Getty Images has named Dawn Airey as its new CEO, replacing co-founder Jonathan Klein who is moving to the role of chairman.
“Engaging audiences through the power of visual storytelling is what I am passionate about, and, at its core, that is what Getty Images is all about: inspiring and enabling the world to tell its stories through the exceptional content the team captures each and every day,” said Airey in a press release. “There is immense potential when it comes to marrying content with new monetization opportunities, and I cannot wait to get started.”
A veteran British media executive, Airey will start her new job on Oct. 12. She will relocate from London to New York.
Airey most recently worked as Senior Vice President of Europe, Middle East and Africa Operation of Yahoo, spending two years at the Internet company. She’s also held leadership positions at UK media companies, including president of a unit of RTL Group, Channel 5’s parent company, and Chairwoman and Chief Executive of Channel 5. She also worked as managing director of global content at ITV.
Getty Images was founded in 1995 by Klein and Mark Getty, and while it retains a large presence in Seattle the company now considers New York as its headquarters. Getty Images employs 1,800 people worldwide, including more than 400 in Seattle.
The company, which operates the iStock and Thinkstock brands, is one of the largest distributors of images, video and music. It was purchased by the private equity firm Carlyle Group for $3.3 billion in 2012.
Here’s Klein interviewing Airey about her role at Getty.
