• by Ray Schultz , December 26, 2024

Axel Springer is rolling out the new corporate structure it announced in September, dividing itself into what it calls a focused media company and separately held classifieds businesses, it said late last week. 

The German firm, which owns Bild, Business Insider, Politico, Welt, Morning Brew, Dyn Media, EMarketer and the joint venture Ringier Axel Springer Poland, will be a family owned media company for the first time since its IPO back in 1985, it says. 

The company calls this the next milestone in the transition. It also is debt-free. 

Friede Springer and Mathias Döpfner will together own almost 98% of the company. Axel Sven Springer, one of the grandchildren of the founder, will retain the remaining shares.

The classified businesses, namely the Stepstone Group and AVIV Group, will operate independently and will be separate joint venture companies with KKR and CPP Investments as majority shareholders.

Axel Springer will maintain a10% share, with economic participation by Axel Springer’s grandchildren.  

The new structure will allow Axel Springer to focus on its independent journalism supported by artificial intelligence, it says.

The change is expected to close in Q2 2025 following regulatory approval.