By Daryl Lang

Two small but storied celebrity photo agencies, Rex Features and Berliner, announced Oct. 17 that they are combining their operations in North America.

Rex Features, headquartered in London, is already the U.K. sales agent for Berliner. Under managing director John Selby, Rex recently opened a production and sales office in New York.

Berliner is based in Los Angeles and was founded by Alan Berliner in 1973.

Under the new arrangement, Selby will become CEO of the Berliner group. Alan Berliner remains president and Alex Berliner will continue to run Berliner Studios, the agency’s assignment and studio branch.

Rex is known for its entertainment coverage and also delivers news, fashion and historical images. Berliner is primarily a red carpet and event photo agency.

Celebrity photography is a fiercely competitive market, with Getty Images and its WireImage division dominating, and the Associated Press increasing its celebrity coverage in recent years. When London Features shut down its New York office earlier this year, it blamed the pricing pressure from Getty. A new owner took over London Features main office this summer.

Jeff Sowards, chief operating officer for Berliner, says the companies will continue to operate as before, but the merger will position them compete in the market. He says he expects no reductions in jobs as a result of the merger. "We're thrilled. We're so excited to be working with Rex," he says.

Together, Rex and Berliner say they will offer 4.5 million images online, with 2,500 images being added daily. Their off-line archive encompasses 18 million images.

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