Carlyle Group to buy Getty Images in $3.3B deal

[August 15, 2012]  WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Carlyle Group says it will buy a controlling stake in the photo and video distributor Getty Images from private equity firm Hellman & Friedman in a $3.3 billion deal.

Carlyle Group says it will partner with Getty Images management in the deal. Company co-founder and Chairman Mark Getty and the Getty family will roll their ownership interests into the deal. CEO and co-founder Jonathan Klein also will invest equity in the company.

Seattle-based Getty Images creates and distributes still images, video and multimedia products. Washington, D.C.-based Carlyle is one of the biggest private equity firms in the world.

The deal is expected to close later this year.

[Associated Press]

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