M&A Deal Summary

Hellman & Friedman and Farallon Capital Management Acquire Getty Images

On July 2, 2008, private equity firm Hellman & Friedman and asset manager Farallon Capital Management acquired digital media company Getty Images for 2.4B USD

Acquisition Highlights
  • This is Hellman & Friedman’s 1st and Farallon Capital Management’s 1st transaction in the Digital Media sector.
  • This is Hellman & Friedman’s 16th and Farallon Capital Management’s largest (disclosed) transaction.
  • This is Hellman & Friedman’s 27th and Farallon Capital Management’s 3rd transaction in the United States.
  • This is Hellman & Friedman’s 2nd and Farallon Capital Management’s 1st transaction in Washington.
Investment Fate
  • Getty Images was sold to a consortium of financial buyers in 2012 for 3.3B USD.
  • Getty Images was sold to management in 2018.
  • Getty Images was sold to a financial buyer in 2022.

M&A Deal Summary

Date 2008-07-02
Target Getty Images
Sector Digital Media
Buyer(s) Hellman & Friedman
Farallon Capital Management
Deal Type Going Private
Deal Value 2.4B USD

Target

Getty Images

Seattle, Washington, United States
Getty Images offers a full range of content solutions to meet the needs of customers around the world. With a broad portfolio that includes the Getty Images, Stock, and Unsplash brands, the Company reaches and empowers a broad base of global customers ranging from international enterprises to amateur creators. Getty Images was formed in 1995 and is based in Seattle, Washington.

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Buyer(S) 2

Buyer

Hellman & Friedman

San Francisco, California, United States

Investor Investor Investor Investor Investor


Category Private Equity Firm
Founded 1984
PE ASSETS 50.0B USD
Size Mega
Type Sector Agnostic
DESCRIPTION

Hellman & Friedman (H&F) is a large private equity firm on the West Coast of the US. H&F focuses on control and minority investments in a variety of transaction structures and will consider opportunities across the US and Europe. H&F seeks buyouts and business in need of restructurings that operate in defensible markets with predictable revenue and earnings growth. Target sectors include financial services, healthcare, indusrial, energy, insurance, media, marketing, professional services, software, and information services. H&F's target equity investment size is $300 million to $1 billion. Hellman & Friedman was formed in 1984 and has offices in San Francisco, New York City, and London.


DEAL STATS #
Overall 36 of 88
Sector (Digital Media) 1 of 2
Type (Going Private) 7 of 17
State (Washington) 2 of 2
Country (United States) 27 of 61
Year (2008) 3 of 4
Size (of disclosed) 16 of 39
PREVIOUS DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2008-04-13 DoubleClick

New York, New York, United States

DoubleClick, Inc. is a provider of digital marketing technology and services. The world’s top marketers, publishers and agencies utilize DoubleClick’s expertise in ad serving, rich media, video, search and affiliate marketing to help them make the most of the digital medium.

Sell $3.1B
FOLLOWING DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2008-07-23 SSP Group

Halifax, United Kingdom

SSP Group is a provider of technology systems and software for the insurance industry, helping insurers and brokers operate more efficient businesses. SSP Group was founded in 2002 and is based in Halifax, United Kingdom.

Buy £198M
Buyer

Farallon Capital Management

San Francisco, California, United States

Investor Investor Investor Investor Investor


Category Asset Manager
Founded 1986
Size Large
Type Sector Agnostic
DESCRIPTION

Farallon Capital Management is a private investment firm that targets a variety of investment strategies throughout the world. The Firm pursues investments that include public and private debt and equity securities, direct investments in private companies, and real estate. Farallon is especially interested in investments that include a key event (such as a merger, restructuring, recapitalization or other major change) that has the potential for an appreciation of the value of a particular investment. Farallon's direct investment group makes debt, preferred stock or equity investments in businesses with substantial franchise value, healthy cash flow, and motivated management who have invested alongside the Firm. Farallon Capital Management was formed in 1986 and is based in San Francisco, California.


DEAL STATS #
Overall 3 of 10
Sector (Digital Media) 1 of 1
Type (Going Private) 1 of 1
State (Washington) 1 of 1
Country (United States) 3 of 6
Year (2008) 1 of 1
Size (of disclosed) 1 of 1
PREVIOUS DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2007-08-01 Sunset Gower Studios

Hollywood, California, United States

Sunset Gower Studios, LLC (?Sunset Gower?) is the second-largest independent television and film production studio in the country, providing sound stages, office/support space and related services.

Buy -
FOLLOWING DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2012-02-08 Contech Engineered Solutions

West Chester, Ohio, United States

Contech Engineered Solutions is a provider of engineering and site solutions for the residential, commercial and infrastructure markets. The company's primary end markets are the US infrastructure, commercial and residential construction markets. Contech Engineered Solutions was formed in 1986 and is based in West Chester, Ohio.

Buy -