Question 1: What is DirectGroup Bertelsmann?

DirectGroup Bertelsmann is a division of Bertelsmann AG, comprised of a wide range of media clubs, bookstores and Internet activities, publishing and distribution businesses in 15 countries.

DirectGroup's largest country by revenues is France, where it operates two general-interest media clubs, a bookstore chain and an online media shop under the DirectGroup France umbrella. For an overview of our subsidiaries, please go to the Companies page.

DirectGroup's roughly 10,000 employees generated revenues of around €1.245 billion in 2009.

The DirectGroup Board chaired by Fernando Carro is responsible for the company's business.

Question 2: What is DirectGroup Bertelsmann’s strategy?

The DirectGroup pursues a three-pronged strategy:

1. Fundamental overhaul of the Club business models
Given the decline in member numbers in the Western media markets, we firmly believe that the club concept must be opened further. We are working on developing and implementing numerous innovative ideas in this regard.

2. Integration of our multi-channel organisations
DirectGroup companies which sell products to their customers both through the club and through online and offline booksellers will be interconnected more intensively, for better customer retention and higher revenues.

3. Expansion of Direct Sales
DirectGroup knows and understands its customers – and can therefore offer them products that are a good match. These additional offers, outside the traditional range of media, will be stepped up across all DirectGroup companies. For example, in 2008 more than 400,000 DirectGroup customers from nine countries travelled with us. If products go down well with customers and members, we will increasingly offer them to additional customer groups as well.

The task at hand is to implement these changes in an environment of fundamentally changing media usage – in particular with regard to eBooks and social networks.‬

Question 3: I’ve written a book and would like a DirectGroup company to publish it. Who do I contact?

Because of the principle of decentralisation practiced at Bertelsmann, at DirectGroup titles are not selected from a central office; instead, the club and book publishers in the various markets decide on the books and other products they offer their customers.

The only exception to this the International Book of the Month (IBOM), a DirectGroup programme initiative for the members of its media clubs. Here, the club publishers and chief editors choose new authors and books with the potential to become international bestsellers. With support from the clubs, various titles have already become top bestsellers. The programme also highlights DirectGroup’s book expertise as an intermediary between readers, publishers and authors.

If you would like to submit your manuscript to one of our companies, please select the appropriate DirectGroup company in the Companies section to access the contact information.

Question 4: What is DirectGroup doing with regard to e-books?

DirectGroup does not have a single centralised approach to e-books, but allows subsidiary companies to choose the right approach for their customers in accordance with market conditions.

However, DirectGroup does promote knowledge sharing on the topic of e-books and coordinates the work of the professionals in the various companies.

Our French bookstore Chapitre.com offers its customers e-books and also e-reader devices. For more information on this offer, please click here: Chapitre.com E-Book

Question 5: What activities does DirectGroup carry out on the Internet?

DirectGroup is a seasoned and successful player in the online sector – from the media club websites, which now contribute a substantial revenue share, to the recently expanded area of online media shops (e.g. Chapitre.com is number four in France).

In many of our companies, community and Web 2.0 applications are being added to the existing sites – for instance, by the beginning of 2009 members of the German club had already posted 30,000 customers reviews on www.derclub.de. The DirectGroup Germany also operates BuchGesichter.de, a growing social network for readers and other book lovers.

Question 6: How does a book club work?

Various types of book club exist in the markets where DirectGroup does business.

Basically, members commit to making a certain number of purchases per year. In return, they get very attractive prices through the clubs, along with a specially tailored selection of books and other products.

Question 7: What is DirectGroup doing in response to declining book club member figures?

The DirectGroup is stabilizing and developing its media clubs and pursues a three-pronged strategy:

1. Fundamental overhaul of the Club business models
Given the decline in member numbers in the Western media markets, we firmly believe that the club concept must be opened further. We are working on developing and implementing numerous innovative ideas in this regard.

2. Integration of our multi-channel organisations
DirectGroup companies which sell products to their customers both through the club and through online and offline booksellers will be interconnected more intensively, for better customer retention and higher revenues.

3. Expansion of Direct Sales
DirectGroup knows and understands its customers – and can therefore offer them products that are a good match. These additional offers, outside the traditional range of media, will be stepped up across all DirectGroup companies. For example, in 2008 more than 400,000 DirectGroup customers from nine countries travelled with us. If products go down well with customers and members, we will increasingly offer them to additional customer groups as well.