Keystone integrates subsidiary EQ Images
The previously independently managed sports picture agency EQ Images will transfer its services to Keystone by the end of 2017. Keystone's Board of Directors has decided to integrate the wholly owned subsidiary into Keystone as of December 31, 2017.
This decision was made due to the tense economic situation and the ongoing structural change in the media, according to a statement. Keystone will therefore merge EQ Images' services with its own offering by December 31, 2017, while expanding the sports strategy it has adopted.
Sports clients such as the Swiss Football Association, Swiss Olympic, Grasshopper Club Zurich, FC Zurich, SIHF and Spenglercup produce their internal and external publications with content from Keystone and EQ Images. With the merger of EQ Images and Keysonte, Keystone's sports desk is repositioned. The photographers, but also the suppliers and partners of EQ will be partially taken over.
"It is perfectly clear to me that we cannot grow under the given market conditions, even in the long term. An integration is the right decision," says CEO Philipp Caretta. The decision was made in favor of the sport and its organizations.
Sports is a strategically important pillar for Keystone, both for its media customers and for sports organizations. The company will seek growth in this segment.
EQ Images was founded in 2002 as a pure sports picture agency. Since 2008, the agency has also reported on politics, business, culture and society. The online archive contains over 1,000,000 images.
