Photoagency Aflo signs exclusive deal with Associated Press

Japanese stock photography agency Aflo has announced a partnership with the Associated Press (AP). 

Tokyo-based Aflo will become the sole agent representing AP Images starting on the first of February. The deal is with the commercial photo archive arm of the Associated Press, within Japan. This new arrangement means Aflo will manage the needs of AP Images’ existing and new Japanese customers. Aflo will also assume responsibility for all customer contact and billing for payment on behalf of AP Images within the territory.

AP’s photography will now be available with Japanese captioning via Aflo’s e-commerce website, and Aflo will also give local customer support, seven days-a-week by staff based in Aflo’s offices in Tokyo.

“AP is very fortunate to have found a content sales partner as well-established and respected as Aflo”, said Daisy Veerasingham, vice president of international sales for the Associated Press. “We are very confident that this new arrangement will enhance the customer experience for businesses within Japan wanting to license AP’s world-class photographic images.”

Koji Aoki, president of Aflo Co., Ltd., said: “Having won 30 Pulitzer Prizes for news photography, AP continues to be the most sought after source of daily news, entertainment, sports and lifestyle images for print, Web and mobile platforms. Aflo will be ensuring that customers within Japan continue to have fast and easy access to this historical archive, with the added advantage of receiving Aflo’s high level of customer service and local knowledge.”