About Us

Founded in 1989 in London by journalist Jonathan Ashby, World Entertainment News Network (WENN) quickly established itself as a trusted source of entertainment content.

From day one, Ashby was joined by Lloyd Beiny, a former music industry artist manager, who took on the role of Commercial Director—forming a leadership team that would shape WENN into a new media force.

WENN hit the ground running, delivering curated daily music news to an elite roster of media outlets, including MTV, BBC, ABC, and even Russia’s top youth publication, Komsomolskaya Pravda—a bold and unprecedented move at the time for any Western news service.

Positioned at the heart of an emerging global fascination with celebrity culture, WENN evolved to meet the growing demand for celebrity photography. With its headquarters in London, the company expanded in the US, establishing a presence on Hollywood’s Melrose Avenue - embedding itself in the epicentre of the entertainment capital.

Throughout the 1990s, WENN continued to expand its international footprint, offering multilingual content to a fast-growing global client base. Recognizing the increasing value of paparazzi-style imagery, WENN invested heavily in its photography division, developing a robust global network of photographers. By the decade’s end, WENN had built one of the most agile and responsive celebrity photo teams in the business—delivering must-have content to top-tier media brands.

Following the untimely passing of founder Jonathan Ashby, in the early 2000's Lloyd Beiny stepped into the role of WENN CEO. Under his leadership, WENN entered a new phase of growth, launching offices in Berlin and New York, and strengthening its operational presence in key media markets.

With the arrival of Web 2.0, WENN adapted swiftly—developing tailored content packages for digital platforms, websites, and social media channels, ensuring clients could access timely, high-impact entertainment assets across evolving media formats.

By the close of the 2000s, WENN had fully operational editorial, photography, and commercial hubs in London, Berlin, New York, and Los Angeles. With a full-time team of over 70 professionals—and a vast network of photographers and journalists worldwide—WENN had become synonymous with premium celebrity content and real-time entertainment coverage.

Today, WENN continues to be a powerhouse in the entertainment photo industry, with an archive of over 12 million images and counting. As the media landscape continues to evolve, WENN remains at the forefront—providing media professionals with unparalleled access to the world of entertainment through cutting-edge photography excellence.