---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001140361-26-028338"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "SSTK"
cik: "0001549346"
company_name: "Shutterstock, Inc."
filed_at: "2026-07-13T21:09:48+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-07-13T21:12:05.373338+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.75
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.75
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Shutterstock CEO Hennessy steps down; CFO Powell named Interim CEO; strategic advisor engaged

## Summary
- Paul Hennessy stepped down as CEO and Board member effective July 12, 2026; will remain in advisory role through Aug 7, 2026.
- CFO Rik Powell appointed Interim CEO, continuing as CFO; receives $75k/month additional cash and $450k RSU grant.
- Board plans to engage strategic advisor to formulate go-forward strategy after termination of merger agreement with Getty Images.
- Q2 2026 earnings call scheduled for August 6, 2026.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001140361-26-028338
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: SSTK
- cik: 0001549346
- company_name: Shutterstock, Inc.
- filed_at: 2026-07-13T21:09:48+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.75
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.75
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02, 7.01, 8.01, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1549346/000114036126028338/0001140361-26-028338-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1549346/000114036126028338/ef20077918_8k.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001140361-26-028338
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001140361-26-028338.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001140361-26-028338.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  Paul J. Hennessy departed as Chief Executive Officer at Shutterstock, Inc..
  - Action: stepped down
  - Role: Chief Executive Officer
  source text: On July 12, 2026, Paul J. Hennessy notified the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Shutterstock, Inc. (the “Company”) of his decision to step down as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and as a member of the Board, effective immediately.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1549346/000114036126028338/0001140361-26-028338-index.htm
- Executive change
  Rik Powell was appointed as Interim Chief Executive Officer at Shutterstock, Inc..
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: Interim Chief Executive Officer
  source text: The Board appointed Rik Powell, the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, to serve as Interim Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1549346/000114036126028338/0001140361-26-028338-index.htm

This AI-assisted summary is a reading aid. Review the linked SEC EDGAR filing before relying on any specific claim.