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: What countries does DirectGroup Bertelsmann have operations in?

DirectGroup Bertelsmann is originally a media-club business. Today, the Bertelsmann division operates media clubs, bookstores, online activities, publishers and distribution companies in 15 countries, as follows.

French-speaking countries:
France, Canada (Quebec), Switzerland and Belgium

German-speaking countries:
Germany, Austria, Switzerland

Southern Europe:
Spain and Portugal

Eastern Europe and other countries:
Ukraine, Russia, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Australia/New Zealand

Please go to the Companies section for a complete overview of DirectGroup’s countries and businesses.

Question 4: What is the regional breakdown of DirectGroup’s revenues?

DirectGroup doesn't publish regional details of its revenue figures.

Bertelsmann's financial reports are posted here: Bertelsmann AG Business Reports

Question 5: 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 6: What is the connection between DirectGroup and Bertelsmann AG?

DirectGroup is one of Bertelsmann AG's five divisions.

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.
 

Question 8: What do you mean when you talk about direct sales at DirectGroup?

Our traditional book club business is essentially media retail using the sales channel of direct marketing.

DirectGroup’s media clubs in all the countries possess years, and in most cases decades of experience in analyzing the wishes and needs of their customers.

Based on this, our companies are increasingly developing new products that are also sold directly to members – and are also increasingly approaching customer groups beyond the traditional member base.

This has been done very successfully e.g. in the travel business. 400,000 club members in nine countries have traveled with us in 2008 alone.

Question 9: I am a member of one of your clubs and have a request/question. Who do I contact about this?

In line with our decentralized organization, DirectGroup Bertelsmann doesn’t have a central customer directory or central customer service.

We ask you please to contact the specific company if you have a request or enquiry. To do so, please click on Companies.