Mar 2005
Getty Images; the image demi-cartel
Getty Images, the self proclaimed market leader in
the $7B stock photography market, recently posted an
impressive $622M in 2004 revenues. Our in-depth
analysis of the market actually shows a 2004 decline
in Royalty Free and Rights Managed images sold
compared to 2003 and Getty making it up by increasing
ASPs significantly and a small increase in editorial
sales. Royalty free images were sold at an ASP of
$210 compared to $150, Rights Managed images moved up
to $585 from $560 in 2003. While the company boasts
an impressive 70M images on file, our analysis shows
Getty Images sold no more than 1.5M images in 2003, a
3.5% market share of 43M images sold each year in the
stock imagery market. Hardly a gorilla, want to know
what are they are really selling?
Our opinion: Agency & distribution model are in conflict, restricting organic growth.
Our opinion: Agency & distribution model are in conflict, restricting organic growth.