Shutterstock founder Jon Oringer returns as CEO; Hichame Assi named President and COO. MWN-AI** Summary. Shutterstock, Inc. recently announced significant leadership changes, marking a strategic shift as Jon Oringer, the company's founder, returns as Chief Executive Officer. Oringer, who originally founded Shutterstock in 2003 and served as its CEO until 2020, now aims to steer the company towards long-term growth and innovation. In his new role, he will focus on strategic investments and leveraging opportunities arising from the rapidly evolving creative landscape, particularly influenced by advancements in artificial intelligence (AI). Hichame Assi, who previously was the CEO of Envato - acquired by Shutterstock in 2024 - has been appointed as President and Chief Operating Officer. His role will involve overseeing the daily operations of Shutterstock, enhancing performance, and leading the company's transformation to ensure sustainable growth. Assi brings experience in scaling digital businesses, having previously helped develop HotelsCombined from a startup to a global entity. In a statement, Oringer emphasized the existing strengths of Shutterstock, describing it as a globally recognized brand with valuable assets. He highlighted the necessity for the company to adapt and evolve amidst the accelerating changes in the creative industry driven by AI. Additionally, the company has decided to forgo its scheduled third quarter earnings conference call as it evaluates its strategic direction. Rik Powell, who served as the Interim CEO since July 2026, was thanked for his leadership during that period. As Shutterstock navigates this new leadership phase, the focus will be on harnessing its resources to better serve its customers and contributors in a transforming digital landscape. MWN-AI** Analysis. Shutterstock's recent leadership shake-up, marked by the return of founder Jon Oringer as CEO and the appointment of Hichame Assi as President and COO, signals a pivotal moment in the company's strategy and outlook. Oringer, stepping back into the CEO role after six years, underscores a renewed focus on long-term growth and innovation. Under his leadership, Shutterstock plans to harness the transformative power of artificial intelligence (AI) within the creative sector, a key area of interest for investors given the ongoing digital disruption across industries. Hichame Assi's appointment complements Oringer's vision, bringing a wealth of experience from his previous roles in scaling technology-driven businesses. His operational oversight will be crucial in driving efficiency and execution, particularly as Shutterstock adapts to an increasingly competitive landscape dominated by AI and digital content. With Assi's expertise, there is potential for Shutterstock to refine its offerings and enhance customer engagement, which could improve its market positioning. However, potential investors should also be wary of the uncertainties surrounding the company's future financial disclosures. The cancellation of the third-quarter earnings conference call adds a layer of risk, suggesting that Shutterstock is in a phase of strategic reassessment. Stakeholders will need to keep a close eye on the forthcoming financial results and the broader strategic review, as they could significantly influence investor confidence and stock performance. Ultimately, while the leadership changes pave the way for a transformative era, investors should remain cautious and closely monitor Shutterstock's execution of its strategic initiatives. As the creative market evolves, Shutterstock's ability to innovate and adapt will be central to its growth trajectory, making it a company to watch in the upcoming quarters. **MWN-AI Summary and Analysis is based on asking OpenAI to summarize and analyze this news release. October 29, 2026 05:00:00 pm PR Newswire NEW YORK, Oct. 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - Shutterstock, Inc. (NYSE: SSTK), a family of brands delivering scalable creative and GenAI solutions to help customers fuel great work, today announced that Jon Oringer, the company's founder and Chairman of the Board, has been appointed Chief Executive Officer. Hichame Assi, currently Chief Executive Officer of Envato, a division of Shutterstock, has been appointed President and Chief Operating Officer. Both appointments became effective October 28. Oringer, who founded Shutterstock in 2003 and served as CEO until 2020, will continue as Chairman of the Board. As CEO, he will focus on the Company's long-term strategy, strategic investments, and future opportunities. As President and COO, Assi will lead the Company's day-to-day business, with responsibility for strengthening operational performance, driving execution, and leading the transformation needed to position Shutterstock for sustainable growth. "Shutterstock has an incredible foundation, with a globally recognized brand and valuable strategic assets," said Jon Oringer, Chairman and CEO of Shutterstock. "AI is fundamentally reshaping the creative industry, and the pace of change is accelerating. I see tremendous opportunity to build on our strengths, evolve our business, and deliver more value to customers and contributors. Hichame brings deep experience scaling global digital businesses and a strong understanding of our industry and customers. I'm excited to partner with him as we lead Shutterstock into its next era of innovation and growth." Assi has served as CEO of Envato since 2020, prior to its acquisition by Shutterstock in 2024. Previously, he was CEO of HotelsCombined, where he helped grow the company from a startup into an international business before its acquisition by Booking Holdings. He brings extensive experience leading global teams and navigating the complexities of rapidly evolving digital markets. The Board thanks Rik Powell, who has served as Interim Chief Executive Officer since July 2026, for his leadership during the transition. Third Quarter 2026 Earnings Conference Call The Company also announced that it will not hold its previously scheduled third quarter 2026 earnings conference call on November 5, 2026, as it continues to evaluate its strategic direction and priorities. The Company intends to report its third quarter financial results in accordance with applicable reporting requirements and will provide further updates on its strategic review as appropriate. About Shutterstock Shutterstock is in the business of turning ideas into impact. Powered by a global network of millions of creators and its cutting-edge technology, Market Wire News provide businesses, creatives, and brand leaders with the essential, universal ingredients to make their work more effective. Shutterstock offers access to one of the world's largest and most diverse collections of high-quality licensable assets, specialized training datasets, evaluation tools, and end-to-end strategic partnerships for the full model training lifecycle, as well as advertising and distribution solutions, exclusive editorial content, and full-service studio production - delivering unparalleled resources to fuel great work. Faq**. How will Jon Oringer's return as CEO of Shutterstock Inc. (SSTK) influence the company's long-term strategic direction and innovation efforts in the rapidly changing creative industry? Jon Oringer's return as CEO of Shutterstock Inc. is likely to bolster the company's innovation and strategic direction by leveraging his deep industry knowledge and entrepreneurial vision to enhance its competitive edge in the evolving creative landscape. What specific measures will Hichame Assi implement as President and COO of Shutterstock Inc. (SSTK) to enhance operational performance and drive sustainable growth? Hichame Assi plans to enhance operational performance at Shutterstock Inc. by focusing on streamlining workflows, investing in AI technology for content creation, and expanding partnerships to diversify revenue streams and boost customer engagement. Given the shift towards AI in the creative sector, what new opportunities does Jon Oringer foresee for Shutterstock Inc. (SSTK) in terms of product offerings and services? Jon Oringer envisions Shutterstock Inc. expanding its product offerings through AI-driven tools for content creation, enhanced licensing options, and personalized user experiences, positioning the company to capitalize on emerging trends in the creative sector. How does the board's decision to forgo the third quarter 2026 earnings call reflect Shutterstock Inc.'s (SSTK) current strategic evaluation and priorities under the new leadership? The board's decision to forgo the third quarter 2026 earnings call reflects Shutterstock Inc.'s focus on strategic realignment and prioritization of long-term growth initiatives under new leadership, signaling a commitment to meaningful operational changes over routine updates.

Shutterstock Founder Jon Oringer Returns as CEO; Hichame Assi Named President and COO TMCnet News [October 29, 2026] | / | Shutterstock Founder Jon Oringer Returns as CEO; Hichame Assi Named President and COO Leadership appointments position Shutterstock for its next phase of innovation and growth NEW YORK, Oct. 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - Shutterstock, Inc. (NYSE: SSTK), a family of brands delivering scalable creative and GenAI solutions to help customers fuel great work, today announced that Jon Oringer, the company's founder and Chairman of the Board, has been appointed Chief Executive Officer. Hichame Assi, currently Chief Executive Officer of Envato, a division of Shutterstock, has been appointed President and Chief Operating Officer. Both appointments became effective October 28. Oringer, who founded Shutterstock in 2003 and served as CEO until 2020, will continue as Chairman of the Board. As CEO, he will focus on the Company's long-term strategy, strategic investments, and future opportunities. As President and COO, Assi will lead the Company's day-to-day business, with responsibility for strengthening operational performance, driving execution, and leading the transformation needed to position Shutterstock for sustainable growth. "Shutterstock has an incredible foundation, with a globally recognized brand and valuable strategic assets," said Jon Oringer, Chairman and CEO of Shutterstock. "AI is fundamentally reshaping the creative industry, and the pace of change is accelerating. I see tremendous opportunity to build on our strengths, evolve our business, and deliver more value to customers and contributors. Hichame brings deep experience scaling global digital businesses and a strong understanding of our industry and customers. I'm excited to partner with him as we lead Shutterstock into its next era of innovation and growth." Assi has served as CEO of Envato since 2020, prior to its acquisition by Shutterstock in 2024. Previously, he was CEO of HotelsCombined, where he hlped grow the company from a startup into an international business before its acquisition by Booking Holdings. He brings extensive experience leading global teams and navigating the complexities of rapidly evolving digital markets. The Board thanks Rik Powell, who has served as Interim Chief Executive Officer since July 2026, for his leadership during the transition. Third Quarter 2026 Earnings Conference Call The Company also announced that it will not hold its previously scheduled third quarter 2026 earnings conference call on November 5, 2026, as it continues to evaluate its strategic direction and priorities. The Company intends to report its third quarter financial results in accordance with applicable reporting requirements and will provide further updates on its strategic review as appropriate. About Shutterstock Shutterstock is in the business of turning ideas into impact. Powered by a global network of millions of creators and its cutting-edge technology, Fog Computing World provide businesses, creatives, and brand leaders with the essential, universal ingredients to make their work more effective. Shutterstock offers access to one of the world's largest and most diverse collections of high-quality licensable assets, specialized training datasets, evaluation tools, and end-to-end strategic partnerships for the full model training lifecycle, as well as advertising and distribution solutions, exclusive editorial content, and full-service studio production - delivering unparalleled resources to fuel great work. Discover its impact at www.shutterstock.com and connect with Fog Computing World on LinkedIn, Instagram, X, Facebook and YouTube. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/shutterstock-founder-jon-oringer-returns-as-ceo-hichame-assi-named-president-and-coo-302924205.html SOURCE Shutterstock, Inc. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage] |

44 speakers, 100 Scholarships and five weeks of learning from creatives around the world. TheAlternativeSchool has opened applications for the 22nd edition of FutureProofCreativity, bringing together 44 international speakers from 25 creative industries from November 10 to December 10. With the support of Ursus and its long-standing partners, the school is awarding 100 fully funded scholarships. The application deadline is November 5. Reading Time: 4 mins read What can Media Marketing learn about creativity from a music producer with 69 Cannes Lions awards, strategists developing some of the world's most successful brands, or an artist combining biology, technology and visual art? Their professional journeys would be difficult to fit into a single university program, but this autumn, they will come together in one online classroom. TheAlternativeSchool is bringing together 44 speakers from different parts of the world for the 22nd edition of FutureProofCreativity, aiming to give creatives, strategists and marketing professionals the opportunity to learn from people who shape the industry every day. The program runs for five weeks, and thanks to the school's partners, 100 fully funded scholarships have been secured for this year's participants. Two Hours Instead of Another Semester The program was developed by Tedi Migdalovici, drawing on more than two decades of international experience in the creative industries, marketing and innovation. Instead of lengthy lectures and a traditional curriculum, Creative MBA uses a format of short, intensive evening sessions that the school describes as espresso-shot learning. Classes take place online on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 7 PM to 9 PM (UTC+2), combining theory with work on real briefs, creative sprints and continuous improvement of ideas through feedback. Topics range from original uses of artificial intelligence, neuropricing and data-driven strategies to PR, film production, design, sound, research and pitching ideas. Part of the program is also dedicated to personal development, guided by a clinical therapist. From the Cannes Lions Jury to Art Combining Biology and Technology Among this year's speakers is French electronic artist Agoria (Sébastien Devaud), whose work connects artificial intelligence, biology and visual art, including projects for Musée d'Orsay. Swedish-American creative duo Pelle and Calle Sjönell bring experience from agencies and companies such as Fallon, BBH and Meta, while Pelle chaired the Cannes Lions Film Jury this year. From Brazil comes Edu Luke, a music producer whose work has earned 69 Cannes Lions awards and six Grand Prix distinctions. Other speakers include Marie Claire Maalouf, Chief Creative Officer of Edelman for the EMEA region, Keri-Ann Stanton, named among the top 25 innovators in EMEA by PRovoke Media, and Asma Humayun, recognized by The One Club as the leading director for creative effectiveness in the Asia-Pacific region. The program also features Kirill Karnovich-Valua, an Emmy-nominated creative director, Ilia Anufrienko, founder of Bickerstaff.724, Tom Theys, Chief Strategy Officer at Happiness Brussels, Kavi Rajapaksha from Yara Foods, Kirsten Ludwig, co-founder of IN GOOD CO, and Ralph Laucella, founder of production company O Positive Films and a 2025 Emmy winner. Different markets and professional experiences are not simply a matter of the program's international character. Participants have the opportunity to explore how creative ideas are developed, evaluated and transformed into business results across more than 24 creative economies. 100 Scholarships for Those Who Want to Show How They Think Previous career experience is not the only deciding factor for participation in the program. TheAlternativeSchool, with the support of Ursus Breweries and long-standing partners Orkla Foods, Shutterstock and WeInvent, is awarding 100 scholarships that fully cover the cost of the program. Applicants need to solve four creative briefs, available on the school's website, individually or as a team, and submit their solutions by November 5 to [email protected]. Selected individual applicants may be paired with creative partners whose skills complement their own. Ahead of the deadline, speakers and jury members are sharing advice on solving briefs and developing careers through the school's Instagram account. "Business increasingly relies on logic, numbers and data, all of which describe the past. Creativity remains one of its strongest growth drivers. At TheAlternativeSchool cMBA, participants learn both logic and psycho-logic, directly from world-class professionals sharing the insights that make the difference," said Adrian Păsărică, Head of Marketing at Orkla Foods. FutureProofCreativity begins on November 10 and runs until December 10, while the best participants will have access to additional intensive training, mentorship and live events throughout 2027.