Hamburg, 28 November 2012 – After an exceptionally successful year, the Bauer Media Group is on track to become Europe’s largest magazine publisher. “2012 has so far been an eventful and very pleasing year that has seen our company exploit opportunities both at home and abroad”, explained publisher Yvonne Bauer in her speech to kick off the annual press conference. “As a company, we have emerged from a difficult 2011 with such strength and dynamism. And this makes us very proud.” With more than 570 newspapers, over 300 digital products, and 50 radio and TV stations, the Bauer Media Group reaches millions of people across the world. The Group’s turnover is stable at over two billion euros.

Attractive markets for strong media brands
The company’s activities in the current year have been marked by significant acquisitions in its core business area of print. Indeed, the Bauer Media Group’s acquisition of ACP Magazines Ltd. in October caused quite a stir around the world. Operating in Australia and New Zealand, ACP Magazines is the Bauer Media Group’s largest investment since 2008. And, as a result of this take-over, the German publishing company is the market leader in both the Australian and New Zealand magazine market, where it now has over 120 well-known titles. In terms of paid circulation, it has a market share of 51 per cent in Australia and of 63 per cent in New Zealand.

The Bauer Media Group has set the course for sales growth in its domestic market, too. By taking over the company Münchner Medien Verlagsgesellschaft (MVG) and its magazine titles Cosmopolitan, Joy and Shape, Bauer has successfully expanded its premium portfolio. But it has also invested in new magazines. Bauer’s people magazine Closer, for instance, is among the rising stars on the German magazine market. The company is also the market leader in terms of female target groups, with women’s magazines Meins and MYWAY having managed to reach attractive new target groups. Indeed, Meins has boasted a paid circulation of 100,000 copies per issue from its inception. The Bauer Media Group also invests heavily in equipment, quality and marketing in order to strengthen the company’s established brands.

The Bauer Media Group is already the leading media company in several European markets. In Poland, for instance, it holds a 56 per cent retail market share of the popular magazine segment, and is also the leading private radio provider. In Great Britain, the media company is the market leader in the magazine segment with a market share of 29 per cent. And in the Czech Republic the company has further consolidated its market leadership and increased its market share to 32 per cent, following its acquisition of Stratosféra, a publishing company with twelve magazine titles.

Since 2011, 90 new titles have been launched around the world. This proves that innovative concepts can establish themselves on the market and find their target groups.

Focus on digital business
Print continues to be the most important sales generator for the Bauer Media Group. The focus on the digital side of business is, however, also strong. This is because powerful brands are the basis for growth, both in the digital and the print segments. Andreas Schoo, Member of the Bauer Media Group Executive Board, has assumed international responsibility for digital business. Under his lead, an international team of experts will continue to drive activities in this segment, making use of the company's experience and synergies around the world. Following a promising start into the fourth quarter, strategic acquisitions and company-own developments will serve to expedite growth in the digital sector in 2013.

"We think popular.": sharpening our profile through re-positioning
By repositioning itself in global terms, the Bauer Media Group seeks to underline its passion for people and brands. “The markets are undergoing dramatic changes”, explains Yvonne Bauer. “It is therefore time to sharpen our company’s profile, both internally and externally.” An expression of the company’s new self-image is the slogan “We think popular.”, which makes its new position more tangible. The slogan clearly conveys the Bauer Media Group’s perception of itself as a “popular media company” that accompanies, delights and moves millions of different people in their daily lives. Moreover, “We think popular.” is a slogan that will also serve to inspire and motivate the more than 11,000 employees in 16 different countries.

An overview of economic developments

Press contact:
Bauer Media Group
Claudia Bachhausen
Phone: +49 (0)40 3019-1080
Email: claudia.bachhausen@bauermedia.com