managing model and location releases and providing legal protection.

    Tomiwa Ogunmodede, CEO and Co-Founder of Retna, emphasises, “At Retna, we understand that creatives not only need access to quality content but also resources to help them navigate the commercial side of their work effectively. By providing education and resources on topics like model and location releases and legal protection, we are equipping our community with the knowledge and tools they need to succeed in the industry.”

    Retna’s collaborative approach fosters a sense of community and shared purpose. With Retna, billions of dollars spent on marketing and advertising globally can now be directed towards creating accurate representations of African stories, benefiting both African creatives and businesses.

    Charles Eke, Co-Founder of Retna, says,, “Ensuring that authentic images and videos of Africa created by Africans are accessible is crucial in reshaping the world’s perception of our continent. Retna is about more than just amazing imagery; it’s about taking ownership of the African story. We want to challenge stereotypes and provide a platform for African creatives to showcase their work on a global stage.”

    If you’re in search of high-quality and authentic African imagery, Retna is the ideal platform to explore. Join the community today at and discover the beauty and diversity that Africa has to offer.