Getty Images Releases "Sustainability at the Crossroads" Report Highlighting Consumer Insights on Visual Communication and Climate Action

Getty Images' report highlights the importance of authentic visual communication for sustainability in branding and consumer engagement.

Quiver AI Summary

Getty Images has released its report titled "Sustainability at the Crossroads," which discusses consumer attitudes towards sustainability and offers guidance for brands on how to communicate their corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts authentically. Key findings indicate that 69% of global consumers acknowledge the direct impact of climate change on their lives, with 86% believing businesses should contribute to societal and environmental improvement. The report emphasizes the importance of using realistic visuals that depict tangible impacts of climate change, as trust in brands' sustainability claims is diminishing. It suggests that brands incorporate effective visual storytelling that showcases both ongoing challenges and positive actions, while also leveraging new technologies responsibly. The research indicates a significant consumer demand for relatable imagery that reflects personal experiences and highlights the integration of sustainability into a company's core values.

Potential Positives

Getty Images provides a significant resource for brands to communicate their sustainability efforts effectively, aligning visual narratives with consumer expectations, which can enhance brand trust and credibility.
The report highlights a clear consumer demand for transparency and authenticity in sustainability messaging, thereby positioning Getty Images as a critical partner for brands aiming to meet these expectations.
Insights from the report suggest high consumer interest in using visuals that portray real-world impacts of climate change, allowing Getty Images to showcase its capabilities in providing impactful imagery that resonates with current consumer sentiment.
The emphasis on the integration of sustainability as a core brand value underscores the potential for companies to strengthen emotional connections with consumers through the high-quality visual content offered by Getty Images.

Potential Negatives

76% of consumers worldwide question the credibility of brands’ environmental claims, indicating potential reputational risks for Getty Images as skepticism around sustainability messaging grows.
2 out of 3 consumers globally doubt that companies are genuinely committed to sustainability, which could undermine Getty Images' authority and impact in the sustainability market.
The report highlights a trend of "greenhushing," where brands are hesitant to communicate their sustainability efforts, suggesting that Getty Images may face challenges in convincing clients and consumers of their commitment to the cause.

FAQ

What is the main focus of the Sustainability at the Crossroads report?

The report highlights consumer sentiment on sustainability and provides guidance for brands to communicate their CSR commitments effectively.

How do consumers view the role of brands in sustainability?

86% of consumers believe businesses should use their resources to improve society and the environment, showing a strong expectation for leadership.

What visual trends are influencing sustainability communication?

The report discusses a shift from symbolic imagery to realistic depictions of climate impacts, emphasizing the need for authentic visual storytelling.

How do consumers feel about brands' environmental claims?

76% of consumers question the credibility of brands' environmental claims, indicating a growing skepticism toward corporate sustainability efforts.

What do consumers want to see in sustainability visuals?

Consumers prefer authentic visuals reflecting real impacts of climate change and positive actions, favoring relatable and transparent imagery over idealized depictions.

Disclaimer: This is an AI-generated summary of a press release distributed by GlobeNewswire. The model used to summarize this release may make mistakes. See the full release here.

$GETY Insider Trading Activity

$GETY insiders have traded $GETY stock on the open market 26 times in the past 6 months. Of those trades, 0 have been purchases and 26 have been sales.

Here’s a breakdown of recent trading of $GETY stock by insiders over the last 6 months:

CRAIG WARREN PETERS (Chief Executive Officer) has made 0 purchases and 2 sales selling 157,377 shares for an estimated $336,259.
JENNIFER LEYDEN (Chief Financial Officer) has made 0 purchases and 2 sales selling 41,949 shares for an estimated $89,919.
GRANT FARHALL (Chief Product Officer) has made 0 purchases and 2 sales selling 39,472 shares for an estimated $84,338.
KJELTI WILKES KELLOUGH (General Counsel) has made 0 purchases and 2 sales selling 39,472 shares for an estimated $84,338.
CHO MIKAEL (Senior Vice President) has made 0 purchases and 4 sales selling 34,628 shares for an estimated $74,058.
GENE FOCA (Chief Marketing Officer) has made 0 purchases and 2 sales selling 29,649 shares for an estimated $63,349.
KENNETH ARRIGO MAINARDIS (Senior Vice President) has made 0 purchases and 2 sales selling 28,079 shares for an estimated $60,015.
PETER ORLOWSKY (Senior Vice President) has made 0 purchases and 2 sales selling 20,719 shares for an estimated $44,269.
NATHANIEL GANDERT (Chief Technology Officer) has made 0 purchases and 2 sales selling 20,032 shares for an estimated $42,801.
DAINE MARC WESTON (Senior VP, Ecommerce) has made 0 purchases and 3 sales selling 13,023 shares for an estimated $27,715.
MICHAEL TEASTER (Chief of Staff) has made 0 purchases and 2 sales selling 6,227 shares for an estimated $13,305.
CHRIS HOEL (Chief Accounting Officer) sold 670 shares for an estimated $1,346

To track insider transactions, check out Quiver Quantitative's insider trading dashboard.

$GETY Hedge Fund Activity

We have seen 57 institutional investors add shares of $GETY stock to their portfolio, and 57 decrease their positions in their most recent quarter.

Here are some of the largest recent moves:

KOCH, INC. removed 4,389,129 shares (-5.2%) from their portfolio in Q1 2025, for an estimated $7,593,193
INVENOMIC CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LP added 2,685,497 shares (+inf%) to their portfolio in Q1 2025, for an estimated $4,645,909
CARLYLE GROUP INC. removed 2,450,347 shares (-28.2%) from their portfolio in Q1 2025, for an estimated $4,239,100
JPMORGAN CHASE & CO added 1,645,947 shares (+3532.8%) to their portfolio in Q1 2025, for an estimated $2,847,488
TORONTO DOMINION BANK removed 1,645,103 shares (-100.0%) from their portfolio in Q1 2025, for an estimated $2,846,028
QUINN OPPORTUNITY PARTNERS LLC added 1,446,076 shares (+inf%) to their portfolio in Q1 2025, for an estimated $2,501,711
FIRST TRUST ADVISORS LP added 1,306,859 shares (+601.8%) to their portfolio in Q1 2025, for an estimated $2,260,866

To track hedge funds' stock portfolios, check out Quiver Quantitative's institutional holdings dashboard.

$GETY Analyst Ratings

Wall Street analysts have issued reports on $GETY in the last several months. We have seen 1 firms issue buy ratings on the stock, and 0 firms issue sell ratings.

Here are some recent analyst ratings:

Benchmark issued a "Buy" rating on 05/13/2025

To track analyst ratings and price targets for $GETY, check out Quiver Quantitative's $GETY forecast page.

Full Release

Getty Images’ “Sustainability at the Crossroads” report provides visual guidance grounded in consumer insights to support companies in aligning their communications with business actions.

Sustainability is still top of mind: 69% of global consumers say climate change directly affects their daily lives.
Brands are expected to lead: 86% of consumers believe businesses should use their resources to improve society and the environment.
Visuals make or break trust: Consumers demand imagery that reflects real impact.

NEW YORK, June 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Getty Images (NYSE: GETY), a preeminent global visual content creator and marketplace, has today released the latest report from its VisualGPS global insights platform - Sustainability at the Crossroads . This study maps out the latest consumer sentiment around sustainability and offers actionable insights and data-driven guidance to help brands communicate CSR commitments with authenticity, clarity, and impact in a rapidly evolving media landscape.

With the report finding 69% of consumers worldwide recognize the direct impact climate change currently has on their daily lives, the issue is becoming an increasingly personal reality . Amid this growing awareness and as the issue takes center stage in public discourse, some brands and organizations are treading carefully in how they communicate their efforts or if they do so at all. A response aligned with the trend of “greenhushing”.

Visual analysis in the report traces this evolution: from symbolic imagery like polar bears in 2006, to stark, real-world depictions of climate impacts such as floods, fires, and displacement around 2018–2022. More recently, the trend has shifted from clarity to conceptual representation, with brands adopting abstract visuals signaling sustainability without making direct claims. However, research suggests that staying silent may carry its own risks: nearly 9 in 10 consumers worldwide believe businesses should use their resources to improve society and the environment.

At the same time, skepticism is rising: 76% of consumers worldwide question the credibility of brands’ environmental claims, and 2 out of 3 globally doubt that companies are genuinely committed to sustainability. As pressure builds around accountability, the report underscores the need for brands to communicate with clarity, backing up ESG strategies with visual storytelling that is authentic and aligned with real-world impact.

“What years of studying sustainability imagery has shown me is that the commercial focus on sustainability surges in times of cultural urgency and recedes in moments of economic pressure or shifting priorities,” said Dr. Rebecca Swift, Senior Vice President of Creative at Getty Images . “We are now in that period of pull back, but this new VisualGPS research tells us that consumer expectations are louder and more urgent than ever. People want to see real action, and they want to believe in the impact they are seeing. Visual storytelling is a key vehicle for answering this call.”

As climate risk becomes increasingly tied to business risk, the report supports brand leaders, marketers, and communicators in aligning their visual narratives with their strategic sustainability goals. Key insights from the report include:

Authenticity over perfection : 81% of consumers want to see visuals that show how the environment is being affected as a direct result of climate change, favoring transparent and realistic imagery that shows both progress and challenges over idealized or symbolic depictions.
Balance eco-anxiety with eco-optimism : 78% want to see how things are improving—whether through individual, corporate, or policy-driven action. Powerful storytelling should blend impactful imagery with tangible actions, showing both environmental challenges and proactive solutions.
Highlight the potential of new technologies : 83% of consumers believe AI could positively impact the climate crisis within the next five years . However, concerns about AI’s carbon footprint are real. Only 41% see AI as having a positive impact on energy efficiency. As generative AI continues to grow, its environmental impact should be considered when visualizing technology. Brands can leverage visuals that have a deep focus on the benefits and real-world impact of all technological innovation to inspire trust and drive engagement.
Make sustainability accessible : 81% want to see images and videos that reflect how people have been personally affected—especially those in the communities most impacted. Inspire action with relatable visuals that highlight simple, everyday habits, reinforcing that sustainable choices can seamlessly fit into daily life for all.
Show integration, not isolation : 75% of consumers want to see visuals showing how companies and governments are addressing climate change, not just in isolated campaigns. Show sustainability as a core brand value. Companies that seamlessly embed sustainability into their identity—through product design, messaging, and customer experience, when backed by honest, unambiguous visuals, will foster deeper emotional connections and lasting trust with consumers.

To download the full Getty Images’ VisualGPS report, Sustainability at the Crossroads , click here .

Image credits: Artur Debat/Getty Images

Methodology:

Getty Images’ VisualGPS Reports offer unparalleled visual and creative intelligence backed by a rigorous methodology that combines visual insights from over 60 visual content and advertising experts with cultural insights, proprietary search and download trends from Getty Images and iStock (+ 2.8 billion searches each year), and consumer perspectives from ongoing global consumer surveys covering over 250 topics. In partnership with a world‑class global research firm MarketCast, this research platform has been tracking shifts in consumers’ needs consistently over the past six years. Data for the “ Sustainability at the Crossroads ” report was gathered through global VisualGPS consumer surveys conducted between July 2022 and July 2024. The research included adults aged 18 and above, with survey sample sizes ranging from 5,300 to 7,000 respondents. The research covered 25 countries, including Australia, Brazil, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, Singapore, the UK, US, and others.

Media contact:
Ilse Noguez
[email protected]

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3ac83ba6-0ce1-4cf0-83d7-43bfa07cb643
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ccbb2cba-543e-4123-adcd-759340c9318c
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f578d92c-5800-4cf1-a418-def752646fe0