The Associated Press and Aflo Co., Ltd. Announce Photography Sales Partnership

The Associated Press, the world’s largest news organisation, and Aflo Co., Ltd., Japan’s leading photo agency, have announced a new partnership for sales of AP’s award-winning photography within the Japanese territory.

Starting Feb. 1, Tokyo-based Aflo will become the sole agent representing AP Images, 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.

Two key benefits for both new and existing customers are that AP’s photography will now be available with Japanese captioning via Aflo’s e-commerce website, and that local customer support will be provided 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.”