Bertelsmann, the German media company that owns RTL television and Random House book publishing, is making its fifth big change to top management since Thomas Rabe became chief executive at the start of the year.

Achim Berg, a Microsoft veteran, will replace Rolf Buch as head of the Arvato media services division, Bertelsmann announced today. Mr Berg will also take over Mr Buch’s seat on Bertelsmann’s executive board when he joins in April.

The change means Mr Rabe and Markus Dohle, head of Random House, are the only top executives to have served on the board under Hartmut Ostrowski, the previous chief executive, whom Mr Rabe served as chief financial officer.  Mr Rabe now appears to have his top management in place.  After honing Bertelsmann’s strategy he has set his sights on digital publishing, education and emerging markets.    Source:  Financial Times

Hartmut Ostrowski, who managed Arvato prior to becoming CEO, seem to have more printing ink in his veins and thus did not focus enough on digital services.  Mr. Rabe feels destined to make up lost ground.