Getty Images has entered into a merger agreement with Shutterstock as the still image market faces increased competition from AI. The combined company, valued at approximately $3.7 billion, will be named Getty Images Holdings and will continue to trade on the New York Stock Exchange. Getty Images CEO Craig Peters will serve as CEO of the combined business that promises to offer customers expanded event coverage, and customer‑facing technologies and capabilities like search, 3D imagery and generative AI.
The Athletic is unionizing its workplace in Canada, filing with media union CWA Canada as part of a cross-border campaign. The union filed with the Canada Industrial Relations Board and Ontario Labour Relations Board this week after a majority of more than 30 staff signed union cards. The workers are based in Ontario, Quebec, Alberta, B.C., and Manitoba. About 200 of their colleagues at The Athletic in the U.S. have also applied for certification with CWA Canada sister union, the NewsGuild-CWA. The subscription-based sports journalism department of The New York Times, provides national and local coverage in 47 American and Canadian cities, as well as the UK. By organizing, employees say they “want to make sure The Athletic remains one of the best places to work, both personally and professionally, in all of Canadian media.”