Bertelsmanns

Bertelsmann is a German multinational media group headquartered in Gütersloh, North Rhine-Westphalia. It operates across publishing, broadcasting, music, services, and education, making it one of the world’s largest media companies. The group traces its origins to 1835 when Heinrich Bertelsmann established a publishing house in Gütersloh. Over the 20th century it expanded into a diversified media concern, and today the company is largely controlled through the Bertelsmann Stiftung, a private foundation that holds the majority of voting rights to ensure a long-term, family-influenced governance.

The group’s major businesses include Penguin Random House, the global publishing powerhouse formed in 2013 by the merger of Penguin and Random House; RTL Group, a leading European broadcaster and content company with TV, radio, and production assets; BMG, a music rights management and publishing company; Arvato, a services and technology provider; and Gruner + Jahr, a magazine publisher. The organization also pursues digital platforms and data-driven services to complement its content businesses.

Bertelsmann operates in more than 50 countries and employs tens of thousands of people. It emphasizes a long-term strategic approach, digital transformation, and content-driven growth as it adapts to evolving media consumption, platforms, and advertising markets.