Perhaps fittingly, the 2014 Pulitzer winners were announced on the 75th publication anniversary of John Steinbeck’s THE GRAPES OF WRATH, one of the most beloved of our Pulitzer honorees. Click here to view all cross-company Pulitzer recipients, to which TOMS RIVER: A Story of Science and Salvation is proudly welcomed. Please join us in congratulating Dan Fagin, his editor Ryan Doherty, and our publishing colleagues on becoming the newest addition to this singular, glorious piece of Penguin Random House publishing History.

Penguin Random House’s Pulitzer recognition also extends internationally. This year’s Fiction award winner, THE GOLDFINCH by Donna Tartt (Little Brown) is published by our sister publishers in two languages in multiple countries: as DER DISTELFINK in Germany by Verlagsgruppe Random House’s Goldmann (HC & E-Book) imprint, and as EL JILGUERO in Spain and Latin America by Grupo Editorial’s Lumen imprint (TP & E-Book).

In addition, Penguin Random House Canada distributes History Pulitzer winner, THE INTERNAL ENEMY: Slavery and War in Virginia by Alan Taylor (W.W. Norton).

We are honored to support the success of our Pulitzer winners across our territories. Hearty congratulations to our authors and publishing colleagues.

The international media company Bertelsmann invested heavily in expanding its businesses in 2013, as the company increased its revenues, operating result and Group profit. Investments in implementing the Group’s strategy amounted to €2 billion, including financial debt assumed, up from €655 million in the previous year, and its largest sum since 2005. Group profit increased by 42 percent to €870 million. This is the highest Group profit since 2006, and is well above the latest expectations.

With transactions such as the merger of Penguin and Random House to create the world’s largest trade book publisher, the acquisition of full ownership in BMG and the acquisition of Gothia, the Arvato division’s biggest purchase to date, Bertelsmann made significant strides in implementing its strategy. These also include the realignment of key business units and stepped-up activity in growth regions. Further steps to advance all the strategic priorities are planned this year. The financial basis for this advancement was laid with last year’s placement of RTL Group shares. Bertelsmann has announced as a priority significant expansion of its education business over the next few months. The Group has also initiated the market entry of its BMG music rights subsidiary in China. Over the next few years, Bertelsmann will invest several billion euros in expanding existing and new businesses, and aims to make further acquisitions.

Bertelsmann Chairman and CEO Thomas Rabe said: “Bertelsmann delivered a gratifying business performance in 2013, and is acting from a position of strength. We have improved our growth profile through strategic decisions and have pushed forward the transformation to digital across all divisions. The diversity of our creative offerings and services is second to none. Also, our figures demonstrate our company’s economic capacity and solid financing. On this basis, in 2014 we will continue to work on making Bertelsmann a faster-growing, more digital, and more international company.” More specifically, he said, Bertelsmann will invest in growth areas such as education and music rights, as well as in the creative core of the company: “We want to gradually expand education into our third revenue mainstay, alongside media content and services. In music rights, the focus will be on further internationalization and strengthening the master rights business.”

Rabe emphasized that in 2013 and in the first few months of the current year, Bertelsmann has made significant progress on all four strategic priorities – strengthening the core, digital transformation, developing growth platforms and expanding in growth regions.

For example, the core businesses were particularly strengthened through the creation of the world’s leading trade book publisher, Penguin Random House, on July 1, 2013. RTL Group further expanded its families of channels. It also acquired TV production companies and, in Germany, much-sought broadcasting rights to the national soccer team’s qualifying matches for Euro 2016 and the 2018 World Cup. Bertelsmann’s Gruner + Jahr and Arvato divisions realigned themselves: Gruner + Jahr now addresses its readers and users along defined Communities of Interest, and Arvato has reorganized itself into Solution Groups to strengthen coordination between countries and its key account management for major customers.

Bertelsmann also increased its footprint and reach in the digital world. In 2013, RTL Group reported a total of 16.8 billion online video views. Through its participation in multi-channel networks it became the third largest YouTube provider (excluding music videos). Penguin Random House grew its e-book offerings to more than 77,000 titles. Gruner + Jahr broadened its portfolio of e-magazines, high-reach mobile services and apps. Arvato achieved further growth as a service provider for leading IT, high-tech and e-commerce companies. Bertelsmann’s various companies and editorial teams now operate approximately 3,500 social media channels with a combined total of 300 million followers on Twitter, Facebook, Google+ and YouTube.

An important milestone in the expansion of growth platforms was achieved in 2013 with the complete takeover of BMG. Five years after its exit from the traditional recorded-music business, Bertelsmann is again one of the leading players in the music industry. During the reporting period, BMG expanded with several catalog acquisitions and prominent artist signings, including Mick Jagger and Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones, Robbie Williams and the Backstreet Boys, followed by the acquisition of Talpa Music in the Netherlands at the beginning of 2014. In the education sector, an attractive portfolio of holdings has been built in the US and Europe via the “University Ventures Fund I” in which Bertelsmann is an anchor investor. Arvato enhanced its strengths in the fast-growing financial services sector by acquiring the Gothia Financial Group, which serves customers in 21 countries. Furthermore, with the acquisition of Netrada at the beginning of this year, Arvato became a leading European provider of integrated e-commerce services.

Bertelsmann also accelerated its business-building activities in growth regions. Together with CBS, RTL Group expanded into Southeast Asia for the first time. In the book publishing business Bertelsmann improved its position in China, India and South America through the merger of Penguin and Random House. In China, Arvato achieved further profitable growth with its service offerings. The Bertelsmann Asia Investments fund enlarged its portfolio and recorded a very positive performance. In Brazil, a step-by-step expansion of the business was initiated by investing in funds and innovative startups.

Bertelsmann CEO Thomas Rabe: “We are on track to increase our revenue volume to around 20 billion euros by 2017 and gradually increasing our Group profit to over one billion euros. The various growth initiatives in our divisions and at corporate level, possible acquisitions, and the full consolidation of Penguin Random House, BMG and Gothia in the current year will contribute to this. At the same time, we are downscaling low-growth businesses such as replication, printing and direct-to-customer businesses.”

In 2013, positive contributions came primarily from the aforementioned portfolio expansions as well as from the German television business. During the reporting period, revenues increased by 1.8 percent to €16.4 billion (previous year €16.1 billion). Growth from the portfolio expansion was offset by normalized revenues in the book business, generally weak advertising markets in Europe, and the scaling back of structurally declining business. Organically, revenues decreased by 2.8 percent. Exchange rate effects amounted to -1.2 percent; portfolio and other effects added 5.8 percent.

The operating result increased in 2013 despite startup losses in building new businesses: Bertelsmann generated operating EBIT of €1.75 billion after €1.73 billion in the previous year. Return on sales was again in the double digit range at 10.7 percent (previous year: 10.8 percent). In particular, the result reflects a strong business performance by Mediengruppe RTL Deutschland, thriving IT and SCM services at Arvato, and the strategic portfolio measures taken during the reporting period.

Against this backdrop, operating EBITDA from continuing operations rose to €2.3 billion (previous year: €2.2 billion). The full consolidation of BMG contributed to this increase. The EBITDA margin was 14.1 percent (previous year: 13.8 percent).

Thanks to lower expenditure on special items, Group profit improved by 42 percent during the reporting period to €870 million (previous year: €612 million) – the highest it has been since 2006.

The business expansion in 2013 led to the highest investments in eight years. Including financial debt assumed, Bertelsmann invested €2.0 billion (previous year: €655 million), mainly in the acquisitions of BMG and Gothia as well as for the purchase of various music catalogs and film rights. Thanks to the proceeds from the placement of RTL Group shares and a high level of operating cash flow, net financial debt was reduced to €636 million at year-end (previous year: €1,218 million). The Group’s broader economic debt was down to €4,178 million at December 31, 2013, after €4,773 million in the previous year. Adjusted operating free cash flow amounted to €1.8 billion (previous year: €1.9 billion).

Bertelsmann CFO Judith Hartmann added: “In financial year 2013 Bertelsmann demonstrated its high profitability, and the Group is in excellent financial shape. All the signs point to expansion and we have the resources available for it. The successful placement of RTL Group shares alone brought us proceeds of €1.5 billion. For 2014, Bertelsmann expects strong revenue growth, continued high profitability, and a positive development of Group profit.”

Bertelsmann employees are participating in the successes achieved: For the last financial year, they will receive profit participation amounting to €101 million (previous year: €92 million), the third-highest total in the company’s history to date.

In accordance with the terms governing the Bertelsmann 2001 profit participation certificate (ISIN DE0005229942), 15 percent on the nominal value will again be paid out on May 12, 2014. The pay-out for the 1992 profit participation certificate (ISIN DE0005229900) is 7.49 percent (previous year: 7.39 percent).

Other key financials:

Special items

Special items amounted to € -46 million compared to € -405 million in the previous year. The majority of the restructuring expenses relate to structurally declining businesses, notably the imminent closure of the Prinovis location in Itzehoe. They also include costs for the implementation of the new organizational structure of Gruner + Jahr and Arvato as well as integration costs in connection with the merger of Penguin and Random House. A re-measurement of the fair value of BMG after the takeover of the remaining BMG shares as well as a write-up on the carrying amount of the Atresmedia investment, had a positive impact.

Cash flow

In the reporting period, Bertelsmann generated net cash from operating activities of €1,785 million (previous year: €1,876 million). The Group’s long-term operating free cash flow adjusted for non-recurring items was €1,760 million (previous year: €1,861 million), and the cash conversion rate was 100 percent (previous year: 107 percent), which puts it within the target corridor of 90 to 100 percent.

Total assets

Total assets increased significantly to €21.4 billion as of December 31, 2013 (previous year: €18.9 billion). The increase is mainly attributable to the reduction in shares in RTL Group, the merger of Penguin and Random House, the acquisition of the remaining BMG shares and the purchase of Gothia. Cash and cash equivalents remained at the previous year’s high level (€2.7 billion). The income from the reduction in shares in RTL Group and the merger of Random House and Penguin increased the equity to €8.7 billion (previous year: €6.1 billion). As a result of this increase, the equity ratio increased from 32.2 percent in the previous year to 40.7 percent.

Investments

Total investments including financial debt assumed increased sharply to €1,988 million (previous year: €655 million). Most of it consisted of the purchase price payments for the acquisitions of BMG and Gothia, investments in property, plant and equipment at Arvato, and the acquisition of music catalogs at BMG and film rights at RTL Group.

Employees

At the end of the financial year, the Group had 111,763 employees worldwide (previous year: 104,286). The increase of 7,477 employees is attributable primarily to strategic portfolio expansions. In 2013, there were 1,304 people (previous year: 1,254) serving in trainee positions in Bertelsmann companies in Germany.

Divisions:

RTL Group

Although advertising markets across Europe were mostly in decline, Europe’s leading entertainment group RTL Group was able to significantly increase its profitability in financial year 2013. Revenues reached €5.9 billion after €6.0 billion in the previous year, representing a 1.9 percent decrease. This revenue development reflects robust core businesses despite negative currency effects and lower revenues for the production arm Fremantle Media. In operating EBIT, another record result by Mediengruppe RTL Deutschland and the strong performance of the Dutch TV channels more than offset the impact of the negative development of advertising markets in many parts of Europe. The German TV advertising market singularly showed slight growth.

Operating EBIT increased by 6.8 percent to a new record level of €1.1 billion (previous year: €1.1 billion). This jumped the return on sales to 19.3 percent (previous year: 17.7 percent). Operating EBITDA increased slightly to €1.3 billion (previous year: €1.3 billion); this lifted the EBITDA margin to 22.6 percent (previous year: 20.9 percent). At year-end, RTL Group had 11,589 employees (December 31, 2012: 11,931). RTL Group succeeded in maintaining most of its leading positions in the audience markets. In France, the Netherlands, Hungary and Croatia, RTL Group’s families of channels grew their share of the TV ad sales market.

Mediengruppe RTL Deutschland increased both its revenues and earnings. The flagship broadcaster RTL Television remained the clear market leader in the main target group. The French Groupe M6 achieved lower revenues, partly because of the declining advertising market. Operating EBIT declined due to start-up losses for the new digital channel 6ter. Audience shares remained largely stable despite the market entry of new competitors. RTL Nederland grew its revenues and operating EBIT notwithstanding a shrinking advertising market, and scored higher viewer ratings.

The production arm Fremantle Media registered continued global interest in its major talent shows and invested in the development of new formats. Revenues fell mainly due to currency effects and because of the cancellation of formats in individual territories. Operating EBIT was slightly down year on year. In November, Fremantle Media acquired the Danish production company Miso Film, which specializes in series and TV movies.

In the growth market of Asia, RTL Group partnered with CBS Studios International to initiate the establishment of two new channels. The first channel, RTL CBS Entertainment HD, made its debut in 2013 in Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore and the Philippines. The launch of the second channel will follow in the spring of 2014. In Croatia, RTL Hrvatska established a new children’s channel, which went on air in January 2014 and has scored excellent ratings from the start.

RTL Group’s digital business also continued to be greatly expanded. The Group acquired a majority stake in BroadbandTV, one of the largest multichannel networks on YouTube, and also invested in the leading online video network for fashion and beauty StyleHaul, the German YouTube network Divimove, and the Dutch video-on-demand provider Videoload. The Group’s various online platforms and mobile applications recorded high growth rates.

RTL Group has been additionally listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange since the end of April 2013. Bertelsmann reduced its holdings and has held 75.1 percent of the shares in the company.

Penguin Random House

For Random House, 2013 was the year of the historic merger of all its divisions outside Germany with Pearson’s trade publishing division Penguin Group. The formation of Penguin Random House was completed on July 1, and the multiyear integration of the two units is now underway. Bertelsmann holds 53 percent of the shares in the world’s largest trade book publisher, while Pearson holds 47 percent.

This year-end consolidated revenue of €2.7 billion for the combined company reflects a full year of Random House, including Germany’s Verlagsgruppe Random House, and a half-year of the Penguin Group. Total sales were 23.9 percent above Random House’s previous year’s revenue (€2.1 billion). Adjusted for currency and portfolio effects, revenues decreased compared with the record year 2012, which was dominated by the exceptional success of the “Fifty Shades” trilogy. Operating EBIT fell 4.9 percent from the high level of the previous year – partly due to depreciations in connection with the initial inclusion of intangible assets at Penguin – to €309 million (previous year: €325 million). Return on sales came to 11.6 percent (previous year: 15.2 percent). Operating EBITDA increased to €363 million (previous year: €352 million). As a result, the EBITDA margin was 13.7 percent (previous year: 16.4 percent). At the end of the year, Penguin Random House had 11,838 employees (December 31, 2012, Random House: 5,712).

Penguin Random House’s biggest new release was Dan Brown’s “Inferno,” selling almost six million copies in its English-language territories in seven months. Other megasellers included Sheryl Sandberg’s “Lean In,” “And The Mountains Echoed” by Khaled Hosseini, “The Fault In Our Stars” by John Green and John Grisham’s “Sycamore Row.” Demand for English-, German- and Spanish-language editions of the “Fifty Shades” trilogy by E L James continued to be strong with more than seven million print, digital and audiobook copies sold in 2013.

The US company placed 261 titles on the “New York Times” hardcover and paperback bestseller lists from July to December, 27 of them at number one. During the same period, Penguin Random House UK placed 14 number one titles on the bestseller lists of the “Sunday Times.” In Germany, Verlagsgruppe Random House attained major growth in its digital publishing business, achieving first-time double-digit percentage of overall sales revenues with e-books. The division’s biggest-selling title of the year was “Die Analphabetin, die rechnen konnte” by Jonas Jonasson. A solid business performance in Latin America and a strong portfolio of Spanish-language bestsellers offset the impact of the difficult economy in Spain, where the publishing unit has operated under the name Penguin Random House Grupo Editorial since November. In India and South Africa, Penguin Random House completed the purchase of their respective co-partners’ ownership stakes.

With new apps, the increasing integration of social media into book marketing and growing e-book downloads, Penguin Random House has advanced its leadership in the transformation to digital. During the reporting period, the Group sold more than 100 million e-books worldwide, and more than 77,000 titles are now internationally available in digital form.

Many Penguin Random House authors received prestigious literary awards in 2013, including Alice Munro, the winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature. The Group’s authors also won four Pulitzer Prizes, a National Book Award in the United States, and for Verlagsgruppe Random House, the German Book Prize.

Gruner + Jahr

At Gruner + Jahr, the financial year was shaped by a personnel, organizational and strategic realignment to transform the existing printing and publishing company into a “house of content” with high-quality print and digital offerings for specific target groups. On the commercial side, Gruner + Jahr reported a significant fall in revenues and operating result during the reporting period; this was against a backdrop of declining ad sales revenues, the partial discontinuation of its business media along with other disposals, increased investment in the digital business and a decline in the international business. Revenues reached €2.1 billion after €2.2 billion in the previous year (-6.9 percent). Operating EBIT was down by 13.1 percent to €146 million (previous year: €168 million). Return on sales decreased to 7.1 percent (previous year: 7.6 percent). Operating EBITDA was €193 million against €213 million in the previous year, resulting in an EBITDA margin of 9.3 percent (previous year: 9.6 percent). At year-end, Gruner + Jahr employed 10,819 people (December 31, 2012: 11,585). Since April 2013, Gruner + Jahr has been jointly managed by Julia Jäkel (CEO), Stephan Schäfer and Oliver Radtke.

G+J Germany improved its results year on year. Sales revenues dipped in line with market conditions but adjusted for portfolio changes the advertising business developed positively, bucking the market trend. In Germany the business structures were fundamentally changed. With its realignment along eight Communities of Interest, G+J is resolutely focusing on the interests of its readers, users and customers. For instance, its strong position in the Living, Food and Family communities was expanded with investments in digital offers such as the Home and Furniture community Roomido, the online store for high-end foods Delinero and the online store for baby and children’s clothing Tausendkind. “Chefkoch” and “Flow” enhanced the print portfolio of the Food and Women communities with two innovative new titles. G+J Media Sales added market share in the ad sales market, and both G+J’s digital marketer EMS and the performance marketer Ligatus recorded continued dynamic growth.

Prisma Media’s magazine business in France declined due to difficult market conditions. The expansion of the digital business was successfully advanced, including through targeted acquisitions. For instance, the reporting period saw the acquisition of the two digital ad sales houses Mob Value and P Comme Performance.

Verlagsgruppe News in Austria declined, underperforming the market mainly in the ad sales business. In the reporting period, its activities in Southern Europe continued to be affected by difficult macroeconomic conditions. The company sold off its operations in Poland and parts of the operations in Southeastern Europe.

Gruner + Jahr’s activities in China reported declines due to a first-time reduction in the Chinese ad sales market. In the United States, the offset printing company Brown Printing saw a fall in revenues and earnings due to lower capacity utilization. The business of Dresdner Druck- und Verlagshaus was mostly stable.

During the reporting period, G+J journalists and authors won a variety of prestigious awards for their work; in Germany alone, they won more than any other publisher.

Arvato

The international service provider Arvato delivered a robust business performance in financial year 2013. Revenues remained stable at €4.4 billion (previous year: €4.4 billion). Operating EBIT remained stable at €244 million (previous year: €244 million). Return on sales thus remained at 5.5 percent (previous year: 5.5 percent). Operating EBITDA increased to €401 million (previous year: €391 million); this put the EBITDA margin at 9.1 percent (previous year: 8.8 percent). There was a management changeover at the top of Arvato: Achim Berg has led the group as Chief Executive Officer since April 2013. A new organizational structure arranges the businesses by Solution Groups and countries, and a central Key Account Management system was introduced for major international clients. At year-end, Arvato employed 66,410 people (December 31, 2012: 63,627).

During the reporting period Arvato registered significant growth mainly at IT Services and supply chain management solutions for international customers in the Internet, high-tech and consumer goods sectors, as well as in China. Arvato’s acquisition of Gothia Financial Group, completed in June 2013, advanced its internationalization and transformed it into the third-largest service provider in Europe in the rapidly growing market for business information and financial services.

Operating EBIT also reflects upfront costs for acquisitions and set-up costs for newly acquired customers in the supply chain management and e-commerce businesses. In the reporting period, the customer-relationship management business showed a positive development in Germany and Spain, and declined slightly in France. In South America, Asia and Africa, new offshore sites for customer communications solutions were established or expanded to increase competitiveness.

Arvato’s Print Services maintained its position in a difficult market environment. Revenues in Replication declined as expected. In Brazil and China, Arvato sold holdings in replication factories.

The development of Arvato’s businesses varied from region to region. For example, performance was satisfactory in the European core countries given the difficult economic situation. In the UK, a major new government services client, the Department for Transport, was acquired. The service activities in Spain saw profitable growth despite the economic crisis. Meanwhile, the services businesses in France were not quite able to maintain the previous year’s high levels. In the North American market, the portfolio of customers and locations was systematically culled to increase the profitability of the businesses. In Turkey, Arvato’s services businesses grew dynamically, and in China the company’s logistics network was expanded considerably yet again.

Arvato won prestigious awards in various countries around the world for its tailored customer solutions.

Be Printers

In 2013, Bertelsmann’s gravure and international offset printing activities, grouped into Be Printers, generated revenues of €1.1 billion in a difficult market environment, down 7.5 percent from the previous year (€1.2 billion). Operating EBIT declined by 29.3 percent to €41 million (previous year: €58 million), and return on sales thus amounted to 3.7 percent (previous year: 4.8 percent). Operating EBITDA decreased to €92 million (previous year: €115 million), resulting in an EBITDA margin of 8.2 percent (previous year: 9.5 percent). At year-end, Be Printers employed 6,201 people (December 31, 2012: 6,571).

Declining print runs characterized Be Printers’ printing operations in the reporting period, as did continuing price pressure and high excess capacity in the industry. The group responded with new offers as well as various programs to increase efficiency and lower costs.

Specifically, the gravure division Prinovis realized savings in personnel costs and materials purchasing. Provisions for restructuring costs were formed for the planned closure of the Itzehoe site in April 2014. As a special item, these are not shown under operating EBIT. The fire at a gravure printing press in Dresden led to restrictions on production; at the same time, Prinovis received a compensation payment from the machine’s property insurance. As a special item, this is also not shown under operating EBIT. In the UK, a major customer cut order volumes. Overall, revenues and earnings were down at Prinovis. During the reporting period, several of Prinovis’ print products and digital offers won industry awards for their high quality.

Be Printers’ Southern European printing companies did business in a difficult market environment that was further exacerbated by macroeconomic developments in Italy and Spain. The units recorded declining volumes. Management countered this with measures to increase sales and cut costs, for example, in the areas of procurement and IT. The merger of the Italian and German calendar businesses also improved productivity and competitiveness.

Be Printers Americas countered the declining market development and kept its earnings stable. Growing business with clients outside the publishing industry – such as communications services for companies in the health-care sector – cushioned the decline in revenues. In 2013, major existing customers renewed their contracts with Be Printers Americas.

Corporate Investments/Corporate Center

In 2013, Corporate Investments, which includes all of Bertelsmann’s other operating activities, recorded significantly increased revenue of €582 million (previous year: €471 million) and operating EBIT of €-40 million (previous year: €-38 million). Operating EBITDA was €10 million compared with €-29 million in the previous year; the EBITDA margin was 1.7 percent. The acquisition of full ownership of the BMG Music Rights subsidiary, completed in April 2013, helped to boost revenues. This was partly offset by declining revenues in the Club and Direct Marketing businesses. Operating EBIT reflects start-up losses, among other factors for business expansion in the education sector, and a decline in earnings in the Club business. At year-end, Corporate Investments had 4,342 employees (December 31, 2012: 4,289).

Jointly established by Bertelsmann and KKR, the music rights company BMG is once again fully owned by Bertelsmann since the end of March 2013 and grew strongly during the reporting period. BMG acquired several catalogs of song and master rights: Primary Wave, Sanctuary, Mute and Virgin/Famous. Numerous national and international artists signed new contracts including Mick Jagger and Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones, Robbie Williams and the Backstreet Boys. BMG expanded its presence in all major music markets, including opening a branch in Canada.

In the reporting period, Bertelsmann invested in developing its new line of business: education. The University Ventures Fund, jointly established with other investors, expanded its international portfolio of holdings. Bertelsmann also made direct investments to increase its stake in Synergis Education, a service provider that supports academic institutions in establishing accredited online degree programs, and in the innovative US online education provider University Now.

The Bertelsmann Digital Media Investments (BDMI) and Bertelsmann Asia Investments (BAI) funds expanded their portfolios. For instance, BDMI joined RTL Group in investing in the online video network StyleHaul, which brought its holdings to a total of 49 at year-end. BAI acquired five new holdings – including providers of mobile payment services, car purchasing and cloud computing – and divested from three companies, realizing high capital gains in the process. The remaining portfolio, consisting of 20 holdings, developed very well. In India, two direct investments were made, including in the real estate portal indiaproperty.com. In Brazil, investments were also made in two online media start-ups.

Revenues in the Club business declined as planned in 2013. The operational business of the direct marketing company Inmediaone will be gradually phased out by mid-2014. The dismantling of the German Club continued with store closures, and the businesses in the Czech Republic and Slovakia were sold to a strategic investor.

The Corporate Center department, which comprises all of the Group’s Corporate Centers around the world, controlled and supported several large transactions in 2013, including the merger of Penguin and Random House into Penguin Random House, the world’s leading trade book publishing group, and the incremental placement of RTL Group shares on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. Its work during the year also focused on the organization of a Management Meeting and “State of the Art Forum” in Silicon Valley, as well as the global employee survey. In the first half of 2013, the Bertelsmann Executive Board launched the Operational Excellence program, which is designed to monitor processes and structures in the financial, HR, IT and procurement departments across the Group. The program will support Group strategy by modernizing structures, improving efficiency and creating uniform standards of quality. It will be implemented in several stages over a period of up to five years.

Overview of figures (in € millions)

The comparative figures for the previous period have been adjusted.

About Bertelsmann

Bertelsmann is an international media company whose core divisions encompass television (RTL Group), book publishing (Penguin Random House), magazine publishing (Gruner + Jahr), services (Arvato), and printing (Be Printers) in some 50 countries. In 2013, the company’s businesses, with their more than 111,000 employees, generated revenues of €16.4 billion. Bertelsmann stands for a combination of creativity and entrepreneurship that empowers the creation of first-rate media, communications, and service offerings to inspire people around the world and to provide innovative solutions for customers.

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Chiki Sarkar, currently Publisher at Penguin Books India, has been appointed as Publisher, Penguin Random House India with overall responsibility for building the local publishing programme in both English and local languages. Random House India’s first editor-in-chief in 2006, she moved to Penguin Books India in 2011 and has been instrumental in publishing many of the sub-continent’s finest writers including Amitav Ghosh, Arundhati Roy, Vikram Seth, Suketu Mehta, Vikram Chandra, Amit Chaudhuri and Pankaj Mishra and has launched the careers of some of the best new talent such as Mohammed Hanif, Shehan Karunatilaka, Basharat Peer, Daniyal Mueenuddin and Aman Sethi. She has recently been announced as one of the World Economic Forum’s Young Global Leaders, a community which assembles the world’s most outstanding next-generation leaders. Chiki will report to Penguin Random House India CEO Gaurav Shrinagesh.

Milee Ashwarya and Meru Gokhale have both been appointed to the role of Publishing Director, Penguin Random House India and will report to Chiki Sarkar.

In her new position Meru Gokhale, currently Editorial Director for Vintage, Random House India, will have direct responsibility for the prestigious Vintage India, Allen Lane, Hamish Hamilton, Viking and Classics publishing lists. Meru has acquired, edited and published books by authors including Paulo Coelho, Kiran Desai, Jamil Ahmad, Sonia Faleiro, Tahmima Anam, Jhumpa Lahiri, Salman Rushdie, Orhan Pamuk, Nadeem Aslam, Rahul Pandita, Basharat Peer and Mohammed Hanif. In 2013 she was awarded the prestigious Jerusalem Editorial Fellowship.

Presently Editorial Director for Ebury India and Random Business, Milee will oversee Ebury India, Random Business, Portfolio, Metro Reads, Shobhaa De Books and Penguin Ananda. Milee joined Random House India in 2008 and has worked across all genres of publishing during her career. She has commissioned, acquired and published bestselling books including From XL to XS, Jugaad Innovation, Dhandha, the IIMA Business series, the MINT Business series and worked with authors including Payal Gidwani Tiwari, Deanne Panday, Cyrus Broacha, Sudeep Nagarkar, Suhel Seth, Preeti Shenoy and Rocky Singh and Mayur Sharma.

Bringing focus to its children’s list, Hemali Sodhi will be taking on the newly created role of Director, Children’s for Penguin Random House India. During her time as Vice President Marketing and Communications, Penguin Books India, Hemali established Penguin as the foremost publishing brand in the country and in her new role she will have responsibility for growing the children’s local publishing program as well as the international list for the Indian market, along with product and brand development for children’s. The current children’s editorial, product and marketing teams will report to her.

Hemali will retain her responsibility for Penguin’s Annual Lecture, Spring Fever and all CSR activity. In addition, Hemali will manage Corporate Communications for Penguin Books India for the foreseeable future. She will report to Gaurav Shrinagesh in all capacities.

Caroline Newbury, currently VP Marketing and Publicity Random House India, will take on the role of VP, Marketing and Corporate Communications for Penguin Random House India and will oversee all marketing, publicity, digital and corporate communications functions for the company. Caroline joined Random House India two years ago after more than a decade with the Ebury Publishing division, Random House UK. She will report to Gaurav Shrinagesh.

Gaurav Shrinagesh, CEO, Penguin Random House India, said:

“Penguin Random House India is home to some of the finest editorial talent in the country, and this new structure ensures we will continue to be at the forefront of trade publishing in India. With the combined expertise of Chiki, Meru and Milee, who have each built lists of considerable repute, I am confident that our reputation for discovering the region’s best new writing talent as well as building the careers of our established authors is in very good hands.

I am delighted to announce all of these appointments and know my colleagues will work tirelessly to provide a first-class environment for our authors to produce their best works and for these to be enjoyed by the widest possible readership.”

On the sales side, Ananth Padmanabhan has been appointed Senior Vice President, Sales with overall responsibility for sales across all distribution channels of Penguin Random House in India. He will report to Gaurav Shrinagesh.

Currently VP Sales, Penguin Books India, Ananth began his career with the Landmark bookstore in Chennai, in 1992, before joining Penguin Books in 1997. Over nearly twenty years with the company he has been instrumental in shaping the sales, distribution and representation strategy and in building Penguin’s presence across India and the Indian subcontinent.

Formerly responsible for sales for Random House India, Nand Nath Jha has been appointed VP, International Product and Digital Sales, reporting to Ananth. His role will include the entire portfolio of Penguin Random House Group international product and all the agency publishers it represents in India. He will also be responsible for all online and digital sales for the group and sales of children’s product. Nandan has worked in the book trade for two decades, starting his career with distributor India Book House before switching to retail (Crossword, 1995 and Jashanmals, 1998), then moving to Random House in 2000.

Manoj Satti will take on the role of General Manager International Product (Random House) and Sales Planning. Currently responsible for managing Product and Operations at Random House, Manoj began his career with Sterling Publishers and Pearson Education before moving to Random House eight years ago. His new role will involve overseeing the product development for Random House International products and all sales forecasting across PRH portfolio of products. Manoj will report into Nandan for product and Ananth for sales planning.

Rahul Dixit, currently General Manager, Penguin Books India, in his new role as General Manager, Local Publishing and Sales, will now oversee development of product and diversified sales for all local publishing across Penguin Random House India and will continue to lead sales for North India. He will be reporting to Ananth. Rahul started his career with Penguin books in 2005 and has handled diversified sales portfolios within the company.

Gaurav Shrinagesh, CEO Penguin Random House India said:

“Our new sales team represents decades of experience across a wide range of retail-related areas of publishing - distribution, shop-floor bookselling, inventory management, customer service, as well as direct representation. This wealth of knowledge will enable Penguin Random House to continue to ensure our books reach their readers, wherever and however they buy them.

“In their years with Penguin and Random House, Ananth and Nandan have built strong reputations within the industry for their excellent relationships with customers and their expertise in navigating the changing retail landscape. I am confident that supported by Manoj and Rahul’s knowledge of product and insight into sales development, this team will create a firm foundation for continued Penguin Random House growth.”

About Chiki Sarkar

Chiki Sarkar was educated at Oxford University and worked in Bloomsbury Publishing, London for seven years. In 2006 she returned to India to become the first editor in chief of Random House India. She has been the publisher of Penguin Books India since 2011.

About Milee Ashwarya

Milee Ashwarya studied English literature at Hindu College, Delhi University and began her publishing career at Rupa & Co. In 2008, she joined Random House India as Commissioning Editor and was promoted to Senior Commissioning Editor in January 2011. Working across all genres her list of authors includes Payal Gidwani Tiwari, Pratibha Karan, Cyrus Broacha, Suhel Seth, Preeti Shenoy and Rocky Singh and Mayur Sharma. She is currently Editorial Director of two imprints - Ebury India and Random Business - and is responsible for shaping Random House India’s list of popular fiction and non-fiction in all areas of lifestyle as well as business publishing.

About Meru Gokhale

A graduate of St. Stephen’s College, Delhi and the Columbia Publishing Course, New York, Meru Gokhale began her publishing career in 2004 with Penguin Books India, editing books across fiction and nonfiction, cookbooks, history and current affairs. She acquired, commissioned and edited books from authors including Orhan Pamuk, Kiran Desai, Jamil Ahmad, Sonia Faleiro and Tahmima Anam. She joined Random House as Editorial Director of the newly-created Vintage India in 2011. At Random House she has acquired and worked with authors such as Jhumpa Lahiri, Salman Rushdie, Helen Fielding, Nadeem Aslam, Rahul Pandita, Basharat Peer, Mohammed Hanif, and Abhijit V. Banerjee and Esther Duflo. In 2013 she was awarded the prestigious Jerusalem Editorial Fellowship.

About Hemali Sodhi

Hemali joined the publishing Industry in ’96 as a publicist with Penguin India. She has since shaped Penguin India’s marketing strategy, building a formidable brand which was, in 2012, voted as the #4 most successful brand across industries. Penguin is also the only publisher in the Country to boast its own Literature Festival in Delhi, ‘Spring Fever’ and its own lecture, ‘The Penguin Annual Lecture’, which is the largest open lecture featuring speakers as celebrated as HH the Dalai Lama. Penguin India is the most widely followed and engaged-with Publisher on social media, with its own award winning website, a hugely appreciated facebook and twitter strategy and the only publisher to have a multi-platform Mobile App. Penguin India’s marketing campaigns, both print and digital, have consistently won awards.

Hemali completed her post graduation in English literature, from Delhi University.

About Caroline Newbury

A graduate of Trinity College, Oxford University (M.A. Hons. Ancient and Modern History), Caroline Newbury joined Ebury Publishing, a division of Random House UK in 2001 as a publicity assistant. She worked there for 11 years, rising to Deputy Publicity Director, Ebury Publishing, before moving to Delhi in April 2012.

About Ananth Padmanabhan

Ananth began his career in publishing in ’92 as a bookseller with Landmark bookstores, based in Chennai. He joined Penguin Books in ‘97 and is currently Vice President, Sales. During the course of his career with Penguin, Ananth has shaped Penguin’s sales, distribution and representation strategy and has also been responsible for Penguin India’s digital strategy, including publishing, distribution and sales across channels and partners. He is a graduate from the University of Madras, has studied Publishing from Stanford University and has completed a course in Management from IIM Ahmedabad.

He is also a professional photographer and has done many projects, one of which, on publishing, called Calcutta: Walking in the City, can be seen on www.ananthpadmanabhan.com

About Nandan Jha

A graduate of Commerce from University of Delhi, Nandan Jha has worked in all areas of sales in book trade in the last 20 years. He started his career with a distributor (India Book House) in 1994, switched to retail (Crossword, 1995 and Jashanmals, 1998), and then moved to a publisher (Random House Group UK, 2000). In between, he also dabbled with some publishing (Hindi & English) and freelance sales & marketing representation of several independent publishers for 4 years.

He has held the position of Vice President – Sales at Random House India since April 2010, and is also responsible for the developing and executing digital strategy for the company in the domestic and international markets.

About Rahul Dixit

Rahul joined Penguin in 2005 as assistant sales manager following nearly 4 years of experience in selling school books. He headed Penguin’s North India business from 2008 to 2010 before becoming product manager for Penguin Local in 2011. In his current role as General Manager, he is responsible for all local sales and also manages Penguin’s relationship with two other local publishers Zubaan and Hay House.

About Manoj Satti

Manoj Satti’s career in publishing began in 2000 with Sterling Publishers handling sales and customer service activities. After four years at Pearson Education, where he handled promotional activities for their higher education and schools divisions as well as developing and managing their website, he moved to Random House as sales administrator. Over his seven year career with the company, he has been responsible for sales to distributors and retail across the country, the budgeting, product selection, inventory management and pricing strategy for international titles, Random House’s migration to new Microsoft ERP – Navision and few other IT initiatives – and overseeing imports, distribution and supply chain management. He also had responsibility for the creation of the Knowledge Encyclopedia for special sales which has sold over 650,000 copies.

For further information: Caroline Newbury, Penguin Random House, cnewbury@randomhouse.co.in, +91 9953070129

Penguin Random House India is a Penguin Random House company. Penguin Random House (http://global.penguinrandomhouse.com/) is the world’s first truly global trade book publisher. It was formed on July 1, 2013, upon the completion of an agreement between Bertelsmann and Pearson to merge their respective trade publishing companies, Random House and Penguin, with the parent companies owning 53% and 47%, respectively. Penguin Random House comprises the adult and children’s fiction and nonfiction print and digital trade book publishing businesses of Penguin and Random House in the U.S., U.K., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and India, Penguin’s trade publishing activity in Asia and South Africa; DK worldwide; and Random House’s companies in Spain, Mexico, Argentina, Uruguay, Colombia, and Chile. Penguin Random House employs more than 10,000 people globally across almost 250 editorially and creatively independent imprints and publishing houses that collectively publish more than 15,000 new titles annually. Its publishing lists include more than 70 Nobel Prize laureates and hundreds of the world’s most widely read authors.

Penguin Random House, the global trade book publisher established last year by parent companies Bertelsmann and Pearson, today signed agreements with Santillana, the book publishing business majority-controlled by PRISA, to acquire the trade book business of Santillana Ediciones Generales, which operates in Spain, Portugal, and Latin America, including Brazil.

Penguin Random House Grupo Editorial, the publisher’s Spanish-language company, will purchase the Spanish-language and Portuguese-language trade book business companies of Santillana Ediciones Generales. The acquired Spanish-language business will be merged with Penguin Random House Grupo Editorial in Spain, Portugal and Latin America. Penguin Random House Brazil, Penguin Random House’s Brazilian holding company, will acquire Santillana’s Brazilian trade publishing business, Objetiva. The Spanish-language imprints being acquired include Aguilar, Alfaguara, Punta de Lectura, Suma de Letras, Taurus, and in Brazil, Alfaguara, Foglio, Fontanar, Objetiva, Ponto de Leitura, and Suma de Letras, among others.

Today’s announcement was made by Markus Dohle, CEO of Penguin Random House, and Miguel Angel Cayuela, CEO of Santillana. The closing is expected to occur once the relevant legal and administrative obligations are completed.

The combination of two highly-regarded Spanish trade book publishers will significantly increase the company’s presence in Spain and Latin America. The acquisition of Objetiva gives Penguin Random House a fully-owned publishing presence in Brazil, South America’s biggest market.

Until closing, Penguin Random House and Santillana Ediciones Generales operations will continue to operate independently. Post-closing, Santillana Ediciones Generales operations in its Spanish-language territories and in Portugal will become part of Penguin Random House Grupo Editorial. Núria Cabutí will continue in her role as the company’s CEO, with the support of Armando Collazos, Global Director for Prisa Ediciones. The newly expanded business expects to publish 1,500 titles a year.

Penguin Random House Brazil, which also holds a 45% minority stake in Companhia das Letras, will acquire full ownership of Objetiva, which is located in Rio de Janeiro. Luiz Schwarcz will supervise the operations of Penguin Random House in Brazil, with the support of Roberto Feith, CEO of Objetiva, and the highly regarded team which has made Objetiva one of the leading publishing houses in Brazil. Mr. Schwarz will also continue as Director General of Companhia das Letras. Editora Objetiva publishes many leading Brazilian and international authors, including: Jon Lee Anderson, João Cabral de Mello Neto, Daniel Goleman, Daniel Kahneman, Stephen King, Haruki Murakami,Vladmir Nabokov, Joao Ubaldo Ribeiro, Mario Vargas Llosa, Luis Fernando Veríssimo, Carlos Ruiz Zafón, among others.

With this acquisition, Penguin Random House Grupo Editorial will expand its consumer-publishing business in Spain, and in the high-growth Latin American markets, such as Santillana’s businesses in Mexico, Argentina, Colombia, Chile and Uruguay. It will also gain a new foothold through Santillana’s trade book businesses in Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, Paraguay, Venezuela, Dominican Republic and Central America. Penguin Random House Grupo Editorial will have a new presence in Portugal, and expand its presence in the Spanish-language U.S. market. This transaction does not include the acquisition of Santillana’s children’s and young adult literature geared to schools and educational institutions.

Penguin Random House Grupo Editorial as a newly combined company will maintain the editorial and entrepreneurial identity autonomy of all of its imprints. It will publish original Spanish-language and Spanish translations of adult and children’s fiction and nonfiction in hardcover, paperback and digital formats under Santillana’s trade book imprints Alfaguara, Aguilar, Altea, Fontanar, Punto de Lectura, Suma de letras, and Taurus, as well as under Penguin Random House Grupo Editorial’s existing imprints: Beascoa, Caballo de Troya, Collins, Conecta, Debate, Debolsillo, Fantascy, Grijalbo, Literatura Random House, Lumen, Montena, Nube de Tinta, Plaza & Janés, RHFlash, Rosa dels Vents, and Sudamericana.

The union of Penguin Random House Grupo Editorial and Santillana Ediciones Generales will create a complementary roster of Spanish and international authors, including many Nobel Prize winners such as Alice Munro, Mario Vargas Llosa, Gabriel García Márquez, José Saramago, J.M. Coetzee, Orhan Pamuk, Doris Lessing and V.S. Naipaul and Gunter Grass; Cervantes Award winners such as Juan Marsé, Jorge Edwards, Guillermo Cabrera Infante and Sergio Pitol; and Spanish National Literature Award winners Javier Cercas, Javier Marías, José María Merino and Luis Mateo Díez, among others. The international bestselling authors published by both groups include Isabel Allende, Claudia Bonelli, Jorge Luis Borges, Julio Cortázar, Joël Dicker, Umberto Eco, Albert Espinosa, Laura Esquivel, Ildefonso Falcones, Ken Follett, Carlos Fuentes, Elizabeth Gilbert, John Grisham, E L James, Stephenie Meyer, Kate Morton, Julia Navarro, Chimamanda Ngozi Adiche, Arturo Pérez-Reverte, Paul Preston, Quino, Marcela Serrano, Hiromi Shinya, and Manuel Vicent, among others.

Markus Dohle said, “It is very exciting that our first international acquisition for Penguin Random House is the prestigious Santillana Ediciones Generales publishing group. It meets two of our major strategic goals: to strengthen our long-term commitment to Spanish-language book publishing as we increase our literary and commercial potential in one of the world’s most vital language markets, and to strengthen our publishing presence in Brazil. We will draw and build upon the great publishing traditions of Penguin Random House Grupo Editorial, Santillana Ediciones Generales, Companhia das Letras, and Objetiva, and the creativity and dedication of their enormously talented staff. With our combined company, we will be in an even stronger position to provide authors and booksellers with a tremendous variety of publishing opportunities, and readers with an incomparable range of reading choices. The union of Penguin Random House Grupo Editorial and Santillana’s trade book businesses will be ideal for bringing Spanish- and Portuguese-language authors to a wider global audience, together with achieving greater international reach for Penguin Random House.”

Miguel Angel Cayuela, CEO of Santillana, said. “This was not an easy decision to make. However, these are times that require us to devote all our efforts to the very operations that defined us from the very beginning of our company, and our core business, which is education. Spurred by innovation and technology, we are experiencing a major transformation across the sector, and our hope and commitment is that Santillana will be a major player in this change. We now hope to put all our knowledge and ideas to work in the service of a new and better education program,” Mr. Cayuela thanked “especially the work done by all employees of Santillana’s general-interest publishing houses.”

Núria Cabutí said, “With Santillana Ediciones Generales we bring together the knowledge, experience and capabilities of two prestigiuous publishing groups dedicated to Spanish-language book content, both fully committed to their authors, agents, booksellers and colleagues. We will preserve the identity and independence of all imprints, as well as our publishing programs in both companies. Authors will remain our top priority. We always will strive to offer them the highest-quality editorial, marketing and distribution support for their books. This milestone event will enable us to offer our readers an unprecedented range of titles, along with our ongoing commitment to excellence across all markets in which we operate.”

Amando Collazos, Global Director of Prisa Ediciones, stated, “Following the decision of Santillana to strenghten operations in the education sector, and in light of the need to optimize global operations in a new, fast-changing environment, it gives us great satisfaction to know that a group with international leadership such as Penguin Random House will be providing continuity to the work our publishing teams have carried out in recent years to connect our authors with their readers.”

Companhia das Letras imprints are Boa Companhia, Claro Enigma, Companhia de Bolso, Companhia das Letras, Companhia das Letrinhas, Panelinha, Paralela, Penguin-Companhia (Classics), Portfolio-Penguin, Quadrinhos na Cia., and Seguinte. Among the leading authors they publish are Jorge Amado, Martin Amis, Paul Auster, Saul Bellow, Roberto Bolaño, Jorge Luis Borges, Chico Buarque,, Fernando Henrique Cardoso, Italo Calvino, J.M. Coetzee, Carlos Drummond de Andrade, Nick Hornby, Milan Kundera, Ian McEwan, Stieg Larsson, Vinícius de Moraes Alice Munro, George Orwell, Amós Oz, Orhan Pamuk, Fernando Pessoa, Philip Roth, Salman Rushdie, José Saramago, Jô Soares, Donna Tartt, Érico Veríssimo, among others.

Luiz Schwarcz, CEO, Companhia das Letras, said, "It is an honor for Companhia das Letras to become a part of this fantastic, creative universe, which combines the best publishing houses in the world and a catalogue of authors that is unrivalled anywhere. It is also an unprecedented opportunity to broaden the promotion of Brazilian authors internationally, which Companhia das Letras has been intensely developing during the past years. It will be a tremendous privilege and great pleasure soon to be able to collaborate with Roberto Feith and the excellent team at Objetiva. In bringing together the storied heritages and outstanding authors of both companies we believe we can create a new standard for Brazilian publishing as we maintain the autonomy and editorial identities of our imprints.”

Roberto Feith, CEO, Objetiva, observed, “For me and the team at Objetiva it is a unique opportunity and an immense source of satisfaction to become part of this superbly qualified publishing group, Penguin Random House. Additionally, after the closing of the deal, it will be a pleasure to work together closely with Luiz Schwarcz. We have been colleagues and friends for years, and Objetiva surely will benefit from his experienced leadership and his respect for our publishing programs.”

Penguin Random House (http://global.penguinrandomhouse.com/) is the world’s first truly global trade book publisher. It was formed on July 1, 2013, upon the completion of an agreement between Bertelsmann and Pearson to merge their respective trade publishing companies, Random House and Penguin, with the parent companies owning 53% and 47%, respectively. Penguin Random House comprises the adult and children’s fiction and nonfiction print and digital trade book publishing businesses of Penguin and Random House in the U.S., U.K., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and India, Penguin’s trade publishing activity in Asia and South Africa; DK worldwide; and Random House’s companies in Spain, Mexico, Argentina, Uruguay, Colombia, and Chile. Penguin Random House employs more than 10,000 people globally across almost 250 editorially and creatively independent imprints and publishing houses that collectively publish more than 15,000 new titles annually. Its publishing lists include more than 70 Nobel Prize laureates and hundreds of the world’s most widely read authors.

Santillana is the leading publishing group in Spain and Latin America with an international presence in 22 countries. Since March 2000, Santillana has been part of PRISA, the largest media group in the Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking markets, and leader in education, news and information, and entertainment.

Random House Struik was formed in 2008 following the merger of Random House South Africa and Struik Publishers to create a significant new player in the African book publishing industry. The new company, known as Random House Struik, brought together two of the country's most prominent book publishers, with The Random House Group holding a 49.9 per cent stake and Times Media Group’s New Holland Publishing holding 50.1 per cent. Following today’s acquisition, Penguin Random House now takes 100 per cent ownership of Random House Struik.

Ian Hudson, CEO, Penguin Random House International, said: “We have enjoyed a terrific partnership with Times Media and New Holland Publishing over the last five years and they pass to us a fantastic legacy of a thriving local publishing list and an innovative digital programme, including world-leading nature apps. We look forward to building on this with Random House Struik now a wholly-owned part of Penguin Random House.”

Andrew Bonamour, CEO, Times Media Group, said: “We are very pleased to have concluded the sale of our shareholding in Random House Struik to our long term partners in the business, who we believe will cherish and grow what is generally considered to be the best local publishing list in South Africa”.

Random House Struik and Penguin Books South Africa will now work in close cooperation under the excellent respective leaderships of Steve Connolly and Stephen Johnson with a view to integrating the businesses within Penguin Random House in 2014.

Random House Struik’s local publishing promotes books written in both English and Afrikaans, under the Struik Lifestyle, Struik Nature, Struik Travel & Heritage, Fernwood Press and Zebra Press non-fiction imprints and the Umuzi fiction imprint. These are published alongside a stunning array of internationally acclaimed authors from Random House and there is a full and developing programme of both print and digital content.

Under the leadership of Núria Cabutí, who has been CEO since 2010, Penguin Random House Grupo Editorial will maintain its present organizational structure for its publishing divisions in Spain and Latin America, as well as the identity and direction of its respective publishing programs, together with its unwavering commitment to making its authors’ works available to the widest possible audience.

The company’s Mondadori imprint also will have a name change; henceforth it will be known as Literatura Random House. It will continue to publish the same range of subjects and authors as before, utilizing the same publishing criteria that have made it one of the most respected literary imprints in Spain and Latin America.

The Spanish-language divisions of Penguin Random House Grupo Editorial publish fiction and nonfiction books for adults and children in hardback, paperback, audio, and electronic formats through the following imprints: Beascoa, Caballo de Troya, Collins, Conecta, Debate, Debolsillo, Electa, Fantascy, Grijalbo, Lumen, Nube de Tinta, Plaza & Janés, Random House, Reservoir Books, RHM Flash, Rosa dels Vents, and Sudamericana.

In announcing the company’s name change Núria Cabutí said, “Today we begin our life as Penguin Random House Grupo Editorial, bringing with us the fantastic legacy of our history in Spanish-language publishing and the pride of being part of the first truly global trade publishing company. We will continue to publish with passion a wide array of authors, and our priority will be to continue to grow as both a print and digital publisher. Connecting authors and readers remains our essential mandate.”

She added “Literatura Random House will carry forward its mission to publish the highest-quality literature both in Spanish and in translation.”

The catalogue of Penguin Random House Grupo Editorial consists of an incomparable list of authors, including several Nobel Prize-winners, among them this year’s laureate Alice Munro, and Gabriel García Márquez, J .M. Coetzee, Orhan Pamuk, V.S. Naipaul, Elfriede Jelinek, and Doris Lessing.

Penguin Random House (http://global.penguinrandomhouse.com/) is the world’s first truly global trade book publisher. It was formed on July 1, 2013, upon the completion of an agreement between Bertelsmann and Pearson to merge their respective trade publishing companies, Random House and Penguin, with the parent companies owning 53% and 47%, respectively. Penguin Random House comprises the adult and children’s fiction and nonfiction print and digital trade book publishing businesses of Penguin and Random House in the U.S., U.K., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and India, Penguin’s trade publishing activity in Asia and South Africa; DK worldwide; and Random House’s companies in Spain, Mexico, Argentina, Uruguay, Colombia, and Chile. Penguin Random House employs more than 10,000 people globally across almost 250 editorially and creatively independent imprints and publishing houses that collectively publish more than 15,000 new titles annually. Its publishing lists include more than 70 Nobel Prize laureates, and hundreds of the world’s most widely read authors.

Against the backdrop of a difficult market environment and several structurally declining businesses, Group revenue decreased slightly by 1.9 percent to €7.43 billion (H1 2012: €7.57 billion). In contrast, operating EBIT reached €768 million, a new record level (H1 2012: €730 million). RTL Group in Germany and the Random House book publishing group delivered particularly good performances. Return on Sales was in the double digits at 10.3 percent (H1 2012: 9.6 percent), while Group net income improved significantly to €419 million (H1 2012: €350 million), the highest it has been since 2002. The first six months also saw several special items, including a gain from the acquisition of full ownership in the music rights company BMG. The Bertelsmann Value Added (BVA), which measures the profit realized above and beyond the cost of capital, was €102 million for the first half (H1 2012: €90 million).

Thomas Rabe, Chairman & CEO of Bertelsmann, said: "The first six months of this year went well for Bertelsmann. Our operating profit reached record levels, and our return on sales was in the double digits, clearly demonstrating that Bertelsmann is reshaping the Group from a position of strength. We have made good progress on our four strategic priorities - strengthening the core, digital transformation, building growth platforms, and expanding our activities in growth regions. In recent months, the combination of Random House and Penguin into the world's first truly global book publisher, the acquisition of the Gothia Financial Group, and the acquisition of full ownership in our music rights business BMG were milestones that will make Bertelsmann a faster growing, more digital and more international company. Overall, our total investments including assumed financial debt during the first six months of the year came to €1.6 billion. The successful public-trading placement of RTL Group shares gives us the leeway to further advance our Group reshaping."

RTL Group significantly increased its operating result for the reporting period, despite declining TV ad sales markets across nearly all European countries; Random House surpassed last year's interim-period EBIT thanks to multiple international bestsellers. The magazine publisher Gruner + Jahr maintained its operating result at the prior year's level despite declining revenues in the international business. At Arvato, earnings were down slightly - due in part to acquisition costs - while revenues increased. Growth drivers included IT services, as well as services for international customers in the Internet and high-tech industries. While the operating result and revenues of Bertelsmann's gravure and international offset printers decreased due to the difficult market environment, revenues in the Corporate Investments department were boosted by the full consolidation of the music rights company BMG. The combination of Random House and Penguin completed on July 1st of this year, and the acquisition of the Gothia Financial Group by Arvato, have no impact on earnings yet.

Judith Hartmann, Chief Financial Officer at Bertelsmann, said: "The transactions of the past few months are testaments to the systematic implementation of our strategy. They will enable Bertelsmann's revenues and operating result to grow at the completion of the year. Given the comparatively low macroeconomic growth seen in the euro area, we are expecting organic growth to remain stable or slow down slightly. Our average return on sales will remain in the double digits."

Bertelsmann had 104,348 employees worldwide at June 30, 2013 (December 31, 2012: 104,286).

Highlights

• With the acquisition of a stake in Broadband TV, RTL Group becomes a major player on YouTube, the first non-American broadcaster to become involved in the sector of fast-growing multi-channel networks.
• All new channels show growth in the first half: RTL Nitro is a hit with German television audiences, 6ter is popular in France and RTL Big Thrill now reaches 31 million households in India with its growing range of programs.
• Partnership sealed: Fremantle Media Kids & Family Entertainment to jointly develop and produce new children's formats with BBC Children's.

Despite declining TV advertising markets in almost all European countries, the leading European entertainment network reported first-half revenues on a par with the previous first half-year at €2.8 billion (H1 2012: €2.8 billion). Operating EBIT rose significantly to €545 million (H1 2012: €498 million). While the German TV advertising market remained stable during the reporting period, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Eastern Europe and especially Spain reported declines. These were largely compensated for by higher revenues from Mediengruppe RTL Deutschland and RTL Nederland, as well as the sale of rights to the Handball World Cup by UFA Sports.

The increase in operating EBIT was also primarily due to Mediengruppe RTL Deutschland. Despite lower revenues, Fremantle Media reported higher operating EBIT, largely due to continuing cost reduction measures and increased earnings in North America and the AsiaPacific region. All of RTL Group's other major business units achieved stable operating profits despite the difficult economic conditions. RTL Group was able to maintain its leading positions in the various audience markets. In the first half of the year, Mediengruppe RTL Deutschland scored an audience share of 31.2 percent in its main target group, which was stable year on year. Gains at Vox, RTL II and RTL Nitro more than offset the lower audience shares of the main channel RTL Television. In France, the Groupe M6 family of channels reported a slightly lower audience share. 6ter, the new channel launched in December 2012, showed a positive development. The Dutch family of channels based around RTL 4 achieved the same market share as in the prior year. RTL Group's online platforms and mobile applications continued to see dynamic growth. In June 2013, RTL Group announced the acquisition of a 57.5 percent stake in the Broadband TV multichannel network. RTL Group shares have been listed on the Prime Standard of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange following a placement by Bertelsmann at the end of April 2013 - in addition to their listings in Luxembourg and Brussels. In June, the share was added to the SDAX index.

Highlights

• Global publishing group Penguin Random House is established on July 1, 2013 following extensive, diligent internal preparation on all sides during the half-year.
• Random House achieves all-time record half-year EBIT.
• Dan Brown's #1 bestselling "Inferno" sells more than 4 million copies, mid-May to June 30, in all English-language territories.

For Random House, the first half of the year was dominated by a robust bestseller business across its divisions worldwide, led by the multi-million-copy fiction success of Dan Brown, amid preparations for the merger with Penguin to create Penguin Random House on July 1, 2013. At €915 million, Random House revenues were among its highest ever for a half-year, slightly lower than the "Fifty Shades" trilogy-enhanced prior half-year (H1 2012: €947 million). Operating EBIT soared to a mid-year record of €117 million (H1 2012: €113 million). In the United States, Random House placed 142 titles on the "New York Times" bestseller lists during the reporting period. The biggest success was Dan Brown's new novel "Inferno," with first-week sales of more than one million copies in North America, and four million hardcover and digital editions sold in the English-language territories during the reporting period. Sheryl Sandberg's "Lean In," "Gone Girl" by Gillian Flynn, and "Wonder" by RJ Palacio were also hugely successful. Demand for the Random House English-, German- and Spanish-language versions of E L James's "Fifty Shades" trilogy continued to be strong, with more than five million print, audio and e-books sold in this half-year. In the UK the Random House Group notably increased its share of titles on the "Sunday Times" national bestseller lists, with "Inferno" the half-year's number one seller. Germany's Verlagsgruppe Random House had an outstanding first half-year, and saw strong growth in e-books during the first half of the year, with digital now accounting for more than 10 percent of its revenues. At the publishing group Random House Mondadori, fully consolidated since the buy-out of its joint venture partner in December 2012, a broad range of Spanishlanguage bestsellers and a solid business performance in Latin America offset the continued weak book business in Spain.

Random House has expanded its worldwide e-book portfolio to 52,000 titles, and has strategically invested in the development of new digital marketing tools and data analytics to further improve the dialog between readers and authors, and the sales potential for their books.

Highlights

• G+J Deutschland revitalizes its big flagship magazines "Stern," "Brigitte," "Gala" and "Capital."
• G+J launches numerous new digital formats for the German market and invests in commerce businesses in the food and family segments.
• In France, Prisma Media advances the digital transformation of its established brands with new apps in the women's and TV sectors.

The magazine publisher achieved first-half revenues of €1.0 billion after €1.1 billion in H1 2012. This is attributable to the partial closure of G+J Business Media at the end of 2012 as well as to declining revenues in the international business. Operating EBIT was maintained on a par with the previous year at €86 million (H1 2012: €85 million). The ad sales market for popular magazines in Germany and France developed positively, while sales revenues declined slightly in most of the countries where G+J has operations. The G+J Supervisory Board appointed Julia Jäkel as CEO of the company. Further to this, Gruner + Jahr's Executive Board and responsibilities were reshuffled to create overarching areas of responsibilities. The new Executive Board will focus on transforming the traditional magazine publisher into a modern, much more digital house of content. G+J Deutschland recorded positive business development overall in the first half, especially due to the good performance of its main magazine titles in the ad sales market. There was significant work on titles such as "Stern," "Brigitte," "Capital" and "Gala," and investments were made here as well. Digital revenues developed just as positively, on the product side as well as in digital marketing. The international businesses reported differing progress depending on macroeconomic conditions. In Spain and Austria, revenues and earnings were down on the previous year. France also reported a decline in revenues, but was able to increase earnings year on year. Prisma Media made targeted investments in the digitization of important magazine brands. In China, lower economic growth and changed conditions caused a decline in advertising revenues. In July 2013, Gruner + Jahr completed the sale of its Polish publishing operations, G+J Polska, to Burda International in order to focus on its core markets. Dresdner Druck- und Verlagshaus saw largely stable revenues and earnings. The US printing business Brown Printing managed to slightly increase its operating EBIT despite a decline in revenues.

Highlights

• Arvato acquires the international Gothia Financial Group and becomes a leading provider of integrated financial services in Europe.
• Expansion of government services businesses in the UK through the acquisition of a British Department for Transport shared service center.
• Arvato's services businesses in China and Turkey report dynamic growth.

The global business process outsourcing provider Arvato increased its first-half revenues slightly to €2.1 billion (H1 2012: €2.1 billion), while operating EBIT was down slightly year on year to €84 million after €88 million. Operating profit reflects such things as acquisition costs and set-up costs for newly acquired clients in the supply chain management and e-commerce business. There has been a change in leadership at the head of Arvato: Achim Berg has led the group as CEO since April 2013. Growth drivers during the period under review included Arvato Systems as well as services for international customers in the internet and high-tech industries. The global revenues from storage media replication continued to decline during the reporting period, as expected. Arvato improved its position in key growth markets and industries in the first half of the year. In China, the services business continued to develop rapidly, and in Turkey as well, existing relationships were strengthened and new customers were acquired. With its takeover of the international Gothia Financial Group, completed in mid-June 2013, Arvato has systematically invested in a growth market while also advancing the internationalization of its financial services business.

Highlights

• Berryville Graphics in the United States prints 1.2 million copies of Dan Brown's new bestseller "Inferno."
• The offset printing company Rotocobrhi is at full capacity despite adverse market conditions in Spain.
• Prinovis Germany's sales organization is given a new management and a more effective structure.

Bertelsmann's international gravure and offset printers generated revenues of €512 million in a difficult market environment during the reporting period, after €565 million in the same period last year. Operating EBIT declined to €3 million (H1 2012: €15 million). Prinovis, the gravure printing arm, increased the productivity of its German sites while also realizing savings in the cost of personnel and materials. High reserves for restructuring costs were formed for the planned closure of the Itzehoe site in 2014, which, as a special item, are not recognized in operating EBIT. The fire at a gravure press in Dresden led to constraints on production, but Prinovis received an insurance payout for the machine. As a special item, this is not reported in operating EBIT. In the UK, Prinovis recorded a decline in revenues and earnings due to lower order volumes from a major customer. Be Printers Americas gained new major customers through cross-site and cross-media production concepts ("one-stop shop"); several existing customers extended their contracts. At the same time, it improved cost structures and productivity at several sites. Be Printers Southern Europe recorded lower volumes, further price declines and lower earnings in illustration printing due to macroeconomic developments in Italy and Spain. The management countered this with revenue and cost measures and set the course for further improvements in the second half of the year. A merger of the calendar business in Italy and Germany improved productivity and competitiveness. Despite adverse market conditions in Spain, the Spanish Rotocobrhi offset printing plant operated at full capacity during the period under review.

Highlights

• Shortly after its full acquisition by Bertelsmann, BMG signs rock legends Mick Jagger and Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones.
• Bertelsmann's education business grows with innovative educational offers in the United States.
• Digital funds expand their investment portfolios: BDMI and BAI bank on ventures of the future including the fashion video network Stylehaul and the Chinese shopping portal Mogujie.

Corporate Investments reported first-half revenues of €250 million (H1 2012: €227 million) and an operating loss of €-27 million (H1 2012: €-27 million). This reflects the full consolidation of the BMG music rights company on March 30, 2013, and at the same time the decline of the club and direct marketing business. In the reporting period, Bertelsmann acquired all outstanding shares of BMG and now manages the company as a 100 percent subsidiary. During the course of the first half-year, following antitrust clearance, the catalogs of Mute, Virgin/Famous and Sanctuary, with numerous timeless hits in their portfolios, were acquired. BMG also signed new contracts with several famous artists, including Mick Jagger and Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones at the end of June 2013. In the education sector, Bertelsmann made particular progress with its US holdings Synergis and University Now. The educational services provider Synergis gained several more universities as partners, while the online degree programs offered by University Now were state-accredited for another five years and the number of enrolled students continued to rise. The BDMI fund for worldwide digital investments and the BAI fund for investments in promising Asian companies acquired new holdings, including the online video network Stylehaul. The club and direct marketing businesses underwent further downscaling. Inmediaone's direct marketing operations are to be discontinued by mid-2014, while the bookselling business of the associated publisher Wissenmedia will be discontinued at the end of 2013. The Corporate Center primarily managed and supported two major transactions during the first half-year: the successful placement of RTL Group shares on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and the merger of Penguin and Random House. Furthermore, a multi-year project was launched to identify potential for optimization in the fields of IT and IT purchasing, HR and the various finance functions.

Bertelsmann is an international media company whose core divisions encompass television (RTL Group), book publishing (Penguin Random House), magazine publishing (Gruner + Jahr), services (Arvato), and printing (Be Printers) in some 50 countries. In 2012, the company's businesses, with their more than 100,000 employees, generated revenues of €16.1 billion. Bertelsmann stands for a combination of creativity and entrepreneurship that empowers the creation of first-rate media, communications, and service offerings to inspire people around the world and to provide innovative solutions for customers.

For further questions, please contact:

Bertelsmann SE & Co. KGaA
Andreas Grafemeyer
Senior Vice President Media Relations
Phone: +49 - 52 41 / 80 24 66
andreas.grafemeyer@bertelsmann.de

Between mid-February and early June, in order of review, Penguin Random House received governmental merger control approval in the U.S., New Zealand, Australia, the European Commission, Canada, South Africa, and China, all without condition.

Penguin Random House will employ more than 10,000 people across five continents. It will comprise nearly 250 editorially and creatively independent imprints and publishing houses that collectively publish more than 15,000 new titles annually. Its publishing lists include more than 70 Nobel Prize laureates and hundreds of the world’s most widely read authors.

Effective with today’s closing, Markus Dohle, Chairman and CEO of Random House worldwide since 2008, assumes the position of CEO, Penguin Random House, and John Makinson, head of the Penguin Group worldwide since 2002, takes on the position of Chairman of Penguin Random House. The Penguin Random House Board appointments were announced separately by Bertelsmann and Pearson this morning.

Mr. Dohle said, “Today, Penguin and Random House officially unite to create the first truly global trade book publishing company. As separate companies, we have long performed outstandingly by every benchmark; as colleagues, we will share and apply our passion for publishing the best books with our enormous experience, creativity, and entrepreneurial drive. Together, we will give our authors unprecedented resources to help them reach global audiences—and we will provide readers with unparalleled diversity and choice for future reading. Connecting authors and readers is, and will be, at the heart of all we strive to accomplish together.”

John Makinson said, “Penguin Random House starts life today as a freshly minted company, but also as a creative enterprise that will draw on the greatest legacies in the history of book publishing. That heritage will help to frame the culture and personality of Penguin Random House as we place our extraordinary shared resources at the service of our authors, our customers, our readers, and our colleagues. It is an exciting day for all of us.”

In announcing his senior executive appointments, Mr. Dohle said, “Our global and local leadership comprises proven executives drawn from both sides of the company who are inclusive and collaborative with colleagues in their decision making and who fully support our publishers and our authors in realizing their vision and objectives for our books.”

Effective immediately, the following newly appointed executives report to Mr. Dohle, who additionally serves as CEO for the Penguin Random House U.S. company:

Coram Williams, previously CFO for the Penguin Group, will serve in a dual capacity as Chief Financial Officer for Penguin Random House, in the U.S. and worldwide.  Mr. Williams will also oversee the self-publishing business Author Solutions.

David Shanks has stepped down as CEO, Penguin Group (USA). He will serve as Senior Executive Advisor to Mr. Dohle and the U.S. executive team. 

Madeline McIntosh, formerly Chief Operating Officer, Random House U.S., becomes President and Chief Operating Officer of Penguin Random House in the U.S.

Brad Martin, formerly President and CEO of Random House of Canada, is appointed CEO of Penguin Random House in Canada.

Tom Weldon assumes responsibility for Penguin Random House in the U.K. as CEO.  He was previously Chief Executive Officer, Penguin Group UK.

Gail Rebuck will become Chair of the Penguin Random House U.K. Board.

Ian Hudson will serve as Deputy CEO of Penguin Random House U.K., a position he previously held at Random House UK. Separately, he will oversee Penguin Random House’s operations in Australia, New Zealand, India, South Africa, and Asia in his capacity as Chief Executive Officer, Penguin Random House International (English Language).

Gabrielle Coyne will be CEO of Penguin Random House Asia Pacific and Gaurav Shrinagesh will be CEO of Penguin Random House India.  Ms. Coyne previously served as CEO of Penguin Group Asia Pacific, and Mr. Shrinagesh as Managing Director of Random House India. Stephen Johnson will continue to lead Penguin Books South Africa. They will all report to Mr. Hudson.  

Also, continuing in their current capacities:

Núria Cabutí, Chief Executive, leads the company in Spain and Latin America; it will operate under the name Random House Mondadori. 

John Duhigg, Chief Executive, Dorling Kindersley, is responsible for the Dorling Kindersley (DK) business worldwide.

Mr. Dohle announced the appointments of three executives with Penguin Random House global corporate responsibilities: Frank Steinert will be the company’s Chief Human Resources Officer, Stuart Applebaum will lead communications, and Milena Alberti will oversee corporate development, each having served in similar capacities at Random House.  All will also have responsibility in the U.S. for their respective corporate functions.

Mr. Dohle also announced the newly formed Penguin Random House Global Executive Committee to work together with him to set the company’s strategic, operational, and publishing direction and priorities.  The Committee’s members are:

Núria Cabutí; Gina Centrello, President and Publisher, Random House Publishing Group; Tony Chirico, President, Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group; Gabrielle Coyne; John Duhigg; Leslie Gelbman, President, Mass Market Paperbacks, Penguin Group U.S.; Ian Hudson; Barbara Marcus, President and Publisher, Random House Children’s Books; Brad Martin; Maya Mavjee, President and Publisher, Crown Publishing Group; Madeline McIntosh; Sonny Mehta, Chairman and Editor-in-Chief, Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group; Susan Petersen Kennedy, President, Penguin Group U.S.; Andrew Phillips, Chief Executive Officer, Author Solutions; Frank Steinert; Don Weisberg, President, Penguin Young Readers Group U.S.; Tom Weldon; and Coram Williams.

Penguin Random House world headquarters are in New York City.

Penguin Random House (http://global.penguinrandomhouse.com/) is the world’s first truly global trade book publisher.  It was formed on July 1, 2013, upon the completion of an agreement between Bertelsmann and Pearson to merge their respective trade publishing companies, Random House and Penguin, with the parent companies owning 53% and 47%, respectively.  Penguin Random House comprises the adult and children’s fiction and nonfiction print and digital trade book publishing businesses of Penguin and Random House in the U.S., U.K., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and India, Penguin’s trade publishing activity in Asia and South Africa; DK worldwide; and Random House’s companies in Spain, Mexico, Argentina, Uruguay, Colombia, and Chile. Penguin Random House employs more than 10,000 people globally across almost 250 editorially and creatively independent imprints and publishing houses that collectively publish more than 15,000 new titles annually. Its publishing lists include more than 70 Nobel Prize laureates and hundreds of the world’s most widely read authors.