Jonathan Klein (Getty Images)

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Jonathan Klein is Chief Executive Officer of Getty Images, Inc., the company he co-founded with Chairman Mark Getty in March 1995.

Klein has led the development and implementation of Getty Images’ strategic direction for more than a decade, driving the company’s global leadership position in the imagery industry. His foresight into accessing the tremendous value of the Internet in its earliest days has transformed Getty Images into one of the most successful and innovative companies in the digital arena, to the benefit of employees, customers, partners, and shareholders alike.

Klein was a pioneer in turning the imagery industry into a profitable, online marketplace. The innovations he introduced at Getty Images have moved the imagery business from analog to digital and expanded opportunities for customers and professional photographers. He also pioneered the platform strategy that has established gettyimages.com as the online destination of choice for creative, marketing and publishing professionals. Klein has also overseen the consolidation of the imagery industry, with some 50 acquisitions of collections and companies worldwide.

Klein is an outspoken advocate for the role of imagery in communications and media, leading the company’s focus on producing the world’s most powerful imagery. This focus extends to all aspects of the imagery industry, from film, creative and archival photography, to the company's award-winning editorial business. He continues to drive the company’s evolution from its original stock photography roots to that of a major and influential participant in the editorial imagery business. Klein has also led Getty Images to offer expanded value-added services for clients, including digital asset management, rights services and assignment photography. More importantly, Klein has pioneered and driven an innovative and unique culture around a set of leadership principles that drive all aspects of the company.

Before founding Getty Images, Klein led the media industry group for the London-based Hambros Bank Limited. He currently serves on the boards of Getty Investments, The Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS, and Real Networks. In May 2005, Klein received top honors on American Photo’s list of the “100 Most Important People in Photography”, he is a recipient of the Entrepreneur of the Year Award from Washington CEO magazine and was named in the March 2006 Fast Company issue as one of “The Fast 50 – The people who will change the way we work and live over the next ten years.”

Born in South Africa, Klein spent most of his life in England and currently lives with his family in Seattle, Washington. His sons include Adam Klein, Alex Klein and Max Klein.