Jonathan Klein is co-founder and Chairman of Getty Images, Inc., a leading digital media company powering the communications of businesses around the world. His foresight into leveraging the tremendous value of exceptional content and services, innovative technologies and new business and licensing models has transformed Getty Images into one of the most successful international digital media companies.
Since co-founding Getty Images in March 1995, Mr. Klein has led the company’s strategic direction, executing a broad-ranging consolidation strategy by successfully acquiring and integrating more than 100 collections and companies worldwide, including PhotoDisc and iStockphoto, respectively the pioneers in royalty-free and microstock imagery. Mr. Klein drove Getty Images’ successful entry into news, sports and entertainment imagery, as well as video, music, digital asset management, rights services and assignment photography. Under his direction, Getty Images has built a comprehensive network of exclusive commercial partnerships with the world’s most prestigious media, publishing and entertainment companies, as well as with 50 of the most prominent sports governing bodies across the globe. After 12 years of trading publicly on the NASDAQ and the NYSE, Mr. Klein successfully took Getty Images private, in partnership with Hellman & Friedman, in a $2.4 billion transaction in July 2008.
Mr. Klein is the recipient of numerous media and philanthropic awards. The Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria presented him with its 2005 award for “Business Excellence for Innovation.” Under his stewardship, the International Center of Photography awarded its Trustee’s Award to Getty Images for commitment to the field of photography. Mr. Klein was also recognized by Fast Company, in its “Fast 50,” as a business leader who “will change the way we work and live over the next ten years” and named number one on American Photo’s list of the “100 Most Important People in Photography.”
Mr. Klein serves on the Board of Directors of The Committee to Protect Journalists; the Board of Directors of Grassroot Soccer; the Advisory Board of GBC Health; and the Board of Trustees of the Groton School. Mr. Klein is also on the Boards of Directors of Getty Images, Etsy, Squarespace and Getty Investments.
Before founding Getty Images, Mr. Klein led the media industry group for the London-based investment bank Hambros Bank Limited. A native of South Africa, Mr. Klein spent much of his life in England and lives with his wife and three sons in New York City.