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Getty Images Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:GETY) cancelled its acquisition of Shutterstock, Inc. (NYSE:SSTK) from BlackRock, Inc. (NYSE:BLK), The Vanguard Group, Inc. and others.
Getty Images Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:GETY) entered into an agreement to acquire Shutterstock, Inc. (NYSE:SSTK) from BlackRock, Inc. (NYSE:BLK), The Vanguard Group, Inc. and others for $1.2 billion in a merger of equals transaction on January 6, 2025. On December 10, 2024, Getty Images and Shutterstock entered into a letter agreement. Under the terms of the agreement, which was unanimously approved by the Boards of Directors of both companies, Shutterstock stockholders at close can elect to receive one of the following: (i) $28.84870 per share in cash for each share of Shutterstock common stock they own (ii) 13.67237 shares of Getty Images common stock for each share of Shutterstock common stock they own; or (iii) a mixed consideration of 9.17 shares of Getty Images common stock plus $9.50 in cash for each share of Shutterstock common stock they own. Shutterstock shareholder elections at close are subject to proration to ensure that the aggregate consideration payable by Getty Images consist of $9.50 in cash per Shutterstock share as of immediately before close and 9.17 shares of Getty Images stock per Shutterstock share as immediately before close. Based on the common shares outstanding as of the signing date, the aggregate consideration payable by Getty Images would consist of $331 million in cash and 319.4 million shares of Getty Images stock. Shutterstock equity holders with unvested RSU and PSU grants at close will only be eligible to receive the mixed consideration noted above upon vesting with respect to such grants. Shutterstock option holders will have their options and strike prices adjusted by a ratio equal to the sum of (i) 9.17 and (ii) $9.50 divided by the 10-day average closing stock price of Getty Images common stock for the period ending two (2) business days prior to the closing as quoted on NYSE. The combined company will have an enterprise value of approximately $3.7 billion will be named Getty Images Holdings, Inc and will continue to trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “GETY”. At close, Getty Images stockholders will own approximately 54.7% and Shutterstock stockholders will own approximately 45.3% of the combined company on a fully diluted basis. Shutterstock stockholders would receive total merger consideration (i) with an implied value of approximately $33.07 per share after giving effect to a mixed election, (ii) with an implied value of approximately $35.14 per share after giving effect to a stock election, and (iii) with a value of $28.8487 per share after giving effect to a cash election. If the Merger Agreement is terminated Shutterstock will be required to pay Getty Images a termination fee in the amount of $32.7 million. If the Merger Agreement is terminated (a) Getty Images will be required to pay Shutterstock a termination fee in the amount of $32.7 million under certain specified circumstances if Getty Images enters into a superior proposal within 12 months of termination that is thereafter consummated and (b) by Shutterstock pursuant to the Financing Termination Right, Getty Images will be required to pay Shutterstock a termination fee in the amount of $40 million. In no event will Getty Images be required to pay both termination fees.
Getty Images’s Chief Executive Officer, Craig Peters, will serve as Chief Executive Officer of the combined company. The combined company will have an eleven-member Board of Directors, comprised of Getty Images Chief Executive Officer Craig Peters, six directors designated by Getty Images and four directors designated by Shutterstock, including Paul Hennessy, Shutterstock Chief Executive Officer. The Chairman of the Board of Directors of the combined company will be Mark Getty, currently Chairman of Getty Images.
The transaction is subject to the shareholders of both Shutterstock and Getty Images. The transaction is subject to the regulatory approvals and the extension or refinancing of Getty Images’ existing debt obligations. The transaction is subject to Getty Images’ registration statement on Form S-4 to be filed in connection with the Transactions having becoming effective, the expiration of the applicable waiting period under the HSR Act. The transaction was unanimously approved by board of directors of both Shutterstock and Getty Images. The combined company will have expected annual cost synergies between $150 million and $200 million by year three and to be accretive to earnings and cash flow beginning in year two. The transaction is expected to close in second half of 2025. As of April 2, 2025, Getty Images and Shutterstock announced the companies have each received a Request for Additional Information and Documentary Material from the U.S. Department of Justice in connection with the Merger. As of June 10, 2025, Shutterstock’s stockholders approved the adoption of the merger agreement between Shutterstock and Getty Images Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: GETY) (“Getty Images”), with approximately 82% of the issued and outstanding shares of Shutterstock common stock voting in favor. The CMA announced the launch of its merger inquiry by notice to the Parties on 22 August 2025 and has a deadline of October 20, 2025 for its phase 1 decision. The transaction is expected to close by the end of 2025. As on November 3, 2025, UK Competition and Markets Authority Refers Proposed Merger of Shutterstock and Getty Images for Phase 2 Review. As of February 23, 2026, Shutterstock and Getty Images issued a press release announcing that the United States Department of Justice concluded its review of the previously announced merger and the applicable waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act has expired. The transaction is expected to close in 2026. On May 15, 2026, Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) conditionally clears Getty merger with Shutterstock. CMA independent inquiry group concludes deal can proceed if Shutterstock sells its editorial business.
Berenson & Company, LLC acted as financial advisor to Getty for a fee of $2 million, which was not contingent upon closing of the merger and also contingent upon the closing of the merger, an additional fee of $8 million. J.P. Morgan Securities LLC acted as financial advisor and fairness opinion provider to Getty for an estimated fee of up to $5 million, $3 million of which became payable to J.P. Morgan at the time opinion is delivered and the remainder of which is payable at Getty Images’ sole discretion upon the consummation of the proposed merger. Michael J. Sheerin, Danielle Li, Steven Messina, Jon A. Hlafter and Todd E. Freed of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, and Brian Lavin of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP acted as legal advisors to Getty. Allen & Company LLC acted as financial advisor and fairness opinion provider to Shutter for a fee of approximately $20 million, contingent upon the consummation of the merger. In addition, the engagement letter provides for a fee of $4.5 million payable to Allen & Company upon delivery of its opinion, which is creditable against the transaction fee payable upon consummation of the merger. Kimberly Petillo-Decossard, Ross Sturman, Joseph Rosati, Keith Hallam, Matthew Barnett, George Paul, Heather Greenfield, Marc Israel, Orion Berg, Henrik Patel, David Dreier, Eliza McDougall, Binoy Dharia, Yehuda Rubel and Arlene Arin Hahn of White & Case LLP acted as legal advisor to Shutter. Equiniti Trust Company, LLC acted as transfer agent to Getty Images. D.F. King & Co., Inc. acted as information agent for Shutter.
Getty Images Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:GETY) cancelled its acquisition of Shutterstock, Inc. (NYSE:SSTK) from BlackRock, Inc. (NYSE:BLK), The Vanguard Group, Inc. and others on June 30, 2026. The cancellation was due to the UK competition regulator's requirement to ?sell Shutterstock's editorial business as a condition for approval.