Getty Images Launches Mobile Strategy with New Products and Content Partnerships

SEATTLE, April 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Getty Images, Inc. today announced a mobile strategy that will bring the best in news, sports and entertainment imagery to mobile customers through partnerships with mobile operators, content creators, celebrities, and professional sports organizations. With mobile and other emerging technology platforms on the rise, Getty Images is creating new business opportunities by offering unique products and services on multiple platforms.

"The world is turning to mobile devices for more colorful and interactive experiences every day, and imagery is integral to these new uses," said Jonathan Klein, CEO of Getty Images. "Whether we're collaborating with a partner to bring image-driven applications to market or developing our own applications for mobile operators, Getty Images is committed to offering our customers the best imagery, services and applications on every available platform."

As consumers continue to rely on mobile devices to stay connected, informed and entertained, there is an increase in demand for rich, timely, high quality content. Getty Images is responding by offering compelling content that appeal to audiences of mobile operators. Offered by Sprint, Getty Images' PictureCast(TM) WAP application brings consumers a unique service twice a day, telling the day's news, sports and entertainment information in the form of pictures.

In addition to working with mobile operators, Getty Images partners with content creators to expand their product offerings to their users while ensuring that all rights issues are closely managed. Both MSNBC.com and USATODAY.com worked with Getty Images to bring their mobile applications to market.

"Since the beginning, Getty Images has provided imagery for MSNBC.com and now we are extending that relationship into important emerging platforms like mobile devices," said Andrew Locke, director of product strategy, MSNBC.com. "Getty Images is working very closely with us to ensure that we have the right imagery for our new mobile application."

"Whether it's capturing special red carpet shots at a Hollywood awards event, or defining moments at major sporting events, we're pleased to have Getty Images provide pictures to support news stories on our new mobile application," said Matt Jones, USATODAY.com director of mobile products.

With a flexible mobile product strategy to meet the needs of its partners, Getty Images also works to power third party applications.

"Getty Images' integration with our system was seamless," said Daniel Tibbets, executive vice president, studios, GoTV Networks. "The images that are incorporated into our programs bring the most colorful components of today's news, entertainment and sports to our mobile viewers."

In addition to the growing applications arena, Getty Images also works closely with technology partners and leading content aggregators to distribute its thousands of mobile-ready images and video clips for entertainment and to help users personalize their devices.

Over the past year, Getty Images has developed its first picture-based casual game -- PictoMatch(TM), distributed via Cingular Wireless -- a growing library of unique video ringtones for its European and Asia-Pacific partners, and a robust wallpaper and screensaver collection distributed globally via a number of leading content aggregators.

"It's no longer just about the voice on the other end," said Brooks McMahon, vice president of new products and platforms at Getty Images. "Mobile devices today allow people to not only stay in touch with each other, but also stay in touch with the world. They also offer people a new entertainment platform for playing games, listening to music and more, and the ability to express themselves through the personalization of their devices with wallpapers and ringtones. We look forward to continuing to work with mobile operators and content creators to reach their growing customer demand for mobile content and services."

About Getty Images

Getty Images is the world's leading creator and distributor of visual content and the first place creative professionals turn to discover, purchase and manage imagery. The company's award-winning photographers and imagery help customers create inspiring work which appears every day in the world's most influential newspapers, magazines, advertising campaigns, films, television programs, books and Web sites. Headquartered in Seattle, WA and serving customers in more than 100 countries, Getty Images believes in the power of imagery to drive positive change, educate, inform, and entertain. Visit Getty Images at http://gettyimages.com/ .

For more information on Getty Images, press only: Cara Jacobson, Edelman for Getty Images, 206-268-2203, cara.jacobson@edelman.com Molly Lohman, Getty Images, 206-925-6054, molly.lohman@gettyimages.com