Our company history

The mission at the heart of the PA Media Group is to remain relevant to all its customers in an ever-changing media industry. We have a long history of diversifying into emerging markets and capitalising on new technologies.

  • February 2020

    PA Media Group acquires Alamy, the stock imagery business.

  • June 2019

    PA Media Group is established as the new name for PA Group, while the core news agency becomes PA Media.

  • May 2018

    PA Group acquires EBS, a leading provider of electronic programme guides (EPGs) and video-on-demand (VOD) metadata.

  • November 2017

    PA Group, together with German news agency dpa, makes a strategic investment in financial news provider, Alliance News.

  • July 2017

    Branded content agency, Commotion, launches as part of TNR.

  • April 2017

    PR Group acquires video streaming business, StreamAMG, which has built a strong reputation in the sports, betting and media industries, among others.

  • January 2017

    PA Group makes a strategic investment in the social video creation platform, Wochit.

  • March 2016

    PA Group takes a 25% stake in Baize Group, a leading provider of editorial content, events and PR services for the automotive industry.

  • October 2013

    PA Group acquires an 80 per cent stake in content marketing agency, Sticky Content. The Group goes on to take full ownership of the agency in 2016.

  • March 2013

    PMA Media Training is acquired, combining with PA Training to create one of Europe’s largest media training and short course provider.

  • November 2011

    PA Group takes a shareholding in Globelynx, the fixed-camera network which enables experts contributors to join live TV news broadcasts from any location. The Group acquires the remaining shares in 2015.

  • 2007

    PA Group acquires Trinity Mirror’s journalism training centre in Newcastle.

  • 2007

    The PA Trust is established to review PA’s adherence to its principles of editorial independence. The first trustees - John Bryant (Chairman), Professor Peter Cole and Philip Harding - are appointed in January 2008.

  • September 2005

    Parent company Press Association Ltd changes its name to PA Group Ltd., to reflect the diverse activities of the business.

  • May 2004

    PA acquires leading sports photography agency, EMPICS.

  • May 2004

    PA takes a 50% stake in Hastings-based training business, The Editorial Centre, to capitalise on the commercial opportunities of journalism and media training. The acquisition of The Editorial Centre is completed in 2008.

  • 2003

    PA introduces in-house training programmes to prepare staff for the agency’s move into multimedia newsgathering. PA Training will later emerge as a natural extension of PA’s brand and skill.

  • 2002

    PA takes a stake in the specialist communications consultancy, TNR, whose services include video news releases, video production and media training. PA Group goes on to take full ownership of TNR in 2008.

  • December 1999

    PA Photos is incorporated as PA’s photo syndication business. It would later rebrand as PA Images.

  • 1925

    PA acquires a majority interest in Reuters and full ownership some years later. PA no longer has ownership but retains an interest through the Founders Share Company.

  • 1920

    PA rents its own private telegraph system, having previously relied on the Post Office.

  • 1868

    The Press Association (PA) is founded by a group of regional newspaper proprietors to provide accurate and reliable news updates from London. The news agency begins operating in 1870.

  • 1865

    A number of daily newspaper proprietors decide to set up a more accurate and reliable alternative to the monopoly service of the telegraph companies.

  • 1848

    Private telegraph companies begin to offer news services to regional newspapers.