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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): August 14, 2023

GETTY IMAGES HOLDINGS, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

Delaware	001-41453	87-3764229
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)

605 5th Ave S. Suite 400 Seattle, WA	98104
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)	(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (206) 925-5000

Not Applicable
(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

¨	Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

¨	Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

¨	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

¨	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e 4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class		Trading Symbol(s)		Name of each exchange on which registered
Class A Common Stock		GETY		New York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company x

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨

Item 7.01. Regulation FD Disclosure.

Getty Images Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”) is furnishing certain financial information as of and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 of Getty Images, Inc., a subsidiary of the Company, which information will be provided to lenders and noteholders pursuant to the Company’s existing credit agreement and indenture.

* * *

The information contained in Item 7.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K (including Exhibit 99.1) is being furnished and shall not be deemed “filed” for the purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section. Such information shall not be incorporated by reference into any registration statement or other document pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in any such filing.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits.

Exhibit No.		Description
99.1		Financial Information of Getty Images, Inc. as of and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023

104		Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

Dated: August 14, 2023

	GETTY IMAGES HOLDINGS, INC.

	By:	/s/ Kjelti Kellough
	Name:	Kjelti Kellough
	Title:	Senior Vice President, General Counsel, and Corporate Secretary

Exhibit 99.1

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements included in this report that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions under the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of the words such as “believe,” “may,” “will,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “expect,” “should,” “would,” “plan,” “project,” “forecast,” “predict,” “potential,” “seem,” “seek,” “future,” “outlook,” “target” or similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding estimates and forecasts of other financial and performance metrics and projections of market opportunity. These statements are based on various assumptions, whether or not identified in this report, and on the current expectations of our management and are not predictions of actual performance. These forward-looking statements are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to serve as, and must not be relied on by any investor as, a guarantee, an assurance, a prediction or a definitive statement of fact or probability. Actual events and circumstances are difficult or impossible to predict and will differ from assumptions. Many actual events and circumstances are beyond our control.

These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including:

	•	our inability to continue to license third-party content and offer relevant quality and diversity of content to satisfy customer needs;
	•	our ability to attract new customers and retain and motivate an increase in spending by its existing customers;
	•	the user experience of our customers on our websites;
	•	the extent to which we are able to maintain and expand the breadth and quality of our content library through content licensed from third-party suppliers, content acquisitions and imagery captured by its staff of inhouse photographers;
	•	the mix of and basis upon which we license our content, including the price-points at, and the license models and purchase options through, which we license our content;
	•	the risk that we operate in a highly competitive market;
	•	the risk that we are unable to successfully execute our business strategy or effectively manage costs;
	•	our inability to effectively manage our growth;
	•	our inability to maintain an effective system of internal controls and financial reporting;
	•	the risk that we may lose the right to use “Getty Images” trademarks;
	•	our inability to evaluate our future prospects and challenges due to evolving markets and customers’ industries;
	•	the legal, social and ethical issues relating to the use of new and evolving technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence;
	•	the risk that our operations in and continued expansion into international markets bring additional business, political, regulatory, operational, financial and economic risks;
	•	our inability to adequately adapt our technology systems to ingest and deliver sufficient new content;
	•	the risk of technological interruptions or cybersecurity vulnerabilities;
	•	the risk that any prolonged strike by, or lockout of, one or more of the unions that provide personnel essential to the production of films or television programs, such as the ongoing strike by the writers’ and actors' unions in May 2023 and July 2023, could impact our entertainment business;
	•	the inability to expand our operations into new products, services and technologies and to increase customer and supplier awareness of new and emerging products and services;
	•	the loss of and inability to attract and retain key personnel that could negatively impact our business growth;
	•	the inability to protect the proprietary information of customers and networks against security breaches and protect and enforce intellectual property rights;
	•	our reliance on third parties;
	•	the risks related to our use of independent contractors;
	•	the risk that an increase in government regulation of the industries and markets in which we operate could negatively impact our business;
	•	the impact of worldwide and regional political, military or economic conditions, including declines in foreign currencies in relation to the value of the U.S. dollar, hyperinflation, higher interest rates, devaluation the impact of recent bank failures on the marketplace and the ability to access credit and significant political or civil disturbances in international markets where we conduct business;
	•	the risk that claims, lawsuits and other proceedings that have been, or may be, instituted against us or our predecessors could adversely affect our business;

	•	the inability of Getty Images Holdings, Inc. (the “Parent”), our public parent corporation, to maintain the listing of its Class A common stock (the “Class A common stock”) on the New York Stock Exchange;
	•	that the Parent's results for the second quarter are preliminary and subject to change pending the completion of the Parent's quarterly closing process and review;
	•	the timing of the Parent's filing of the Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2023;
	•	volatility in the stock price of share of Class A common stock and in the liquidity of the trading market for the Class A common stock;
	•	the lingering effects of COVID-19 pandemic;
	•	changes in applicable laws or regulations;
	•	the risks associated with evolving corporate governance and public disclosure requirements;
	•	the risk of greater than anticipated tax liabilities;
	•	the risks associated with the storage and use of personally identifiable information;
	•	earnings-related risks such as those associated with late payments, goodwill or other intangible assets;
	•	our ability to obtain additional capital on commercially reasonable terms;
	•	the risks associated with the Parent being an “emerging growth company” and “smaller reporting company” within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended;
	•	risks associated with our reliance on information technology in critical areas of our operations;
	•	inability of the Parent to pay dividends for the foreseeable future;
	•	the risks associated with additional issuances of Class A common stock without stockholder approval;
	•	costs related to the Parent operating as a public company; and
	•	those factors discussed under the heading “Item 1.A. Risk Factors” of the most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K of the Parent (the “Parent Form 10-K”).

If any of these risks materialize or our assumptions prove incorrect, actual results could differ materially from the results implied by these forward-looking statements.

These and other factors that could cause actual results to differ from those implied by the forward-looking statements in this report are more fully described under the heading “Item 1.A. Risk Factors” in the Parent Form 10-K and in the Parent's other filings with the SEC. The risks described under the heading “Item 1.A. Risk Factors” in the Parent Form 10-K are not exhaustive. New risk factors emerge from time to time and it is not possible to predict all such risk factors, nor can we assess the impact of all such risk factors on our business or the extent to which any factor or combination of factors may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the foregoing cautionary statements. We undertake no obligations to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

In addition, the statements of belief and similar statements reflect our beliefs and opinions on the relevant subject. These statements are based upon information available to us, as applicable, as of the date of this report, and while we believe such information forms a reasonable basis for such statements, such information may be limited or incomplete, and statements should not be read to indicate that we have conducted an exhaustive inquiry into, or review of, all potentially available relevant information. These statements are inherently uncertain and you are cautioned not to unduly rely upon these statements.

GETTY IMAGES, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands)

(unaudited)

	June 30, 2023			December 31, 2022
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	121,308		$	97,912
Restricted cash		4,274			4,482
Accounts receivable – net of allowance of $7,090 and $6,460, respectively		121,661			129,603
Prepaid expenses		12,357			15,728
Taxes receivable		10,604			11,297
Other current assets		15,126			10,497
Total current assets		285,330			269,519
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT – NET		176,713			172,083
RIGHT OF USE ASSETS		43,311			47,231
GOODWILL		1,500,805			1,499,193
IDENTIFIABLE INTANGIBLE ASSETS – NET		409,834			419,548
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES – NET		8,273			8,259
OTHER LONG-TERM ASSETS		44,929			52,881
TOTAL	$	2,469,195		$	2,468,714
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Accounts payable	$	90,540		$	93,766
Accrued expenses		45,301			49,327
Income taxes payable		7,900			8,031
Deferred revenue		175,721			171,371
Total current liabilities		319,462			322,495
LONG-TERM DEBT – NET		1,414,549			1,428,847
LEASE LIABILITIES		42,204			46,218
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES – NET		31,294			37,075
UNCERTAIN TAX POSITIONS		33,073			37,333
OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES		4,976			3,697
Total liabilities		1,845,558			1,875,665
Commitments and contingencies (Note 7)

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
Common Stock		—			—
Additional paid-in capital		1,792,275			1,771,411
Accumulated deficit		(1,118,724	)		(1,117,357	)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(98,174	)		(108,972	)
Total Getty Images, Inc. stockholders’ equity		575,377			545,082
Noncontrolling interest		48,260			47,967
Total stockholders’ equity		623,637			593,049
TOTAL	$	2,469,195		$	2,468,714

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

GETTY IMAGES, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In thousands)

(unaudited)

	Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
	2023			2022			2023			2022
REVENUE	$	225,675		$	233,327		$	461,317		$	464,305

OPERATING EXPENSE:
Cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)	$	63,354		$	65,118		$	126,640		$	127,012
Selling, general and administrative expenses		107,723			95,528			210,118			188,681
Depreciation		13,540			12,379			26,563			24,891
Amortization		7,260			11,905			14,467			24,110
Other operating expense – net		332			862			611			3,568
Operating expense		192,209			185,792			378,399			368,262
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS		33,466			47,535			82,918			96,043

OTHER (EXPENSE) INCOME, NET:
Interest expense		(31,683	)		(29,986	)		(62,180	)		(59,586	)
(Loss) gain on fair value adjustment for swaps and foreign currency exchange contract – net		(640	)		4,979			(2,725	)		17,105
Unrealized foreign exchange (loss) gains – net		(3,165	)		31,191			(14,087	)		38,234
Other non-operating income – net		634			198			1,122			355

Total other (expense) income – net		(34,854	)		6,382			(77,870	)		(3,892	)
(LOSS) INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES		(1,388	)		53,917			5,048			92,151
INCOME TAX EXPENSE		(2,889	)		(15,222	)		(6,122	)		(28,349	)

NET (LOSS) INCOME		(4,277	)		38,695			(1,074	)		63,802
Less:
Net (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interest		(214	)		167			293			375
NET (LOSS) INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO GETTY IMAGES, INC.	$	(4,063	)	$	38,528		$	(1,367	)	$	63,427

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

GETTY IMAGES, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME

(In thousands)

(unaudited)

	Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
	2023			2022			2023			2022
NET (LOSS) INCOME	$	(4,277	)	$	38,695		$	(1,074	)	$	63,802
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS):
Net foreign currency translation adjustment gains (losses)		2,418			(29,485	)		10,798			(33,363	)
COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME		(1,859	)		9,210			9,724			30,439
Less: Comprehensive (loss) gain attributable to noncontrolling interest		(214	)		167			293			374
COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO GETTY IMAGES HOLDINGS, INC.	$	(1,645	)	$	9,043		$	9,431		$	30,065

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

GETTY IMAGES, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(In thousands)

(unaudited)

														Total
											Accumulated			Getty Images,
					Additional						Other			Inc.						Total
	Common Stock				Paid-In			Accumulated			Comprehensive			Stockholders’			Noncontrolling			Stockholders’
	Shares		Amount		Capital			Deficit			Loss			Equity			Interest			Equity
BALANCE - December 31, 2022		32	$	—	$	1,771,411		$	(1,117,357	)	$	(108,972	)	$	545,082		$	47,967		$	593,049
Net income		—		—		—			2,696			—			2,696			507			3,203
Net foreign currency translation adjustment gains in comprehensive income		—		—		—			—			8,380			8,380			—			8,380
Issuance of common stock in connection with equity-based compensation arrangements		—		—		2,639			—			—			2,639			—			2,639
Equity-based compensation activity		—				6,840			—			—			6,840			—			6,840
BALANCE - March 31, 2023		32	$	—	$	1,780,890		$	(1,114,661	)	$	(100,592	)	$	565,637		$	48,474		$	614,111
Net loss		—		—		—			(4,063	)		—			(4,063	)		(214	)		(4,277	)
Net foreign currency translation adjustment gains in comprehensive income		—		—		—			—			2,418			2,418			—			2,418
Issuance of common stock in connection with equity-based compensation arrangements		—		—		2,258			—			—			2,258			—			2,258
Common shares withheld for settlement of taxes in connection with equity-based compensation		—		—		(2,993	)		—			—			(2,993	)		—			(2,993	)
Equity-based compensation activity		—		—		12,120			—			—			12,120			—			12,120
BALANCE - June 30, 2023		32	$	—	$	1,792,275		$	(1,118,724	)	$	(98,174	)	$	575,377		$	48,260		$	623,637

BALANCE — December 31, 2021		32	$	—	$	1,620,452		$	(1,203,432	)	$	(78,411	)	$	338,609		$	48,056		$	386,665
Net income		—		—		—			24,899			—			24,899			208			25,107
Net foreign currency translation adjustment losses in comprehensive loss		—		—		—			—			(3,878	)		(3,878	)		(1	)		(3,879	)
Cumulative effect of accounting change- adoption of ASU 2019-12		—		—		—			(1,360	)		—			(1,360	)		—			(1,360	)
Issuance of common stock in connection with stock based compensation arrangements		—		—		29			—			—			29			—			29
Equity-based compensation activity		—		—		1,741			—			—			1,741			—			1,741
BALANCE — March 31, 2022		32	$	—	$	1,622,222		$	(1,179,893	)	$	(82,289	)	$	360,040		$	48,263		$	408,303
Net income		—		—		—			38,528			—			38,528			167			38,695
Net foreign currency translation adjustment losses in comprehensive loss		—		—		—			—			(29,485	)		(29,485	)		—			(29,485	)
Equity-based compensation activity		—		—		1,390			—			—			1,390			—			1,390
BALANCE — June 30, 2022		32	$	—	$	1,623,612		$	(1,141,365	)	$	(111,774	)	$	370,473		$	48,430		$	418,903

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

GETTY IMAGES, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)

(unaudited)

	Six Months Ended June 30,
	2023			2022
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net (loss) income	$	(1,074	)	$	63,802
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation		26,563			24,891
Amortization		14,467			24,110
Unrealized exchange loss (gains) on foreign denominated debt		9,065			(34,727	)
Equity-based compensation		18,009			3,130
Deferred income taxes – net		(5,796	)		7,790
Uncertain tax positions		(3,010	)		109
Non-cash fair value adjustment for swaps and foreign currency exchange contracts		2,725			(16,244	)
Amortization of debt issuance costs		1,960			3,122
Non-cash operating lease costs		3,920			5,486
Impairment of right of use assets		—			2,563
Other		1,524			2,777
Changes in current assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable		6,706			6,909
Accounts payable		1,420			3,653
Accrued expenses		(5,243	)		(20,097	)
Lease liabilities, non-current		(4,215	)		(6,249	)
Income taxes receivable/payable		(1,163	)		(639	)
Interest payable		(130	)		6,895
Deferred revenue		5,616			3,723
Other		2,439			(700	)
Net cash provided by operating activities		73,783			80,304

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Acquisition of property and equipment		(29,452	)		(30,372	)
Purchase of a minority investment		—			(2,000	)
Net cash used in investing activities		(29,452	)		(32,372	)

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Repayment of debt		(25,200	)		(5,200	)
Cash paid for debt issuance costs		(1,137	)		—
Proceeds from common stock issuance		4,898			29
Cash paid for settlement of employee taxes related to exercise of equity-based awards		(2,993	)		—
Cash paid for equity issuance costs		(150	)		(4,741	)
Net cash used in financing activities		(24,582	)		(9,912	)

EFFECTS OF EXCHANGE RATE FLUCTUATIONS		3,439			(11,178	)
NET INCREASE IN CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH		23,188			26,842
CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH – Beginning of period		102,394			191,529
CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH – End of period	$	125,582		$	218,371

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

GETTY IMAGES, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS

In 1995, Mark Getty and Jonathan Klein co-founded the predecessor to Getty Images, Inc. in London. In September 1997, Getty Communications, as it was called at the time, merged with PhotoDisc, Inc. to form Getty Images, Inc.(“Getty Images” or the “Company”).

On July 22, 2022 (the “Closing Date”), the indirect parent of the Company, Getty Images Holdings, Inc. (the “Parent”) consummated the transactions in the Business Combination Agreement, dated December 9, 2021 (the “Business Combination Agreement” and the consummation of such transactions, the “Closing”), by and among CC Neuberger Principal Holdings II, a Cayman Islands exempted company (“CCNB”), the Parent (at such time, Vector Holding, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and wholly-owned subsidiary of CCNB), Vector Domestication Merger Sub, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and wholly-owned subsidiary of the Parent (“Domestication Merger Sub”), Vector Merger Sub 1, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and a wholly-owned subsidiary of CCNB (“G Merger Sub 1”), Vector Merger Sub 2, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and a wholly-owned subsidiary of CCNB (“G Merger Sub 2”), Griffey Global Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Legacy Getty”), and Griffey Investors, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the “Partnership”). On the day prior to the Closing Date, the Parent statutorily converted from a Delaware limited liability company to a Delaware corporation (the “Statutory Conversion”). On the Closing Date, CCNB merged with and into Domestication Merger Sub, with Domestication Merger Sub surviving the merger as a wholly-owned direct subsidiary of the Parent (the “Domestication Merger”). Following the Domestication Merger on the Closing Date, G Merger Sub 1 merged with and into Legacy Getty, with Legacy Getty surviving the merger as an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the Parent (the “First Getty Merger”). Immediately after the First Getty Merger, Legacy Getty merged with and into G Merger Sub 2 with G Merger Sub 2 surviving the merger as an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the Parent (the “Second Getty Merger” and together with the First Getty Merger, the “Getty Mergers” and, together with the Statutory Conversion and the Domestication Merger, the “Business Combination”).

2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Presentation — The Company’s accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial reporting.

The Business Combination in July of 2022 was accounted for as a reverse recapitalization in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Under this method of accounting, CCNB was treated as the “acquired” company and Legacy Getty is treated as the acquirer for financial reporting purposes. The consolidated assets, liabilities and results of operations prior to the Business Combination are those of Legacy Getty. The shares and corresponding capital amounts and earnings per share, prior to the Business Combination, have been retroactively restated based on shares reflecting the exchange ratio established in the Business Combination.

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts and operations of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Certain notes or other information that are normally required by U.S. GAAP have been omitted if they substantially duplicate the disclosures contained in the Company’s annual audited financial statements. Accordingly, these condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes in Item 8 of Part II, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data,” of the Parent's 2022 Annual Report on Form 10-K. The accompanying unaudited interim financial statements, in the opinion of management, include all normal and recurring adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the Company’s unaudited financial statements for the periods presented.

The results of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2023 or for any other future annual or interim period.

Estimates and Assumptions — The preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the condensed consolidated financial statements and revenues and expenses reported during the period. Some of the estimates and assumptions that require the most difficult judgments are: a) the appropriateness of the valuation and useful lives of intangibles and other long-lived assets; b) the appropriateness of the amount of accrued income taxes, including the potential outcome of future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in the condensed consolidated financial statements as well as the deferred tax asset valuation allowances; c) the sufficiency of the allowance for doubtful accounts; d) the assumptions used to value equity-based compensation arrangements; e) the assumptions used to allocate transaction price to multiple performance obligations for uncapped subscription arrangements; f) the assumptions used to estimate unused capped subscription-based and credit-based products. These judgments are inherently uncertain which directly impacts their valuation and accounting. Actual results and outcomes may differ from management’s estimates and assumptions.

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash — The following represents the Company’s cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash as of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 (in thousands):

	As of June 30, 2023		As of December 31, 2022
Cash and cash equivalents	$	121,308	$	97,912
Restricted cash		4,274		4,482
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	$	125,582	$	102,394

Cash equivalents are short-term, highly liquid investments that are both readily convertible to cash and have maturities at the date of acquisition of three months or less. Cash equivalents are generally composed of investment-grade debt instruments subject to lower levels of credit risk, including certificates of deposit and money market funds. The Company’s current cash and cash equivalents consist primarily of cash on hand, bank deposits, and money market accounts.

Restricted cash consists primarily of cash held as collateral related to corporate credit cards and real estate lease obligations.

Accounts Receivable — Net — Accounts receivable are trade receivables, net of reserves for allowances for doubtful accounts totaling $7.1 million as of June 30, 2023 and $6.5 million as of December 31, 2022. The Company recorded net bad debt expense of $0.6 million and $0.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively and $1.1 million and $0.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

Minority Investment without Readily Determinable Fair Value — The carrying amount of the minority investments, which is included within “Other long-term assets” on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, was $9.8 million and $9.6 million as June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. The Company uses the measurement alternative for these equity investments and their carrying value is reported at cost, adjusted for impairments or any observable price changes in ordinary transactions with identical or similar investments. Revenue related to content consumed by the minority investees was not material during the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022.

On a quarterly basis, the Company evaluates the carrying value of its long-term investments for impairment, which includes an assessment of revenue growth, earnings performance, working capital and general market conditions. As of June 30, 2023, no adjustments to the carrying values of the Company’s long-term investments were identified as a result of this assessment. Changes in performance negatively impacting operating results and cash flows of these investments could result in the Company recording an impairment charge in future periods.

Revenue Recognition — Revenue is derived principally from licensing rights to use images, video footage and music that are delivered digitally over the internet. Digital content licenses are generally purchased on a monthly or annual subscription basis, whereby a customer either pays for a predetermined quantity of content or for access to the Company’s content library that may be downloaded over a specific period of time, or, on a transactional basis, whereby a customer pays for individual content licenses at the time of download. Also, a significant portion of revenue is generated through the sale and subsequent use of credits. Various amounts of credits are required to license digital content.

The Company maintains a credit department that sets and monitors credit policies that establish credit limits and ascertains customer creditworthiness, thus reducing the risk of potential credit loss. Revenue is not recognized unless it is determined that collectability is reasonably assured. Revenue is recorded at invoiced amounts (including discounts and applicable sales taxes) less an allowance for sales returns, which is based on historical information. Customer payments received in advance of revenue recognition are contract liabilities and are recorded as deferred revenue. Customers that do not pay in advance are invoiced and are required to make payments under standard credit terms.

The Company recognizes revenue under the core principle to depict the transfer of control to the Company’s customers in an amount reflecting the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled. In order to achieve that core principle, the Company applies the following five-step approach: (i) identify the contract with a customer, (ii) identify the performance obligations in the contract, (iii) determine the transaction price, (iv) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract and (v) recognize revenue when a performance obligation is satisfied.

For digital content licenses, the Company recognizes revenue on both its capped subscription-based, credit-based sales and single image licenses when content is downloaded, at which time the license is provided. In addition, management estimates expected unused licenses for capped subscription-based and credit-based products and recognizes the revenue associated with the unused licenses throughout the subscription or credit period. The estimate of unused licenses is based on historical download activity and future changes in the estimate could impact the timing of revenue recognition of the Company’s subscription products.

For uncapped digital content subscriptions, the Company has determined that access to the existing content library and future digital content updates represent two separate performance obligations. As such, a portion of the total contract consideration related to access to the existing content library is recognized as revenue at the commencement of the contract when control of the content library is transferred. The remaining contractual consideration is recognized as revenue ratably over the term of the contract when updated digital content is transferred to the licensee, in line with when the control of the new content is transferred.

Recently Adopted Accounting Standard Updates — There were no new accounting standards adopted during the quarter ended June 30, 2023 that had a material impact on our financial position or results of operations.

Recently Issued Accounting Standard Updates — The Company implemented new applicable accounting pronouncements that are in effect and does not believe that there are any other new pronouncements that have been issued that might have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

3. DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS

Interest Rate Risk — The Company does not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for trading purposes. In general, the Company’s derivative activities do not create interest rate risk because fluctuations in the value of the instruments used for economic hedging purposes are offset by fluctuations in the value of the underlying exposures being hedged. Counterparties to derivative financial instruments expose the Company to credit related losses in the event of nonperformance; however, the Company has entered into these instruments with creditworthy financial institutions and considers the risk of nonperformance to be minimal.

The following table summarizes the location and fair value amounts of derivative instruments reported in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (in thousands):

	As of June 30, 2023				As of December 31, 2022
	Asset		Liability		Asset		Liability
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
Interest rate swaps	$	6,306	$	—	$	9,032	$	—
Total derivatives	$	6,306	$	—	$	9,032	$	—

Short-term derivative assets are included in “Other current assets” and long-term derivative assets are included in “Other long-term assets” on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The Company recognized a net loss of $0.6 million and a net gain of $5.0 million on the derivative instruments for the three months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The Company recognized a net loss of $2.7 million and a net gain of $17.1 million on the derivative instruments for the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. These are included in “(Loss) gain on fair value adjustment for swaps and foreign currency exchange contract – net” on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

4. FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The Company’s disclosable financial instruments consist of cash equivalents, interest rate swaps, and debt. Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis (cash equivalents and interest rate swaps) and a nonrecurring basis (debt) are categorized in the tables below.

Financial instrument assets recorded at fair value as of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 are as follows (in thousands):

	As of June 30, 2023
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Money market funds (cash equivalents)	$	61,301	$	—	$	—	$	61,301
Derivative assets:
Interest rate swaps		—		6,306		—		6,306
	$	61,301	$	6,306	$	—	$	67,607

	As of December 31, 2022
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Money market funds (cash equivalents)	$	20,462	$	—	$	—	$	20,462
Derivative assets:
Interest rate swaps		—		9,032		—		9,032
	$	20,462	$	9,032	$	—	$	29,494

The fair value of the Company’s money market funds is based on quoted active market prices for the funds and is determined using the market approach. The fair value of the Company’s interest rate swap contracts are based on market quotes provided by the counterparty. Quotes by the counterparty are calculated based on observable current rates and forward interest rate curves. The Company recalculates and validates this fair value using publicly available market inputs using the market approach.

Financial instrument liabilities recorded or disclosed at fair value as of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 are as follows (in thousands):

	As of June 30, 2023
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Term Loans	$	—	$	1,118,296	$	—	$	1,118,296
Senior Notes		—		296,250		—		296,250
	$	—	$	1,414,546	$	—	$	1,414,546

	As of December 31, 2022
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Term Loans	$	—	$	1,112,990	$	—	$	1,112,990
Senior Notes		—		297,354		—		297,354
	$	—	$	1,410,344	$	—	$	1,410,344

The fair value of the Company’s Term Loans and Senior Notes are based on market quotes provided by a third-party pricing source.

5. OTHER ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

Other Long-Term Assets — Other long-term assets consisted of the following at the reported Balance Sheet dates (in thousands):

	As of June 30, 2023		As of December 31, 2022
Long term note receivable from a related party	$	24,000	$	24,000
Minority and other investments		12,292		12,097
Derivative asset		—		9,032
Tax receivable		2,700		2,700
Equity method investment		2,699		2,064
Long term deposits		1,519		1,609
Other		1,719		1,379
	$	44,929	$	52,881

Accrued Expenses — Accrued expenses at the reported Balance Sheet dates are summarized below (in thousands):

	As of June 30, 2023		As of December 31, 2022
Accrued compensation and related costs	$	15,131	$	23,851
Lease liabilities		9,893		10,094
Interest payable		9,869		9,993
Accrued professional fees		9,389		4,334
Other		1,019		1,055
	$	45,301	$	49,327

6. DEBT

Debt included the following (in thousands):

	As of June 30, 2023			As of December 31, 2022
Senior Notes	$	300,000		$	300,000
USD Term Loans		662,200			687,400
EUR Term Loans		456,076			446,996
Less: issuance costs and discounts amortized to interest expense		(3,727	)		(5,549	)
Long-term debt – net	$	1,414,549		$	1,428,847

The face value of the EUR Term Loans was €419.0 million as of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022. The table above converted the EUR Term Loans to USD using currency exchange rates as of those dates.

On May 4, 2023, the Company amended the existing senior secured credit facility to among other things, (i) upsize the total amount of commitments under the revolving credit facility capacity from $80.0 million to $150.0 million and (ii) extend the maturity of the revolving credit facility until May 4, 2028. The revolving credit facility remains undrawn. The Company accounted for this amendment as a modification of the existing revolving credit facility. The unamortized debt issuance costs and the fees incurred to amend the revolving credit facility will be amortized over the term of the new revolving credit facility.

On May 10, 2023, the Company used $20.0 million of cash to repay a portion of the USD Term Loans and on August 11, 2023, the Company used $20.0 million of cash to repay an additional portion of the USD Term Loans.

As of June 30, 2023, the Company was compliant with all debt covenants and obligations.

7. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

In the ordinary course of business, the Company enters into certain types of agreements that contingently require the Company to indemnify counterparties against third-party claims. The nature and terms of these indemnifications vary from contract to contract, and generally a maximum obligation is not stated. Because management does not believe a material liability is probable, no related liabilities were recorded at June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022.

The Company is subject to a variety of legal claims and suits that arise from time to time in the ordinary course of business. Although management currently believes that resolving such claims, individually or in aggregate, will not have a material adverse impact on the condensed consolidated financial statements, these matters are subject to inherent uncertainties and management’s view of these matters may change in the future. The Company holds insurance policies that mitigate potential losses arising from certain indemnifications, and historically, significant costs related to performance under these obligations have not been incurred.

The Company has open tax audits in various jurisdictions and some of these jurisdictions require taxpayers to pay assessed taxes in advance or at the time of appealing such assessments. One such jurisdiction is Canada, where one of the Company’s subsidiaries, iStockphoto ULC, recently received tax assessments from the Canada Revenue Agency (“CRA”) asserting additional tax is due. The position taken by the CRA is related to the transactions between iStockphoto ULC and other affiliates within the Getty Images group for the 2015 Canadian income tax return filed. The Company believes the CRA position lacks merit and intends to appeal and vigorously contest these assessments.

As part of the appeal process in Canada, the Company may be required to pay a portion of the assessment amount, which the Company estimates could be up to $19.0 million in 2023. Such required payment is not an admission that the Company believes it is subject to such taxes. The Company believes it is more likely than not it will prevail on appeal, however, if the CRA were to be successful in the appeal process, the Company estimates the maximum potential outcome could be up to $26.5 million.

8. REVENUE

The Company distributes its content and services offerings through three primary products:

Creative — Creative, is comprised of royalty free (“RF”) photos, illustrations, vectors and videos, that are released for commercial use and cover a wide variety of commercial, conceptual and contemporary subjects, including lifestyle, business, science, health, wellness, beauty, sports, transportation and travel. This content is available for immediate use by a wide range of customers with a depth, breadth and quality allowing our customers to produce impactful websites, digital media, social media, marketing campaigns, corporate collateral, textbooks, movies, television and online video content relevant to their target geographies and audiences. We primarily source Creative content from a broad network of professional, semi-professional and amateur creators, many of whom are exclusive to Getty Images. We have a global creative insights team dedicated to providing briefing and art direction to our exclusive contributor community.

Editorial — Editorial, is comprised of photos and videos covering the world of entertainment, sports and news. We combine contemporary coverage of events around the globe and have one of the largest privately held archives globally with access to images from the beginning of photography. We invest in a dedicated editorial team which includes over 110 staff photographers and videographers to generate our own coverage in addition to coverage from our network of content partners.

Other — The Company offers a range of additional products and services to deepen the customer relationships, enhance customer loyalty and create additional differentiation in the market. These additional products and services currently include music licensing, digital asset management and distribution services, print sales and data licensing.

The following table summarizes the Company’s revenue by product (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
	2023		2022		2023		2022
Creative	$	141,281	$	146,669	$	287,778	$	295,067
Editorial		80,281		82,945		164,906		161,698
Other		4,113		3,713		8,633		7,540
Total Revenue	$	225,675	$	233,327	$	461,317	$	464,305

The June 30, 2023 deferred revenue balance will be earned as content is downloaded, services are provided or upon the expiration of subscription-based products, and nearly all is expected to be earned within the next twelve months. During the six months ended June 30, 2023, the Company recognized revenue of $103.9 million, that had been included in deferred revenue as of January 1, 2023.

9. EQUITY—BASED COMPENSATION

Equity-based compensation expense is recorded in “Selling, general and administrative expenses” in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations, net of estimated forfeitures. The Company recognized equity-based compensation - net of estimated forfeitures of $11.9 million and $18.0 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, respectively. The Company recognized equity-based compensation - net of estimated forfeitures of $1.4 million and $3.1 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022, respectively. The Company capitalized $0.2 million and $1.0 million of equity-based compensation expense associated with the cost of developing internal-use software during the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, respectively. No equity-based compensation expense associated with the cost of developing internal-use software was capitalized during the three and six months ended June 30, 2022, respectively.

The Getty Images Holdings, Inc. 2022 Equity Incentive Plan (“2022 Plan”) provides for the grant of stock options, including incentive stock options and nonqualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, dividend equivalents, restricted stock units (“RSU”), performance stock units (“PSU”), and other stock or cash-based awards. Equity-based awards generally vest over three or four years. Under the 2022 Plan, up to 51,104,577 shares of Class A common stock of the Parent (the “Class A common stock”) are reserved for issuance, of which 7,730,861 are available to be issued as of June 30, 2023.

Stock Options — The following tables presents a summary of the Parent’s stock option activity for the six months ended June 30, 2023 (in thousands except weighted average data and years):

				Weighted		Remaining
	Number			Average		Average
	of			Exercise		Contractual
	awards			Price		Life (in Years)
Outstanding — December 31, 2022		29,935		$	3.08		5.85
Granted		2,934			6.49
Exercised		(1,691	)		2.90
Pre-vesting forfeitures		(2	)		2.74
Post-vesting cancellations		(9	)		7.82
Outstanding – June 30, 2023		31,167			3.41		5.83

Exercisable – June 30, 2023		26,689		$	3.02		5.27
Vested and expected to vest after June 30, 2023		31,134		$	3.41		5.83

Intrinsic value of stock options is calculated as the excess of market price of the Parent’s Class A common stock over the strike price of the stock options, multiplied by the number of stock options. The intrinsic value of the Parent’s stock options is as follows (in thousands):

	June 30,		December 31,
	2023		2022
Stock options outstanding	$	53,501	$	75,888
Stock options exercisable	$	51,787	$	68,431
Stock options vested and expected to vest	$	53,443	$	75,704

The intrinsic value of stock options exercised for the six months ended June 30, 2023 was approximately $4.6 million. The intrinsic value of stock options exercised in the six months ended June 30, 2022 was insignificant.

The weighted-average grant-date fair value of stock options, the valuation model used to estimate the fair value, and the assumptions input into that model, for awards granted during the six months ended June 30, 2023 were as follows. No stock options were granted during the three months ended June 30, 2022:

	Six Months Ended June 30,
	2023
Weighted average grant date fair value per award	$	2.20
Valuation model used		Black-Scholes
Expected award price volatility		50.00	%
Risk-free rate of return		3.70	%
Expected life of awards		5.9 years
Expected rate of dividends		—	%

The stock volatility assumption for award-based compensation is based on historical volatilities of the common stock of several public companies with characteristics similar to those of the Parent since the Class A’s common stock has only been trading in the public market for a short period of time.

The risk-free rate of return represents the implied yield available during the month the award was granted for a U.S. Treasury zero-coupon security issued with a term equal to the expected life of the awards.

The expected life is measured from the grant date and is based on the simplified method calculation.

As of June 30, 2023, there was $8.5 million of total unrecognized compensation expense related to outstanding stock options, which the Company expects to recognize over a weighted average period of approximately 2.44 years.

Restricted Stock Units — The following table presents a summary of RSU activity (in thousands except weighted average data):

	Number
	of			Weighted Average
	awards			Grant-Date Fair Value
Outstanding — December 31, 2022		4,367		$	5.58
Granted		3,368		$	4.78
Vested		(1,423	)	$	5.56
Cancelled		(72	)	$	5.60
Outstanding – June 30, 2023		6,240		$	5.15

As of June 30, 2023, the total unrecognized compensation expense related to RSUs is approximately $30.2 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 2.62 years.

Performance Stock Units — The following table presents a summary of PSU activity (in thousands except weighted average data):

	Number
	of		Weighted Average
	awards		Grant-Date Fair Value
Outstanding — December 31, 2022		—	$	—
Granted		942	$	4.75
Vested		—	$	—
Cancelled		—	$	—
Outstanding – June 30, 2023		942	$	4.75

The number of units subject to future vesting is based on annual Parent achieved factors, such as Revenue growth and Adjusted EBITDA less Capital Expenditures growth. Unvested units are expected to vest at the determination date of March 20, 2024, and expense recognized is adjusted quarterly for expected achievement. In addition to the granted shares in the table above, the Company issued an incremental 1.9 million PSUs that will have an accounting grant date in future periods upon achieved factors being set. PSU achievement is at the discretion of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Parent.

The Getty Images Holdings, Inc. Earn Out Plan (“Earn Out Plan”) provides for the grant of RSUs, which generally vest upon grant. Under the Earn Out Plan, up to 6,000,000 shares of Class A common stock are reserved for issuance, of which 4,479,377 are available to be issued as of June 30, 2023.

	Number
	of			Weighted Average
	awards			Grant-Date Fair Value
Outstanding — December 31, 2022		—		$	—
Granted		1,521		$	5.11
Vested		(1,521	)	$	5.11
Cancelled		—		$	—
Outstanding – June 30, 2023		—		$	—

As of June 30, 2023, there is no unrecognized compensation expense related to RSUs granted from the Earn Out Plan, as all RSUs were fully vested upon grant.

The Getty Images Holdings, Inc. 2022 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”) provides for shares of Class A common stock to be purchased by eligible employees at six-month intervals at 85% of the fair market value of the stock on either the first or last trading day of each six-month period, whichever is lower. Eligible employees are allowed to contribute up to 10% of their compensation. The Parent’s first six-month period under the ESPP began on June 1, 2023. Under the ESPP, up to 5,000,000 shares of Class A common stock are reserved for issuance, of which all 5,000,000 are available to be issued as of June 30, 2023.

10. INCOME TAXES

The provision for income taxes for interim periods is determined using an estimate of the Company’s annual effective ate as prescribed under ASC 740 “Income Taxes” (“ASC 740”). Any changes to the estimated annual rate are recorded in the interim period in which the changes occur.

The Company recorded an income tax expense of $2.9 million and $15.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The decrease in tax expense compared to the prior year is primarily due to changes in pre-tax income (loss) and a release of uncertain tax position reserves in current year.

The Company recorded an income tax expense $6.1 million and $28.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The decrease in tax expense compared to the prior year is primarily due to changes in pre-tax income (loss) and a release of uncertain tax position reserves in current year.

The Company’s effective income tax rate is (208.1 %) and 121.3% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, respectively. The most significant drivers of the difference between the 2023 statutory U.S. federal income tax rate of 21.0% and the Company’s effective tax rate are primarily due to jurisdictions with losses for which no tax benefit can be recognized and foreign withholding tax expense not analogous to pre-tax income.

The Company’s effective income tax rate is 28.2% and 30.8% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022, respectively. The most significant drivers of the difference between the 2022 statutory U.S. federal income tax rate of 21.0% and the Company’s effective tax rate are primarily due to jurisdictions with losses for which no tax benefit can be recognized and foreign withholding tax expense not analogous to pre-tax income.

11. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

As disclosed in Note 6, on August 11, 2023, the Company used $20.0 million of cash to repay a portion of the USD Term Loans.

For its unaudited interim financial statements as of June 30, 2023 and the three and six months then ended, the Company has evaluated the effects of subsequent events through August 14, 2023.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following discussion and analysis may contain forward-looking statements that are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, and our future results may differ materially from those contained in or implied by any forward-looking statements. For additional disclosure about such risks and uncertainties and other factors that may affect our results of operations, see the historical audited annual consolidated financial statements of Getty Images Holdings, Inc. (the “Parent”) as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 and for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020 and the respective notes thereto, included in the Parent’s most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K (the “2022 Form 10-K”)

Business Overview and Recent Developments

Getty Images is a preeminent global visual content creator and marketplace. Through Getty Images, iStock, and Unsplash, we offer a full range of content solutions to meet the needs of any customer—no matter their size—around the globe, with over 538 million visual assets available through its industry-leading sites. New content and coverage is added daily, with over 10 million new assets added each quarter and over 2.8 billion searches annually. The Company had more than 830,000 purchasing customers, with customers from almost every country in the world with websites in 23 languages bringing the world’s best content to media outlets, advertising agencies and corporations of all sizes and, increasingly, serving individual creators and prosumers.

In support of its content, Getty Images employs over 110 staff photographers and videographers, distributes the content of over 541,000 contributors and more than 310 premium content partners. Over 80,000 of our contributors are exclusive to the Company, creating content that cannot be found anywhere else. Each year, we cover more than 160,000 global events across news, sport and entertainment, providing a depth and breadth of coverage that is unmatched. Getty Images also maintains one of the largest and best privately-owned photographic archives in the world with over 135 million images across geographies, time periods and verticals.

Through our content and coverage, Getty Images moves the world — whether the goal is commercial or philanthropic, revenue-generating or society-changing, market-disrupting or headline-driving. Through our staff, our exclusive contributors and partners, and our expertise, data and research, Getty Images’ content grabs attention, sheds light, represents communities and reminds us of our history.

We offer comprehensive content solutions including a la carte (“ALC”) and subscription access to our pre-shot content and coverage, custom content and coverage solutions, digital asset management tools, data insights, research, and print offerings.

For over 28 years, Getty Images has embraced innovation; from analogue to digital, from offline to e-commerce, from stills to video, from single image purchasing to subscriptions, from websites to application programming interfaces (“APIs”), from pre-shot content to AI generated commercially safe content. With quality content at the core of our offerings, we embrace innovation as a means to better service our existing customers and to reach new ones.

Creative

Creative, is comprised of royalty free (“RF”) photos, illustrations, vectors and videos, that are released for commercial use and cover a wide variety of commercial, conceptual and contemporary subjects, including lifestyle, business, science, health, wellness, beauty, sports, transportation and travel. This content is available for immediate use by a wide range of customers with a depth, breadth and quality allowing our customers to produce impactful websites, digital media, social media, marketing campaigns, corporate collateral, textbooks, movies, television and online video content relevant to their target geographies and audiences. We primarily source Creative content from a broad network of professional, semi-professional and amateur creators, many of whom are exclusive to Getty Images. We have a global creative insights team dedicated to providing briefing and art direction to our exclusive contributor community. Creative represents 62.4% and 63.6% of our revenue of which 50.8% and 46.3% is generated through our annual subscription products, for the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Annual Subscription products include products and subscriptions with a duration of 12 months or longer, Unsplash API and Custom Content.

Editorial

Editorial, is comprised of photos and videos covering the world of entertainment, sports and news. We combine contemporary coverage of events around the globe with one of the largest privately held archives globally with access to images from the beginning of photography. We invest in a dedicated editorial team which includes over 110 staff photographers and videographers to generate our own coverage in addition to coverage from our network of content partners. Editorial represents 35.7% and 34.8% of our revenue, of which 52.3% and 52.0% is generated through our annual subscription products, for the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Annual Subscription products include subscriptions with a duration of 12 months or longer.

Other

Other represents 1.9% and 1.6% of our revenue for the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. This includes music licensing, digital asset management and distribution services, print sales and data licensing.

We service a full range of customers through our industry-leading brands and websites:

Getty Images

Gettyimages.com offers premium creative content and editorial coverage, including video, with exclusive content, and customizable rights and protections. This site primarily serves larger enterprise agency, media and corporate customers with global customer support from our sales and service teams. Customers can purchase on an ALC basis or through our content subscriptions, including our “Premium Access” subscription, where we uniquely offer frictionless access across all of our content in one solution.

iStock

iStock.com is our budget-conscious e-commerce offering our customers access to creative stills and video, which includes exclusive content. This site primarily serves SMBs, including the growing freelance market. Customers can purchase on an ALC basis or through a range of monthly and annual subscription options with access to an extensive amount of unique and exclusive content.

Unsplash

Unsplash.com is a platform offering free stock photo downloads and paid subscriptions targeted to the high-growth prosumer and semi-professional creator segments. The Unsplash website reaches a significant and geographically diverse audience with more than 101 million image downloads every month. On October 4, 2022, Unsplash launched Unsplash+, an unlimited paid subscription providing access to unique model-released content with expanded legal protections.

***

In addition to our websites, customers and partners can access and integrate our content, metadata and search capabilities via our APIs and through a range of mobile apps and plugins.

We are a critical intermediary between content suppliers and a broad set of customers. We compete against a broad range of stock licensing marketplaces, editorial news agencies, creative agencies, production companies, staff and freelance photographers and videographers, photo and video archives, freelance marketplaces and amateur content creators, creative tools and services and free sources. Getty Images’ unique offering and approach offers a strong value proposition to our customers and content contributors.

For customers:

	•	We offer a comprehensive suite of high quality, authentic content, purchase and licensing options and services to meet the needs of our customers, regardless of project requirements, needs or budgets.
	•	Our content sourcing and production, rights oversight, websites and content distribution are all supported by a unique, scalable cloud-based unified platform with powerful artificial intelligence/machine learning and data addressing all customers at scale.
	•	Customers can avoid the costly investment and environmental impact of producing content on their own. This can include costs incurred from staffing, travel and access, model and location, hardware and production, and editing.
	•	Customers do not have to wait for content to be produced and distributed and can avoid the difficulties and pitfalls of searching across the internet to locate and negotiate for rights to license or use specific content. Our best-in-class, scaled infrastructure offers customers a one-stop shop for instant content access and maneuverability.
	•	Customers licensing from Getty Images and iStock receive trusted copyright claim protections, model and property releases and the ability to secure the necessary clearances for their intended use of the content.

For content contributors:

	•	Access to a marketplace that reaches almost every country in the world, across all customer categories and sizes and generated annual royalties in excess of $220 million for the twelve months ended June 30, 2023.
	•	We maintain a dedicated and experienced creative insights team focused on understanding changes in customer demand, the visual landscape, the authentic portrayal of communities and cultures, and the evolution of core creative concepts. We work closely with leading organizations to augment our proprietary research and understanding of communities and cultures to provide content with authentic depiction. We convey this research to our exclusive contributors via actionable insights allowing them to invest in and create content that accurately caters to changing consumer demand and up to date market trends.
	•	Not only do we provide exclusive contributors with scaled access to end markets and proprietary information, but we also provide premium royalty rates. This allows our exclusive contributors and partners to confidently invest more into their productions with the potential to generate higher returns.
	•	Partnering with Getty Images allows contributors to focus on content creation and avoid time and financial investment in the marketing, sales, distribution and management of their content.

Russia and Ukraine Conflict

Getty Images does not maintain a direct business or employee presence within Russia or Ukraine. Our in-country presence is limited to our editorial staff covering the conflict and broader consequences. Revenues generated through e-commerce and third-party licensing of our content within Russia and Ukraine represent less than 1% of our business. We do work with creative contributors within Ukraine and Russia, of which, the majority are non-exclusive to Getty Images. We continue to license their content and are complying with all sanctions and trade rules.

Closing of the Business Combination

On July 22, 2022 (the “Closing Date”), the Parent, formerly known as Vector Holding, LLC, consummated the transactions contemplated in the Business Combination Agreement, dated December 9, 2021 (the “Business Combination Agreement”). Through a series of statutory conversions and mergers, Legacy Getty survived the merger as an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Getty Images Holdings, Inc. (“Business Combination”).

On the Closing Date, the Parent issued, (a) an aggregate of 66,000,000 shares of Class A common stock (the “Class A common stock”) for aggregate gross proceeds of $660.0 million and (b). 20,000,000 shares of Class A common stock and 3,750,000 Forward Purchase Warrants for an aggregate purchase price of $200.0 million. The foregoing transactions resulted in aggregate gross proceeds to the Company of approximately $864.2 million, which included approximately $4.2 million remaining in the trust account. The Company used the proceeds, in addition to cash on hand, to repay a portion of its outstanding indebtedness and retire the Redeemable Preferred Stock. After payment of transaction expenses, the Parent contributed $145.3 million to the Company.

Key Performance Indicators (KPI)

The Key Performance Indicators outlined below are the metrics that provide management with the most immediate understanding of the drivers of business performance and our ability to deliver shareholder return, track to financial targets and prioritize customer satisfaction. Note, KPI comparisons to periods prior to trailing twelve-months ended June 30, 2023 reflect some COVID-19 impact.

Beginning with the three months ended September 30, 2022, the Company made two changes to its reporting that has some impact on reported KPIs. First, activity for LATAM, Turkey and Israel, which was previously excluded from these metrics, is now included due to completion of a system migration. Additionally, the method by which we aggregate our customer accounts was updated to better align with our internal sales CRM system. We have not restated historical periods given the immaterial impact to the KPIs, except for LTM total active annual subscribers and LTM annual subscriber revenue retention rate for which the legacy reporting format is detailed below.

	Twelve Months Ended June 30,
	2023			2022
LTM total purchasing customers (thousands)¹		830			843
LTM total active annual subscribers (thousands)¹		182			89
LTM paid download volume (millions)^1,2		94			93
LTM annual subscriber revenue retention rate		98.5	%		101.9	%
Image collection (millions)¹		513			474
Video collection (millions)		26			22
LTM video attachment rate^1,3		13.5	%		12.2	%

¹	The Company launched Unsplash+ during the three months ended December 31, 2022. This new Unsplash subscription is included within these KPIs from the launch date forward.
²	Excludes downloads from Editorial Subscriptions, Editorial feeds and certain API structured deals, including bulk unlimited deals. Excludes downloads starting in Q3’22 tied to a two-year deal signed with Amazon in July 2022, as the magnitude of the potential download volume over the deal term could result in significant fluctuations in this metric without corresponding impact to revenue in the same period.
³	The underlying calculation of this metric was changed versus previously reported metrics. This change was made to exclude the impact of downloader activity from our free trial subscriptions, which are skewed entirely to stills-only content.

Total purchasing customers is the count of total customers who made a purchase within the reporting period based on billed revenue. This metric provides management and investors with an understanding of both how we are growing our purchasing customer base and combined with revenue, an understanding of our average revenue per purchasing customer. This metric differs from total customers, which is a count of all downloading customers, irrespective of whether they made a purchase in the period. The decrease in total purchasing customers was primarily driven by the reporting changes noted above. Absent those reporting changes, total purchasing customers under legacy reporting would have been 839,000, nearly flat year over year.

Total active annual subscribers is the count of customers who were on an annual subscription product during the LTM reporting period. This metric provides management and investors with visibility into the rate at which we are growing our annual subscriber base and is highly correlated to the percentage of our revenue that comes from annual subscription products. Growth in annual subscribers reflects the Company’s deliberate focus on expanding its subscription offerings for customers to provide comprehensive content solutions across all price points. Absent the reporting changes noted above, LTM total active annual subscribers under legacy reporting would have been 162,000, up 82% year over year.

Paid download volume is a count of the number of paid downloads by our customers in the reported period. This metric informs both management and investors about the volumes at which customers are engaging with our content over time. Growth in paid download volumes is a signal that our content is continuing to meet the evolving needs of our customers. Paid download volume increased in the LTM ended June 30, 2023, as compared to the LTM ended June 30, 2022.

Annual subscriber revenue retention rate calculates retention of total revenue for customers on annual subscription products, comparing the customer’s total booked revenue (inclusive of both annual subscription and non-annual subscription products) in the LTM period to the prior twelve month period. For example, LTM annual subscriber booked revenue (the amount of revenue invoiced to customers) for the period ended June 30, 2023 was 98.5% of revenue from these customers in the period ended June 30, 2022. Revenue retention rate informs management and investors on the degree to which we are maintaining or growing revenue from our annual subscriber base. As we continue to focus on growing subscriptions as percentage of total revenue, revenue retention for these customers is a key driver of the predictability of our financial model with respect to revenue. LTM annual subscriber revenue retention rate decreased for the period ended June 30, 2023, as compared to the period ended June 30, 2022. The slight decline was primarily driven by lower revenue retention rates on some of our smaller e-commerce subscription customers. Absent the reporting changes noted above, LTM annual subscriber retention rate under legacy reporting would have been 97.3%.

Image and Video collection is a count of the total images and videos in our content library as of the reporting date. Management and investors can view growth in the size, both depth and breadth, of the content library as an indication of our ability to continue to expand our content offering with premium, high quality, contemporary content to meet the evolving needs of our customers. Image and video collections increased as of June 30, 2023 compared to June 30, 2022.

Video attachment rate is a measure of the percentage of total paid customer downloaders who are video downloaders. Customer demand for video content continues to grow and represents a significant opportunity for revenue growth for Getty Images. The video attachment rate provides management and investors with an indication of our customers’ level of engagement with our video content offering. Our expansion of video across our subscription products is focused on further increasing the attachment rate over time. The increase in video attachment rates from the LTM period ended June 30, 2022 to the period ended June 30, 2023 reflects increased customer awareness of our video offering, improved search and site prominence for video content, and upselling of video into subscriptions.

Executive summary

Revenue

We generate revenue by licensing content to customers through multiple license models and purchase options, as well as by providing related services to our customers. The key image licensing model in the pre-shot market is RF. Content licensed on a RF basis is subject to a standard set of terms, allowing the customer to use the image for an unlimited duration and without limitation on the use or application. Within our video offering, we also offer a licensing model known as Rights-Ready. The Rights-Ready model offers a limited selection of broader usage categories, thus simplifying the purchase process.

In addition to licensing imagery and video, we also generate revenue from custom content solutions, photo and video assignments, music content in some of our subscriptions, print sales, data licensing and licensing our digital asset management systems to help customers manage their owned and licensed digital content.

References to “reported revenue” in this discussion and analysis are to our revenue as reported in our historical audited consolidated financial statements for the relevant periods and reflect the effect of changes in foreign currency exchange rates. References to “currency neutral” (“Currency Neutral” or “CN”) revenue growth (expressed as a percentage) in this section refer to our revenue growth (expressed as a percentage), excluding the effect of changes in foreign currency exchange rates. See “— Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for additional information regarding Currency Neutral revenue growth (expressed as a percentage).

Cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)

The ownership rights to the majority of the content we license are retained by the owners, and licensing rights are provided to us by a large network of content contributors and content partners. When we license content entrusted to us by content suppliers, we pay royalties to them at varying rates depending on the license model and the use of that content that our customers select. Suppliers who choose to work with us under contract typically receive royalties of 20% to 50% of the total license fee we charge customers, depending on the basis on which their content is licensed by our customers. We also own the copyright to certain content in our collections (wholly-owned content), including content produced by our staff photographers for our editorial product, for which we do not pay any third-party royalties. Cost of revenue includes certain costs of our assignment photo shoots, but excludes amortization associated with creating or buying content. Cost of revenue consists primarily of royalties owed to content contributors, comprised of photographers, filmmakers, third-party companies that license their collection of content through us (“Content Partners”) and third party music content providers. We expect our cost of revenue as a percentage of revenue to vary modestly based on changes in revenue mix by product, as royalty rates vary depending on license model and use of content.

Selling, general and administrative expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses (“SG&A”) primarily consists of staff costs, marketing expense, occupancy costs, professional fees and other general operating charges. We expect our selling, general and administrative expenses to increase in absolute dollars but remain relatively constant as a percentage of revenue in the near term. Absolute dollar spending will increase as we continue to expand our operations and hire additional personnel to invest in our growth, in addition to incurring incremental expenses to comply with the additional requirements of being a public company. Lastly, we expect our marketing to stay relatively constant as a percentage of revenue. However, the Company will continue to evaluate opportunities to incrementally invest in marketing as may be appropriate.

Depreciation

Depreciation expense consists of internally developed software, content and equipment depreciation. We record property and equipment at cost and reflect Balance Sheet balances net of accumulated depreciation. We record depreciation expense on a straight-line basis. We depreciate leasehold improvements over the shorter of the respective lives of the leases or the useful lives of the improvements.

We expect depreciation expense to remain stable as we continue to innovate and invest in the design, user experience and performance of our websites.

Amortization

Amortization expense consists of the amortization of intangible assets related to acquired customer relationships, trademarks and other intangible assets. We expect amortization expense to decrease in the coming years as some of our intangibles become fully amortized.

Factors affecting results of operations

A shift in the product mix of our revenue may affect our overall cost of revenue as a percentage of revenue. Our revenues and profitability are also subject to fluctuations in foreign exchange rates. The weakening or strengthening of our reporting currency, the U.S. dollar, during any given period as compared to currencies that we collect revenues in, most notably, the Euro and British pound, impacts our reported revenues.

Our future financial condition and results of operation will also be dependent upon various factors that generally affect the digital content industry, including the general trends affecting the media, marketing and advertising customer bases that we target, protection of intellectual property, and new and expanding technology such as generative artificial intelligence technologies. In addition, our financial condition and results of operation will continue to be affected by factors that affect internet commerce companies and by general macroeconomic factors such as the global uncertainty caused by, among other things, the military conflict between Russia and Ukraine, high interest rates, currency fluctuations, high inflation and labor shortages.

Results of Operations

The following table presents our results of operations for the periods indicated:

Consolidated statements of operations

(In thousands)	Three Months Ended June 30,						increase (decrease)						Six Months Ended June 30,						increase (decrease)
	2023			2022			$ change			% change			2023			2022			$ change			% change
Revenue	$	225,675		$	233,327		$	(7,652	)		(3.3	)%	$	461,317		$	464,305		$	(2,988	)		(0.6	)%
Cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)		63,354			65,118			(1,764	)		(2.7	)%		126,640			127,012			(372	)		(0.3	)%
Selling, general and administrative expenses		107,723			95,528			12,195			12.8	%		210,118			188,681			21,437			11.4	%
Depreciation		13,540			12,379			1,161			9.4	%		26,563			24,891			1,672			6.7	%
Amortization		7,260			11,905			(4,645	)		(39.0	)%		14,467			24,110			(9,643	)		(40.0	)%
Other operating expense – net		332			862			(530	)		(61	)%		611			3,568			(2,957	)		(83	)%
Operating expense		192,209			185,792			6,417			3.5	%		378,399			368,262			10,137			2.8	%
Income from operations		33,466			47,535			(14,069	)		(29.6	)%		82,918			96,043			(13,125	)		(13.7	)%
Interest expense		(31,683	)		(29,986	)		(1,697	)		5.7	%		(62,180	)		(59,586	)		(2,594	)		4.4	%
(Loss) gain on fair value adjustment for swaps and foreign currency exchange contract – net		(640	)		4,979			(5,619	)		(112.9	)%		(2,725	)		17,105			(19,830	)		(115.9	)%
Unrealized foreign exchange (loss) gains – net		(3,165	)		31,191			(34,356	)		NM			(14,087	)		38,234			(52,321	)		(136.8	)%
Other non-operating income – net		634			198			436			220	%		1,122			355			767			216	%
Total other (expense) income – net		(34,854	)		6,382			(41,236	)		(646	)%		(77,870	)		(3,892	)		(73,978	)		1900.8	%
(Loss) Income before income taxes		(1,388	)		53,917			(55,305	)		(103	)%		5,048			92,151			(87,103	)		(95	)%
Income tax expense		(2,889	)		(15,222	)		12,333			(81.0	)%		(6,122	)		(28,349	)		22,227			(78.4	)%
Net (loss) income	$	(4,277	)	$	38,695		$	(42,972	)		NM		$	(1,074	)	$	63,802		$	(64,876	)		NM

NM - Not meaningful

Comparison of the Three Months Ended June 30, 2023 and 2022

Revenue by product

(In thousands)	Three Months Ended June 30,										increase / (decrease)
	2023		% of revenue			2022		% of revenue			$ change			% change			CN % change
Creative		141,281		62.6	%		146,669		62.9	%		(5,388	)		(3.7	)%		(2.3	)%
Editorial		80,281		35.6	%		82,945		35.5	%		(2,663	)		(3.2	)%		(2.0	)%
Other		4,113		1.8	%		3,713		1.6	%		400			10.8	%		12.4	%
Total revenue	$	225,675		100.0	%	$	233,327		100.0	%	$	(7,652	)		(3.3	)%		(2.0	)%

Consolidated Revenue. For the three months ended June 30, 2023, reported revenue was $225.7 million as compared to reported revenue of $233.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2022. On a reported basis, revenue decreased by 3.3% (decreased 2.0% CN) for the three months ended June 30, 2023. Foreign exchange movements have negatively impacted reported revenue growth for the three months ended June 30, 2023 by 130 basis points, largely driven by the strengthening dollar relative to the EUR and GBP.

Creative. In Creative, revenue decreased on a reported basis 3.7% (decreased 2.3% CN) for the three months ended June 30, 2023 as compared to the same period in 2022. At the product level, decreases for the three-month period included Getty Images Stills and Video (decreased $5.9 million) and iStock monthly subscriptions and ALC credit sales (decreased $3.7 million), which was in part due to our continued focus on driving customers to our committed solutions. Offsetting increases were led by our iStock annual subscriptions (increased $3.0 million) and Getty Images annual subscriptions (increased $1.1 million).

Editorial. In Editorial, revenue decreased on a reported basis 3.2% (decreased 2.0% CN) for the three months ended June 30, 2023. The decrease was seen largely within editorial ALC (decreased by $2.2 million), across sport, news and archive. The largest decline was in sport, where we have seen reduced activity in the crypto and NFT space, in addition to the impact of non recurring events from the prior year comparative period.

Other. This category includes music licensing, digital asset management and distribution services, print sales, and data licensing. Revenue for the three months ended June 30, 2023 from our Other products increased on a reported basis by 10.8% (increased 12.4% CN) compared to the same period in 2022. The increase for the three months ended June 30, 2023 was driven by music licensing (increase of $0.4 million).

Cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation and amortization). Cost of revenue for the three months ended June 30, 2023 was $63.4 million (28.1% of revenue) compared to $65.1 million (27.9% of revenue) in the same prior year period. The increase in cost of revenue as a percentage of revenue compared to the prior period was due primarily to revenue mix by product. Generally, cost of revenue rates vary modestly period over period based on changes in revenue mix by product, as royalty rates vary depending on the license model and use of content.

Selling, general and administrative expense. Reported SG&A expense increased by $12.2 million or 12.8% (increased 14.0% CN) for the three months ended June 30, 2023 as compared to the same period in 2022. SG&A fluctuations from the prior period include the following:

	•	increase of $11.2 million related to staff costs for the three months ended June 30, 2023. The increase was largely driven by equity-based compensation, resulting primarily from grants of restricted stock units.
	•	increase in professional fees of $7.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2023. The increase is primarily related to legal fees associated with our ongoing warrant litigation.
	•	decrease in marketing spend of 28.0% ($4.2 million) for the three months ended June 30, 2023. For the three months ended June 30, 2023, marketing spend as a percentage of sales decreased to 4.7% from the three months ended June 30, 2022 ratio of 6.4%. The decrease was due primarily to decreased investment in digital marketing.

Depreciation expense. For the three months ended June 30, 2023, depreciation expense was $13.5 million, which was in line with the prior year period.

Amortization expense. For the three months ended June 30, 2023, amortization expense was $7.3 million, which was a decrease of $4.6 million compared to the prior year period. The decrease was due to several of our intangible assets becoming fully amortized in the fourth quarter of 2022.

Other operating expense - net. We recognized insignificant amounts of other operating expense, net for the three months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022.

Interest expense. We recognized interest expense of $31.7 million and $30.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2023 and June 30, 2022, respectively. Our interest expense primarily consists of interest charges on our outstanding U.S. dollar and Euro term loans (the “Term Loans”), $300.0 million of Senior Unsecured Notes (the “Senior Notes”), and the unused portion of our revolving credit facility as well as the amortization of original issue discount on our Term Loans and amortization of deferred debt financing fees.

Fair value adjustment for swaps and foreign currency exchange contract - net. We recognized fair value adjustment losses for our swaps and foreign currency exchange contracts, net of $0.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2023, compared with net gains of $5.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2022. Gains and losses were driven by changes in interest and foreign exchange rates, relative to the rates in our derivatives.

Unrealized foreign exchange gains (losses) - net. We recognized foreign exchange losses, net of $3.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2023, compared with gains of $31.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2022. The large 2022 gain was primarily driven by fluctuations in the EUR related to our EUR Term Loans.

Other non-operating income - net. We recognized insignificant amounts of other non-operating income, net for the three months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022.

Income tax expense. The Company’s income tax expense decreased by $12.3 million to an expense of $2.9 million for three months ended June 30, 2023, as compared to an expense of $15.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2022. The Company’s effective income tax rate for the three months ended June 30, 2023 is (208.1%), compared to 28.2% for the three months ended June 30, 2022. The decrease in tax expense compared to the prior year is primarily due to changes in pre-tax income (loss) and a release of uncertain tax position reserves in current year.

Comparison of the Six Months Ended June 30, 2023 and 2022

The following table presents our results of operations for the periods indicated:

Revenue by product

(In thousands)	Six Months Ended June 30,										increase / (decrease)
	2023		% of revenue			2022		% of revenue			$ change			% change			CN % change
Creative		287,778		62.4	%		295,067		63.6	%		(7,289	)		(2.5	)%		(0.2	)%
Editorial		164,906		35.7	%		161,698		34.8	%		3,208			2.0	%		4.4	%
Other		8,633		1.9	%		7,540		1.6	%		1,093			14.5	%		17.5	%
Total revenue	$	461,317		100.0	%	$	464,305		100.0	%	$	(2,988	)		(0.6	)%		1.7	%

Consolidated Revenue. For the six months ended June 30, 2023, reported revenue was $461.3 million as compared to reported revenue of $464.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022. On a reported basis, revenue decreased by 0.6% (increased 1.7% CN) for the six months ended June 30, 2023. Foreign exchange movements have negatively impacted reported revenue growth for the six months ended June 30, 2023 by 230 basis points, largely driven by the strengthening dollar relative to the EUR and GBP.

Creative. In Creative, revenue decreased on a reported basis 2.5% (decreased 0.2% CN) for the six months ended June 30, 2023 as compared to the same period in 2022. At the product level, decreases for the six month period included Getty Images Stills and Video (decreased $8.5 million) and iStock monthly subscriptions and ALC credit sales (decreased $7.8 million), which was in part due to our continued focus on driving customers to our committed solutions. Offsetting increases were led by our iStock annual subscriptions (increased $5.8 million) and Getty Images annual subscriptions (increased $3.2 million).

Editorial. In Editorial, revenue increased on a reported basis 2.0% (increased 4.4% CN) for the six months ended June 30, 2023. The increase was seen across both assignments (increased by $2.4 million) and editorial subscriptions (increased $2.1 million). Offsetting decreases were led by editorial ALC (decreased $1.3 million), which is largely due to our continued focus on driving customers to our committed solutions.

Other. This category includes music licensing, digital asset management and distribution services, print sales, and data licensing. Revenue for the six months ended June 30, 2023 from our Other products increased on a reported basis by 14.5% (increased 17.5% CN) compared to the same period in 2022. The increase for the six months ended June 30, 2023 was driven by data licensing (increase of $0.7 million), music licensing (increase of $0.7 million) and digital asset management and distribution services (increase of $0.3 million), which was partially offset by print sales (decreased by $0.6 million).

Cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation and amortization). Cost of revenue for the six months ended June 30, 2023 was $126.6 million (27.5% of revenue) compared to $127.0 million (27.4% of revenue) in the same prior year period. The increase in cost of revenue as a percentage of revenue compared to the prior period was due primarily to revenue mix by product. Generally, cost of revenue rates vary modestly period over period based on changes in revenue mix by product, as royalty rates vary depending on the license model and use of content.

Selling, general and administrative expense. Reported SG&A expense increased by $21.4 million or 11.4% (increased 13.4% CN) for the six months ended June 30, 2023 as compared to the same period in 2022. SG&A fluctuations from the prior period include the following:

	•	increase of $17.1 million related to staff costs for the six months ended June 30, 2023. The increase was largely driven by equity-based compensation, resulting primarily from grants of restricted stock units.
	•	increase in professional fees of $9.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023. The increase is primarily related to legal fees associated with our ongoing warrant litigation.

•

decrease in marketing spend of 12.5% ($3.6 million) for the six months ended June 30, 2023. For the six months ended June 30, 2023, marketing spend as a percentage of sales decreased to 5.5% from the six months ended June 30, 2022 ratio of 6.2%. The decrease was due primarily to decreased investment in digital marketing.

Depreciation expense. For the six months ended June 30, 2023, depreciation expense was $26.6 million, which was in line with the prior year period.

Amortization expense. For the six months ended June 30, 2023, amortization expense was $14.5 million, which was a decrease of $9.6 million compared to the prior year period. The decrease was due to several of our intangible assets becoming fully amortized in the fourth quarter of 2022.

Other operating expense - net. For the six months ended June 30, 2023, the decrease in other operating expense, net from the prior period was $3.0 million. The decrease was driven by the abandonment of some of our office space in North America, which occurred in the prior year period.

Interest expense. We recognized interest expense of $62.2 million and $59.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023 and June 30, 2022, respectively. Our interest expense primarily consists of interest charges on our outstanding U.S. dollar and Euro term loans (the “Term Loans”), $300.0 million of Senior Unsecured Notes (the “Senior Notes”), and the unused portion of our revolving credit facility as well as the amortization of original issue discount on our Term Loans and amortization of deferred debt financing fees.

Fair value adjustment for swaps and foreign currency exchange contract - net. We recognized fair value adjustment losses for our swaps and foreign currency exchange contracts, net of $2.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023, compared with net gains of $17.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022. Gains and losses are driven by changes in interest and foreign exchange rates, relative to the rates in our derivatives.

Unrealized foreign exchange gains (losses) - net. We recognized foreign exchange losses, net of $14.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023, compared with gains of $38.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022. These changes are primarily driven by fluctuations in the EUR related to our EUR Term Loans.

Other non-operating income - net. We recognized insignificant amounts of other non-operating income, net for the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022.

Income tax expense. The Company’s income tax expense decreased by $22.2 million to an expense of $6.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023, as compared to an expense of $28.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022. The Company’s effective income tax rate for the six months ended June 30, 2023 is 121.3%, compared to 30.8% for the six months ended June 30, 2022. The decrease in tax expense compared to the prior year is primarily due to changes in pre-tax income (loss) and a release of uncertain tax position reserves in current year.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In addition to our results determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”), we believe the non-GAAP measures of Currency Neutral (“CN”) revenue growth (expressed as a percentage) and Adjusted Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization (“EBITDA”) are useful in evaluating our operating performance. We believe that non-GAAP financial information, when taken collectively, may be helpful to investors because it provides consistency and comparability with past financial performance and assists in comparisons with other companies, some of which use similar non-GAAP information to supplement their GAAP results. The non-GAAP financial information is presented for supplemental informational purposes only, and should not be considered a substitute for financial information presented. Investors are encouraged to review the related GAAP financial measures and the reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures to their most comparable GAAP financial measures.

Currency Neutral Revenue

Currency Neutral revenue growth (expressed as a percentage) excludes the impact of fluctuating foreign currency values pegged to the U.S. dollar between comparative periods by translating all local currencies using the current period exchange rates. We consistently apply this approach to revenue for all countries where the functional currency is not the U.S. dollar. We believe that this presentation provides useful supplemental information regarding changes in our revenue not driven by fluctuations in the value of foreign currencies.

Adjusted EBITDA

A reconciliation is provided below to the most comparable financial measure stated in accordance with GAAP. We define Adjusted EBITDA Margin as the ratio of Adjusted EBITDA to revenue.

(in thousands)	Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
	2023			2022			2023			2022
Net (loss) income	$	(4,277	)	$	38,695		$	(1,074	)	$	63,802
Add/(less) non-GAAP adjustments:
Depreciation and amortization		20,800			24,284			41,030			49,001
Other operating expense - net		332			862			611			3,568
Interest expense		31,683			29,986			62,180			59,586
Fair value adjustments, foreign exchange and other non-operating expense (income) ¹		3,171			(36,368	)		15,690			(55,694	)
Income tax expense		2,889			15,222			6,122			28,349
Equity-based compensation expense		11,876			1,390			18,009			3,131
Adjusted EBITDA	$	66,474		$	74,071		$	142,568		$	151,743
Net (loss) income margin		(1.9	)%		16.6	%		(0.2	)%		13.7	%
Adjusted EBITDA Margin		29.5	%		31.7	%		30.9	%		32.7	%

(1) Fair value adjustments for our swaps and foreign currency exchange contracts, foreign exchange gains (losses) and other insignificant non-operating related expenses (income).

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our sources of liquidity are our existing cash and cash equivalents, cash provided by operations and amounts available under our revolving credit facility. As of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, we had cash and cash equivalents of $121.3 million and $97.9 million, respectively, and availability under our revolving credit facility. On May 4, 2023, we increased and extended our revolving credit facility to $150.0 million, which expires May 4, 2028. Additionally, on May 10, 2023, we used $20.0 million of cash to repay a portion of our USD Term Loans. Our principal liquidity needs include debt service and capital expenditures, as well as those required to support working capital, internal growth, and strategic acquisitions and investments. Deferred revenue represents the majority of our current liabilities, which given its nature is not expected to require cash settlement.

We have previously disclosed that we have open tax audits in various jurisdictions and some of these jurisdictions require taxpayers to pay assessed taxes in advance or at the time of appealing such assessments. The Company has open tax audits in various jurisdictions and some of these jurisdictions require taxpayers to pay assessed taxes in advance or at the time of appealing such assessments. One such jurisdiction is Canada, where one of the Company’s subsidiaries, iStockphoto ULC, recently received tax assessments from the Canada Revenue Agency (“CRA”) asserting additional tax is due. The position taken by the CRA is related to the transactions between iStockphoto ULC and other affiliates within the Getty Images group for the 2015 Canadian income tax return filed. The Company believes the CRA position lacks merit and intends to appeal and vigorously contest these assessments.

As part of the appeal process in Canada, the Company may be required to pay a portion of the assessed amounts, which we estimate could be up to $19.0 million in 2023. Such required payment is not an admission that the Company believes it is subject to such taxes. The Company believes it is more likely than not it will prevail on appeal, however, if the CRA were to be successful in the appeal process, we estimate the maximum potential outcome could be up to $26.5 million.

Future cash needs

We expect to fund our ordinary course operating activities from existing cash and cash flows from operations and believe that these sources of liquidity will be sufficient to fund our ordinary course operations and other planned investing activities for at least the next 12 months and thereafter for the foreseeable future. From time to time, we may evaluate potential acquisitions, investments and other growth and strategic opportunities. While we believe we have sufficient liquidity to fund our ordinary course operations for the foreseeable future, our sources of liquidity could be affected by current and future difficult economic conditions, payment of certain restructuring costs, reliance on key personnel, international risks, intellectual property claims, the resolution of pending or future tax audits or other factors described herein under “Potential Liability and Insurance” below and “Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.”

We may, from time to time, incur or increase borrowings under the revolving credit facility or issue new debt securities, if market conditions are favorable, to meet our future cash needs or to reduce our borrowing costs. We or our affiliates from time to time consider potential transactions intended to rationalize our consolidated balance sheet. In connection with any such transactions, we may, among other things, seek to retire our outstanding notes or loans through cash purchases and/or exchanges for equity or other securities, in open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions, tenders or otherwise. Such repurchases, exchanges, or other transactions, if any, will depend on prevailing market conditions, our liquidity requirements, contractual restrictions and other factors. The Parent became a public reporting company as a result of the closing of the Business Combination on July 22, 2022. The contribution from Parent, in addition to cash on hand, was used to repay $300 million of its outstanding indebtedness related to the USD term loans

Our liquidity may also be adversely affected by the resolution of pending or future tax audits. We may be subject to tax liabilities in excess of amounts reserved for liabilities for uncertain tax positions on our condensed consolidated balance sheets. In addition, certain jurisdictions in which we have current open tax audits require taxpayers to pay assessed taxes in advance of contesting, whether by way of litigation or appeal, an adverse determination or assessment by the relevant taxing authority. The amount of any such advance payment depends upon the amount in controversy and may be material, and payment of any such amount could adversely affect our liquidity. A jurisdiction that collects any such advance payment generally will repay such amounts if we ultimately prevail in the related litigation or appeal. See “Note 13. Commitments and Contingencies” and “Note 20. Income Taxes” in the Parent's consolidated financial statements included in the Parent's 2022 Form 10-K for additional discussions of our pending tax audits and our uncertain tax positions and risks related thereto.

Cash Flows

	Six Months Ended June 30,						increase (decrease)
(Dollars in thousands)	2023			2022			$ change			% change
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	73,783		$	80,304		$	(6,521	)		(8.1	)%
Net cash used in investing activities	$	(29,452	)	$	(32,372	)	$	2,920			9.0	%
Net cash used in financing activities	$	(24,582	)	$	(9,912	)	$	(14,670	)		(148.0	)%
Effects of exchange rate fluctuations	$	3,439		$	(11,178	)	$	14,617			(130.8	)%

NM - Not meaningful

Cash provided by operating activities was $73.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023 as compared to cash provided by operating activities of $80.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022. Net cash provided by operating activities for the six months ended June 30, 2023 is primarily due to net loss of $1.1 million adjusted for noncash expenses of $69.4 million, with a decrease in accounts receivable ($6.7 million).

Our investing activities used $29.5 million and $32.4 million in cash during the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively, which was used to acquire property and equipment. The property and equipment is mainly related to internal software development as we continue to innovate and invest in the design, user experience and performance of our websites.

For the six months ended June 30, 2023, our financing activities used $24.6 million of cash and for the six months ending June 30, 2022 used $9.9 million of cash. Financing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2023 primarily includes principal payments on our Term Loans, partially offset by proceeds from common stock issuance related to employee options exercised.

Contractual obligations, guarantees and other potentially significant uses of cash

A summary of contractual cash obligations as of December 31, 2022 were as follows:

(Dollars in thousands)	2023-2024		2025-2026		2027 and thereafter		Total
Long-term indebtedness, including current portion and interest¹	$	259,513	$	1,295,037	$	314,625	$	1,869,175
Operating lease obligations²		25,813		18,775		26,618		71,206
Minimum royalty guarantee payments to suppliers of content³		77,122		55,049		26,082		158,253
IT Commitments		7,643		2,072		—		9,715
Other commitments		3,040		255		—		3,295
Total	$	373,131	$	1,371,188	$	367,325	$	2,111,644

¹Interest payments are estimated based on interest rate curves valued as of December 31, 2022.

²Offsetting operating lease payments will be immaterial receipts for subleased facilities.

³Offsetting the minimum royalty guarantee payments to content suppliers will be minimum guaranteed receipts from content suppliers.

On May 10, 2023, we used $20.0 million of cash to repay a portion of our USD Term Loans. There were no other material changes to the commitments since December 31, 2022.

Capital expenditures

We have historically had a predictable level of capital expenditures, a significant portion of which has been discretionary and growth-related. Our capital expenditures have generally consisted of costs related to imagery and other content creation, capitalized labor for development of software, purchased computer hardware, and leasehold improvements. Content creation capital expenditures include capitalized internal and external labor for ingesting and editing creative content, content acquisition, buying content collections from photographers or Content Partners, and cameras, lenses and miscellaneous imaging equipment primarily for our editorial operations. Software includes computer software developed for internal use and consists of internal and external costs incurred during the application development stage of software development and costs of upgrades or enhancements that result in additional software functionality.

Off-balance sheet arrangements

From time to time, we may issue small amounts of letters of credit to provide credit support for leases, guarantees, and contractual commitments. The fair values of the letters of credit reflect the amount of the underlying obligation and are subject to fees competitively determined in the marketplace. As of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, we had no material letters of credit outstanding or other off-balance sheet arrangements except for operating leases entered into in the normal course of business.

Effects of inflation and changing prices

We do not believe that inflation has had a material effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations. If our costs were to become subject to significant inflationary pressures, we may not be able to fully offset such higher costs through price increases. Our inability or failure to do so could harm our business and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

Potential Liability and Insurance

We indemnify certain customers from claims related to alleged infringements of the intellectual property rights of third parties or misappropriation of publicity or personality rights of third parties, such as claims arising from copyright infringement or failure to secure model and property releases for images we license if such a release is required. The standard terms of these indemnifications require us to defend those claims upon notice and pay related damages, if any. We typically mitigate this risk by requiring all uses of licenses to be within the scope of our licenses, and by securing necessary model and property releases for Creative Stills content and by contractually requiring contributing photographers and other content partners to do the same prior to submitting any content to us, and by limiting damages/liability in certain circumstances. Additionally, we require all contributors and Content Partners, as well as companies that are potential acquisition targets to warrant that the content licensed to or purchased by us does not and will not infringe upon or misappropriate the rights of third parties. We also require content providers, including contributing photographers and, Content Partners and sellers of businesses or image collections that we have purchased to indemnify us in certain circumstances where a claim arises in relation to an image they have provided or sold to us. Content Partners are also typically required to carry insurance policies for losses related to such claims and individual contributors are encouraged to carry such policies and we have insurance policies to cover litigation costs for such claims. We will record liabilities for these indemnifications if and when such claims are probable and the range of possible payments and available recourse from content partners can be estimated, as applicable. Historically, the exposure to such claims has been immaterial, as were the recorded liabilities for intellectual property infringement at June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022. As such, management believes the estimated fair value of these liabilities is minimal.

In the ordinary course of business, we also enter into certain types of agreements that contingently require us to indemnify counterparties against third-party claims. These may include:

	•	agreements with vendors and suppliers, under which we may indemnify them against claims arising from our use of their products or services;
	•	agreements with customers other than those licensing images, under which we may indemnify them against claims and uncollectible trade accounts receivable arising from their use of our products or services in their markets;
	•	agreements with agents, delegates and distributors, under which we may indemnify them against claims arising from their distribution of our products or services;
	•	real estate and equipment leases, under which we may indemnify lessors against third-party claims relating to use of their property;
	•	agreements with directors and officers, under which we indemnify them to the full extent allowed by Delaware law against claims relating to their service to us; and
	•	agreements with purchasers of businesses we have sold, under which we may indemnify the purchasers against claims arising from our operation of the businesses prior to sale.

The nature and terms of these indemnifications vary from contract to contract, and generally a maximum obligation is not stated. Because management does not believe a material liability is probable, no related liabilities were recorded at June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022. We are subject to a variety of claims and suits that arise from time to time in the ordinary course of our business. Although management currently believes that resolving claims against us, individually or in aggregate, will not have a material adverse impact on our financial statements, these matters are subject to inherent uncertainties and management’s judgment about these matters may change in the future. Additionally, we hold insurance policies that mitigate potential losses arising from certain indemnifications, and historically, significant costs related to performance under these obligations have not been incurred.

Income taxes

We account for income taxes and accruals for uncertain tax positions using the asset and liability approach. Our income tax expense, deferred tax assets and liabilities, and reserves for unrecognized tax benefits reflect management’s best assessment of current and future taxes to be paid. Our judgments, assumptions, and estimates relative to the current provision for income taxes take into account current tax laws, our interpretation of current tax laws and possible outcomes of future audits conducted by foreign and domestic tax authorities. Changes in tax law or our interpretation of tax laws and future tax audits could significantly impact the amounts provided for income taxes in our consolidated financial statements.

We conduct operations on a global basis and are subject to income taxes in the United States and numerous foreign jurisdictions. Significant judgment is required in evaluating and estimating our provision and accruals for these taxes. Our effective tax rate is subject to significant variation due to several factors, including variability in accurately predicting our taxable income and the geographical mix of our pre-tax earnings. In addition, we are subject to audit in various jurisdictions, and such jurisdictions may assess additional income tax liabilities. We record unrecognized tax benefits as liabilities in accordance with ASC 740, “Income Taxes” (“ASC 740”) and adjust these liabilities when our judgment changes as result of the evaluation of new information not previously available. Such amounts are based on management’s judgment and best estimate as to the ultimate outcome of tax audits.

Critical accounting policies and estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and revenues and expenses reported during the period. Some of the estimates and assumptions that require the most difficult judgments are:

	•	the assumptions used to estimate unused capped subscription-based and credit-based products;
	•	the assumptions used to allocate transaction price to multiple performance obligations for uncapped subscription arrangements;
	•	the sufficiency of the allowance for doubtful accounts;
	•	the assumptions used to assess the recoverability of goodwill;
	•	the appropriateness of the valuation and useful lives of intangibles and other long-lived assets;
	•	the assumptions used to value equity-based compensation arrangements;
	•	the appropriateness of the amount of accrued income taxes, including the potential outcome of future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in the consolidated financial statements as well as the deferred tax asset valuation allowances; and

These judgments are inherently uncertain which directly impacts their valuation and accounting. Actual results and outcomes may differ from our estimates and assumptions.

Revenue recognition

Revenue is derived principally from licensing rights to use images, video footage and music that are delivered digitally. Digital content licenses are generally purchased on a monthly or annual subscription basis, whereby a customer either pays for a predetermined quantity of content or for access to our content library that may be downloaded over a specific period of time, or, on a transactional basis, whereby a customer pays for individual content licenses at the time of download. Also, a significant portion of revenue is generated through the sale and subsequent use of credits. Various amounts of credits are required to license digital content.

We recognize revenue gross of contributor royalties because we are the principal in the transaction as we are the party responsible for the performance obligation and we control the product or service prior to transferring to the customer. We also license content to customers through third-party delegates worldwide (approximately 3% of total revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022). Delegates sell our products directly to customers as the principal in those transactions. Accordingly, we recognize revenue net of costs paid to delegates. Delegates typically earn and retain 35% to 50% of the license fee, and we recognize the remaining 65% to 50% as revenue.

We maintain a credit department that sets and monitors credit policies that establish credit limits and ascertains customer creditworthiness, thus reducing the risk of potential credit loss. Revenue is not recognized unless it is determined that collectability is reasonably assured. Revenue is recorded at invoiced amounts (including discounts and applicable sales taxes) less an allowance for sales returns which is based on historical information. Customer payments received in advance of revenue recognition are contract liabilities and are recorded as deferred revenue. Customers that do not pay in advance are invoiced and are required to make payments under standard credit terms.

The Company recognizes revenue under the core principle to depict the transfer of control to our customers in an amount reflecting the consideration to which we expect to be entitled. In order to achieve that core principle, we apply the following five-step approach: (i) identify the contract with a customer, (ii) identify the performance obligations in the contract, (iii) determine the transaction price, (iv) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract and (v) recognize revenue when a performance obligation is satisfied.

The recognition and measurement of revenue requires the use of judgments and estimates. Specifically, judgment is used in identifying the performance obligations and the standalone selling price of the performance obligations. At contract inception, we assess the product offerings in our contracts to identify performance obligations that are distinct. A performance obligation is distinct when it is separately identifiable from other items and if a customer can benefit from it on its own or with other resources that are readily available to the customer.

For digital content licenses, we recognize revenue on capped subscription-based, credit-based sales and single image licenses when content is downloaded, at which time the license is provided. In addition, we estimate expected unused licenses for capped subscription-based and credit-based products and recognize the revenue associated with the unused licenses throughout the subscription or credit period. The estimate of unused licenses is based on historical download activity and future changes in the estimate could impact the timing of revenue recognition of our subscription products.

For uncapped digital content subscriptions, we have determined that access to the existing content library and future digital content updates represent two separate performance obligations. As such, a portion of the total contract consideration related to access to the existing content library is recognized as revenue at the commencement of the contract when control of the content library is transferred. The remaining contractual consideration is recognized as revenue ratably over the term of the contract when updated digital content is transferred to the licensee, in line with when the control of the new content is transferred. Management allocates the total contract consideration to each performance obligation based on a relative standalone selling price basis. We do not sell “existing content” and “future content” separately to the customer. We believe that the best estimate for value provided to the customer for each performance obligation is based on our customers’ historical content download and usage patterns. We determine the standalone selling price for each based on these observable patterns.

Revenue associated with hosted software services is recognized ratably over the term of the license.

Foreign currencies

Assets and liabilities for subsidiaries with functional currencies other than the U.S. dollar are recorded in foreign currencies and translated at the exchange rate on the Balance Sheet date. Revenue and expenses are translated at average rates of exchange prevailing during the year. Translation adjustments resulting from this process are charged or credited to “Other comprehensive income (loss)”, as a separate component of stockholder’s deficit. Transaction gains and losses arising from transactions denominated in a currency other than the functional currency of the entity involved are included in “Foreign exchange gain (losses) — net” in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. For the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, the Company recognized net foreign currency transaction losses of $14.1 million and gains of $38.2 million, respectively.

Accounts receivable, net

Accounts receivable are trade receivables, net of reserves for allowances for doubtful accounts totaling $7.1 million as of June 30, 2023 and $6.5 million as of December 31, 2022.

Allowance for doubtful accounts is calculated based on historical losses, existing economic conditions, and analysis of specific older account balances of customer and delegate accounts. Trade receivables are written off when collection efforts have been exhausted. The allowance for sales returns is estimated based on historical returns as a percentage of revenue. Estimated sales returns are recorded as a reduction of revenue and were insignificant in all periods presented. Approximately 7% of the recorded trade receivables were more than 90 days past-due as of June 30, 2023, compared to less than 7% at December 31, 2022. Concentration of credit risk with respect to trade receivables is limited due to the large number of customers and their dispersion across many geographic areas.

Goodwill

The Company evaluates goodwill for impairment annually or more frequently when an event occurs, or circumstances change that indicate the carrying value of the one reporting unit may not be recoverable. Circumstances that could indicate impairment and require impairment tests more frequently than annually include: significant adverse changes in legal factors or market and economic conditions, a significant decline in the financial results of the Company’s operations, significant changes in strategic plans, adverse actions by regulators, unanticipated changes in competition and market share, or a planned disposition of a significant portion of the business. Management performs the annual goodwill impairment analysis as of October 1 each year. The Company performed a qualitative screen for its 2022 goodwill impairment analyses. All of the factors above were considered as well as the Company's stock price and the indicated transaction equity value under the terms of the Business Combination Agreement. Given the significant headroom in excess of 100%, the Company passed a qualitative assessment in regard to goodwill impairment, determining that it is unlikely the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value. As circumstances change, it is possible that future goodwill impairment analysis could result in goodwill impairments, which would be included in the calculation of income or loss from operations.

Identifiable intangible assets

Identifiable intangible assets are assets that do not have physical representation but that arise from contractual or other legal rights or are capable of being separated or divided from the Company and sold, transferred, licensed, rented or exchanged. Identifiable intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives, unless such life is determined to be indefinite. The remaining useful lives of identifiable intangible assets are reassessed each reporting period to determine whether events and circumstances warrant revisions to the remaining periods of amortization. Potential impairment of identifiable intangible assets is evaluated annually or whenever circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable through projected discounted or undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. There have been no significant impairments or significant changes in estimated useful lives during any of the periods presented.

Impairment of long-lived assets

Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that carrying amounts may not be recoverable. Impairment exists when the carrying value of an asset is not recoverable and exceeds its fair value. The carrying value of an asset is not recoverable if it exceeds the sum of the undiscounted future cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset. The fair value of an asset is the price that would be received to sell the asset in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Impairments are included in other operating expenses or, if material, shown separately and included in the calculation of income or loss from operations. There have been no significant impairments during any of the periods presented.

Equity-Based Compensation

Equity-based compensation is accounted for in accordance with authoritative guidance for equity-based payments. This guidance requires equity-based compensation cost to be measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and recognized as expense over the applicable service period, which is the vesting period, net of estimated forfeitures. Compensation expense for equity-based payments that contain service conditions is recorded on a straight-line basis, over the service period of generally four years. Compensation expense for equity-based payments that contain performance conditions is not recorded until it is probable that the performance condition will be achieved. The estimation of stock awards that will ultimately vest requires judgment, and to the extent actual results or updated estimates differ from our current estimates, such amounts will be recorded as a cumulative adjustment in the period estimates are revised. We consider many factors when estimating expected forfeitures, including types of awards, employee class, and historical experience. Actual results and future estimates may differ substantially from current estimates.

We use the Black-Scholes option pricing model to determine the fair value of the stock options granted. The Black-Scholes option pricing model requires the input of highly subjective assumptions, including the fair value of the underlying share of our common stock (prior to the Business Combination), the expected term of the option, the expected volatility of the price of our common stock and risk-free interest rates.

Given the recency of the Business Combination, the expected volatility assumption for equity-based compensation is based on historical volatilities of the common stock of public companies with characteristics similar to those of the Company. The risk-free rate of return represents the implied yield available during the month the award was granted for a U.S. Treasury zero-coupon security issued with a term equal to the expected life of the awards. The expected term is measured from the grant date and is based on the simplified method calculation. The assumptions used to determine the fair value of the option awards represent management’s best estimates. These estimates involve inherent uncertainties and the application of management’s judgment.

Prior to the Business Combination, certain employees of the Company were granted equity awards under Legacy Getty’s Amended and Restated 2012 Equity Incentive Plan (“Legacy Getty 2012 Plan”). Upon closing of the Business Combination, awards under the Legacy Getty 2012 Plan were converted at the Exchange Ratio, and the Company’s board of directors approved the Getty Images Holdings, Inc. 2022 Equity Incentive Plan (“2022 Plan”). The 2022 Plan provides for the grant of stock options, including incentive stock options and nonqualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, dividend equivalents, restricted stock units, performance stock units and other stock or cash-based awards. Under the 2022 Plan, up to 51,104,577 shares of Class A common stock are reserved for issuance, of which 7,730,861 shares are available to be issued as of June 30, 2023.

The Getty Images Holdings, Inc. Earn Out Plan (“Earn Out Plan”) provides for the grant of RSUs. Under the Earn Out Plan, up to 6,000,000 shares of Class A common stock are reserved for issuance, of which 4,479,377 shares are available to be issued as of June 30, 2023.

The Getty Images Holdings, Inc. 2022 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”) provides for shares of Class A common stock to be purchased by eligible employees at a discount. Under the ESPP, up to 5,000,000 shares of Class A common stock are reserved for issuance, of which all 5,000,000 shares are available to be issued as of June 30, 2023.

Common Stock Valuations

For reporting periods prior to the closing of the Business Combination on July 22, 2022, the Parent's board of directors utilized various valuation methodologies in accordance with the framework of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants’ Technical Practice Aid, Valuation of Privately Held Company Equity Securities Issued as Compensation, to estimate the fair value of Legacy Getty’s common stock. These estimates and assumptions include numerous objective and subjective factors to determine the fair value of common stock at each grant date, including the following factors:

	•	relevant precedent transactions including our capital transactions;
	•	the liquidation preferences, rights, preferences, and privileges of preferred stock relative to the common stock;
	•	our actual operating and financial performance;
	•	our current business conditions and projections;
	•	our stage of development;
	•	the likelihood and timing of achieving a liquidity event for the common stock underlying the stock options, such as an initial public offering, given prevailing market conditions;
	•	any adjustment necessary to recognize a lack of marketability of the common stock underlying the granted options;
	•	the market performance of comparable publicly traded companies; and
	•	U.S. and global capital market conditions.

In valuing the Parent's common stock, the Parent's board of directors determined the equity value of the business generally using the income approach and the market approach valuation methods. After the Equity Value is determined and allocated to the various classes of stock, a discount for lack of marketability (“DLOM”), is applied to arrive at the fair value of the common stock. A DLOM is applied based on the theory that as a private company, an owner of the stock has limited opportunities to sell this stock and any sale would involve significant transaction costs, thereby reducing overall fair market value.

In addition, the Parent's board of directors also considered any secondary transactions involving the Parent's common stock. In its evaluation of those transactions, the Parent's board of directors considered the facts and circumstances of each transaction to determine the extent to which they represented a fair value exchange. Factors considered include transaction volume, timing, whether the transactions occurred among willing and unrelated parties, and whether the transactions involved investors with access to the Company’s financial information.

Application of these approaches involves the use of estimates, judgment, and assumptions that are highly complex and subjective, such as those regarding our expected future revenue, expenses, and future cash flows, discount rates, market multiples, the selection of comparable companies, and the probability of possible future events. Changes in any or all of these estimates and assumptions or the relationships between those assumptions impact our valuations as of each valuation date and may have a material impact on the valuation of the Parent's common stock.

The fair value of the Parent's common stock is determined based on the quoted market price on the New York Stock Exchange upon the Parent becoming publicly traded on July 22, 2022.

Income taxes

The Company computes income taxes and accruals for uncertain tax positions under the asset and liability method in accordance with ASC 740 for accounting for income taxes and uncertain tax positions. Deferred income taxes are provided for the temporary differences between the consolidated financial statement carrying amounts and the tax basis of the Company’s assets and liabilities and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. The Company establishes a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets if it is more likely than not that these items will either expire before the Company is able to realize their benefits, or future deductibility is uncertain. Periodically, the valuation allowance is reviewed and adjusted based on management’s assessments of realizable deferred tax assets. The Company accounts for the global intangible low-tax income (“GILTI”) earned by foreign subsidiaries included in gross U.S. taxable income in the period incurred.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

The Company implemented new applicable accounting pronouncements that are in effect and does not believe that there are any other new pronouncements that have been issued that might have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

Quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk

Interest rate market risk

We are exposed to changes in Adjusted Term SOFR interest rates on the USD Term Loans of the senior secured credit facilities subject to a minimum floor of 0.00%. Adjusted Term SOFR is equal to Term SOFR plus 0.10%. As of June 30, 2023, the principal outstanding of our USD Term Loans of the senior secured credit facility was $662.2 million. As of June 30, 2023, the applicable Adjusted Term SOFR was above said floor. To offset our exposure to interest rate changes, Getty Images has entered into interest rate swap agreements with notionals of $355.0 million. These swap arrangements have an embedded floor of minus 0.10% and are exposed to changes in Term SOFR interest rates. Based on the principal outstanding, and incorporating the effect of the swap agreements, as of June 30, 2023 each one eighth percentage point increase in Term SOFR thereafter would correspondingly increase our interest expense on the senior secured credit facilities by approximately $0.4 million per annum. We are also exposed to changes in EURIBOR interest rates on the senior secured term loan, subject to a minimum floor of 0.00%. As of June 30, 2023, the principal outstanding of our EUR Term Loans of the senior secured term was €419.0 million. Based on the principal outstanding as of June 30, 2023, each one eighth percentage point increase in the EURIBOR rate would correspondingly increase our interest expense on the senior secured credit facilities by approximately $0.6 million per annum.

Foreign currency market risk

We are exposed to foreign currency risk by virtue of our international operations. For each of the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, we derived approximately 50% of our revenue from operations outside the United States. Getty Images and its subsidiaries enter into transactions that are denominated in currencies other than Getty Images’ functional currency, including Euro and British pounds. Some of these transactions result in foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities that are revalued each month. Upon revaluation, transaction gains and losses are generated, which, with the exception of those related to long-term intercompany balances, are reported as exchange gains and losses in our consolidated statements of income in the periods in which the exchange rates fluctuate. Transaction gains and losses on foreign currency denominated long-term intercompany balances for which settlement is not planned or anticipated in the foreseeable future, are reported in “Accumulated other comprehensive” loss in our consolidated balance sheets.

Transaction gains and losses arising from revaluation of assets and liabilities denominated in the same foreign currencies may offset each other, in part, acting as a natural hedge. Where our assets and liabilities are not naturally hedged, we may enter into non-exotic foreign currency exchange contracts to reduce our exposure to transaction gains and losses. These foreign exchange contracts are generally up to eighteen months in original maturity and primarily require the sale of either Euro or British Pounds and the purchase of U.S. dollars. The contracts during the current period have not been designated as hedges as defined by ASC 815, “Derivatives and Hedging,” and therefore gains and losses arising from revaluation of these forward contracts are recorded as exchange gains and losses in our consolidated statements of income in the periods in which the exchange rates fluctuate. These gains and losses generally offset, at least in part, the gains and losses of the underlying exposures that are being hedged.

The statements of operations of foreign subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars, our reporting currency, at the prior month’s average daily exchange rate. When these exchange rates change from period to period, they cause fluctuations in reported results of operations that are not necessarily indicative of fundamental company operating performance but instead may reflect the performance of foreign currencies.