Bertelsmann is an international media company whose core divisions encompass television (RTL Group), book publishing (Random House), magazine publishing (Gruner + Jahr), and outsourcing services (Arvato) in 50 countries. In 2010, the company’s businesses, with their 100,000 employees, generated revenues of €15.8 billion. Bertelsmann stands for a distinctive combination of creativity and entrepreneurship that empowers the creation of first-rate media, communications, and service offerings to inspire people around the world and to provide innovative solutions for customers.

The group encompasses

RTL Group, the leading European entertainment network. The portfolio of Europe’s largest broadcaster includes interests in 40 television channels and 33 radio stations in ten countries. Its content production arm, Fremantle Media, is one of the largest international producers outside the U.S. Each year, it produces 9,500 hours of programming in 57 countries.

Random House, the world’s largest trade book publishing group. Its portfolio comprises more than 200 editorially independent imprints in 16 countries which publish some 10,000 new books each year. Random House sells more than 500 million print, audio and electronic books annually.

Gruner + Jahr, a leading printing and publishing company. It is Europe’s biggest publisher of magazines and periodicals. G+J reaches readers and users in over 30 countries with more than 500 magazines and digital offerings.

Arvato, one of the leading internationally networked media and communication service providers. More than 60,000 employees design and implement bespoke solutions for all kinds of business processes through integrated service chains, serving business customers from around the world.

Bertelsmann in China

China is one of Bertelsmann’s most important strategic growth markets. Ever since entering the Chinese market in 1991, Bertelsmann has been actively investing in many fields, including book distribution, magazine publishing, business process outsourcing services, integrated services solutions, TV production, new media, and education. Above and beyond capital investment, Bertelsmann also brings innovative business models into these fields, fosters the development of local industries with local talent, and promotes cultural exchange. A number of business moves illustrate Bertelsmann’s commitment to the Chinese market and the leading role the company plays in the development of the media and services industries:

Bertelsmann China Corporate Center

Opened in October 2006, Bertelsmann China Corporate Center is Bertelsmann central point of contact in China. The opening of the Beijing-based Bertelsmann China Corporate Center demonstrates Bertelsmann’s commitment to partner with China on a long-term basis. Interested parties from the cultural, business and political spheres can use the Corporate Center China as a direct point of contact for any questions involving Bertelsmann’s activities in China.

Bertelsmann Asia Investments

In January 2008, as an important strategic step, Bertelsmann established its Bertelsmann Asia Investment Fund (BAI). So far, BAI has invested businesses in education, vocational training, new media and business process outsourcing. Apart from its capital investment, BAI also supports the development of its portfolio companies with resources from Bertelsmann AG worldwide

arvato in China

Entering China at the beginning of this century, Arvato was one of the pioneers in the local BPO industry with an international background. Up to now, Arvato has successively expanded its presence in Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Xiamen, and Shenzhen, created a lot of job opportunities and brought valuable expertise to its Chinese counterparts

G+J in China

Since 2000, G+J China has formed long term cooperative partnerships with important domestic magazine publishers in different segments, being their designated advertising agent and providing media consulting services. Magazines such as “Parents World”, “Baby World” “Rayli” series, “LION”, and “Auto, Motor, and Sport” are in leading position of their respective categories.

RTL in China

As RTL Group’s content production arm, Fremantle Media produces more than 9500 hours of award-winning programs including primetime drama, serial drama, entertainment, factual and comedy. In China, Fremantle Media has established cooperation with several local TV stations and TV program producers such as Hu Nan Satellite TV, Shanghai SMG Group, and generated many popular TV programs such as “Soccer Boy”, “Hole in the Wall”, and “Family Feud” etc.

Random House in China

As the world’s largest trade book publisher, Random House introduced many good foreign books to China through cooperation with Chinese publishers. A number of Chinese books have also been translated into English, German and Spanish and reached readers in America, Australia and Europe via channels of Random House distribution, such as “China Reader”, “Riverside Talks”, “Beijing” and “Building Wealth in China”