Company Directory - Shutterstock, Inc.
Company Details - Shutterstock, Inc.
Shutterstock, Inc.
WebsiteNew York, United States
Shutterstock is a global stock photography agency that offers high-quality images, videos, and music for licensing. It provides diverse creative content for businesses, media, and designers, aiming to enhance visual storytelling and multimedia projects.
CCI Score
CCI Score: Shutterstock, Inc.
-31.38
0.02%
Latest Event
DOJ Scrutiny Over Proposed Getty-Shutterstock Merger Raises Concerns
The U.S. Department of Justice has issued a Second Request for information on the proposed $3.7 billion merger between Getty Images and Shutterstock, highlighting concerns over increased market concentration and potential deterioration in contributor protections.
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TOADIE
Shutterstock, Inc. is currently rated as a Toadie.
Latest Events
- APR022025
The U.S. Department of Justice has issued a Second Request for information on the proposed $3.7 billion merger between Getty Images and Shutterstock, highlighting concerns over increased market concentration and potential deterioration in contributor protections.
-35
Labor Relations and Human Rights Practices
April 2
The merger threatens contributor rights and fair labor practices, as it could force creative professionals into one rigid, non-negotiable pay scale and further erode the already pressured royalty structures in the industry.
Getty and Shutterstock Face DOJ Scrutiny as $3.7B Merger Draws Antitrust Fire
-40
Economic and Structural Influence
April 2
The merger raises serious concerns regarding economic concentration and monopolistic practices in the digital content market. Increased corporate power from such consolidation can contribute to authoritarian market behaviors, reducing competition and limiting alternative creative voices.
Getty and Shutterstock Face DOJ Scrutiny as $3.7B Merger Draws Antitrust Fire
- FEB192025
Data aggregated by OpenSecrets for 2023 shows the list of bills lobbied by Shutterstock Inc, highlighting the company's active engagement in federal lobbying efforts. This involvement in influencing legislation raises concerns about the prioritization of corporate interests over transparent democratic processes.
-40
Political Contributions and Lobbying Efforts
April 9
The lobbying data from OpenSecrets indicates that Shutterstock Inc is actively engaging in political lobbying activities. From a left-leaning anti-fascist perspective, such corporate efforts to influence legislation can be seen as contributing to a power imbalance that favors corporate and potentially authoritarian interests over democratic accountability and protections for marginalized communities.
- FEB192025
An OpenSecrets profile details Shutterstock’s lobbying activity, indicating that the firm engages multiple lobbying firms to advocate its interests in federal policymaking. This underscores the company’s efforts to influence political processes, a practice viewed with concern from an anti‐authoritarian perspective.
-40
Political Contributions and Lobbying Efforts
April 9
The profile on OpenSecrets reveals that Shutterstock is actively engaging in lobbying activities. While corporate lobbying is a common practice, such political contributions and lobbying efforts can unduly influence public policy in favor of corporate interests, potentially undermining democratic processes and accountability. This activity is evaluated negatively from an anti-fascist perspective.
- JUL012024
LobbyFacts data shows that Shutterstock, Inc. has engaged in at least one recorded meeting with high-level EU Commission officials. The record, which notes issues such as duplicate listings, indicates the company’s active involvement in lobbying activities, a practice that can grant disproportionate influence in policymaking.
-20
Political Contributions and Lobbying Efforts
April 9
The recorded meeting with influential EU officials under the political transparency register is indicative of Shutterstock’s active lobbying efforts. While the meeting itself is not explicitly partisan, such political engagements can serve to amplify corporate influence over regulatory policies, potentially undermining democratic accountability. From an anti-fascist perspective, this practice is viewed negatively as it contributes to elitist access in governance.
- JAN012023
Shutterstock Inc spent $60,000 on lobbying in 2023 according to OpenSecrets. This expenditure highlights the company's engagement in political lobbying, which may influence public policy in ways that prioritize corporate interests over democratic accountability.
-30
Political Contributions and Lobbying Efforts
April 9
The lobbying expenditure of $60,000 in 2023 demonstrates Shutterstock Inc's active engagement in political influence. From an anti-fascist perspective, such corporate lobbying activities can undermine democratic processes by prioritizing business interests, which is a negative indicator in terms of public and political behavior.
- JAN012023
According to data provided by OpenSecrets, Shutterstock Inc. spent $30,000 on lobbying activities in 2023. This expenditure, while modest in amount relative to large corporate spend, reveals an active engagement in influencing public policy through corporate political spending.
-20
Political Contributions and Lobbying Efforts
April 9
The reported lobbying expenditure of $30,000 indicates that Shutterstock is investing resources to influence policy decisions. Even though the amount is lower than what might be expected from larger expenditures, corporate lobbying remains concerning as it can help channel influence in ways that prioritize business interests over public accountability. From an anti-fascist perspective, such political spending raises alarm about the potential for corporate interests to shape policy in ways that might undermine democratic processes.
- MAR012020
Shutterstock’s president told employees opposed to its censorship of images that could upset the Chinese government, such as blocking searches for 'Taiwan flag', to seek employment elsewhere. Approximately 20% of the workforce signed a petition against the policy and three employees resigned in protest.
-60
Public and Political Behavior
April 9
The company’s decision to censor content to prevent upsetting the Chinese government, combined with the president’s dismissive stance toward dissenting employees, signals a troubling alignment with authoritarian practices. This behavior compromises transparency and freedom of information, positioning the company in support of repressive regimes.
-30
Labor Relations and Human Rights Practices
April 9
The directive that employees who disagree with the censorship policy should simply leave the company reflects poor labor relations and undermines the rights of workers. This dismissive approach to employee concerns contributes to an oppressive and undemocratic work environment.
- DEC102019
In December 2019, during an internal company meeting at Shutterstock, senior executive Stan Pavlovsky told employees critical of the newly implemented censorship filters—designed to block politically sensitive search terms in China—to seek jobs elsewhere. This decision, driven by a request from the Chinese government to censor searches on terms such as 'Taiwan flag' and 'dictator,' sparked a protest among roughly 20% of employees, with several resignations following the internal petition opposing the policy.
-80
Provision of Repressive Technologies
April 9
Shutterstock’s implementation of technology to censor search results in China, in compliance with government requests, directly facilitates state-sponsored censorship. This action undermines free speech and supports authoritarian practices by restricting access to politically sensitive information.
Chinese censorship or 'work elsewhere': Inside Shutterstock's free-speech rebellion
-70
Labor Relations and Human Rights Practices
April 9
The directive from management, effectively telling employees who disagreed with the censorship measures to 'work elsewhere,' reflects a disregard for worker rights and stifles internal dissent. This action has led to significant employee unrest and resignations, highlighting an anti-worker sentiment in response to compromising ethical standards.
Chinese censorship or 'work elsewhere': Inside Shutterstock's free-speech rebellion
- DEC102019
Amid internal controversy, Shutterstock implemented a blacklist of politically sensitive search terms in China following a request from the Chinese government. During a December internal meeting, top executives told dissenting employees that if they disagreed with the censorship policy, they were free to seek employment elsewhere. The decision, which has sparked a petition and prompted several resignations, is seen as the company prioritizing market access over free speech and worker rights.
-55
Public and Political Behavior
April 9
Shutterstock's public internal communications, including urging dissenting employees to leave, reflect a deflation of democratic discourse and an acquiescence to state pressure. Such actions bolster authoritarian practices by sidelining free speech concerns.
Chinese censorship or 'work elsewhere': Inside Shutterstock's free-speech rebellion
-60
Labor Relations and Human Rights Practices
April 9
The management's dismissal of employee concerns—suggesting that those opposed to the censorship policy simply leave the company—demonstrates a disregard for worker rights and ethical treatment, thereby contributing to a work environment that condones authoritarian practices.
Chinese censorship or 'work elsewhere': Inside Shutterstock's free-speech rebellion
-70
Provision of Repressive Technologies
April 9
By implementing an automated blacklist to censor searches for politically sensitive terms in China, Shutterstock has effectively enabled state-sanctioned repression. This action supports authoritarian censorship and undermines the free flow of information in a major market.
Chinese censorship or 'work elsewhere': Inside Shutterstock's free-speech rebellion
- DEC062019
Shutterstock faced intense internal criticism for implementing a censorship feature compliant with Chinese government demands, which led to over 180 employees signing a petition against the practice and the resignation of long-time employee Stefan Hayden on December 6, 2019.
-60
Public and Political Behavior
April 9
By integrating a censorship mechanism that aligns with authoritarian Chinese policies, Shutterstock compromised democratic values and contributed to an environment where free expression is undermined. This decision prompted public outcry and internal dissent, negatively impacting the company’s political stance.
In wake of Shutterstock's Chinese censorship, American companies need to relearn American values
-50
Business Practices and Ethical Responsibility
April 9
The company's decision to prioritize market access over its core ethical values has led to significant employee dissent. The internal protests and subsequent resignation underscore shortcomings in upholding fair labor and human rights practices, reflecting a problematic business practice that trades ethical responsibility for revenue potential.
In wake of Shutterstock's Chinese censorship, American companies need to relearn American values
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New York City, United States
74.61
New York, United States
51.45
Seattle, United States
40.09
London, United Kingdom
31.04
Toronto, Canada
16.55
London, United Kingdom
5.51
Corporation
0.00
Washington, D.C., United States
55.01
United States
50.00
Los Angeles, United States
3.71
Corporate Financials
- Revenue
- 2025
- $700.00M
- Total Assets
- 2025
- $1.70B
- Operating Income
- 2025
- $140.00M
- Total Equity
- 2025
- $780.00M
Employees: 1,100
Industries
- 512110
- Motion Picture and Video Production
- 541430
- Graphic Design Services
- 541922
- Commercial Photography
- 519130
- Internet Publishing and Broadcasting and Web Search Portals
- 511120
- Periodical Publishers
- 511130
- Book Publishers