Values

175 Years of Bertelsmann | The Management | The Group Divisions | Spirit | Financial Information 45
The future of quality media
In 2009, Gruner + Jahr successfully introduced extensive structural
measures to safeguard its core business for the future.
Th e goal is to create viable structures to ensure the long-term
profi tability of all of our magazines while maintaining their
quality. Major reconstruction projects include merging the
editorial departments of all business periodicals into the new
G+J Business Media unit, the realignment of G+J Media Sales,
and the development of core editorial teams with shared
service teams in the Exclusive & Living publishing group.
International growth markets
Gruner + Jahr’s international growth strategy centers on China,
where it has further consolidated its position as the market
leader in high-end women’s magazines. In addition, the launch
of the monthly men’s magazine “Leon” in spring 2009 demonstrated
future potential in the Chinese magazine market,
especially in the advertising business – in fact, the magazine
is now operating in a promising segment with new marketing
options. Supplementing our existing parenting magazines and
our successful titles in the lifestyle and automotive sectors, G+J
now off ers a range of publications for both men and women
in China, with promising growth prospects.
Bertelsmann Annual Report 2009
RTL Group
Random House
Gruner + Jahr
Arvato
Direct Group
Highlights 2009
Compelling quality journalism
Gruner + Jahr is and will remain synonymous with innovative
magazine concepts and high-quality journalism. Even in
challenging times, its editorial teams have succeeded in
establishing innovative magazine concepts in the market.
In 2009, “Nido” and “Geomini” were successfully launched,
as were the magazines “Beef!,” “Gala Men” and “Business Punk,”
which made their debut in the fall. And quality journalism
apparently convinces the public as well: In Germany and many
other countries, Gruner + Jahr journalists won numerous
awards in 2009.
Growth opportunities for Gruner + Jahr
Gruner + Jahr has good growth opportunities in selected divisions
of its core business. Th ese include online marketing and
corporate publishing in particular. Th e Prisma Presse subsidiary
Prisma Corporate Média got off to a very successful
start in France and now publishes the customer magazines of
the pay-TV channel Canal+ as well as “Aéroports de Paris”
magazine. In Germany, Gruner + Jahr’s corporate publishing
subsidiary has been reorganized and now off ers its customers
an expanded portfolio of services under the new name of
G+J Corporate Editors.