According to PicApp, blogger appetite for all things celebrity continues growing, and premium paparazzi content from Pacific Coast News answers this need. The two companies have partnered to bring round-the-clock entertainment and celebrity coverage from Pacific Coast News photographers to online publishers via PicApp’s ad-supported image licensing product.
“One of the major requests we receive from the blogging community is to increase supply of entertainment images,” said PicApp chief executive officer Eyal Gura. PicApp already distributes entertainment and celebrity imagery by Splash News, Getty Images and Corbis. The library available via the platform stands at roughly 20 million images, with 10,000 added by suppliers on a daily basis.
With offices in the U.K., California and Hawaii, Pacific Coast News produces the type of imagery that makes tabloid photo editors and gossip columnists squeal with delight. On offer today are snaps of Paris Hilton chatting with her ex at a posh Beverly Hills party and a photo comparison of black dresses worn by Angelina and Jen. Pacific Coast News also offers video coverage, markets an image collection devoted exclusively to homes of the rich and famous, and publishes its own blog.
In addition to expanding its image offering, PicApp has catered to the blogging community by developing new features and tools that make using its service easier. The San Francisco company recently released a WordPress widget that allows bloggers to incrorporate PicApp directly into their editing workflow. A similar widget, released as part of a deal with Glam Media Network, allows bloggers to create and embed image slide shows.
PicApp has recently separated from parent company PicScout, which continues to offer image tracking services to leading stock agencies. Now a separate business entity, PicApp is financially backed by Carmel Ventures.