Bertelsmann Marketing Services

Name

Bertelsmann Marketing Services

Legal name

Bertelsmann Marketing Services

Website

https://bertelsmann-marketing-services.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Marketing and Commercial Printing Services

NAICS

Advertising Agencies (541810), Advertising, Public Relations, and Related Services (5418), Printing and Related Support Activities (323), Commercial Printing (except Screen and Books) (323111), Packaging and Labeling Services (56191), Media Buying Agencies (541830)

SIC

Services-Advertising Agencies (7311), Services-Advertising (7310), Papers & Allied Products (2600), Services-Allied To Motion Picture Production (7819), Service Industries For The Printing Trade (2790)

akta.pro primary industry

Telesales & Inside Sales Outsourcing (B2B/B2C) (BPAAADAE)

Keywords

• Commercial printing services
• Direct marketing services
• Media replication manufacturing
• Multi-channel marketing agency
• Sustainable packaging solutions

Headquarters

HQ city

Gütersloh

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Printing Services: Full-stage printing services including offset, rotogravure, and digital printing for magazines, books, catalogues, prospectuses, and commercial print. Major clients include Der Spiegel, Stern, Gala, Asterix comics, and book publishers. Revenue is project/contract-based with long-term agreements (e.g., Spiegel contract through 2028).
2. Media Replication: Production of optical media (CDs, DVDs, Blu-ray discs, UHD discs) and vinyl records including the EcoRecord sustainable vinyl. Serves music majors (Warner Music, Sony Music, BMG) and game publishers. Revenue is per-unit manufacturing with large orders from entertainment industry.
3. Marketing & Agency Services: Multi-channel marketing, campaign management, creative agency, content services, media planning and buying through TERRITORY and other subsidiaries. Services include employer branding, performance marketing, and digital media. Revenue is project-based or retainer contracts.
4. Direct Marketing & Data Services: Data-based multi-channel marketing, addressable TV, loyalty programs (DeutschlandCard multi-partner bonus program), programmatic print, and campaign operating services.
5. Loyalty & Supplement Services: DeutschlandCard multi-partner loyalty program and TV supplement/media services (rtv media group) generating revenue through advertising and program distribution.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Bertelsmann Marketing Services bundles the direct marketing and printing businesses of Bertelsmann SE & Co. KGaA into a single B2B services group of 20+ subsidiaries employing ~7,000 people across DACH and the USA. Its core offering spans data-based multi-channel marketing, campaign management, creative agency and content services, commercial and book printing (offset, rotogravure, digital), physical media replication (CDs, DVDs, Blu-ray, UHD, vinyl including the proprietary EcoRecord), sustainable packaging, loyalty program operations (DeutschlandCard), and TV supplement/media services.

Product overview

Bertelsmann Marketing Services is a division of Bertelsmann that consolidates the company's direct marketing and printing services businesses. The portfolio comprises over 20 subsidiaries including Sonopress (producing EcoRecord sustainable vinyl records and EcoCD), Mohn Media and GGP Media (offset and book printing), Campaign (direct mail and programmatic print platform eesii), TERRITORY (communications agency with AI tools like T_Fusion and Smart Agency), and various other businesses. The services range from data-based multi-channel marketing, campaign management, agency and content services, to full-service printing capabilities. Notable products include the EcoRecord and EcoCD sustainable media products, the eesii programmatic print platform, and the DeutschlandCard loyalty program.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• EcoRecord Sustainable vinyl record manufactured from recyclable polyethylene terephthalate (PET), achieving up to 85% energy savings versus traditional vinyl pressing and supporting 100% recycled PET from SK Chemicals. Sold to music labels and artists for LP releases, including Coldplay's 'Moon Music'. Available with Inkplosion creative colour options and NFC-chip authentication.
• EcoCD Sustainable CD product and packaging solution that significantly improves the CO2 footprint relative to traditional CD manufacturing, co-developed with Sony Music and Warner Music. Offered to record labels and music publishers.
• T_Fusion AI-based fully automated all-in-one tool by TERRITORY MEDIA for 360-degree distribution of dynamic advertising materials, supporting text and image content for digital media campaigns. Sold to enterprise advertisers and media buyers.
• Smart Agency MarTech startup launched by TERRITORY providing AI-based individualized marketing solutions combining AI technology with consulting and creative services. Targeted at self-employed professionals and small businesses that need cost-efficient, professional marketing.
• eesii Innovative programmatic print platform by Campaign that enables advertisers and marketing professionals to automate, personalize and optimize direct mail campaigns by combining print products with digital channels, supporting conversion-rate optimization.
• markundo New Campaign offering for unaddressed leaflet advertising, launched in Paderborn, combining efficiency and delivery quality for prospectus and leaflet distribution.
• Inkplosion Creative colour option for EcoRecord that allows musicians, artists and labels to produce unique, colourful LPs where each release is a one-of-a-kind item.
• CC-Pack Innovative packaging solution for DVDs and Blu-ray Discs made from 100% recyclable cardboard, offering environmentally friendly packaging for optical media.
• DeutschlandCard Multi-partner bonus program operating across Germany that enables cross-partner marketing campaigns and customer loyalty activation for partner retailers and brands.
• rtv PLUS TV supplement and media solution portfolio including TV program guides, supplements and marketing services for publishers and advertisers, delivered through rtv media group.
• Mohn Media (offset printing services) Europe's leading offset printing company within Bertelsmann Marketing Services, providing comprehensive printing services for magazines, books, brochures, prospectuses and promotional materials. Serves publishers including Der Spiegel (contract through 2028), Stern, Gala, Egmont Ehapa (Asterix comics) and Fressnapf.
• GGP Media (book printing services) One of Europe's leading book printing companies based in Pößneck, specializing in book production with focus on sustainability including Cradle to Cradle product certification since 2021 and carbon-neutral operations. Produces Everyman's Library titles (25 million books across 700+ titles) for Penguin Random House and titles such as Michelle Obama's 'Becoming'.
• Campaign (direct marketing services) Subsidiary specialist for one-to-one customer communication providing direct mail services, the eesii programmatic print platform, leaflet distribution (markundo), and campaign management. Operates from locations in Neckarsulm and Offenbach.
• TERRITORY (communications agency) Communications agency group offering creative, media, content, employer branding, performance marketing and digital marketing services including AI-powered marketing tools (T_Fusion) and the Smart Agency SMB marketing suite. Serves enterprise clients such as PSD Banken, Audi, Continental, SunExpress, Stadtwerke München, Sparda-Bank München, Marc O'Polo, and ESN.
• Sonopress (media replication) Global manufacturer of physical music and game media (CD, DVD, Blu-ray, UHD, vinyl) and sustainable media innovations (EcoRecord, EcoCD, CC-Pack, Inkplosion). Serves music majors Warner Music, Sony Music, BMG, and game publishers. Operations in Germany and Charlotte, North Carolina, USA. 65-year-old firm (founded 1958), with 8 billion CDs and 10 million UHD discs produced historically.
• Vogel Druck (magazine printing) Printing and media services company producing magazines and various print products for publishers, including WIRED for Condé Nast.
• Topac (packaging solutions) Specialist for print products and carton packaging solutions, offering sustainable packaging for media, consumer goods and food sectors. Awarded Packaging Printer of the Year 2020 and operates a sales union with Friedrich Wenner GmbH for sustainable food packaging based on cardboard.
• AZ Direct (direct marketing services) Direct marketing services subsidiary within Bertelsmann Marketing Services providing addressable TV advertising and cross-channel marketing capabilities in collaboration with Smartclip.
• rtv media group Subsidiary providing TV supplement and media solutions to publishers and advertisers, distributing TV program guides and program-related marketing.
• Embrace (employer branding) Employer branding specialist subsidiary within Bertelsmann Marketing Services, repositioned in 2023 alongside the TERRITORY brand.
• Prinovis (gravure printing) Gravure printing subsidiary within Bertelsmann Marketing Services; production at Dresden ended December 2022 and an interest balance agreement was concluded for the Nuremberg site as part of the group's restructuring.

Quantifiable outcome

• 85% energy savings in EcoRecord production vs traditional vinyl pressing
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers19 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

AI capability5 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• CONECTIVcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 May 2026Strategic agreement between CONECTIV and SONOPRESS to expand sustainable EcoRecord vinyl production for the North American market. Memphis, Tennessee and Gütersloh collaboration.
• KEY PRODUCTIONcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 May 2026Sonopress and Key Production (Europe's largest provider of customized physical music and packaging products) expanded their strategic partnership for physical music carriers. Both companies aim to offer high-quality and sustainable physical products for the music industry.
• Citizen Vinyl / vinylkeycoreTechnology or Integration · 23 September 2025Collaboration to integrate Citizen Vinyl's patented NFC chip technology into Sonopress's EcoRecord vinyl records, enabling authenticity verification, digital content access (song lyrics, videos, bonus tracks), and blockchain registration via smartphone.
• Gotta Groove RecordscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 5 August 2025Strategic partnership in the USA — Gotta Groove Records, a highly respected US-based vinyl manufacturer, will offer Sonopress's EcoRecord sustainable vinyl to its customers in the United States.
• Berliner AbendblattminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 3 July 2025Strategic cooperation in the area of leaflet distribution — Campaign and Berliner Abendblatt agreed a cooperation for prospectus distribution.
• DYMATRIXcoreTechnology or Integration · 3 September 2024Bertelsmann Marketing Services and DYMATRIX (leading marketing software provider in DACH for Customer Experience Management) plan to collaborate to build a comprehensive Customer Experience solution including a modern loyalty system. BMS services (Loyalty Services, Direct Mail Automation, Campaign Operating, Data Reach, Content, Creation, Media) will be integrated into the DYMATRIX Customer Experience Platform.
• Vinyl Records Manufacturing Association (VRMA)minorOthers · 31 July 2024Sonopress joined the US industry association for vinyl records. The VRMA currently has approximately 50 members from the entire vinyl industry, including pressing plants, audio companies, galvanizing, mastering, packaging, technology companies, and record companies.
• Flip CorporateminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 February 2024TERRITORY AGENCY and Flip Corporate developed 'Green Guidance Services' — a modular system helping companies proactively identify and avoid greenwashing in their sustainability communications.
• SK ChemicalscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 October 2023Sonopress and SK Chemicals cooperate on using 100% recycled PET for EcoRecord vinyl. SK Chemicals provides the recycled polyethylene terephthalate material that enables a significant reduction in carbon emissions while maintaining physical properties and safety equivalent to conventional PET.
• BinectminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 September 2023Binect (expert in digital and hybrid letter communication) and Campaign partner to expand distribution of digital business mail solutions and combine their strengths in business mail delivery.
• Solutions 2 GO Inc.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 March 2022Sonopress expanded services for US American games customers through a strategic partnership with Solutions 2 GO Inc.
• Friedrich Wenner GmbHminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 26 September 2019Topac and packaging specialist Wenner founded a sales union (Vertriebsunion) to bring sustainable food packaging based on cardboard to retail, aiming to reduce plastic waste.
• Sony MusiccoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 April 2018Long-term cooperation agreement for exclusive CD manufacturing for the Asian market in Hong Kong. After Europe and Mexico, the Asian market is now also supplied with storage media 'made by Sonopress'.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• WPP plc: Global advertising holding company with full-service agencies (Ogilvy, Grey, VMLY&R) and media-buying networks (GroupM). Direct competitor to TERRITORY for the same enterprise and automotive clients (e.g., Audi, Continental) at global scale.
• Publicis Groupe: Global advertising holding company with strong DACH operations (Publicis Germany, Leo Burnett, Saatchi & Saatchi). Competes with TERRITORY for enterprise marketing-services mandates and operates at significantly greater scale.
• Toppan Holdings: Japan-headquartered printing, packaging, and digital media group. Comparable to BMS in combining high-volume offset printing with packaging and security/specialty media; broader and more diversified geographically.
• Omnicom Group: Global advertising holding company (BBDO, DDB, TBWA) with extensive DACH operations. Competes with TERRITORY for enterprise creative and media mandates, and addresses the same multi-channel marketing-services need BMS targets.
• Dai Nippon Printing (DNP): Japan's largest printing group with global operations in commercial print, packaging, and information media. Comparable to BMS in offset/rotogravure printing scale and in serving publishing and consumer-goods clients, though far larger and more diversified.
• Dentsu Inc. Japan-headquartered global advertising group with major DACH presence (Dentsu Germany). Competes with TERRITORY on creative, media, and CRM mandates for European enterprise clients, with additional international scale BMS lacks.

Direct peers

• R.R. Donnelley & Sons (RRD): US-headquartered commercial printing, packaging, and marketing-services provider serving enterprise customers across financial services, healthcare, and retail. Directly comparable to BMS's Mohn Media, GGP Media, and Topac printing and packaging businesses, and to its US-based Sonopress expansion.
• Transcontinental Inc. Canadian packaging and printing group with marketing-services capabilities. Directly comparable on printing and packaging scale (similar to Mohn Media, GGP Media, Topac) and on serving publishers and retailers with integrated marketing offerings.
• Quad/Graphics: US commercial printer and integrated marketing-services provider serving retail, publishing, and direct-mail customers. Closely mirrors BMS's combination of high-volume print production with data-driven marketing and agency services.
• Ströer SE & Co. KGaA: Germany-based media and marketing-services group with significant DACH footprint in out-of-home, digital, and direct marketing. Closest publicly listed German peer given overlapping geography, B2B marketing-services profile, and Bertelsmann-comparable enterprise customer base.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bpg-bertelsmann-marketing-services

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries16 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 Bertelsmann Marketing Services