Jupitermedia Really Into Stock Photos

Jupitermedia Corporation (Nasdaq: JUPM) yesterday announced that its Jupiterimages division has acquired France-based Stock Image S.A.S for around U.S. $11.1 million in cash. Stock Image is a leading resource for rights-managed images through its Stock Image brand and royalty-free images through its Pixland brand.

“With the addition of these high-end French and European styled rights-managed and royalty-free images from Stock Image and Pixland, Jupiterimages has further expanded its diverse range of image offerings. Combined with our recent acquisitions of Agence Images, a leading distributor of rights-managed images in France, PR Direct, a leading distributor of royalty-free images in France, and Goodshoot, a leading resource of royalty-free images located in France, Jupiterimages is now one of the largest organizations in the important French image market,” stated Alan M. Meckler, Chairman and CEO of Jupitermedia Corporation. “We are pleased that Michel Rawicki, founder of Stock Image, will continue to provide world-class imagery for Stock Image and Jupiterimages through an ongoing production agreement. We anticipate significant marketing and business synergies between Stock Image and our Jupiterimages division. We expect that this acquisition will be accretive to our earnings and cash flows,” added Meckler.

Recently, Jupitermedia Corporation invested in a very popular free stock photo web site located in Hungary called Stock.xchng. They bought a stake in a little bit more than 49% of the company.

Jupitermedia Corporation is owner of several high-profile web sites like internet.com and their new strategy is to focus on stock photo business. They already have a large network of royalty free photo services.

Does this mean that they are going to be the next Microsoft, only for photos?