FAQs – PA Media Group acquires Alamy

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BACKGROUND

What is the PA Media Group?

PA Media Group is a diverse portfolio of specialist media companies spanning news & information, data technology and communications services.

Its flagship brand – PA Media – is the national news agency for the UK and Ireland. The Group is also the parent company to PA Images, an editorial imagery syndication business.

Customers across the PA Media Group include the media, sport, corporate, betting, government and public sectors. They receive a broad range of content, products and services to inform and entertain their audiences.

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Has PA Media Group acquired Alamy in its entirety?

Yes, PA Media Group has acquired 100% of Alamy’s share capital.

Why have Alamy’s co-founders decided to sell the company?

At 20 years old, Alamy is in robust health. Alamy can look forward to a fantastic future as part of the PA Media Group.

James West and Mike Fischer will continue to work on digital innovation ventures. James will also retain a consultatory relationship with the PA Media Group.

Why did Alamy choose to sell to the PA Media Group?

It was important to Alamy to choose a business that shared its ethos of integrity and quality, but also shared its vision for continuing to connect a community of content creators and content users.

PA Media Group is an excellent home for Alamy. PA has built a reputation for quality at the heart of the UK and international media industry.

What is happening to Alamy’s senior leadership team? Will James West remain as CEO?

PA Media Group has reached an agreement with Alamy’s co-founders James West and Mike Fischer to take full ownership of the business.

James West and Mike Fischer will step down from their positions of Chief Executive and Chairman, respectively.

James West will take on a consultatory role with Alamy and the rest of Alamy’s senior leadership team remains in place.

CONTRIBUTORS

Does this acquisition change anything for me? In terms of commission rates/contracts/ processes, etc?

No, it doesn’t. Alamy continues to operate as usual.

Alamy prides itself on offering a better commission rate than most other agencies. Will PA Media Group continue to offer the same commission rates to Alamy’s existing contributors?

There are no plans to change that.

How do PA Images’ commission rates compare with Alamy’s?

The two businesses operate different models – for instance, PA Images’ relationships are mainly with agencies while Alamy works with a wider community of individual photographers.

As such, there is no like-for-like comparison between the two business’ payment structures.

Are there plans to reach parity? If so, in what direction?

There is no like-for-like comparison between Alamy’s and PA Images’ payment structures. The two businesses continue to operate separately.

Are Alamy’s contributor images going into the PA Images archive?

Alamy’s and PA Images’ archives will sit alongside each other. There are no plans to add Alamy’s portfolio to the PA Archive. 

Will Alamy’s contributor images be distributed via the PA newswire?

There are no plans to distribute Alamy’s contributor imagery via the PA newswire.

Will Alamy content be sold by PA Images?

At present, Alamy contributor sales continue to be managed within the Alamy platform and via Alamy’s distributors.

However, ways of working will be reviewed over the coming months and we will consider what elements to integrate and which to keep separate.

Will there be any change to the way rights are managed?

No, there will not. The PA Media Group has long history of building successful relationships with photographers and photography agencies and ensuring that rights are managed.

DISTRIBUTORS

Does this acquisition change anything for me? In terms of commission rates/contracts/ processes, etc?

No, it doesn’t. Alamy and PA Images continue to operate as usual.

CUSTOMERS

Does this acquisition change anything for me? In terms of billing/contracts/ processes, etc?

No, it doesn’t. It is business as usual.