French media giant shelters uk photo agency

One of the UK's leading photographic agencies, Katz Pictures, has struck an alliance with French media giant Hachette in an attempt to stave off more advances of the two giant US groups that dominate the industry.

One of the UK's leading photographic agencies, Katz Pictures, has struck an alliance with French media giant Hachette in an attempt to stave off more advances of the two giant US groups that dominate the industry.

Hachette will take a stake in Katz and help distribute its library - which includes work by the award-winning portrait photographer Harry Borden, who is represented by Katz's off-shoot, the Independent Photographers Group.

The deal will ally Katz with other agencies in the Hachette stable, such as Frank Spooner Pictures, Gamma, Rapho, MPA and Stills.

Katz is understood to have struck the deal with Hachette as a defensive move to prevent it being bought out by either Corbis or Getty, the two groups that dominate the industry.

Corbis is owned by Microsoft chief Bill Gates, while Getty, which originated in north London but is now based in Seattle, was founded by Mark Getty, scion of the fabulously wealthy oil family.

Steve Blogg, director of Katz, said the deal was a "perfect marriage".

"I'm really excited about this," added Blogg. "We're pulling together the skill and expertise of Frank Spooner Pictures, and that will really build for the future."

Now that Katz is allied with Hachette, only two major photo agencies are still independent - Network and the world-famous Magnum co-op.