Masterfile accelerates global growth with amana images
in Japan

Masterfile & amana sign exclusive licensing agreement

For Immediate Release

Download this press release as a PDF [25kb]

Toronto, Canada / Tokyo, Japan - February 19, 2007

Masterfile has signed a multi-year licensing agreement with amana images inc to be the exclusive distributor of the Masterfile rights-managed image collection in Japan. Amana will also market Masterfile's "Radius" royalty-free collection. In order to increase its share of the Japanese market, Masterfile will collaborate closely with amana to produce new images by western photographers tailored specifically to Japanese clientele.

Hironobu Shindo, Amana CEO says, "We are honoured to announce that the Masterfile collection will be available on www.amanaimages.com. I believe this will make amana even more competitive in this market and will contribute to further growth of the stock photo industry in Japan."

Masterfile President, Steve Pigeon adds, "It's common knowledge that Japan is the second largest market in the world for visual content. And it's common knowledge in our industry that amana is the market leader in Japan. Our licensing agreement with this powerful and respected company is a tremendous business opportunity for Masterfile and its contributing photographers - and we plan to make it equally beneficial to amana."

About amana

amana images inc. is Japan's largest provider of visual solutions, offering a full suite of services that includes stock and assignment photography, website development and design consultation. Its parent company, amana inc., is a publicly listed company (Tokyo Stock Exchange) that has grown both organically and through an ambitious campaign of strategic acquisitions throughout Japan.

About Masterfile

Masterfile Corporation is a global visual content provider, with an exceptional collection of rights-managed and royalty-free stock images by world-class artists. The images, covering a wide range of subjects, are stored digitally, showcased, licensed and delivered instantly to commercial clients worldwide via the Internet. Headquartered in Toronto, Masterfile has offices in New York, Chicago, Düsseldorf, London, Milan and Paris, plus independent agents in 30 other countries.

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