Axel Springer announces new corporate structure
Axel Springer has announced plans for a new corporate structure that will see the creation of a focused media company and separately held classifieds businesses. The new structure is designed to position all businesses for optimal future growth potential and success in their respective markets.
Axel Springer’s media businesses – Bild, Business Insider, Politico, welt, idealo, Bonial, Morning Brew, Dyn Media, Emarketer, and the joint venture Ringier Axel Springer Poland – will remain within the German company.
The classifieds businesses will become separately held entities with a new shareholder structure under global investment firm KKR and Canada’s CPP Investment’s majority ownership. A final agreement is expected in the coming months while the transaction is expected to close in Q2 2025, subject to receipt of all requisite regulatory approvals.
“For the past decades, we have enjoyed remarkable achievements with Axel Springer. Throughout, we never lost what truly defines us: being a journalistic institution with clear values,” said Friede Springer, Vice Chairwoman of the Supervisory Board of Axel Springer.
“So, it was (Axel Springer CEO) Mathias Döpfner’s and my vision that one day, Axel Springer would again be a privately owned and operated company. The realisation of this vision now fills me with great joy.”
Mathias Döpfner added: “Before we began our partnership with KKR five years ago, Friede Springer and I had an idea of how the company could ideally look like down the road. That vision is now close to becoming reality. This would not be possible without the dedication of our employees, who give their all for Axel Springer. But it’s also clear: Without the excellent and consistently reliable partnership with KKR, this outcome would have never been possible. In the new structure, we will have the very best requisites for a great future for journalism.”
Henry Kravis, Co-Founder and Co-Executive Chairman at KKR, said: “Our partnership with Friede and Mathias has been exceptional and reflects the great admiration KKR has for visionary entrepreneurs and family-led businesses like Axel Springer. After a long and productive partnership, this natural next step for the Axel Springer group is a great outcome for all stakeholders involved.”
Philipp Freise, Partner and Co-Head of European Private Equity, KKR added: “We are proud to have partnered with Friede and Mathias since 2019 in pursuit of Axel Springer’s vision to become a leading global provider of digital content and classifieds.
“We have jointly reached this goal by acquiring industry leaders such as POLITICO to expand across geographies and segments, transforming the group’s operations, and attracting market leading talent. We are excited to continue the partnership as we further grow the classifieds businesses, working with the talented teams at Stepstone, AVIV, finanzen.net and Awin in our shared pursuit of future value creation.”
