Bertelsmann is accelerating its development towards becoming a faster-growing, more digital and more international Group. A few months after introducing a new corporate structure with eight divisions, recently the Bertelsmann Executive Board presented its strategy for the years ahead at its international Management Meeting. The strategy comprises four priorities where Bertelsmann has already achieved considerable progress in the past few years: strengthening the core businesses, transforming them to digital, establishing and developing growth platforms, and expanding into the growth regions of Brazil, China and India.
At the Management Meeting, major strategic initiatives from all of the Group’s divisions were presented. Strengthening the core, for example, was exemplified by the merger of Penguin and Random House into the world’s largest book publisher, Gruner + Jahr’s successful launch of new magazines, and the pooling of all of Bertelsmann’s printing activities into the Bertelsmann Printing Group.
Representatives of all divisions also outlined the key elements in their businesses’ transformation to digital. RTL Group described its rise to become one of the world’s largest providers of online video, and Arvato gave insights into its work with the world’s leading IT and high-tech companies. Bertelsmann’s growth platforms also gave presentations. For example, BMG described its rise from startup to number four in the global music rights market, and the Bertelsmann Education Group gave details about building the education division into Bertelsmann’s third mainstay alongside media and services. Bertelsmann Investments’ activities played a key role in the presentation of Bertelsmann’s expansion in the growth regions.
Its portfolio currently unites investments in more than 100 up-and-coming young companies around the world. India appears to be a priority country where Bertelsmann has propped up Lendingkart with a US$20 million investment and invested in Social Media company Roposo.
Source: Bertelsmann
