PMC Hires Michael Buckner as Chief Photographer

Variety Staff

Penske Media has hired Michael Buckner as its first-ever chief photographer, signalling a significant step in PMC’s expansion in the editorial images business. Buckner has been a photojournalist with Getty Images for more than 10 years covering the entertainment industry in Los Angeles and around the world. He joins the company one month after PMC announced its new multiyear alliance with Shutterstock to create and license entertainment and fashion images.

Based in PMC’s Los Angeles office, Buckner will be tasked with driving the creation of entertainment imagery and video assets for Variety and other PMC brands. “I’m honored to join the PMC and Variety teams and be part of PMC’s move to align with Shutterstock’s compelling vision for the future direction of editorial imagery,” Buckner said.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Michael to the PMC and Shutterstock team and are confident he has the dynamic talent to spearhead our imminent growth,” PMC chairman and CEO Jay Penske said.

Deep-rooted in Los Angeles, Buckner holds a bachelor’s degree in print journalism from USC. Prior to being a photographer with Getty Images he was a photographer at Reuters and an editor at WireImage.

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