Balticum publishing company and advertising agency

What Balticum publishing company and advertising agency does

Balticum Verlagsgesellschaft & Werbeagentur GmbH is a family-owned regional publishing house and full-service advertising agency founded in 1987 and headquartered at Hochtorstraße 19 in Neustadt in Holstein, Germany. The company operates the twice-weekly classified-ad newspaper "der reporter" — its flagship product for 37 years — alongside a portfolio of print publications including the OSKA free event calendar (160,000 copies distributed via tourist information centers and camping sites) and the eva event calendar covering 7 resort areas in the Lübecker Bucht in partnership with Tourismus-Agentur Lübecker Bucht. Sub-brands include OSKA and eva, with the business registered as a GmbH under Amtsgericht Oldenburg (HRB 538), managed by Uwe Muchow and Sven Muchow as Geschäftsführung.

The company extends well beyond print into an integrated agency model offering web design (WordPress-based), social media management, image video production, professional photography, cross-media advertising campaigns, event concept development, magazine and book publishing, newsletter advertising, and typesetting services — described as one of the largest typesetting studios in Ostholstein. The 30-employee team covers sales, design, photography, web, video, social media, editorial, and distribution under one roof, serving regional tourism agencies (Boltenhagen Tourism, Ostsee Ferienland, Lübecker Bucht, Grömitz Tourismus Service), local SMBs (Pier 19 Restaurant), sports clubs (TSV Neustadt), and community associations across the Baltic Sea vacation region. Revenue is generated primarily through print advertising in der reporter and event calendars, bundled cross-media advertising packages, project-based design and print services, and one-time book retail sales, with most pricing quote-based and project-specific. The technology stack relies on standard martech (Google Analytics, Google Tag Manager, Mixpanel, PixelYourSite, SalesViewer, Complianz), with no proprietary AI/ML capabilities.

Name

Balticum publishing company and advertising agency

Legal name

Balticum Verlagsgesellschaft und Werbeagentur GmbH

Website

https://balticum-verlag.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1987

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Balticum is a family-owned German regional publishing house and full-service advertising agency operating the twice-weekly classified-ad newspaper "der reporter," event calendars (OSKA, eva), and integrated web, video, social media, and print services for tourism agencies, hospitality businesses, and local SMBs across the Baltic Sea Ostholstein region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Regional Advertising and Publishing Services

NAICS

Newspaper Publishers (513110), Periodical Publishers (51312), Advertising, Public Relations, and Related Services (5418), Book Publishers (513130)

SIC

Periodicals: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2721), Services-Advertising Agencies (7311), Books: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2731)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYMPAJADAB

Local & Regional Newspapers (Print & Digital)

Media, Entertainment & Sports/Publishing (Books, News, Magazines)/News Publishing (Newspapers, Digital Newsrooms, Wire Services)

SECONDARYMPAJADAJ

Newsletters & Email-Based News Publishers (B2B/B2C)

Media, Entertainment & Sports/Publishing (Books, News, Magazines)/News Publishing (Newspapers, Digital Newsrooms, Wire Services)

Keywords

• Regional advertising agency
• Print newspaper publishing
• Cross-media marketing services
• Web design hosting
• Event calendar publishing

Headquarters

HQ city

Neustadt In Holstein

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Print advertising: Sale of print advertising space in 'der reporter', the twice-weekly classified-ad newspaper, and other print products such as event calendars, magazines, and event publications. Advertising packages are sold as cross-media bundles.
2. Digital advertising and web services: Web design, social media management, video production, and online advertising placement on der-reporter.de and social media channels.
3. Newsletter advertising: Placement of advertisements in the established reporter newsletter, reaching up to 2,000 subscribers weekly.
4. Publishing and book sales: Design, printing, and publishing of books and brochures for authors and organizations, including titles such as 'Fiete Hering' (19.50 EUR), 'Leader vs. Manager' (29.80 EUR), and 'Der Wieksberg' (34.80 EUR).
5. Print product services: Design and printing of print materials including flyers, posters, business stationery, event publications, and magazines for business and association clients.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Balticum Verlagsgesellschaft & Werbeagentur operates a regional publishing house and advertising agency that produces the twice-weekly classified-ad newspaper 'der reporter' and provides full-service marketing services — including print advertising, web design, video/image production, photography, social media management, newsletters, cross-media campaigns, event conception, magazines, event calendars (OSKA, eva) and book publishing — for SMBs, tourism agencies, clubs and associations in the Ostholstein and Baltic Sea region of Germany.

Product overview

Balticum Verlagsgesellschaft & Werbeagentur is a publishing company and advertising agency offering a diverse portfolio of marketing and media services. The company operates the biweekly advertisement newspaper 'der reporter' as its core product, supplemented by a comprehensive suite of digital and print services including web design, social media campaigns, video/image production, photography, print materials (flyers, posters, stationery), newspaper ads, crossmedia advertising concepts, newsletters, event marketing, book publishing, event publications, magazines, and event calendars (OSKA, eva). The company employs approximately 30 staff across sales, design, photography, web, video, social media, editorial, and distribution. Media technology services including typesetting and layout are handled in-house, positioned as one of the largest in the Ostholstein region. The company is based in Neustadt i.H. and has been operating for 37 years.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• OSKA: A free event calendar for guests of holiday regions covering events and leisure activities in Grömitz, Kellenhusen, Dahme, Grube and Lensahn. Published with a circulation of 160,000 copies on environmentally friendly natural paper in A5 format.
• eva

Products and services

• der reporter Twice-weekly classified-ad newspaper (Anzeigenblatt) published every Wednesday and Saturday, serving as Balticum's flagship advertising and regional marketing vehicle for businesses, tourism organizations, clubs and individual advertisers in the Ostholstein region.
• Webdesign Website design and development service for businesses, including modern, creative web presence, user-oriented layout, search engine optimization and complete programming on a WordPress-based platform.
• Social Media Kampagnen Social media marketing service covering organic reach on Facebook (10,000+ users) and Instagram (2,000+ users), content creation, storytelling, and building social media presence for regional businesses.
• Image Videos Professional image video production service including corporate films, promotional videos for social media, and visual storytelling through moving images for businesses and tourism clients.
• Video General video production service using an in-house film team to create moving-image content for target-audience expansion and promotional purposes.
• Fotografie Professional photography service for businesses covering company images, advertising messages, team portraits and product photography with emphasis on professionalism and quality.
• Drucksachen Design and printing of print materials including flyers, posters, business stationery and other printed materials in multiple formats and papers for business and association clients.
• Zeitungsanzeigen Newspaper advertisement design and publication service creating print ads for placement in customer-chosen media, primarily der reporter.
• Crossmediale Werbekonzepte Cross-media advertising concept development and implementation providing comprehensive marketing support across multiple channels (print, web, video, social media, event) for regional business clients.
• Newsletter

Quantifiable outcome

• 50,000 monthly unique users on der reporter online platforms
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

37 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Wirtschaftsjunioren DeutschlandminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBalticum holds a partnership/membership with Wirtschaftsjunioren Deutschland, a national association of young entrepreneurs and business leaders, indicating mutual marketing and networking benefits.
• Europa-UnionminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEuropean civic association partnership supporting European integration and citizen engagement, with mutual promotional activities.
• TSV NeustadtcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerLong-standing partnership with the largest sports club in Neustadt in Holstein. Balticum created the 150th anniversary brochure, manages the club's web presence, and supports events. Multiple joint projects documented.
• Tourismus-Agentur Lübecker BuchtcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerFormal partnership for the production of the 'eva' event calendar covering 7 resort areas (Scharbeutz, Haffkrug, Pönitzer Seenplatte, Sierksdorf, Neustadt, Pelzerhaken, Rettin). Balticum produces and distributes 7 issues annually with 70-page editorial content, positioned as a reliable and creative collaboration.
• Grömitz Tourismus ServicecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerLong-term partnership for the OSKA event calendar. Tourismusleiterin Janina Kononov described OSKA as an absolute success product and an indispensable part of the Baltic Sea vacation region. Balticum provides annual updates including redesigned sustainable paper in recent years.
• Wikimedia DeutschlandminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNon-profit partnership with the German Wikimedia chapter supporting free knowledge and open-source projects.
• Schleswig-Holstein Musik FestivalminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership with the regional music festival, supporting cultural event promotion through advertising and publication services.
• Folklore Festival NeustadtcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBalticum produces the official festival guide for the 30th European Folklore Festival — a 68-page publication covering the full program, group introductions, and highlighted dates. Documented as an ongoing multi-year production partnership.
• Hanse-BeltminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership with the Hanse Belt economic development initiative promoting cross-border business and regional economic collaboration in the Baltic Sea region.
• Freundeskreis Klassische YachtenminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership with the Classic Yacht Friends Circle supporting maritime heritage events and sailing competitions.
• Max Oertz RegattaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership supporting the annual classic yacht regatta event, providing promotional and publication services.
• Europaeische Skulpturen TriennaleminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership with the European Sculpture Triennial art event held in Neustadt in Holstein.
• Bundesverband Deutscher Anzeigenblätter (BVDA)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerBalticum is a member of the BVDA (Federal Association of German Classified-Ad Newspapers). The company's 'Ostsee-Perlen' feature received a BVDA 'Durchblick' award seal, recognizing quality editorial and advertising content in the classified-ad medium.
• Gewerbeverein Neustadt in HolsteincoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBalticum designed and maintains the Gewerbeverein website, which ranks at the top of Google search results. The website includes a membership application form, member directory sorted by industry, event listings, and the NeustadtCard information page.
• Gewerbeverein Grömitz e.V.minorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership with the local business association in Grömitz for joint promotional activities.
• Sommernacht der Kulturen (Stadt Neustadt)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership supporting the annual Summer Night of Cultures community event.
• StadtradelnminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership with the Stadtradeln campaign (national cycling competition) supporting local sustainability and health initiatives.
• Neustadt-CupminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership supporting the youth and amateur football tournament.
• Neustädter SchützengildeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership with the traditional marksmanship guild for local cultural event support.
• Museumshafen Neustadt i.H.minorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership with the historic harbor museum supporting maritime heritage promotion.
• Feuerwehr Neustadt i.H.minorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership with the volunteer fire brigade for promotional flyer design and printing.
• DLRG (Deutsche Lebens-Rettungs-Gesellschaft)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership with the German water rescue and lifesaving organization for promotional support.
• HSG OstseeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership with HSG Ostsee sports club (handball).
• PresseratminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAdherence to and partnership with the German Press Council (self-regulation body for press ethics), indicating commitment to journalistic standards and credibility.
• Klimainitiative der Druck- und MedienverbändeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBalticum participates in the Climate Initiative of German Printing and Media Associations, demonstrating commitment to sustainable production practices (e.g., OSKA printed on environmentally friendly natural paper).
• Initiative Energieeffizienz-NetzwerkeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership in energy efficiency networks, reflecting operational sustainability practices.
• UV Unternehmensverband Ostholstein-PlönminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMembership in the regional employers' and business association for Ostholstein-Plön.
• Bund der Steuerzahler Schleswig-HolsteinminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership with the local branch of the Taxpayers' Association of Germany.
• Kinderschutzbund Kreisverband OstholsteinminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership with the Child Protection League, Kreisverband Ostholstein, supporting community social initiatives.
• Tierheim OldenburgminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership with the Oldenburg animal shelter for promotional support.
• Strategie-Forum e.V.minorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership with the Strategie-Forum e.V. think tank/strategic forum.
• Theater in der Stadt Neustadt i.H.minorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership supporting the traditional theater in Neustadt in Holstein.
• Museumsverein NeustadtminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership with the local history museum association.
• Heimatverein SchutzbachminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership with the Heimatverein local heritage society.
• Förderverein Kita am WasserturmminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership supporting the kindergarten association in Herzogenrath (non-local, indicating wide geographic reach of partnerships).
• Schlittschuhtreff TalbminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership with the Talb ice skating club.
• Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Heimatkunde OstholsteinminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership with the local history and heritage research association.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Flensburger Tageblatt: Regional newspaper serving the Flensburg area in northern Schleswig-Holstein. Operates as a regional daily with digital editions and local advertising sales targeting SMBs, structurally analogous to Balticum's regional publisher + advertising model.
• Lübecker Nachrichten: Regional daily newspaper publisher serving the Lübeck market, immediately adjacent to Balticum's Ostholstein territory. Closely comparable as a Schleswig-Holstein regional print and digital publisher with a similar advertiser base of local businesses and tourism organizations.
• Kieler Nachrichten: Regional newspaper publisher headquartered in Kiel, the state capital of Schleswig-Holstein. Comparable in serving a defined Schleswig-Holstein geography with a mix of print, digital, and local advertising services targeting SMBs and regional advertisers.
• Sylter Rundschau: Local edition of sh:z covering the Sylt island tourism market in the North Sea. Highly comparable model: tourism-focused regional newspaper serving vacation-region SMBs, hotels, and tourism boards with print + digital + services.
• Usedomer Bäderzeitung: Tourism-focused regional newspaper serving the Usedom island spa resorts on the German-Polish Baltic coast. Highly comparable model: vacation-region classified-ad newspaper serving hotels, restaurants, and tourism advertisers with both print and digital properties.

Broad incumbents

• Madsack Mediengruppe: Large German regional newspaper group with titles across northern and eastern Germany including Hannoversche Allgemeine. Overlaps with Balticum's regional newspaper + digital advertising business but at substantially larger scale and broader geographic footprint.
• sh:z Schleswig-Holsteinischer Zeitungsverlag: Largest regional newspaper group in Schleswig-Holstein, publishing multiple local dailies including Flensburger Tageblatt and Sylter Rundschau. Wider portfolio and reach make it a broad incumbent overlapping Balticum's geography but at significantly greater scale.

Regional players

• Ostsee-Zeitung: Regional newspaper based in Rostock covering the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Baltic coast. Closely comparable in serving Baltic Sea tourism advertisers and regional SMBs, but operates on the opposite German Baltic coast without direct overlap with Balticum's Ostholstein territory.

Others

• Serviceplan Group: Largest independent German advertising agency group with full-service creative, digital, and media capabilities. Adjacent to Balticum's Werbeagentur services but operates at national/international scale with a fundamentally different client base and business model.
• Jung von Matt: Major German creative advertising agency with cross-media campaigns. Comparable only in offering integrated advertising services across print, digital, and social; differs sharply in serving large national/international brands rather than regional SMBs and tourism boards.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/der.reporter
• Instagraminstagram.com/der_reporter
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/balticum-verlagsgesellschaft-und-werbeagentur-gmbh

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Balticum publishing company and advertising agency