12Annual Report
Contents
2 Foreword
73 Report of the Supervisory Board
4 Executive Board
81 Consolidated Financial Statements
6 The Axel Springer share
8 Combined Management Report
10 Business and framework conditions
27 Financial performance, liquidity,
and financial position
38 Economic Position of Axel Springer AG
41 Events after the reporting date
41 Sustainability and social responsibility
42 Report on risks and opportunities
82 Responsibility Statement
83 Auditor’s Report
84 Consolidated Statement of Financial Position
86 Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive
Income
87 Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
88 Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity
89 Consolidated Segment Report
90 Notes to the Consolidated
Financial Statements
51 Forecast report
144 Boards
55 Disclosures and explanatory report of the
Executive Board pursuant to takeover law
59 Corporate Governance Report
Group Key Figures
€ millions
Group
Total revenues
Change yoy
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
3.9 %
3,310.3
3,184.9
2,893.9
2,611.6
2,728.5
Digital Media revenues as percent of total revenues (pro forma)
37.2 %
34.0 %
-
-
-
International revenues as percent of total revenues
35.1 %
32.9 %
28.1 %
21.0 %
21.9 %
Circulation revenues
Advertising revenues
Other revenues
EBITDA1)
EBITDA margin1)
Consolidated net income
Consolidated net income, adjusted1)
Segments
Revenues
Digital Media
Newspapers National
Magazines National
Print International
Services/Holding
EBITDA1)
Digital Media
Newspapers National
Magazines National
Print International
Services/Holding
Liquidity and financial position
Free cash flow2)
Capex3)
Total assets
Equity ratio
Net debt/liquidity
Share-related key figures4)
Earnings per share (in €)
Earnings per share, adjusted (in €)1)5)
Dividend (in €)6)
Year-end share price (in €)
Market capitalization as of December 317)
Free float
– 3.5 %
1,162.6
1,204.5
1,174.3
1,176.2
1,215.8
9.4 %
4.3 %
5.8 %
1,758.1
1,606.8
1,384.8
1,138.5
1,248.1
389.6
628.0
373.5
593.4
334.8
510.6
296.9
333.7
264.7
486.2
19.0 %
18.6 %
17.6 %
12.8 %
17.8 %
– 4.7 %
1.3 %
275.8
347.9
289.4
343.3
274.1
283.2
313.8
152.6
571.1
254.6
22.0 %
1,174.2
962.1
711.8
470.4
378.2
– 3.3 %
1,126.1
1,164.9
1,194.2
1,213.7
1,277.6
– 3.9 %
– 6.9 %
2.5 %
53.6 %
– 9.4 %
– 9.6 %
– 11.9 %
450.1
440.8
119.1
242.9
256.1
93.3
65.0
-
– 29.3
468.1
473.5
116.2
158.1
282.7
103.2
73.8
– 24.4
30.8 %
-
384.4
– 80.7
293.9
– 112.7
486.1
400.9
100.8
85.8
296.0
101.0
61.5
– 33.7
299.3
– 59.2
517.8
311.7
98.1
43.2
243.8
55.0
12.3
– 20.5
231.3
– 38.9
564.1
409.8
99.0
20.9
348.9
88.8
27.8
– 0.2
219.7
– 46.7
14.8 %
4,808.2
4,187.5
3,603.2
2,934.3
2,809.1
46.9 %
46.1 %
49.2 %
40.8 %
38.0 %
-
– 449.6
– 472.8
79.6
– 193.0
– 369.5
– 8.0 %
– 0.9 %
0.0 %
2.41
3.00
1.70
2.62
3.03
1.70
2.73
2.59
1.60
3.40
1.41
1.47
6.18
2.43
1.47
– 2.8 %
32.29
33.21
40.67
25.02
17.13
– 2.6 %
3,189.9
3,274.7
3,999.2
2,236.5
1,525.4
41.3 %
41.1 %
40.8 %
23.5 %
23.1 %
Average number of employees
5.9 %
13,651
12,885
11,563
10,740
10,666
1) Adjusted for non-recurring effects and effects of purchase price allocation.
2) Cash flow from operating activities minus capital expenditures, plus cash inflows from disposals of intangible assets and property, plant and equipment.
3) Capital expenditures on intangible assets, property, plant, and equipment, and investment property.
4) Based on number of shares considering the share split in 2011. Quotations based on XETRA closing prices.
5) The adjusted earnings per share (diluted) was calculated on the basis of the weighted average shares outstanding (diluted) in the reporting year (98.728 million).
6) Dividend proposal for the financial year 2012.
7) Based on outstanding shares at the closing price, excluding treasury shares.
Foreword
2
“Our goal is to become the
leading digital media group.”
The Internet is the greatest invention in the history of
civilization since language, writing, and printing. It is
certainly the greatest business opportunity of our time. I
believe we need to leverage this historic opportunity for
the benefit of our company and our shareholders. And I
am convinced that Axel Springer AG will derive a sub-
stantial benefit from these changes and sustainably
increase the company’s value. Our goal is to become
the leading digital media group.
Just a few years ago, our objective was to generate half
our revenue and earnings from online activities. That
goal is now within our reach: today more than one-third
of our revenue and earnings come from our online ac-
tivities. I believe it’s time to set the bar even higher. Our
goal now is to fully transform Axel Springer AG into an
online company.
Paper will still be used as a reading medium for many
years. But the stakes are higher. We need to be con-
cerned with protecting the future of quality journalism,
whether print or online. Therefore, newspapers must be
emancipated from paper as a carrier medium. We con-
tinue to fight for every newspaper and ad sold, with all
our strength and creativity. But we do not want to de-
fend paper as an information carrier in a protectionist
manner. Why not? Because it is a fight that cannot be
won. And because it is a fight that should not even be
won. It is smarter to defend the future, in the form of
journalism, content, and a business model based on
branded media, instead of defending the past, meaning
the regressive carrier medium of paper. Besides, the
Internet has long been a more exciting place for journal-
ism than print. These days, most young people start
their journalism careers on the web. The greatest talents
of the new generation can be found there, more than
anywhere else. Economically, too, the Internet has be-
come more attractive than paper. Marginal costs are
Foreword
3
lower, profit margins are often higher, distribution is less
costly. Looking ahead, your money as shareholders is
better invested in a digital media group.
Traditionally, journalism, advertising, and classifieds
have been the three core competencies of Axel Springer.
Therefore, we are systematically establishing a high-
growth, high-return digital portfolio in three market seg-
ments: content portals, marketing, and classified ad
portals. We will continue to invest in these three areas.
And we will continue to prove that Axel Springer is a
value-creating, value-enhancing partner. The crucial fact
is that a company or business model will be more suc-
cessful, grow its business more quickly, and operate
more profitably in combination with the marketplaces
and competencies of Axel Springer AG, than without.
We have seen this time and again with our acquisitions.
Business founders want to sell majority stakes to us
because they know the value of their own stakes will be
higher than if they go it alone or partner with a purely
financial investor.
In 2013, our priority will be introducing web-based pay
models for our two-biggest multimedia brands, BILD
and WELT. We are doing that from a position of
strength, having generated EBITDA of more than
€ 600 million in financial year 2012. Our digital revenues
passed the € 1 billion mark in 2012. That means digital
media is already our biggest operating segment.
Besides investing in strong brands and editorial talent,
we are also taking steps to ensure the high profitability
of our print media against the background of structurally
caused revenue declines. The most recent market
trends for ad placements and circulation numbers are
not encouraging: a negative development, but on a high
level and with strong margins. In response, we are ac-
celerating the pace of Axel Springer’s transformation in
the current year. That will result in substantial cost sav-
ings over the long term. We are weatherproofing our
company with great determination. Because we are
doing so well, and to make sure we will continue doing
well in the future.
We do not fear the future, or the fundamental changes
the media business is facing. We want to emerge from
this revolution as a winner. And increase the value of
your company substantially.
Sincerely yours,
Mathias Döpfner
Axel Springer understands itself today as a group of
“United Artists” – a house of creative people. Creative
authors or programmers or business people. We are
stronger together, but respect our individual differences,
including our disparate opinions. We want passionate
entrepreneurs to feel just as welcome at Axel Springer
as the best journalists.
In addition to acquiring established online companies
that are already profitable, we will look for startups and
companies still in the early phases of their life cycles.
This will allow us to accelerate the pace of innovation
and further increase the efficiency of capital employed.
With these goals in mind, we recently sent a group of
senior executives to Palo Alto, California, a practice
which is now becoming a permanent institution of “visiting
fellows.” As a company based in Berlin, known as the
“European Silicon Valley,” we also want to benefit even
more from dynamic business startups. The joint venture
with a California-based business accelerator is one example
of this effort.
4 Executive Board
Dr. Mathias Döpfner
Jan Bayer
Chairman
Born 1963, journalist.
Career milestones:
President WELT Group
and Printing
Born 1970, Master’s degree in
Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung,
media studies. Career mile
Gruner+Jahr; Chief Editor
Wochenpost, Hamburger
stones: Süddeutsche Zeitung;
Publisher Volksstimme, Magde
Morgenpost, and DIE WELT.
burg; Publisher Süddeutsche
Member of the Executive
Zeitung; Chairman of the
Board since 2000, Chairman
Management Board of the WELT
since 2002.
Group. Member of the Executive
Board from 2012.
Executive Board
5
Ralph Büchi
Lothar Lanz
Dr. Andreas Wiele
President International Division
Chief Financial Officer and
President BILD Group
Chief Operating Officer
and Magazines
Born 1957, business economist.
Career milestones: Editor
Born 1948, Master’s degree
Handelszeitung; Chairman of
in commerce.
Born 1962, lawyer.
Career milestones:
the Management Board of the
Career milestones:
Editor, Hamburger Morgenpost;
Handelszeitung publishing group;
Bayerische Hypotheken und
Head of Publishing Capital and
CEO Axel Springer Schweiz AG;
Wechselbank AG; member of
Geo, Gruner+Jahr, Paris/France;
President of Axel Springer Interna
the Executive Board at HSB
Executive Vice President and
tional. Member of the Executive
HYPO ServiceBank AG;
Chief Operating Officer of
Board from 2012.
member of the Executive Board
Gruner+Jahr USA Publishing,
at Nassauische Sparkasse;
New York.
member of the Executive Board
Member of the Executive Board
and Chief Financial Officer at
since 2000.
ProSiebenSat.1 Media AG.
Member of the Executive Board
since 2009.
6
Annual Report 2012 Axel Springer AG
The Axel Springer share
6
2012 was a very good year for stock
markets
The leading German stock market index, the DAX, per-
formed very well in 2012, rising 24.4 % from its level at
the end of 2011 and reaching new five-year highs to-
wards the end of the year. Indeed, the MDAX, which
includes the Axel Springer share, reached an all-time
high in mid-December and closed the year with a gain of
30.6 %. Investors were comforted by the various state-
ments of the European Central Bank about supporting
the euro and by the measures taken by the U.S. Federal
Reserve, which contributed to the recovery of stock
markets. The media industry index DJ EuroStoxx Media
also did very well in 2012, gaining 13.0 % for the year.
Performance Axel Springer Share
Axel Springer
DAX
1)
MDAX
1)
DJ EuroStoxx Media
1)
45
40
35
30
Closing price: € 32.29
01/01/12
12/31/12
1)
Indexed on the year-end share price of Axel Springer AG as of December 30, 2011.
Axel Springer share decoupled from the
market trend in the second half
At the beginning of the year, the Axel Springer share
followed a similarly strong upward trend as the relevant
comparison indexes. After a brief weak phase in Febru-
ary, the share re-closed the gap with the relevant index-
es by the end of the first quarter and reached its high for
the year of € 39.52 on March 26. Through the end of
July, the Axel Springer share did not perform as well as
the comparison indexes, but it trended in the same
direction. Starting in August, however, the Axel Springer
share exhibited a pronounced downward trend, while all
the comparison indexes improved substantially in the
further course of the year. The Axel Springer share
reached its low for the year of € 31.16 on November 16,
before recovering somewhat to reach € 32.29 by the
end of the year, 2.8 % below its year-ago price. At year-
end 2012, the company’s market capitalization amount-
ed to € 3.2 billion.
Expanded analyst coverage
At the end of 2012, the Axel Springer share was covered
by 19 (PY: 17) stock analysts. One firm discontinued
coverage and three new firms took up coverage of the
Axel Springer share in 2012. A continually updated,
complete list of banks and investment banks that cover
our share, along with their investment recommendations
and share price targets, can be found on our website at
www.axelspringer.de/ir.
Investor relations
The company’s Management and Investor Relations
team presented the company and its strategy on a total
of 17 days at investor conferences and roadshows in
Europe and the United States. In addition, we held
numerous discussions and telephone conferences
throughout the year with investors, analysts, and other
capital market participants. The telephone conferences
conducted on the occasion of publishing our financial
reports are streamed live on the Internet and are available
to download afterwards. We held our fifth “Capital Markets
Day” for stock analysts, institutional investors, and bank-
ers at our corporate headquarters in Berlin on Decem-
ber 11, 2012. The event was broadcast live on the Inter-
net as a webcast and could be downloaded afterwards,
along with the presentations shown there. Up-to-date
information on the latest developments can always be
found in the Investor Relations section of our website at
www.axelspringer.de.
The Axel Springer share
7
Share Information
€
Earnings per share
Earnings per share (adjusted)
Dividend1)
2012
2011 Change
2.41
3.00
1.70
2.62
– 8.0 %
3.03
– 0.9 %
1.70
0.0 %
Total dividend payout (€ millions)
167.9
167.6
0.2 %
Year-end share price
32.29
33.21
– 2.8 %
Highest price
Lowest price
39.52
41.67
– 5.2 %
31.16
24.50
27.2 %
Market capitalization (€ millions)2)3)
3,189.9
3,274.7
– 2.6 %
Daily traded volume (Ø, € thousands) 5,288.4
7,296.6 – 27.5 %
Dividend yield1)3)
5.3 %
5.1 %
Total yield per share per year4)
2.3 % – 14.4 %
-
-
1) Dividend proposal for financial year 2012.
2) Calculated on the basis of the year-end closing price.
3) Based on shares outstanding, excluding treasury shares.
4) Share price development plus dividend payment.
Another record dividend
The annual shareholders’ meeting of Axel Springer AG
was held in Berlin on April 25, 2012. Approximately
450 shareholders, together representing about 84.5 % of
voting capital, participated in the meeting. All the resolu-
tions proposed by the management – including the pay-
ment of a dividend of € 1.70 per qualifying share – were
approved by majorities of at least 97.5 %. Considering
the effect of the 1:3 stock split conducted in 2011, the
dividend was € 0.10 higher than the prior-year dividend
and was therefore the highest dividend ever paid by Axel
Springer AG. Based on the closing price of the company’s
share at the end of 2011, the dividend yield came to
5.1 %. The total dividend pay-out was € 167.6 million.
Share ownership program
Our employees benefited directly from the appreciation
of the company’s value by participating in our share
ownership program. Under this program, all employees
of Axel Springer AG and its domestic subsidiaries who
were eligible for a profit-sharing bonus for 2011, or who
had entered into a target agreement, were given the
chance in May 2012 to convert 50 % or 100 % of their
profit-sharing bonus or performance-dependent com-
pensation into shares of Axel Springer AG. To those
employees who opted to convert half their profit-sharing
bonus or performance-dependent compensation, Axel
Springer contributed an additional 20 %, and to those
employees who opted to convert all that amount, the
company contributed an additional 30 %. The required
holding period is four years, both for employees eligible
for a profit-sharing bonus and for employees with target
agreements. The shares were taken from the treasury
stock of Axel Springer AG.
Shareholder Structure
Axel Springer Gesellschaft für Publizistik
Dr. h. c. Friede Springer
Dr. Mathias Döpfner
Axel Springer AG
Other shareholdings
40.0 %
0.2 %
3.3 %
5.0 %
51.5 %
Status: December 31, 2012
Information on Listing
Share type
Registered share with restricted
transferability
Stock exchange
Germany (Prime Standard)
Security Identification Number
550135, 575423
ISIN
DE0005501357, DE0005754238
Thomson Reuters
Bloomberg
SPRGn.DE
SPR GY
8 Combined
Management Report
10 Business and framework conditions
27 Financial performance, liquidity,
and financial position
38 Economic Position of Axel Springer AG
41 Events after the reporting date
41 Sustainability and social responsibility
42 Report on risks and opportunities
51 Forecast report
55 Disclosures and explanatory report of the
Executive Board pursuant to takeover law
59 Corporate Governance Report
Combined Management Report
9
Summary of business performance and
operating results in 2012
share at the annual shareholders’ meeting to be held on
April 24, 2013.
Axel Springer hade a successful financial year 2012,
meeting the forecast targets published in March 2012.
At € 3,310.3 million, the total revenues of the Axel
Springer Group were 3.9 % higher than the prior-year figure
of € 3,184.9 million. This increase resulted primarily from
consolidation effects in the Digital Media segment. Adjust-
ed for consolidation and currency effects, total revenues
were on the level of the prior-year figure (+ 0.2 %). The
Digital Media segment generated a double-digit revenue
increase on the basis of organic growth, and acquisition
effects gave an additional boost to growth. Earnings in the
Digital Media segment rose stronger than revenues. De-
spite slightly lower revenues, the Print National segment
was again very profitable. Axel Springer’s international print
media generated lower revenues, and returns on revenue
were slightly less than the corresponding prior-year figure.
Consolidated EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes,
depreciation, and amortization) amounted to € 628.0 million,
reflecting an increase of 5.8 % over the prior-year figure
of € 593.4 million. The EBITDA margin of 19.0 % was
likewise higher than the corresponding prior-year figure
(18.6 %). This performance attests to the strong profita-
bility of the Axel Springer Group. The lower earnings
contributed by the print media were offset by the signifi-
cantly higher earnings of the Digital Media segment.
The consolidated net income of € 275.8 million was
slightly less than the prior-year figure (€ 289.4 million).
This decrease resulted from non-operating, non-recurring
effects and from purchase price allocation effects. Ad-
justed for non-operating effects, consolidated net income
amounted to € 347.9 million, reflecting a moderate 1.3 %
increase over the corresponding prior-year figure. Earn-
ings per share were affected by the higher proportion of
non-controlling interests, compared to the prior-year
figure. Earnings per share fell to € 2.41 (PY: € 2.62).
Adjusted earnings per share came to € 3.00, slightly
below the corresponding prior-year figure (€ 3.03).
The Executive Board and Supervisory Board will pro-
pose a dividend of € 1.70 (PY: € 1.70) per qualifying
Outlook for 2013
For financial year 2013, we anticipate a low single-digit
percentage increase in total revenues, assuming that the
structurally declining trends of the print business do not
worsen considerably. We anticipate that the expected de-
crease in circulation revenues will be more than offset by the
planned increase in advertising revenues and by constant
other revenues. We continue to expect organic growth in
our digital media, strengthened by acquisition effects, while
the revenues of our national and international print media
are expected to decline further, in line with market trends.
We will increase our investments in the company’s fur-
ther development in financial year 2013. We will acceler-
ate the pace of digitization and increasingly adjust the
structures of our print business to reflect the structural
changes. This plan will necessitate higher expenditures
for expanding the digital business and significant ex-
penses for structural adjustments in the print business.
By reason of these expenditures, we anticipate a single-
digit percentage decrease in the Group’s EBITDA,
compared to 2012.
By reason of the above-mentioned effects and the growing
percentage of non-controlling interests, particularly in the
Digital Media segment, adjusted earnings per share will
be significantly less than the corresponding figure for 2012.
Introductory remarks
The present combined management report for Axel
Springer AG and the Group contains statements about
the economic situation and business performance of the
Axel Springer Group. These statements are also largely
applicable to the parent company Axel Springer AG.
Additional information on the economic situation of Axel
Springer AG is provided in a separate chapter on page 38.
For the sake of better comparability, the operating earn-
ings indicator EBITDA has been adjusted for non-
recurring effects (see Section (31) of the notes to the
financial statements).
10 Annual Report 2012 Axel Springer AG
Business and framework conditions
Segments
Axel Springer Group
Digital
Media
Newspapers
Magazines
Print
National
National
International
Services/
Holding
Corporate structure and business activities
Legal structure of the Group, business locations
Axel Springer AG is an exchange-listed stock corporation
with its registered head office in Berlin. The company
also maintains offices in Hamburg, as well as at many
other locations in Germany, through its subsidiaries. In
addition, the Axel Springer Group comprises numerous
companies in other European countries. Through our
subsidiaries, joint ventures, and licenses, we are repre-
sented in a total of 44 countries. At December 31, 2012,
the Axel Springer Group comprised 132 fully consolidated
companies, including 75 outside of Germany. The consol-
idated shareholdings of the Group are listed in Section (42)
of the notes to the financial statements.
The Executive Board of Axel Springer AG has resolved to
propose to the annual shareholders’ meeting to be held
on April 24, 2013 that Axel Springer AG be converted
into a European company (SE) in accordance with Art.
37, 2 para. 4 of the European Company Regulation
(SE-Reg). By establishing a European legal form, Axel
Springer AG intends to emphasize and facilitate the
company’s orientation to European and international
markets. Also under the legal form of an SE, the company
will maintain a dual corporate governance system con-
sisting of a Executive Board and a Supervisory Board.
Business model
Axel Springer is one of Europe’s leading integrated mul-
timedia companies, with a broad spectrum of print and
digital offerings. The core competencies of Axel Springer
are excellent journalism, marketing, and online classified
ad portals. The broad media portfolio encompasses well-
established brand families like those of the BILD Group
and the WELT Group. Axel Springer also transfers its
print brands and content to the digital world. The Group’s
portfolio also comprises online classified ad portals, per-
formance marketing activities, and other activities.
Important products, services, and business processes
The revenues of the Axel Springer Group are mainly
composed of circulation and advertising revenues.
Circulation revenues are generated on the sales of
our newspapers, magazines, and digital information
and entertainment offerings, while advertising revenues
are generated by marketing the reach of our print and
online media.
The company’s value chain is designed on a cross-
media basis. It encompasses all important processes of
a media company, from conception, writing, and editing
to production, distribution, and marketing.
Combined Management Report 11
Business and framework conditions
Cross-media conception
We strive continuously to enhance the presentation of
our information and entertainment offerings, for example
by improving existing formats with new editorial and
graphic concepts or by introducing new products. In that
respect, we place an especially strong emphasis on our
digital media portfolio. The further development of our
portfolio is crucial to the success of our operating busi-
ness. For that reason, we also employ market research
and pilot projects to identify highly promising trends and
technologies at an early stage, and to participate in their
progression. At the same time, we always apply a cross-
media approach, so that we can make optimal use of
synergies, expertise, and reach.
Editorial content
Producing journalistic content in a creative and efficient
way, and exploiting that content on a cross-media basis,
is one of our core competencies. All journalistic content
is gathered in our newsrooms and processed there in
accordance with the demands of our print and online
media. We operate integrated newsrooms for the print
and online media of the BILD and WELT Groups, as well
as BERLINER MORGENPOST, B.Z., and HAMBURGER
ABENDBLATT, for example, and also for some of our
international editorial teams. Furthermore, our news-
rooms are increasingly being used to produce editorial
content for different titles.
Production
The production process for our digital media usually
involves the processing and aggregation of information in
databases, or the production of editorial content, which
we then post on our websites or other digital resources.
We produce our German newspapers in the Group’s
own three offset printing plants in Hamburg-Ahrensburg,
Essen-Kettwig, and Berlin-Spandau, among other places.
We perform all the necessary steps in the value chain
ourselves, from plate production to shipping logistics.
Distribution
We distribute our digital media through a variety of chan-
nels, including the Internet, mobile terminal devices, and
download platforms like Apple’s App Store and our
internally developed distribution platform, iKiosk.
In Germany, our newspapers and magazines are distrib-
uted in more than 119 thousand retail sales outlets,
which are supplied in a fast, reliable manner, employing a
sophisticated logistics and transport system. We also
distribute our media worldwide, via press wholesalers
and press import companies.
Marketing
The second important revenue source for Axel Springer,
besides the traditional circulation revenues generated on
sales of our print titles, are advertising revenues. In that
respect, our journalistic content serves the purpose of
reaching the target groups that are relevant to advertisers,
so as to generate the reach that can be marketed in the
form of ad space.
In the digital sphere, Axel Springer offers a wide range of
online advertising, such as banners, layer ads, and wall-
paper, as well as video formats, all of which are used for
traditional reach marketing. We also seek to harness the
potential of the growing online market by expanding our
own online marketing activities.
Our portfolio also includes transaction-driven marketing
models. As the leading provider of performance-based
online marketing in Europe, the zanox Group brings
advertisers and publishers together on the Internet, so
as to generate new sales and marketing possibilities for
them on an international level. Advertisers use our plat-
forms to make their products and services available
so that publishers can advertise those products and
services by means of text links, ad banners, and online
videos. The publishers receive a commission from the
advertisers for every successfully completed online
transaction. Our platforms serve as independent service
providers, providing the necessary infrastructure, record-
ing data flows and transactions, paying commissions to
publishers, and offering tailored services.
12 Annual Report 2012 Axel Springer AG
12 Annual Report 2012 Axel Springer AG
Using the stationary and mobile Internet, kaufDA distrib-
utes the digitized advertising brochures of retailers spe-
cifically to the consumer’s immediate environs. That way,
advertisers can extend their traditional campaigns on a
cross-media basis and tap new customer potential.
Axel Springer’s newspapers and magazines, and its
brand-derived digital media, are centrally marketed in
Germany by Axel Springer Media Impact (ASMI), the
country’s leading cross-media marketer (based on gross
market shares). ASMI began to make its digital marketing
portfolio also available to outside companies in 2012. For
example, ASMI has been marketing the display and
video inventory of Sky.de since July of last year.
Segments of the Axel Springer Group
Axel Springer’s business activities are divided into five
segments: Digital Media, Newspapers National, Magazines
National, Print International, and Services/Holding. We
link these different segments through our cross-media
approach, in order to make optimal use of synergies and
exploit all possibilities to create as much value as possible.
Digital Media
Due to strong growth rates and intensive acquisition
activity, the importance of Axel Springer’s digital media
activities has grown substantially. Of all five operating
segments, the Digital Media segment contributed the
highest shares of both revenues and earnings, for the first
time ever, in the fourth quarter of financial year 2012. This
segment is divided into three main areas of competence:
(cid:1) Content portals and other digital media
(cid:1) Performance marketing
(cid:1) Axel Springer Digital Classifieds.
This portfolio comprises a large number of content por-
tals and digital offerings. The principal activities are pre-
sented in the table below and explained in the following.
Portfolio Digital Media
Content Portals
and other
Digital Media
Bild.de
DIE WELT Online
aufeminin
Onet.pl
Azet.sk
idealo
kaufDA
finanzen.net
Smarthouse
Schwartzkopff TV
Performance
Marketing
Axel Springer
Digital Classifieds
zanox
Digital Window
M4N
eprofessional
Real estate
SeLoger
immonet
Immoweb.be
Jobs
StepStone
Totaljobs
allesklar.com
Content portals and other digital media
The first area of competence comprises content portals
and other digital business models.
The online activities of the BILD brand are bundled within
BILD digital. Bild.de is Germany’s biggest and widest-
reach news and entertainment portal. With its apps
for the iPhone, iPad, Android smartphones, tablet PCs,
smart TVs, and a mobile portal, Bild.de is represented in
all digital channels. Again in 2012, Bild.de was Germany’s
most-visited mobile media brand. According to the study
entitled “mobile facts 2012-II” of the Working Group for
Online Research (AGOF), the mobile portal of Bild.de
enjoys a reach of 19.0 % or 4.0 million users, well ahead
of its competitors. Axel Springer AG was awarded exclu-
sive license rights to German National Soccer League
highlights, for a four-year period starting with the
2013/2014 season. Bild.de will offer the highlights of all
matches as video-on-demand, both on the Internet and
on mobile terminal devices. BILD digital also includes
products like stylebook.de, the meinKlub app, and the
BILD Shop. The online portals of AUTO BILD hold a
leading position in the automotive segment.
On both the stationary and the mobile Internet, the WELT
Group’s portal is one of the most successful online sites
of all German premium newspapers. Already the market
leader in the relevant competition set on iPad and Kindle,
DIE WELT introduced versions for other tablet PCs in
Combined Management Report 13
Business and framework conditions
August 2012, thereby strengthening its leading position
in the mobile segment. In December 2012, DIE WELT
introduced new subscription models for its digital prod-
ucts, making it one of the first major German national
online news sites to charge users to access a website
that had previously been free (see page 21).
Our online portfolio is supplemented by the online sites
of German regional newspapers and magazines and by
those of our international print media. In addition, we offer
our own self-produced editorial content via paid apps for
mobile terminal devices like smartphones and especially
tablets, which run on all relevant operating systems, as
well as different TV platforms (see page 22). We also
operate various digital portals in Germany and abroad.
Our women’s portal aufeminin.com is the European
market leader in the category of fashion, beauty, and
lifestyle websites. As it continues to internationalize its
business, aufeminin.com is now active in 14 countries. In
August, the company acquired the online casting agency
Etoile Casting, a website that connects artists with more
than 2,000 professional partners.
In November, Ringier Axel Springer Media successfully
completed the acquisition of the leading Polish online
portal Onet.pl. Onet.pl reaches about 70 % of Polish
Internet users. (See page 26 for more on the acquisition
of Onet.pl). In addition, Ringier Axel Springer Media has
held a majority interest in azet.sk, Slovakia’s leading
Internet portal since late 2010. In Serbia, the joint venture
acquired mojauto.rs, the second-biggest car market
portal, as well as nekretnine.rs, one of that country’s
most-visited real estate websites, in 2012.
idealo.de continues to be the leading, widest-reach
portal for product searches and price comparisons in
Germany. In order to show users the lowest prices for
every product, the portal searched for more than one
million products and displayed more than 50 million
offers from thousands of online vendors in 2012. Aside
from prices, users can also view consumer test results
and user opinions for each product.
Germany’s widest-reach financial portal finanzen.net
provides up-to-date financial markets data on every
business day. It also launched a portal in Switzerland
in early 2012 and one in Austria in late 2012.
Under the roof of “Bonial International Group,” the
concept embodied by kaufDA.de as Germany’s leading
consumer information portal for local shopping was
internationalized further, not only in France, but also
through market entries in Spain, Russia, and Brazil.
Smarthouse Media, a leading European provider of
complex, web-based financial applications for banks,
online brokers, and other providers of financial services,
expanded its activities in the financial center of London in
2012. To that end, it stepped up its sales activities and
hired new staff.
In India, Axel Springer holds an equity interest in
CarWale.com, one of the leading portals in that country’s
market for the online brokerage of new and used cars. In
October 2012, the company also launched a new portal
for motorcycle riders, BikeWale.com.
Axel Springer owns Schwartzkopff TV, a production
company for TV entertainment formats. Axel Springer
also holds an investment in the regional TV station
Hamburg 1, as well as minority stakes in a few German
radio stations. Axel Springer continues to hold a minority
interest in Turkey’s biggest private-sector TV and radio
company, the Do⁄an-TV Group. Do⁄an TV is the market
leader in that country, both in terms of audience share
and advertising market share.
Performance marketing
Through the zanox Group (including Affiliate Window,
M4N, and eprofessional), Axel Springer operates the
leading performance advertising network for success-
based online marketing in Germany and Europe. zanox
further strengthened its position in 2012. Advertising
customers only pay when an ad is successfully placed
via the zanox platform. zanox improved its products and
services continuously in 2012; for example, it introduced
14 Annual Report 2012 Axel Springer AG
14 Annual Report 2012 Axel Springer AG
new statistical tools with which its customers can ana-
lyze the performance of partner programs and websites
even more easily, quickly, and more effectively than
before. Once again, zanox was named the best German-
language affiliate network in 2012. It continued to press
forward with the internationalization of its business.
Axel Springer Digital Classifieds
Over the last few years, Axel Springer has built up a
portfolio of leading online classified portals, focused
primarily on real estate and job listings. To accelerate
the pace of growth in this strategically important sector,
Axel Springer entered into an agreement with the global
growth investor General Atlantic LLC in the first quarter
of 2012, under which the latter purchased a 30 % equity
interest in the newly formed company Axel Springer
Digital Classifieds GmbH (see page 25 for more infor-
mation on this subject). After contributing SeLoger,
immonet, and StepStone to this new company and
acquiring Totaljobs, allesklar.com, and Immoweb.be, all
of Axel Springer’s most important classified portals are
now consolidated under the roof of a single company.
SeLoger and Immoweb.be are the leading online real
estate portals in France and Belgium, respectively.
SeLoger is the leading real estate portal in France and one
of the innovation drivers in its segment. It celebrated its
20th anniversary in 2012. The company expanded its
leading position further in 2012. Through the acquisition
of Villaweb, the operator of the website vacances.com, in
June of 2012, SeLoger reinforced its presence and broad-
ened its offering in the segment of vacation home rentals.
Thus, SeLoger continues to follow a course of expansion.
As part of its online classifieds growth initiative, Axel
Springer Digital Classifieds purchased 80 % of the equity
of Immoweb S.A. in early November 2012. This company
operates Immoweb.be, the leading online real estate
portal in Belgium.
immonet.de, one of Germany’s leading real estate portals,
increased its customer base significantly over the prior-
year period. A new service is the professional online mar-
ket appraisal of residential properties; immonet is the first
German real estate portal to offer such a service. Thanks
to the strategic partnership concluded with the Madsack
Group in February 2012 (under which Madsack purchased
11.3 % of immonet’s shares from Axel Springer), immonet
has been integrated into all of Madsack’s newspaper
portals, giving a greater reach to real estate searches
conducted via immonet. immonet also introduced an iPad
app for real estate searches in August 2012.
StepStone is the market leader in the category of private-
sector job exchanges in Germany and Belgium and is
one of Europe’s leading online job exchanges. This portal,
which specializes in managerial and expert careers,
widened the reach gap with its competitors even further,
especially in Germany. StepStone further strengthened
its position as one of Europe’s leading job portals by
acquiring Totaljobs, the United Kingdom’s biggest online
recruiting company.
Axel Springer Digital Classifieds acquired allesklar.com
AG in early October. The most important property of
this company is Germany’s leading regional portal
meinestadt.de, which complements Axel Springer’s
portfolio of nationwide online classified marketplaces
perfectly. meinestadt.de provides extensive information
on more than 11 thousand German cities and towns.
Newspapers National
The Newspapers National segment comprises 14 news-
papers and advertising papers published in Germany.
These publications are subdivided by newsstand vs. sub-
scription sales and by regional vs. national distribution.
The titles of the BILD Group and WELT Group, as well as
HAMBURGER ABENDBLATT, BERLINER MORGENPOST,
and B.Z., are among Germany’s leading daily newspapers,
although this segment is shrinking, in line with the general
trend of print media. The main titles are presented in the
table below:
Combined Management Report 15
Business and framework conditions
Portfolio Newspapers National
Newsstand Newspapers
Subscription Newspapers
National
Regional
National
Regional
and WELT am SONNTAG are the uncontested leaders in
the category of national newspapers, with a circulation
market share of 83.1 %.
BILD
BILD am
SONNTAG
B.Z.
B.Z. am
SONNTAG
HAMBURGER
ABENDBLATT
BERLINER
MORGENPOST
DIE WELT
WELT
KOMPAKT
WELT am
SONNTAG
WELT am
SONNTAG
KOMPAKT
Magazines National
With its portfolio of 23 magazines, Axel Springer is the
third-largest German magazine publisher. It holds leading
market positions in key segments, although they are
shrinking in line with the general trend of print media. The
main titles are:
BILD is Europe’s biggest and widest-reach daily news-
paper; in the category of newsstand newspapers, it is far
and away the market leader in Germany, with a market
share 75.6 % (market share data for German newspa-
pers and magazines based on paid circulation according
to IVW). On the occasion of BILD’s 60th anniversary,
41 million free copies of the special edition BILD für ALLE
were distributed to practically every household in Germany,
creating the highest reach of all time. The holiday editions
BILD am FEIERTAG, which appeared on May 1 and on
October 3, were likewise very successful. Many large
corporations served as marketing partners for these
special editions of BILD.
In the category of subscription newspapers, DIE WELT is
Germany’s third-largest premium daily, with a market
share of 17.3 % (including WELT KOMPAKT, based on
paid circulation). As a consequence of strictly aligning its
production processes with the online segment, DIE
WELT introduced a more focused brand architecture in
2012; since that time, all media offerings, whether print,
online, or mobile, have been published under the same
brand name, DIE WELT. This move reflects the complete
editorial integration of print and online content. In Octo-
ber 2012, we took another important step to upgrade our
editorial competence by further expanding the joint edito-
rial pool for WELT Group and BERLINER MORGENPOST,
which has proven successful for ten years now. Together
with HAMBURGER ABENDBLATT, the biggest subscrip-
tion newspaper in the city of Hamburg and the surround-
ing area, we established a new editorial pool, so as to
combine regional and national content even more effi-
ciently. Our Sunday newspapers BILD am SONNTAG
Portfolio Magazines National
TV Program Guides
and Women’s
Magazines
Automotive,
Computer, and
Sports Magazines
Music
Magazines
TV Program Guides
Automotive
Music
HÖRZU
TV DIGITAL
FUNK UHR
AUTO BILD
AUTO TEST
AUTO BILD KLASSIK
ROLLING STONE
MUSIKEXPRESS
METAL HAMMER
Women’s
Computer
BILD der FRAU
FRAU von HEUTE
COMPUTER BILD
COMPUTER BILD
SPIELE
Sports
SPORT BILD
In the category of TV program guides and women’s
magazines, the biweekly TV DIGITAL further extended its
position as the highest-circulation TV program guide in the
high-price segment, amid a declining market trend. HÖRZU
continues to be the market leader in the category of weekly
premium TV program guides. In the category of women’s
magazines, BILD der FRAU is the biggest women’s title in
Germany, with a circulation market share of 20.3 %.
Nearly all of Axel Springer’s automotive, computer,
and sports media belong to the BILD family of brands.
Europe’s biggest automotive magazine AUTO BILD
increased its market share slightly to 56.8 %, based on
paid circulation. It continues to be Germany’s leading
automotive magazine. As of year-end 2012, AUTO BILD
appears in 33 countries worldwide. Based on paid circu-
lation, our magazines COMPUTER BILD and SPORT
BILD also hold the leading positions in their respective
16 Annual Report 2012 Axel Springer AG
16 Annual Report 2012 Axel Springer AG
categories in Europe, with market shares in Germany of
40.6 % and 48.3 %, respectively. As part of our digitiza-
tion strategy, the print and online editorial teams of
COMPUTER BILD, COMPUTER BILD SPIELE, and AUDIO
VIDEO FOTO BILD were merged within COMPUTER
BILD Digital GmbH in 2012. This move further intensifies
the existing linkage between print and online content.
Axel Springer’s music magazines include ROLLING
STONE, MUSIKEXPRESS, and METAL HAMMER.
Print International
All of Axel Springer’s international print publications are
managed within the Print International segment. They
include both newspapers and magazines, both of which
experienced declining circulation numbers, in line with
the general trend of print media. Beyond Germany, Axel
Springer operates through its subsidiaries and joint ven-
tures, and under licensing agreements. The mass-
circulation dailies published by the joint venture Ringier
Axel Springer Media are the market leaders in currently
four countries of central and eastern Europe: Poland, the
Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Serbia. Axel Springer is
also active in Hungary and Russia. In western Europe, our
activities are focused on Switzerland, France, and Spain.
Markets Print International
Central and Eastern Europe
Western Europe
Ringier Axel Springer Media
Switzerland
France
Spain
Poland
Czech Republic
Slovakia
Serbia
Hungary
Russia
Central and eastern European markets
Our joint venture with Ringier is the biggest publishing
house in the Czech Republic, with six newspapers and
18 magazines. In addition to the leading mass-circulation
daily BLESK and the leading news magazine REFLEX,
our automotive magazines also lead their respective
market segments and BLESK PRO ZENY is the widest-
reach women’s magazine. On the occasion of the 20th
anniversary of BLESK in 2012, more than 4 million copies
of an XXL special edition were distributed to nearly every
household free of charge.
Ringier Axel Springer Media publishes three newspapers
and more than ten magazines in Poland. With FAKT as
the country’s leading newsstand newspaper, and
PRZEGLAD SPORTOWY as the country’s only national
sports daily, we reach a market share of 40.7 % among
national daily newspapers (based on paid circulation),
making us the biggest newspaper publisher in Poland.
NEWSWEEK POLSKA continued its successful devel-
opment. Under a new editor-in-chief, it overtook the
market leader in the segment of weekly magazines within
a period of only one year and solidified its position as the
country’s leading weekly publication.
Ringier Axel Springer Media’s market leadership position
in Slovakia is mainly rooted in the NOVY CAS family of
brands, consisting of two newspapers and four maga-
zines. With a market share of 41.9 %, the mass-
circulation daily bearing that name is the country’s big-
gest newspaper. All together, Ringier Axel Springer Media
publishes nine magazines in Slovakia.
In Serbia, three newspapers and eight magazines make
Ringier Axel Springer Media the publishing house with
the highest circulation and reach. The joint venture also
publishes the country’s biggest mass-circulation dailies,
ALO! and BLIC. In mid-2012, a new regional edition
DAILY BLIC was introduced to the market in Montenegro.
In Hungary, Axel Springer publishes more than 60 mag-
azines and more than ten daily newspapers, including
the corresponding Sunday editions. With a market share
of 20.6 % (based on paid circulation), it is the country’s
second-biggest publisher. Amid a tough operating envi-
ronment, KISKEGYED not only defended, but actually
extended its position as the country’s second-biggest
women’s magazine. We are also the leader in TV program
Combined Management Report 17
Business and framework conditions
guides, regional and business newspapers, home and
garden, automotive, and puzzle magazines.
Management and supervision
We publish a total of nine titles in Russia, including the
business magazine FORBES, COMPUTER BILD, GALA
BIOGRAFIA, and OK!, as well as three magazines of the
GEO brand family.
Western European markets
In Switzerland, Axel Springer publishes the newspaper
HANDELSZEITUNG and 12 magazines. Based on paid
circulation, it holds the market leadership position in the
categories of business magazines, consumer advice
magazines, and TV program guides. The business mag-
azine BILANZ and the newspaper HANDELSZEITUNG
are among the biggest publications in the business seg-
ment. In the category of consumer advice magazines,
Axel Springer holds the market leadership position with
BEOBACHTER, the biggest subscription magazine in
Switzerland. It is also the market leader in the category
of TV program guides, with TELE and TV STAR.
In France, we publish a total of nine titles in the TV pro-
gram guides, women’s magazines, and cooking maga-
zines sector, as well as four automotive magazines
through a joint venture with the Mondadori Group.
Axel Springer publishes nine magazines in Spain. We
hold leading positions in particular in the categories of
video-game and computer magazines, as well as auto-
motive magazines. Five titles were discontinued due to
the difficult economic situation in Spain.
Services/Holding
The Services/Holding segment comprises the compa-
ny’s three national newspaper printing plants, the Logis-
tics Division, and various service and holding company
functions.
Management principles
Axel Springer’s management principles are aligned with
our core values of creativity, entrepreneurship, and integ-
rity, as well as the five principles enshrined in Axel
Springer’s own corporate constitution. For more infor-
mation on our internal guidelines, please refer to the
corporate governance statement pursuant to Sec-
tion 289a HGB contained in the section entitled “Im-
portant management practices” on page 61 of the pre-
sent Annual Report.
Management divisions
Axel Springer’s Executive Board is composed of five
members, whose work is supported and supervised by
a Supervisory Board composed of nine members.
Axel Springer Executive Board Divisions
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Dr. Mathias Döpfner
WELT Group and Printing
Jan Bayer
Executive Board
Divisions
International Division
Ralph Büchi
Chief Financial Officer and
Chief Operating Officer
Lothar Lanz
BILD Group and Magazines
Dr. Andreas Wiele
Executive Board responsibilities are divided as follows:
18 Annual Report 2012 Axel Springer AG
18 Annual Report 2012 Axel Springer AG
Besides serving as Executive Board Chairman,
Dr. Mathias Döpfner is additionally responsible for the
Executive Board division of Digital Media, as well as the
corporate staff function of Information and Public Rela-
tions. Furthermore, all editors-in-chief report to him. His
responsibilities also include Executive Personnel, Securi-
ty, Public Affairs, Customer Loyalty Reinforcement, and
the Axel Springer Academy.
Jan Bayer is the Executive Board member in charge of
the WELT Group and Printing. This division covers re-
gional and subscription newspapers (WELT Group,
BERLINER MORGENPOST, HAMBURGER ABEND-
BLATT) and the company’s printing plants.
Ralph Büchi is responsible for the Executive Board divi-
sion of International Business, which encompasses
all the activities in Axel Springer’s international markets.
Lothar Lanz is the Executive Board member in charge of
Human Resources, Finance, and Services, which in-
cludes business administration functions and the Internal
Audit. He is also responsible for M&A and Strategy, Gov-
ernance, Risk & Compliance, Legal, and Purchasing.
Dr. Andreas Wiele is the Executive Board member in
charge of the BILD Group and Magazines. His division
encompasses the cross-media publications of the BILD
family of brands and the related magazines, which are
subdivided into the publishing groups BILD and BILD am
SONNTAG, Automotive, Computer and Sports Media,
TV Program Guides, and Women’s Media, and B.Z. He
is also responsible for IT and Logistics & Services.
Basic principles of the compensation system
The compensation of all our employees, all the way up to
the top management level, consists of a fixed compo-
nent and (for eligible employees) an additional variable
component. Variable compensation is determined on the
basis of individual performance and the company’s suc-
cess; to this end, individual target agreements encom-
passing both company-wide targets and division targets
are adopted every year anew. The part of variable com-
pensation that corresponds to corporate success is
based primarily on the financial indicator EBITDA. In
2012, moreover, we paid a voluntary, profit-sharing
bonus of € 1,200 (PY: € 800) to qualifying employees.
The compensation of the Executive Board is also com-
posed of a fixed component and a variable component,
based on the attainment of corporate goals and individu-
al goals and on the long-term appreciation of
the company’s value, as measured by the performance
of Axel Springer’s share. A detailed description of
Executive Board compensation can be found in the
“Compensation Report” section of the “Corporate Gov-
ernance” chapter (starting on page 69).There, you will
also find information on the compensation of our Super-
visory Board members (starting on page 71).
Strategy and success monitoring
The goal of our corporate strategy, which comprises the
three main tenets of market leadership in the German-
speaking world, internationalization, and digitization, is to
sustainably increase the company value of Axel Springer
by means of profitable growth.
Strategy
The highest strategic priority for Axel Springer is to pur-
sue the consistent digitization of our business. By further
developing our digital offerings in Germany and abroad
and making targeted acquisitions, we aim to achieve our
goal of becoming the leading digital media group. We are
accelerating the growth of our digital business by means
of targeted investments. In the print business, our prima-
ry goals are to preserve our market leadership position
on the strength of excellent journalism and to practice
strict cost discipline. Our corporate structure and equity
investments are geared to these goals.
Market leadership in the German-language core business
Axel Springer is the market leader in the German-
language print business. Based on paid circulation, we
are the No. 1 publisher of newspapers and the No. 3
publisher of magazines. We strive to secure and solidify
our market leadership position by continually developing
Combined Management Report 19
Business and framework conditions
and implementing creative new journalism concepts, and
by improving our existing print media or adapting them
to suit changing reader preferences, in matters of con-
ception, journalistic quality, and layout. We also conduct
targeted marketing campaigns and other activities to
reinforce the brand loyalty of our readers. Most of all, we
focus on continually improving our strong brands in
combination with innovative cross-media advertising
formats, in order to allow for optimal exploitation of the
wide reach of our print and online media.
Internationalization
As part of our internationalization strategy, we strive to
expand our digital activities in international markets,
establish or acquire new titles, and grant or purchase
licenses for magazines and newspapers. Appropriate
investments are chosen on the basis of business strate-
gies that fit in well with those of the Axel Springer Group,
as well as the professionalism of their management, and
the monetization potential of their digital business models.
With currently four market-leading mass-circulation
newspapers in attractive growth markets, the partnership
with Ringier in the joint venture Ringier Axel Springer
Media provides an outstanding basis for the further ex-
pansion of our core business of journalism; it also cre-
ates ideal conditions for the further expansion of our
digital media business.
The growth in international revenues has also been driv-
en by the internationalization of digital business models
and acquisitions, such as the acquisition of the leading
online portal in Poland, Onet.pl (see also page 26).
Digitization
Thanks to their strong growth rates, digital media have
become an extremely important part of Axel Springer’s
business. In the digital business, we focus on our three
areas of core competence: content portals, online mar-
keting, and classified ads. We develop this business even
further by means of organic growth and acquisitions.
We strive to transfer those attributes that make our print
media so outstanding – journalistic quality and strong
brands – in a targeted manner to our national and interna-
tional content portals, which are bundled in the compe-
tence area of content portals and other digital media.
Thanks to the continuous improvement of editorial con-
tent and intensive networking with virtual networks and
online communities, the target groups, and consequently
also the reach values of our content portals, are growing
as well. In our content portals, we are increasingly moving
also in the direction of paid premium content and offer-
ings, putting to good use the experiences we have gath-
ered from the formats introduced in the last few years.
By that means, we are exploiting new revenue sources.
We are also exploiting the potential of the growing online
market by expanding the performance marketing
activities of the zanox Group. In line with our strategy, we
are also seeking to further expand the online marketing
activities of our marketing arm Axel Springer Media Impact.
We are also developing the strategically important sector
of online classifieds in a targeted manner. Classified ad
portals are mainly focused on real estate and job listings.
The most important real estate and jobs portals (SeLoger,
StepStone, and immonet) are bundled within Axel
Springer Digital Classifieds GmbH, which was found-
ed in 2012. The purpose of this new company and the
30 % investment held by the global growth investor
General Atlantic is to expand our activities in the attrac-
tive field of online classified markets in a targeted manner.
The shared goal is to become a leading international play-
er in this field, through organic growth and further acquisi-
tions. The synergies arising from the combination with our
content portals and print titles will support this goal.
Internal management system
We have designed our internal management system and
defined suitable control parameters on the basis of our
corporate strategy. We use both financial and non-financial
performance indicators to measure the success of our
strategy.
20 Annual Report 2012 Axel Springer AG
20 Annual Report 2012 Axel Springer AG
Detailed monthly reports are an important element of our
internal management and control system. Those reports
contain the monthly results of our most important publi-
cations, along with a consolidated statement of financial
position, income statement, and cash flow statement.
We use these reports to compare actual values with
budget values; in case of deviations, we conduct further
analyses or initiate suitable corrective measures.
These reports are supplemented by periodic forecasts of
anticipated advertising revenues in the next few weeks
and months and forecasts of the probable development
of our financial performance.
Financial performance indicators
Our central focus is to sustainably increase both the profit-
ability and value of our company. The most important
target and control parameters for the company’s financial
performance are revenues and earnings (measured by
EBITDA). EBITDA also forms the basis for the perfor-
mance-based remuneration of our Executive Board and
other top executives (please refer to page 69 and follow-
ing for more information on our compensation system).
Both these indicators and the EBITDA margin derived
from them are anchored in our internal planning and
controlling system.
Financial Control Parameters
We employ various relative indicators to monitor the
successful implementation of our strategy, including the
proportion of consolidated revenues represented by
international revenues, for the purpose of analyzing the
progress we are making towards the goal of internation-
alization, and the revenues of the Digital Media segment
to measure the progress we are making on digitization.
We employ a capitalized value method based on
weighted capital costs to assess the economic efficiency
of investments in new or existing business lines. The
weighted capital cost rate is calculated on the basis of
an ideal capital structure.
The risk of a capital investment project is generally repre-
sented by using a capital markets equilibrium model,
applying a beta factor (for the business-specific, system-
atic risk), and a market premium (for the country-specific,
non-systematic market risk). As a general rule, it is as-
sumed that the company’s systematic risk is equivalent,
on average, to that of comparable companies in our peer
group of European media companies. Other specific
risks are additionally reflected in the updated, weighted
capital costs.
Selected financial control parameters on the Group level, € millions
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
Consolidated revenues
3,310.3
3,184.9
2,893.9
2,611.6
2,728.5
International revenues as percent of total revenues
35.1 %
32.9 %
28.1 %
21.0 %
21.9 %
Digital Media revenues as percent of total revenues
35.5 %
30.2 %
24.6 %
18.0 %
13.9 %
Digital Media revenues as percent of total revenues (pro forma)1)
37.2 %
34.0 %
-
-
-
EBITDA
EBITDA margin
628.0
593.4
510.6
333.7
486.2
19.0 %
18.6 %
17.6 %
12.8 %
17.8 %
1) Basis: Pro-forma revenues in the Digital Media segment and pro-forma total revenues.
Combined Management Report 21
Business and framework conditions
Non-financial performance indicators and early indicators
Besides financial performance indicators, we also employ
non-financial performance indicators to measure our
success relative to the further development of our com-
pany, the implementation of our strategies, and the en-
hancement of our company’s value. Although the non-
financial performance indicators are not reflected in our
income statement, they are nonetheless key drivers of
Axel Springer’s value-driven development. They serve as
early indicators, both of changes in financial performance
and of the success of strategic measures, and therefore
they enable us to quickly initiate corrective measures
when necessary.
In addition to the above-mentioned control parameters, Axel
Springer also counts social and ecological factors among its
non-financial performance indicators. For their observation,
we rely on the sustainability criteria of the Global Reporting
Initiative (GRI). Our activities in this area are described in a
comprehensive Sustainability Report, which we publish
every two years. Additional information on this subject can
be found on page 41 and following of the present Annual
Report. More detailed information is presented in our latest
Sustainability Report, which can be found on our website at
www.sustainability.axelspringer.com.
Research and development
The following non-financial performance indicators are
significant for monitoring the company’s performance
relative to customers, markets, and products offered:
(cid:1) Average monthly unique visitors/visits, and other
business model-specific indicators of our online media,
and the resulting market position;
(cid:1) Average paid circulation of all principal newspapers
and magazines;
(cid:1) Reach values of our media in the advertising market
and indicators of brand and advertisement familiarity.
Axel Springer has also set itself the goal of being Europe’s
most customer-friendly media company. We use an
elaborate measurement and evaluation system, devel-
oped back in 2006 in cooperation with the institution
TNS Infratest, to measure our annual customer retention
index. This index is the most important indicator of satis-
faction and loyalty of our readers, users, and advertising
customers. It is composed of numerous factors, includ-
ing the perceived quality of our publications, the brand
loyalty of our customers, repeat purchase rates, and the
respective competitive advantage. Besides serving as a
non-financial performance indicator, the customer reten-
tion index is the starting point for a continuous improve-
ment process that contributes to the long-term en-
hancement of the company’s profitability.
Axel Springer does not have a traditional research and
development department of the kind that can be found
in industrial enterprises; nonetheless, throughout the
company, we constantly strive to optimize our offerings
and to establish innovative products in the market.
Above all, we seek to continuously expand our offering
through innovations in the digital sector, as well as new
print formats, besides continuously improving our edito-
rial content and upholding journalistic excellence. In that
regard, we pay especially close attention to identifying
changing media usage habits as early as possible.
We introduced new digital subscription models for DIE
WELT in December 2012. We were the first major German
national online news site to launch a paid-content model
for a website that had previously been free. This move is
the next logical step in the premium initiative we launched
in 2009. The goal of this initiative is to develop journalistic
content that online users are willing to pay for. Following
the example of the New York Times, the subscription
model for DIE WELT depends on the level of usage. A
certain number of articles can be read free of charge;
users can read additional articles only after paying a
subscription fee. Articles linked to search engines, social
networks, or other websites can be read for free.
In the digital sector, we are continuously adding new
apps for our print media and improving those already in
circulation. These include, for example, the AUTO BILD
22 Annual Report 2012 Axel Springer AG
INTERNATIONAL iPad App and the BILD HD app. BILD
now has apps for all relevant digital devices and software
systems in the market. In line with our multi-platform
strategy, we are pursuing the goal of placing our content
on virtually all channels. Through cooperation arrange-
ments with most TV manufacturers and digital TV pro-
viders, we are seeking to make BILD available on TV
screens as well. With the TV DIGITAL app for smart TVs
and set-top boxes introduced in January 2012, users
can use their remote control units to comfortably browse
the main programming information produced by the TV
DIGITAL editorial team.
Germany’s leading consumer information portal kaufDA
has completely redesigned the kaufDA brochure viewer
and specialized it for various tablet systems. Smarthouse
Media, Europe’s leading provider of complex, web-
based financial applications, introduced new technolo-
gies operating on a simplified platform in 2012. These
new technologies enable us to implement financial solu-
tions more competitively, at a lower cost of time and
other resources, for smaller companies as well; further-
more, some of the development work can be outsourced
to customers or other partners.
In the area of performance marketing, we added new
services to the zanox marketplace. With “zanox Shared
Tracking,” a powerful new real-time tracking solution,
publishers can monitor their traffic in much more detail
than ever before; they can also respond quickly and initiate
performance-boosting measures. Because the tracking
solution does not rely on the use of cookies, it ensures
maximum security for publishers and advertisers. In addi-
tion, zanox offers its more than 4,000 customers a new
statistical tool, with which they can analyze and improve
the performance of ongoing partner programs even more
easily and effectively than before. It reduces the time and
effort required to generate reports substantially, thereby
making it possible to boost performance efficiently.
In the area of classified ad portals, immonet introduced an
iPad app for searching real estate listings and another
iPad app for home building. By tapping on the screen,
users of the real estate app can select a certain neighbor-
hood to search. The home building app generates exclu-
sive 360° interior views of numerous properties, making it
possible to “walk through” these rooms on the iPad.
In the area of print media, Axel Springer distributed free
anniversary editions of two of its newspapers for the first
time ever in 2012. In Germany, the special edition BILD
für ALLE was distributed to nearly every household in
Germany, on the occasion of BILD’s 60th anniversary.
Many large companies participated in this special cam-
paign as marketing partners. This edition generated the
highest reach of all time. In the Czech Republic, the XXL
edition of BLESK DAILY commemorating the 20th anni-
versary of this newspaper was also very attractive to our
advertising customers. In October, moreover, we
launched the first mobile virtual network operator (MVNO)
for the GSM network in the Czech Republic, in coopera-
tion with TelefonicaO2 BLESKmobil, based on the model
of BILDmobil.
We have also developed and already implemented inno-
vative printing technologies such as hybrid newspaper
printing, for example, in our printing plant in Ahrensburg.
In the world’s first-ever pilot installation of this kind, con-
ventional offset printing is combined with digital high-
speed ink-jet printing, so that variable data can be print-
ed into static content efficiently, at full production speed.
This technology makes it possible to produce different
or tailored versions of advertising campaigns, because
static advertising content can be enriched with variable
information and graphical components, such as QR
codes or sequential prize numbers, for example. Thus,
different versions of the same ad can appear in different
copies of the same issue. This attention-grabbing feature
is especially useful in connection with multichannel ad-
vertising campaigns.
Through the many innovations introduced primarily in the
digital sector, but also in its print media, Axel Springer again
proved itself to be a pioneering force in 2012 and extended
its leadership position with respect to its competitors.
Combined Management Report 23
Business and framework conditions
General economic environment and
business developments
General economic environment
The global economy weakened progressively over the
course of 2012. All regions of the world were affected by
this trend. According to the ifo Institute, economic activi-
ty in the industrialized nations remained generally weak
and economic growth in the emerging-market countries
slowed considerably. In particular, the global economy
was weighed down in 2012 by the euro zone, which slid
into recession, and by the United States. In several key
emerging-market countries, the rate of economic expan-
sion was slowed by monetary policies aimed at counter-
ing high rates of inflation and overheating in the credit
markets. In China, moreover, exports were slowed by
rising wage costs. The International Monetary Fund (IMF)
estimates that the global economy expanded at a rate of
3.3 % in 2012.
The persistent uncertainty related to the European debt
crisis also significantly weakened the economy in Germany.
On the domestic front, consumer spending was higher,
but capital investment was lower in 2012, compared to
2011. According to preliminary calculations of the Ger-
man Federal Statistical Office, consumer spending rose
by 0.8 % in 2012, on a price-adjusted basis. On the
other hand, investment in plant and equipment was
significantly lower (– 4.4 %) than the corresponding prior-
year figure. Construction spending fell by 1.1 % in real
terms. Despite the slowing world economy, German
export activity was robust in 2012. On a price-adjusted
basis, Germany exported 4.1 % more goods and ser-
vices in 2012 than in 2011. Imports rose by 2.3 % in the
same period. On a price-adjusted basis, the German
economy expanded by 0.7 % in 2012.
The number of unemployed job-seekers fell to 2.9 million
in 2012, 2.6 % less than the prior year. Accordingly, the
unemployment rate was only 6.8 %. The consumer sen-
timent index measured by the market research firm GfK
Group held steady on a high level in 2012. Increasingly
worried about future economic conditions, however,
consumers’ purchasing propensity weakened considerably
towards the end of the year. According to calculations of
the German Federal Statistical Office, consumer prices
rose by 2.0 % in 2012, mainly due to higher energy prices.
The drop in demand from the euro zone stalled the eco-
nomic recovery in all countries of central and eastern
Europe. While Poland and Slovakia still experienced posi-
tive growth, the rate of economic expansion slowed con-
siderably from 2011. Hungary and the Czech Republic
have been in recession already since the beginning of 2012.
Anticipated Economic Development (Selection)
Change in gross domestic product
compared to prior year (real)
Germany
Switzerland1)
France
United Kingdom
Spain
Hungary
Poland
Czech Republic
Slovakia
Serbia1)
Russia
Source: ifo Institute, December 2012.
1) Source: IMF, October 2012.
2012
0.7 %
0.8 %
0.1 %
– 0.1 %
– 1.3 %
– 1.4 %
2.3 %
– 1.0 %
2.5 %
– 0.5 %
3.0 %
24 Annual Report 2012 Axel Springer AG
Industry environment
Press distribution market
Continuing the trend of prior years, the German press
distribution market contracted slightly in 2012. The
total paid circulation of newspapers and magazines was
3.7 % less than the corresponding prior-year figure.
Thanks to price increases, however, circulation revenues
only declined by 1.5 %.
The 366 daily and Sunday newspapers tracked by the
German market research institute IVW generated total
sales of 21.2 million copies per issue, reflecting a de-
crease of 3.2 % from the prior-year figure. As in the prior
year, newsstand sales suffered a much greater decline
(– 7.8 %) than subscription sales (– 2.3 %). Within the
press distribution market, the demand for daily and
Sunday newspapers (weighted for their respective publi-
cation frequencies) declined by 3.6 %.
At 109.7 million copies per issue, total sales of general-
interest magazines (including membership and club
magazines) was 0.9 % less than the corresponding prior-
year figure. IVW tracked a total of 876 titles in 2012,
0.4 % fewer than in 2011. Weighted for their respective
publication frequencies, the demand for general-interest
magazines declined by 3.7 %.
Whereas the circulation volumes of print media declined
again in 2012, online media continued the growth trend
of prior years. According to the study entitled “internet
facts 2012-10” by the online research association AGOF,
50.8 million people in Germany use the Internet today
(Internet users within the last three months). That number
represents 72.4 % of German residents aged 14 and
older. Of the 50.8 million people who use the Internet on
a regular basis, 71.2 % go online to obtain information
about world events and 62.9 % use the Internet for re-
gional or local news. Thus, getting the news is one of the
main reasons for using the Internet, besides e-mail,
online searches, online shopping, and weather reports.
Jobs and real estate listings were also two of the 20
most-used online categories. According to the study
“mobile facts 2012-II,” the mobile Internet is becoming
increasingly important, in addition to the stationary Inter-
net. Compared to the first half of 2012, the monthly
number of mobile Internet users rose by 11 % to an
average of 21.3 million in the second half. In most cases
(70.4 %), people use the mobile Internet primarily in addi-
tion to the stationary Internet.
According to IVW, the content portals of German print
media were visited much more frequently in 2012 than
in 2011. The 20 most popular portals of German daily
newspapers registered an average 21.5 % increase in
the number of visits, those of magazine portals an aver-
age 14.6 % increase.
Advertising market
According to the latest advertising market forecast of
ZenithOptimedia (“Advertising Expenditure Forecast,”
December 2012), the total volume of the German adver-
tising market in 2012 was slightly higher than the prior-
year figure.
According to these surveys, total net advertising
revenues (including classified ads and advertising sup-
plements, less discounts granted and agency commis-
sions, and excluding production costs) amounted to
€ 18.5 billion in 2012, reflecting a small nominal increase
of 0.3 % from the prior-year figure. This gain resulted
from the growth of both online media, and television and
radio advertising.
In the category of print media, the net advertising reve-
nues of newspapers (newspapers, advertising papers,
and newspaper supplements) amounted to € 5.7 billion
in 2012, reflecting a 4.2 % decrease from the prior-year
figure. According to ZenithOptimedia, the net advertising
revenues of magazines (general-interest magazines and
trade magazines, directory media) declined by 3.9 % to
€ 3.3 billion in 2012.
Combined Management Report 25
Business and framework conditions
In the German online market (display ads, search term
marketing, and affiliates), net advertising revenues rose
by 11.2 % to € 3.8 billion in 2012.
In 2012, television advertising in Germany rose by
1.8 % to € 4.1 billion and radio advertising rose by 3.6 %
to € 735 million. The net advertising revenues of outdoor
advertising declined by 4.5 % to € 774 million.
ZenithOptimedia issued the following advertising market
forecasts for selected countries in 2012.
Anticipated Advertising Activity 2012 (Selection)
Change in net ad
revenues compared to
prior year (nominal)
Germany
Switzerland
France1)
Newspapers Magazines
Online
– 4.2 %
– 3.9 %
11.2 %
– 5.3 %
– 3.4 %
11.6 %
– 5.4 %
– 4.8 %
5.6 %
United Kingdom
– 7.3 %
– 6.3 %
10.5 %
Spain1)
Hungary
Poland1)
– 20.3 %
– 16.5 %
– 33.5 %
29.1 %
– 20.1 %
– 16.5 %
1.0 %
5.8 %
8.0 %
Czech Republic1)
– 17.2 %
– 9.2 %
12.0 %
Slovakia1)
Serbia1)
Russia
India1)
– 13.0 %
– 6.3 %
29.6 %
7.5 %
10.2 %
6.6 %
8.6 %
2.5 %
8.5 %
43.1 %
40.0 %
34.5 %
Source: ZenithOptimedia, Advertising Expenditure Forecast (December) 2012.
1) Excluding classified ads.
Significant events affecting Axel Springer’s business
performance in 2012
In the first quarter of 2012, we entered into an agree-
ment with the global growth investor General Atlantic,
under which the latter acquired a 30 % equity interest
in the newly formed company Axel Springer Digital
Classifieds GmbH. Axel Springer’s online classified
activities are bundled within this company. Axel Springer
contributed the leading French real estate portal SeLoger,
as well as the company’s majority interest in the German
real estate portal immonet, and the European jobs ex-
change StepStone (valued at € 1.25 billion for purposes
of the transaction) to the new company. The transaction
was finalized in the second quarter of 2012, and Axel
Springer as the majority shareholder now holds 70 %
of the stock in Axel Springer Digital Classifieds GmbH.
By bundling these activities and bringing in General
Atlantic as an experienced partner and co-investor, Axel
Springer laid the groundwork for purposefully expanding
its business in the attractive market of online classifieds
and for becoming a leading international player in this
sector. Besides pursuing investment and growth oppor-
tunities in Europe, we are also contemplating investments
in other developed and emerging-market countries.
StepStone’s acquisition of the United Kingdom’s biggest
online recruiting company Totaljobs Group Ltd., in
early April 2012, was the first step in the planned growth
initiative in the online classifieds sector. The purchase
price was approximately € 130 million. Founded in 1999,
London-based Totaljobs operates a total of seven online
portals. StepStone’s acquisition of Totaljobs further
extended the company’s already strong position as one
of Europe’s leading online job exchanges.
Executive Board’s overall assessment of
the company’s business performance and
the economic environment
The economic environment for media companies is
heavily influenced by the trend of digitization. For that
reason, the business performance of the Axel Springer
Group again varied widely, depending on the operating
segment, as expected.
Thanks to double-digit organic growth and targeted
acquisitions, the Digital Media segment contributed the
largest revenue share of the Group’s five operating seg-
ments in financial year 2012, for the first time ever.
The development of Axel Springer’s newspapers and
magazines followed the generally negative trend of print
media. Circulation numbers and circulation revenues
were mostly lower than the respective prior-year figures.
Advertising revenues were also lower.
This development proves that our strategy of consistent
digitization is the right one.
26 Annual Report 2012 Axel Springer AG
In October, Axel Springer Digital Classifieds continued its
growth campaign by acquiring allesklar.com AG, the
operator of Germany’s leading regional information portal
meinestadt.de. Founded in 1996, this company is based
in Siegburg. The portal meinestadt.de provides extensive
information on more than 11 thousand German cities
and towns and reaches an average of 6.7 million users
per month.
Furthermore, in early November, Axel Springer Digital
Classifieds acquired an 80 % equity interest in the Bel-
gian Immoweb S.A. for a purchase price of around
€ 139 million. Founded in 1996, this Brussels-based
company operates Immoweb.be, the leading online
real estate portal in Belgium, with more than 2.4 million
unique visitors and approximately 136 thousand listings.
Ringier Axel Springer Media took an important step in
the digitization of its business by acquiring 75 % of the
stock in the Polish company Grupa Onet.pl S.A., a wholly
owned subsidiary of the Polish media company TVN S.A.,
for a purchase price of PLN 956.3 million (approximately
€ 215 million). As the leading online portal in Poland,
Onet.pl reaches roughly 70 % of all Polish Internet users.
The contracts were signed in June 2012 and the trans-
action was finalized in November 2012.
Further information on the effects of these transactions
on the company’s financial performance, liquidity, and
financial position can be found in Section (2c) of the
notes to the financial statements.
Development of the company’s share price
After getting off to a good start in the new year, the
share of Axel Springer AG did not participate in the very
strong run-up in global equity prices, particularly in the
second half of 2012. The closing price of € 32.29 on
December 31, 2012 was 2.8 % below the price at the
beginning of the year (€ 33.21).
Combined Management Report 27
Financial performance, liquidity, and financial position
Financial performance, liquidity, and
financial position
Comparison of actual business perform-
ance with forecast business performance
Total Revenues
€ millions
We met the full-year targets set out in the forecast we
published in March 2012.
At 3.9 %, the growth of total revenues was in line with
the forecast of a single-digit percentage increase. As we
suggested in March, the 3.5 % decrease in circulation
revenues was more than offset by the 9.4 % increase in
advertising revenues. This outcome was aided by the
slight, 4.3 % increase in other revenues.
As expected, the consolidated EBITDA of € 628.0 million
was slightly higher than the corresponding prior-year
figure. The 5.8 % increase resulted from the higher earn-
ings of the Digital Media segment.
Financial performance of the Group
Axel Springer generated total revenues of € 3,310.3 million
in 2012, reflecting a 3.9 % increase over the correspond-
ing prior-year figure (PY: € 3,184.9 million), thanks to the
higher revenues contributed by the Digital Media segment.
Adjusted for consolidation and currency effects, total
revenues were on the level of the prior-year figure (+0.2 %).
Circulation
Advertising
Other
373.5
1,606.8
1,204.5
389.6
1,758.1
1,162.6
3,184.9
2011
2012
3,310.3
By reason of the declines reported by the three print
media segments, the circulation revenues of
€ 1,162.6 million were down slightly, by 3.5 %, from the
prior-year figure (PY: € 1,204.5 million). Thus, they ac-
counted for 35.1 % of total revenues (PY: 37.8 %).
The advertising revenues of € 1,758.1 million were 9.4 %
higher than the prior-year figure (PY: € 1,606.8 million),
thanks to growth in the Digital Media segment. More
than half (56.4 %) of total advertising revenues were
generated in digital activities. The advertising revenues
generated in the Group’s print activities were lower than
the prior-year figure. Advertising revenues accounted for
53.1 % of total revenues (PY: 50.5 %).
The other revenues of € 389.6 million were 4.3 % higher
than the corresponding prior-year figure (PY: € 373.5 million)
and accounted for 11.8 % (PY: 11.7 %) of the Group’s
total revenues. Although other revenues were higher in
all segments, the increase was most pronounced in the
Digital Media segment.
28 Annual Report 2012 Axel Springer AG
Segment Revenues
Digital Media Revenues (Pro forma)
€ millions
in percent of total revenues
34.0 %
1,143.8
3.6 %
37.2 %
1,264.1
Digital Media
Newspaper National
Magazines National
Print International
Services/Holding
13.3 %
13.6 %
35.5 %
34.0 %
As in prior years, the comparison of segment revenues
reveals substantial growth in digital media revenues,
coupled with a decrease in print revenues, due to market
conditions. The digital business exhibited substantial
growth of 22.0 %. The underlying organic growth was
supplemented by consolidation effects. Whereas German
newspapers and magazines sustained declines of 3.3 %
and 3.9 %, respectively, international print revenues were
6.9 % less than the prior-year figure, due to the difficult
economic conditions in individual countries.
2011
2012
At € 1,163.3 million, international revenues were 11.0 %
higher than the prior-year figure and accounted for 35.1 %
(PY: 32.9 %) of the total revenues of Axel Springer. This
increase resulted from the growing internationalization of
the Group’s digital business.
International Revenues
€ millions
in percent of total revenues
The pro-forma revenues of the Digital Media segment
rose to € 1,264.1 million (PY: € 1,143.8 million), reflecting
organic growth of 10.5 %. Thus, they accounted for 37.2 %
of pro-forma total revenues, up from 34.0 % in 2011. Pro-
forma revenues include the companies acquired in 2011 and
2012, on the basis of unaudited financial information.
32.9 %
1,048.0
35.1 %
1,163.3
2011
2012
Combined Management Report 29
Financial performance, liquidity, and financial position
The total expenses of € 2,969.3 million were 4.9 %
higher than the corresponding prior-year figure (PY:
€ 2,830.0 million). This increase resulted mainly from
consolidation effects.
Purchased goods and services amounted to
€ 1,056.8 million, on the level of the prior-year figure (PY:
€ 1,055.7 million). The lower expenses incurred for news-
papers and magazines were offset by higher expenses
associated with the growth of our digital activities. The
ratio of purchased goods and services to total revenues
narrowed to 31.9 % (PY: 33.1 %), due to the fact that
most of the increase in consolidated revenues was con-
tributed by companies in the Digital Media segment,
which spend a lower percentage of their revenues on
purchased goods and services.
Personnel expenses rose by € 68.8 million or 8.1 %
to € 920.4 million (PY: € 851.6 million). This increase
resulted mainly from the consolidation of new subsidiar-
ies, the addition of staff in the fast-growing Digital Media
segment, and the restated value of virtual stock option
programs. The average annual workforce was 5.9 %
higher than the corresponding prior-year figure.
Depreciation, amortization, and impairments
amounted to € 172.2 million, reflecting a 24.0 % increase
from the prior-year figure of € 138.8 million. Factors
contributing to this increase were higher purchase
price allocation effects and goodwill impairments of
€ 17.4 million in the Digital Media segment.
The other operating income of € 88.2 million was
€ 14.9 million or 20.4 % higher than the prior-year figure
of € 73.3 million, particularly as a result of the restate-
ment of option liabilities related to company acquisitions.
The other operating expenses amounted to
€ 820.0 million, reflecting an increase of 4.6 % over the
prior-year figure of € 783.9 million. This increase resulted
mainly from the losses recognized on the sale of the
online game provider gamigo (€ 16.9 million) and from
consolidation effects related to company acquisitions.
The net investment income of € 7.9 million was slightly
lower than the prior-year figure (PY: € 9.5 million). As in
the prior year, this figure was influenced by impairments
of equity investments. The operating net investment
income presented within EBITDA amounted to
€ 18.3 million (PY: € 19.1 million).
The net financial result of € – 46.5 million was consid-
erably lower than the prior-year figure (€ – 23.1 million).
This resulted mainly from higher expenses for financial
derivatives, in the amount of € 17.8 million (PY:
€ 7.8 million). A major factor influencing this increase
was the recognition in income of negative fair values of
interest rate hedges, which had previously been recog-
nized in equity, in connection with the refinancing of the
Group’s credit facilities. The development of the net
financial result was also influenced by the lower interest
income earned on receivables due to the drop in market
interest rates, and by the higher compounding effects for
liabilities. Furthermore, the prior-year figure was additional-
ly influenced by interest income earned on tax credits.
Income taxes amounted to € – 125.7 million in 2012
(PY: € – 132.0 million). Thus, the tax rate came to
31.3 %., unchanged from the prior year.
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amorti-
zation (EBITDA) rose by 5.8 % to € 628.0 million in 2012.
Lower earnings in the print business were offset by con-
siderably higher earnings in the Digital Media segment.
Non-recurring factors such as gains or losses on sales of
companies and equity investments and restatements of
purchase price liabilities related to company acquisitions,
for example, are not included in EBITDA. The EBITDA
margin of 19.0 % (PY: 18.6 %) reflects the renewed rise
in the company’s profitability.
30 Annual Report 2012 Axel Springer AG
EBITDA
€ millions
EBITDA margin in %
18.6 %
593.4
19.0 %
628.0
2011
2012
Consolidated net income amounted to € 275.8 million
(PY: € 289.4 million); adjusted for non-operating effects,
it was € 347.9 million (PY: € 343.3 million).
The adjusted consolidated net income and the adjusted
earnings per share are not defined under International
Financial Reporting Standards and should therefore be
regarded as supplementary information to the consoli-
dated financial statements.
Financial performance of the operating
segments
Digital Media
Based on unique visitors according to comScore, the total
non-overlapping net reach of Axel Springer‘s digital media
rose to an average 76.6 million unique visitors in financial
year 2012, reflecting an increase of 15.0 % over the prior-
year figure (PY: 66.6 million). The gross reach figures of
selected portals and the number of average monthly visits
to each portal are presented in the table below.
Traffic Figures Content Portals
Consolidated Net Income
€ millions
Consolidated net income
Non-recurring effects
Effects of purchase price allocations
Taxes attributable to these effects
Consolidated net income, adjusted
Attributable to non-controlling interest,
adjusted
Adjusted consolidated net income
attributable to shareholders of Axel
Springer AG
Millions
(monthly average)
aufeminin.com
Onet.pl
computerbild.de4)
Bild.de
welt.de
azet.sk
fakt.pl
transfermarkt.de
2012
275.8
11.4
78.1
– 17.4
347.9
2011
289.4
12.2
54.7
– 13.1
343.3
51.7
44.3
onmeda.de
blesk.cz
296.2
299.0
abendblatt.de
Earnings per share came to € 2.41 (PY: € 2.62). Adjusted
earnings per share amounted to € 3.00 (PY: € 3.03).
These figures are based on average weighted shares
outstanding in the reporting period, in the amount of
98.7 million.
autobild.de
forbes.ru
finanzen.net
cas.sk
morgenpost.de
Unique
visitors
20121)
33.3
16.2
11.4
10.0
4.9
2.8
2.7
2.1
1.9
1.8
1.8
1.7
1.6
1.3
1.3
1.1
Change
yoy
Visits
20122)
Change
yoy
6.5 %
6.2 %
127.23)
53.4 %
-
-
43.3
-
-
1.6 %
221.4
28.5 %
6.8 %
44.0
22.3 %
20.3 %
59.6 %
41.65)
10.96)
0.0 %
53.7 %
13.2 %
25.0
13.6 %
– 6.5 %
34.2 %
4.0
3.2 %
16.07)
18.9 %
9.4 %
10.8
12.4 %
17.5 %
31.1 %
7.8
11.7 %
4.18)
3.1 %
25.4 %
16.4
6.0 %
10.8 %
11.55)
20.0 %
8.8 %
5.3
12.2 %
1) Source: comScore 2012.
2) Source: IVW 2012.
3) Source: Company data.
4) Since June 2011 incl. idealo.de.
5) Source: AIM.
6) Source: Gemius Traffic.
7) Source: NetMonitor.
8) Source: XiTi Traffic Sources.
Combined Management Report 31
Financial performance, liquidity, and financial position
Key Figures Digital Media
€ millions
2012
2011
Change
External revenues
1,174.2
962.1
22.0 %
Share in cons. revenues
35.5 %
30.2 %
Advertising revenues
Other revenues
992.0
182.1
791.2
25.4 %
170.9
6.6 %
Content portals & other digital
media
Performance marketing
Axel Springer Digital
Classifieds
387.4
456.6
303.1
27.8 %
437.2
4.4 %
330.2
221.8
48.9 %
EBITDA1)
242.9
158.1
53.6 %
Content portals & other digital
media
Performance marketing
Axel Springer Digital
Classifieds
90.2
28.0
70.7
28.7
27.6 %
– 2.5 %
136.3
68.0
> 100 %
EBITDA margin1)
20.7 %
16.4 %
Content portals & other digital
media
23.3 %
23.3 %
Performance marketing
6.1 %
6.6 %
Axel Springer Digital
Classifieds
41.3 %
30.7 %
1) Segment EBITDA contains non-allocated costs of € 11.6 million (PY: € 93 million).
At € 1,174.2 million, the total revenues of our digital
activities were 22.0 % higher than the corresponding
prior-year figure (PY: € 962.1 million). This substantial
increase resulted both from consolidation effects and
from organic growth. Advertising revenues exhibited the
strongest growth, having risen by 25.4 % over the prior-
year figure (PY: € 791.2 million) to reach € 992.0 million
in 2012. This increase can be attributed in part to con-
solidation effects, particularly related to the acquisitions
of Totaljobs, Visual Meta, SeLoger, Onet.pl, and M4N,
but also to organic growth, especially at StepStone,
zanox, immonet, idealo, and the content portals. Other
revenues were also higher, having risen by 6.6 % from
€ 170.9 million in 2011 to € 182.1 million in 2012. The
biggest factors contributing to this increase were the
gains registered at Schwartzkopff TV and SeLoger.
The pro-forma revenues of the Digital Media segment
rose from € 1,143.8 million in 2011 to € 1,264.1 million
in 2012, reflecting organic growth of 10.5 % in the re-
porting period, based on the current digital portfolio. The
proportion of pro-forma total revenues represented by
pro-forma digital revenues rose from 34.0 % in 2011 to
37.2 % in 2012.
Segment EBITDA rose by 53.6 %, from € 158.1 million in
2011 to € 242.9 million in 2012, and accounted for 38.7 %
(PY: 26.7 %) of the Group’s total EBITDA. Axel Springer
Digital Classifieds Group made the greatest contribution
to this increase, thanks to both strong organic growth
and the acquisition-driven expansion of the portfolio. The
content portals and other digital media also made signifi-
cant contributions to the earnings increase. By reason of
investment spending on the Group’s further develop-
ment, the EBITDA generated in the area of performance
marketing was slightly less than the corresponding prior-
year figure. Adjusted for consolidation effects, the increase
was 31.0 %. The EBITDA margin of 20.7 % was substan-
tially higher than the EBITDA margin for 2011 (PY: 16.4 %).
32 Annual Report 2012 Axel Springer AG
Newspapers National
Circulation and Reach Newspapers National
Thousands
Bild
Cir-
culation
20121)
Change
yoy
Reach2) Change
2,660.8
– 6.3 % 12,768.5
-
Bild am Sonntag
1,341.2
– 9.3 %
9,922.7
– 5.2 %
Die Welt/Welt Kompakt
251.3
– 0.2 %
862.3
0.0 %
Welt am Sonntag/
Welt am Sonntag Kompakt
402.2
– 2.2 %
972.1 – 10.0 %
Hamburger Abendblatt
204.0
– 4.9 %
594.3
– 0.1 %
Berliner Morgenpost
121.0
– 3.0 %
324.7
– 0.1 %
B.Z./B.Z. am Sonntag
151.2
– 8.6 %
785.0
– 3.7 %
1) Source: IVW, average paid circulation.
2) Source: ma 2013 Pressemedien I.
In line with market conditions, the circulation and reach
numbers of the newspapers segment declined in 2012.
At € 1,126.1 million, the total revenues of the Newspapers
National segment were slightly less, by 3.3 %, than the
corresponding prior-year figure (PY: € 1,164.9 million).
Declines in both circulation revenues and advertising
revenues contributed to this decrease in revenues. Due
to lower circulation numbers, the circulation revenues
of € 599.9 million were slightly less, by 2.9 %, than the
prior-year figure (PY: € 617.6 million). Aside from the
negative effect of market conditions, advertising reve-
nues were positively influenced by the successfully pub-
lished special edition BILD für ALLE. All together, adver-
tising revenues amounted to € 492.5 million in 2012,
reflecting a 4.4 % decrease from the prior-year figure.
The other revenues of € 33.7 million were 4.1 % higher
than the prior-year figure.
Segment EBITDA amounted to € 256.1 million,
reflecting a 9.4 % decrease from the prior-year figure
(PY: € 282.7 million). This decrease can be attributed both
to the drop in revenues and to an increase in restructuring
expenses. The EBITDA margin remained high at 22.7 %
(PY: 24.3 %).
Magazines National
Key Figures Newspapers National
Circulation and Reach Magazines National
€ millions
2012
2011
Change
External revenues
1,126.1
1,164.9
– 3.3 %
Thousands
Circulation
20121)
Change
yoy
Reach2)
Change
Share in cons. revenues
34.0 %
36.6 %
Hörzu
1,275.6
– 4.8 %
4,081.0
– 5.4 %
Circulation revenues
Advertising revenues
Other revenues
599.9
492.5
33.7
617.6
– 2.9 %
515.0
– 4.4 %
32.4
4.1 %
EBITDA
256.1
282.7
– 9.4 %
TV Digital
1,889.2
3.8 %
4,116.6
– 2.8 %
Bild der Frau
897.6
– 5.1 %
5,468.3
– 9.5 %
Auto Bild
555.5
– 2.4 %
2,750.4
0.4 %
EBITDA margin
22.7 %
24.3 %
Computer Bild
505.6
– 8.9 %
3,682.2
– 7.3 %
Sport Bild
421.2
– 2.9 %
4,339.7
– 0.4 %
1) Source: IVW, average paid circulation.
2) Source: ma 2013 Pressemedien I.
Combined Management Report 33
Financial performance, liquidity, and financial position
With the exception of TV DIGITAL, the circulation num-
bers of the Group’s magazines were lower, due to gen-
eral market conditions.
Key Figures Magazines National
€ millions
External revenues
2012
450.1
2011
Change
468.1
– 3.9 %
Share in cons. revenues
13.6 %
14.7 %
Circulation revenues
Advertising revenues
Other revenues
306.7
119.1
24.3
315.8
– 2.9 %
128.4
– 7.3 %
23.9
1.8 %
EBITDA
93.3
103.2
– 9.6 %
EBITDA margin
20.7 %
22.0 %
The total revenues of the Magazines National segment fell
by 3.9 % to € 450.1 million (PY: € 468.1 million). The
circulation revenues of € 306.7 million were slightly less,
by 2.9 %, than the prior-year figure of € 315.8 million, due
to mainly lower circulation numbers. At € 119.1 million,
the advertising revenues of the Magazines National seg-
ment were 7.3 % less than the corresponding prior-year
figure (PY: € 128.4 million). In this respect, positive ef-
fects emanating from the Group’s sports magazines
were not enough to offset the declines registered among
the Group’s women’s magazines, computer magazines,
and TV program guides.
Segment EBITDA of € 93.3 million was 9.6 % less than
the prior-year figure (PY: € 103.2 million), largely as a
result of higher restructuring expenses.
Print International
Circulation and reach figures of the leading mass-
circulation dailies in the countries of our joint venture
Ringier Axel Springer Media (see page 16), are shown in
the following table.
Circulation and Reach Print International
Thousands
Fakt1)
Blesk2)
Novy Cas3)
Alo!4)
Blic4)
Circulation
2012
Change
yoy
Reach
Change
373.7
– 5.4 %
1,715.5
– 13.5 %
305.6
– 12.1 %
1,252.3
– 8.9 %
121.7
– 10.8 %
876.3
– 10.5 %
118.6
4.0 %
537.4
13.1 %
116.0
– 13.3 %
871.1
– 4.2 %
1) Poland. Circulation: ZKDP; Reach: PBC General.
2) Czech Republic. Circulation: ABC CR; Reach: Media Projekt, GfK Praha.
3) Slovakia. Circulation: ABC SR; Reach: MML-TGI, Median SK.
4) Serbia. Circulation: ABC Serbia; Reach: Ipsos Strategic Marketing.
Due to market conditions, the circulation numbers of
the Group’s international newspapers and magazines
declined in 2012.
Key Figures Print International
€ millions
External revenues
2012
440.8
2011
Change
473.5
– 6.9 %
Share in cons. revenues
13.3 %
14.9 %
Circulation revenues
Advertising revenues
Other revenues
255.8
154.5
30.5
271.0
– 5.6 %
172.3
– 10.3 %
30.2
0.9 %
EBITDA
65.0
73.8
– 11.9 %
EBITDA margin
14.7 %
15.6 %
General economic conditions, particularly in eastern Europe,
continued to be difficult. At € 440.8 million, the total reve-
nues generated by the Print International segment in 2012
were 6.9 % less than the prior-year figure. Unlike the prior
34 Annual Report 2012 Axel Springer AG
year, consolidation effects did not play a major role in
2012, however, currency effects were significant. Adjust-
ed for these effects, the revenue decline was only 5.5 %.
Circulation revenues fell by 5.6 %, or only by 4.0 % after
adjusting for consolidation and currency effects. This rate
of decrease was less than that of advertising revenues,
which at € 154.5 million were 10.3 % less than the prior-
year figure, or 9.2 % after adjusting for consolidation and
currency effects. The declines were especially pro-
nounced in the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Poland.
Segment EBITDA of € 65.0 million was 11.9 % less than the
prior-year figure (PY: € 73.8 million). Because the revenue
declines were largely offset by cost optimization measures,
the EBITDA margin fell only slightly, from 15.6 % to 14.7 %.
Services/Holding
The Services/Holding segment comprises the Group’s
three own newspaper printing plants, as well as the
internal department of Logistics and various service and
holding functions.
Key Figures Services/Holding
€ millions
External revenues
2012
119.1
2011
Change
116.2
2.5 %
Share in cons. revenues
3.6 %
3.6 %
EBITDA
– 29.3
– 24.4
-
At € 119.1 million, the external revenues of the Services/
Holding segment were slightly higher, by 2.5 %, than the
prior-year figure (PY: € 116.2 million). The lower revenues
of the printing plants were more than offset by higher
revenues in the services area.
The EBITDA of € – 29.3 million was less than the year-
ago figure (€ – 24.4 million). Charges related to the
measurement of the Group’s share-based compensation
programs were partially offset by the positive effect of
income from the Kirch insolvency.
Liquidity
Financial management
As a general rule, Axel Springer AG provides all financing
for the Axel Springer Group. This arrangement ensures
that the Group companies have sufficient liquidity at all
times. The overriding goal of financial management is to
provide cost-effective liquidity in the form of maturity-
matched financing.
Net Liquidity/Debt
€ millions
Cash and cash equivalents
Financial liabilities
Net liquidity/debt
2012
254.1
703.7
2011
244.0
716.9
– 449.6
– 472.8
At December 31, 2012, Axel Springer carried a net debt
of € 449.6 million (PY: € 472.8 million). The cash out-
flows for the company acquisitions conducted as part of
our digitization and internationalization strategy were
offset by cash inflows from operating activities and from the
sale of a 30 % interest in Axel Springer Digital Classifieds
GmbH to General Atlantic.
To replace the € 500.0 million credit facility that expired in
August 2012, we placed a promissory note loan in the
nominal amount of € 500.0 million in April 2012. The loan
matures in four years (for a nominal amount of
€ 269.5 million) and in six years (for a nominal amount of
€ 230.5 million). In September 2012, moreover, we nego-
tiated a new, € 900.0 million credit facility to replace an
expiring credit facility in the amount of € 1.0 billion. Draw-
downs under this new credit facility will be due for repay-
ment in September 2017. Both the promissory note loan
and the new credit facility can be used for general operat-
ing business purposes and for financing acquisitions.
At December 31, 2012, drawdowns on the existing long-
term credit facility amounted to € 134 million (December
31, 2011: € 635 million). Unutilized short-term and long-
Combined Management Report 35
Financial performance, liquidity, and financial position
term credit facilities amounted to € 786 million at De-
cember 31, 2012 (December 31, 2011: € 885 million).
Cash flows
Consolidated Cash Flow Statement (Condensed)
€ millions
Cash flow from continuing operations
2012
463.9
2011
405.9
Cash flow from investing activities
– 572.7
– 701.2
Cash flow from financing activities
123.3
109.1
Change in cash and cash equivalents
14.5
– 186.2
Cash and cash equivalents at December 31
254.1
244.0
payment for financial year 2011 and by the appropriation
of cash funds totaling € 25.0 million to Axel Springer Pen-
sionstreuhand e. V. to cover the company’s pension obli-
gations. The prior-year figure had been influenced primarily
by taking on financial liabilities to finance the acquisition of
SeLoger, aside from the dividend paid to shareholders of
Axel Springer AG.
The net balance of cash flows from operating, investing, and
financing activities was € 14.5 million (PY: € – 186.2 million).
At December 31, 2012, total cash and cash equivalents
(consisting of short-term term deposits and securities
maturing in the near future) amounted to € 254.1 million
(PY: € 244.0 million).
The cash flow from operating activities rose to
€ 463.9 million (PY: € 405.9 million). This increase result-
ed mainly from the improvement of operating activities. In
addition, the figure for 2011 had been influenced by tax
payments pertaining to earlier years.
The cash flow from investing activities amounted to
€ – 572.7 million (PY: € – 701.2 million). This outflow
consisted mainly of payments for the acquisitions of
Totaljobs, allesklar.com, Immoweb.be, and Onet.pl, as
part of our digitization and internationalization strategy.
In the prior year, the cash outflow for investing activities
consisted mainly of the payments made in connection with
the acquisition of the French real estate portal SeLoger.
The cash flow from financing activities amounted to
€ 123.3 million (PY: € 109.1 million). This figure was mainly
affected by the receipt of the purchase price on the sale of
a 30 % equity interest in Axel Springer Digital Classifieds
GmbH to General Atlantic (€ 237.0 million). In addition, we
placed a promissory note loan in the nominal amount of
€ 500.0 million to replace the credit facility that expired in
2012 and negotiated a new credit facility. Other financing-
related cash flows consisted particularly of cash inflows
from General Atlantic to finance the acquisitions of Totaljobs,
allesklar.com, and Immoweb.be, as well as cash inflows
from Ringier to finance the acquisition of Onet.pl. The cash
flow from financing activities was lowered by the dividend
Financial position
Consolidated Balance Sheet (Condensed)
€ millions
Non-current assets
Current assets
Assets
Equity
Non-current liabilities
Current liabilities
Equity and liabilities
12/31/2012 12/31/2011
3,841.4
3,308.9
966.8
878.5
4,808.2
4,187.5
2,253.1
1,930.8
1,602.0
1,382.8
953.1
873.9
4,808.2
4,187.5
At € 4,808.2 million, the total assets presented in the
consolidated statement of financial position were
€ 620.7 million or 14.8 % higher than the corresponding
figure at year-end 2011 (€ 4,187.5 million).
The development in 2012 was particularly influenced by
the acquisitions of Totaljobs, allesklar.com, Immoweb.be,
and Onet.pl, as part of our digitization and internationali-
zation strategy. In connection with the provisional alloca-
tion of purchase costs (€ 675.7 million), intangible assets
(including goodwill) were recognized in the total amount
of € 590.5 million.
36 Annual Report 2012 Axel Springer AG
Non-current other assets declined by € 27.1 million, from
€ 105.5 million to € 78.4 million. This decrease can be
attributed almost in full to the receipt of additional purchase
price installments on the sale of regional newspaper in-
vestments in 2009. The increase in deferred tax assets
resulted from the capitalization of tax loss carry-forwards
that can be applied against taxable income in the future.
Current assets rose by € 88.3 million, from € 878.5 million
to € 966.8 million. The higher trade receivables resulted
mainly from the first-time consolidation of new subsidiar-
ies and from the higher volume of operating activities,
particularly in the digital media segment, contributed
€ 60.2 million to the increase in current assets.
The equity of € 2,253.1 million was € 322.3 million higher
than the corresponding figure at year-end 2011 (PY:
€ 1,930.8 million), despite the dividend of € 167.6 million
paid for financial year 2011. The increase in Axel Springer’s
equity resulted from the consolidated net income earned
in 2012 and from the sale of a 30 % interest in Axel
Springer Digital Classifieds GmbH to General Atlantic.
This transaction increased non-controlling interests and
accumulated retained earnings by a total amount of
€ 237.0 million. Non-controlling interests were further
increased by the receipt of payments from General Atlantic
to finance the acquisitions of Totaljobs, allesklar.com,
and Immoweb.be, and by the receipt of payments from
Ringier in connection with the acquisition of Onet.pl. The
equity ratio rose to 46.9 % (PY: 46.1 %).
Non-current provisions and liabilities amounted to
€ 1,602.0 million (December 31, 2011: € 1,382.8 million).
The increase of € 219.2 million resulted mainly from the
first-time consolidation of acquired companies, as well as
from liabilities for agreed option rights to purchase non-
controlling interests (€ 134.2 million), and from deferred tax
liabilities. Furthermore, the adjustment of the discount factor
to reflect the current level of market interest rates had the
effect of increasing the company’s pension provisions.
The current provisions and liabilities of € 953.1 million
were € 79.2 million higher than the prior-year figure
(PY: € 873.9 million). Factors contributing to this increase
included advance payments in respect of goods and
services still to be received and the first-time consolida-
tion of new subsidiaries acquired in 2012.
Employees
Axel Springer had an average of 13,651 employees
(excluding vocational trainees and journalism students/
interns) in 2012 (PY: 12,885). The 5.9 % increase over
the prior-year figure resulted primarily from newly consol-
idated companies. Outside of Germany, Axel Springer
had an average of 5,263 employees (PY: 4,459), corre-
sponding to 38.6 % (PY: 34.6 %) of the Group’s total
workforce. On average, 5,891 of the Group’s total em-
ployees were women and 7,760 were men. The number
of reporters and editors declined by 4.2 % to 3,529. The
number of salaried employees rose by a total of 11.6 %
to 9,166, mainly due to the expansion of business activi-
ty and the acquisition of new companies in the Digital
Media segment.
Employees by Segments
Average number per year
Digital Media
Newspapers National
Magazines National
Print International
Services/Holding
2012
3,907
2,553
1,227
3,436
2,528
20111)
Change
2,953
32.3 %
2,600
– 1.8 %
1,208
1.5 %
3,587
– 4.2 %
2,537
– 0.3 %
Group
13,651
12,885
5.9 %
1) Values for the year 2011 were adjusted to reflect the changed reporting structure.
The higher number of employees in the Digital Media seg-
ment resulted, aside from the continuous expansion of our
brand-related online activities, mainly from the consolidation
of new acquisitions in the digital business. The lower num-
ber of employees in the international print business resulted
primarily from structural adjustments in Hungary and Poland.
Combined Management Report 37
Financial performance, liquidity, and financial position
Length of service and age structure
As of December 31, 2012, the average length of service
with the German companies of the Axel Springer Group
was 11.2 (PY: 11.5) years; 51.0 % (PY: 52.0 %) of em-
ployees have worked for the company for longer than ten
years. More than half of all employees are between 30
and 49 years of age. On average for the year, seriously
handicapped persons represented 3.7 % (PY: 3.7 %) of
the total employees of the Group’s German companies.
Equal opportunity and diversity
Axel Springer promotes the development of all its emplo-
yees equally. Thus in 2010, Axel Springer launched a
new, Group-wide project entitled “Opportunities:Equal!” to
increase the percentage of women in senior management
positions, so as to achieve a better balance between
women and men in the company’s management. The
objective of this program is to increase the percentage of
women on all management levels to more than 30 %, as a
company-wide average. Instead of a uniform quota, we
adopted individual targets for each area of the company.
At December 31, 2012, the percentage of women in
management positions at Axel Springer was 27 %.
Financial performance, liquidity, and financial position
General assessment of the company’s
financial performance, liquidity, and
financial position by the Executive
Board
Axel Springer was successful in financial year 2012. We
continued to implement our strategy in a systematic
manner. In particular, we advanced the goal of digitiza-
tion on the strength of both organic growth and acquisi-
tions. The EBITDA margin of 19.0 % proves that Axel
Springer is pursuing a profitable strategy.
Given the increase in cash flow over the strong figure for
2011, as well as the still exceedingly solid balance sheet
structure and the cost-effective financing options available
to the company, Axel Springer finds itself in an excellent
position to generate future growth, on the strength of
both organic growth and acquisitions.
We continue to believe that the path of systematic digiti-
zation is the right strategy for assuring and further im-
proving the company’s profitability in the future.
Group Key Figures (Selection, in € millions)
Total revenues
Digital Media revenues
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
3,310.3
3,184.9
2,893.9
2,611.6
2,728.5
1,174.2
962.1
711.8
470.4
378.2
Digital Media revenues as percent of total revenues
35.5 %
30.2 %
24.6 %
18.0 %
13.9 %
EBITDA
EBITDA margin
EBITDA Digital Media
628.0
593.4
510.6
333.7
486.2
19.0 %
18.6 %
17.6 %
12.8 %
17.8 %
242.9
158.1
85.8
43.2
20.9
Digital Media EBITDA as percent of total EBITDA
38.7 %
26.7 %
16.8 %
12.9 %
4.3 %
Total dividends1)
Dividend per share (in €)1)2)
Tax rate
Consolidated net income
Consolidated net income, adjusted
Earnings per share, adjusted (in €)2)3)
Net debt/liquidity
Free cash flow4)
167.9
1.70
167.6
1.70
157.3
1.60
131.2
1.47
130.6
1.47
31.3 %
31.3 %
27.4 %
21.1 %
17.0 %
275.8
347.9
3.00
289.4
343.3
3.03
– 449.6
– 472.8
384.4
293.9
274.1
283.2
2.59
79.6
299.3
313.8
152.6
1.41
571.1
254.6
2.43
– 193.0
– 369.5
231.3
219.7
1) Dividend proposal for financial year 2012.
2) Based on shares outstanding, in consideration of the share split conducted in 2011.
3) For all years indicated herein, the adjusted diluted earnings per share were calculated on the basis of weighted average shares outstanding in the given financial year (98.728 million).
4) Cash flow from operating activities, less capital expenditures, plus cash inflows on disposal of intangible assets and property, plant, and equipment.
38 Annual Report 2012 Axel Springer AG
Economic Position of Axel Springer AG
€ millions
Revenues
Net income
Transfer to retained earnings1)
Total dividends1)
Dividend per share (in €)1) 2)
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
1,507.1
1,551.2
1,576.6
1,588.3
1,673.3
371.9
204.0
167.9
1.70
260.2
161.3
92.6
4.0
167.6
157.3
1.70
1.60
323.1
165.4
131.2
1.47
196.4
103.6
130.6
1.47
1) The amount of the dividend for 2012 and the appropriation to retained earnings (after deduction of an advance appropriation of € 185.9 million) are subject to the condition of
approval by the annual shareholders’ meeting.
2) The dividend per share for the years 2008 to 2010 were adjusted to account for the share split conducted in 2011.
Introductory remarks
The management report of the parent company Axel
Springer AG, Berlin, is combined with the management
report of the Axel Springer Group. The following state-
ments are based on the separate financial statements of
Axel Springer AG, which were prepared in accordance
with the regulations of the German Commercial Code
and the German Stock Corporations Act. The separate
financial statements of Axel Springer AG and the present
management report will be announced in the Federal
Gazette and published on the website of Axel Springer AG.
Business activity
Axel Springer AG is the parent company of the Axel
Springer Group.
The Group’s major print publications, such as the titles
of the BILD Group and WELT Group, HAMBURGER
ABENDBLATT, TV DIGITAL, and HÖRZU, as well as other
newspaper and magazine titles, are editorially produced
and distributed by Axel Springer AG. The newspapers are
printed by the company’s own printing plants in Ahrensburg,
Berlin, and Essen, and by outside printing companies.
In addition, Axel Springer AG maintains extensive supplier
and service relationships with subsidiaries and other related
parties. Purchased services mainly include printing services,
administrative services, property management, direct mar-
keting, editorial services, circulation, and insurance services.
Services rendered include the supply of published prod-
ucts and paper and the provision of general administra-
tive and IT services.
As a general rule, Axel Springer AG provides financing to
the Group companies, as part of its Group-wide liquidity
management program. Profit/loss transfer agreements
are in effect with a number of German Group companies.
Financial performance
Income Statement (Condensed)
€ millions
Revenues
Other operating income
2012
2011
1,507.1
1,551.2
117.8
123.9
Purchased goods and services
– 387.2
– 411.5
Personnel expenses
– 441.5
– 424.6
Amortization, depreciation and
impairments of intangible assets and
property, plant and equipment
– 33.2
– 33.3
Other operating expenses
– 523.8
– 516.8
Net income from non-current financial assets
Net interest income
Profit from ordinary activities
Taxes
Net income
Transfer to retained earnings
Distributable profit
258.9
– 40.5
457.6
– 85.7
371.9
– 185.9
186.0
96.2
– 26.2
358.9
– 98.7
260.2
– 92.0
168.2
Combined Management Report 39
Economic Position of Axel Springer AG
The revenues generated in 2012 were lower than in 2011.
Circulation revenues declined by 2.9 % to € 838.4 million
and advertising revenues (€ 528.7 million) fell by 4.2 %.
By contrast, the other revenues of € 140.0 million were
3.1 % higher than the corresponding prior-year figure.
Due to lower costs of paper and printing services, pur-
chased goods and services declined by € 24.3 million to
€ 387.2 million. At 25.7 %, the ratio of purchased goods
and services to total revenues was slightly lower than the
corresponding prior-year ratio.
The personnel expenses of € 441.5 million were 4.0 %
higher than the prior-year figure. This increase was
caused in particular by higher expenses for restructuring
measures and share-based compensation. The number
of employees declined by 2.6 %, from an average of
4,569 in 2011 to 4,451 in 2012.
Net income from financial investments (€ 258.9 million)
was € 162.7 million higher than the prior-year figure,
thanks in particular to an increase in profit transfers from
subsidiaries, which rose by € 185.0 million to € 235.5 million.
The higher profit transfers were caused, in turn, particu-
larly by intragroup sales of equity investments in connec-
tion with the bundling of online classified activities (Axel
Springer Digital Classifieds).
The net interest result (€ – 40.5 million) was € 14.3 million
less than the prior-year figure, mainly as a result of higher
loan interest, expenses related to the measurement of
financial derivatives, and commitment fees related to the
opening of a new credit facility.
At € 457.6 million, income from ordinary activities was
€ 98.7 million higher than the prior-year figure. After tax
expenses, the consolidated net income of € 371.9 million
was € 111.7 million higher than the prior-year figure (PY:
€ 260.2 million).
Liquidity
The net debt (liabilities due to banks and promissory note
loan, less cash and cash equivalents) was reduced by
€ 31.6 million to € 588.5 million in 2012.
In 2012, Axel Springer AG renewed expiring credit facili-
ties in the amount of € 1,500.0 million to date. In April
2012, the company issued a promissory note loan in two
tranches, one for € 269.5 million maturing in four years,
and the other for € 230.5 million maturing in six years. In
September 2012, the company was granted a revolving
credit facility of € 900.0 million for a term of five years.
At December 31, 2012, unutilized short-term and long-
term credit facilities amounted to € 786.0 million (PY:
€ 885.0 million). The credit facilities can be used both for
general business purposes and for financing acquisitions.
Financial position
Balance Sheet (Condensed)
€ millions
12/31/2012 12/31/2011
Intangible assets and property, plant and
equipment
253.0
262.6
Non-current financial assets
3,055.0
2,711.3
Trade receivables
Receivables from affiliated companies
Cash and cash equivalents
Other assets
Total assets
Equity
Provisions
Liabilities due to banks
Liabilities to affiliated companies
Other liabilities
151.4
194.1
45.5
142.0
50.4
25.2
193.8
223.1
3,892.8
3,414.6
1,529.0
1,318.7
407.9
634.0
1,170.5
151.4
425.0
645.3
884.4
141.2
Total equity and liabilities
3,892.8
3,414.6
40 Annual Report 2012 Axel Springer AG
At € 3,892.8 million, the total assets presented in the
statement of financial position were 14.0 % higher than
the prior-year figure. Non-current assets amounted to
€ 3,308.0 million (PY: € 2,973.9 million) and represented
85.0 % (PY: 87.1 %) of total assets. Non-current assets
were backed by equity at the rate of 46.2 % (PY: 44.3 %).
Non-current financial assets rose by € 343.7 million to
€ 3,055.0 million, mainly as a result of contributions to
the capital reserves of subsidiaries to finance acquisitions
and optimize Group-wide financing structures.
The increases in receivables from (+ € 143.7 million)
and payables to (+ € 286.1 million) affiliated companies
resulted in particular from intragroup sales of equity
investments and capital measures related to the formation
of Axel Springer Digital Classifieds.
The category of other assets was affected by a further
payment of € 25.0 million on the deferred purchase price
for the regional newspaper investments sold in financial
year 2009.
The equity of € 1,529.0 million was € 210.3 million higher
than the prior-year figure. The equity ratio was 39.3 %
(PY: 38.6 %).
Provisions were € 17.1 million less than the prior-year
figure. This decline was mainly caused by the € 52.5 million
decrease in pension provisions, due to the appropriation
of additional funds to cover pension obligations. Coun-
tervailing effects were mainly increases in the provisions
for taxes, for obligations under virtual stock option plans,
for outstanding supplier invoices, and for pending finan-
cial derivatives.
Profit utilization proposal
The Supervisory Board and Executive Board propose
that the company apply an amount of € 167.9 million
from the distributable profit of € 186.0 million (PY:
€ 168.2 million) to pay a dividend of € 1.70 (PY: € 1.70)
per qualifying share for financial year 2012, and to ap-
propriate the remaining amount of € 18.1 million to the
other retained earnings.
The profit utilization proposal takes into account the
treasury shares held by the company, which do not
qualify for dividends. The number of shares qualifying
for dividends can change in the time remaining until the
annual shareholders’ meeting. In that case, an adjusted
profit utilization proposal will be submitted to the annual
shareholders’ meeting, without changing the target divi-
dend of € 1.70 per qualifying share.
Dependency Report
The Executive Board of Axel Springer AG submitted the
Dependency Report prescribed by Section 312 of the
German Stock Corporations Act (AktG) to the Supervisory
Board and made the following concluding statement:
“According to the circumstances known to the manage-
ment at the time of each transaction with an affiliated
company, Axel Springer AG received adequate consid-
eration for every such transaction and did not take, or fail
to take, any actions in the reporting period, either at the
behest or in the interest of the controlling company or a
company affiliated with the controlling company.”
Combined Management Report 41
Events after the reporting date
Events after the
reporting date
Sustainability and
social responsibility
No developments or events of particular importance to
the company’s financial performance, liquidity, and finan-
cial position have occurred since the reporting date of
December 31, 2012.
For Axel Springer, sustainability is the nexus between
economic success and conduct that is both environmen-
tally responsible and socially fair. These three criteria are
firmly anchored in the company’s business strategy.
Therefore, sustainability is an integral part of all the com-
pany’s business processes. The Sustainability Depart-
ment supports all the company’s activities related to
sustainable business practices, environmental protection,
occupational safety, and commitment to social responsi-
bility. This department reports directly to the Executive
Board Chairman. Through our sustainability strategy, we
exercise responsibility for current and future generations
and establish the foundation for long-term business
success.
Axel Springer began to publish environmental perfor-
mance reports already in the mid-1990s, and has pub-
lished sustainability reports since 2000. Since 2005, the
company has published a biennial Sustainability Report
based on the complete list of sustainability indicators of
the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), the internationally
relevant format for sustainability reporting. A new addi-
tion to the GRI is the “Media Sector Supplement” (GRI+),
which is documented in the company’s latest Sustainability
Report for the first time. This section provides additional
indicators that are reflective of the specific issues en-
countered by journalism companies. Axel Springer’s
sustainability reports are audited by independent audi-
tors. The current Sustainability Report, which was pub-
lished at the end of 2012, can be found on our website
at www.sustainability.axelspringer.com.
42 Annual Report 2012 Axel Springer AG
Report on risks and opportunities
Risk policy principles and risk strategy
At Axel Springer, we define risks as the possibility of
negative deviations of actual business performance from
the planned performance or from our objectives, while
opportunities represent the possibility of positive devia-
tions. The risk policy principles and risk strategy of Axel
Springer are closely tied to the adopted business strate-
gy. We do not seek primarily to avoid risks at all costs,
but to carefully weigh the opportunities and risks associ-
ated with our business activities. Accordingly, opportuni-
ties should be systematically exploited and risks should
be assumed only if they remain within appropriate limits
and give rise to additional income opportunities. Appro-
priate measures are taken to minimize risks to an ac-
ceptable level or, if economically feasible, transfer them
to third parties. All employees are obliged to handle risks
responsibly within their own work areas.
Ongoing improvement of the risk
management system
In consideration of the heightened national and interna-
tional requirements, we continued the process of sys-
tematically improving our internal monitoring system (risk
management, compliance management, internal control
system, and internal auditing) in 2012. To ensure the
close coordination of the various sub-systems, the de-
partment Governance, Risk, & Compliance coordinates
risk management, compliance management, and the
internal control system.
standards, and is documented in a suitable corporate
directive.
Whereas the overall responsibility for risk management
lies with the Executive Board, the management of indi-
vidual risks, which entails the early detection, assessment,
management, and documentation of risks, as well as the
adoption and implementation of appropriate counter-
measures and the associated reporting requirements,
lies primarily with the corresponding corporate divisions
or Group companies.
The management teams of the divisions and subsidiaries
bear content-related responsibility for the risk manage-
ment conducted within their respective divisions or com-
panies. Besides conducting a structured risk inventory
every year, they are also obliged to monitor their divisions
or companies on a continuous basis in order to identify
any changes in the risk situation. Significant changes in
the division-specific risk situation must be reported
promptly to the Governance, Risk, & Compliance de-
partment or to the Executive Board.
In addition to this decentralized risk identification process,
a centralized risk identification process is conducted
under the coordination of the Group-wide Risk Manager,
who is a member of the senior management. The pur-
pose of that process is to apply specialized methodology
with the goal of identifying and assessing cross-divisional
and process-transcending risks, so as to complete the
risk inventory.
Axel Springer’s risk management system is designed to
identify all significant risks at the earliest possible stage,
so that we can immediately take appropriate counter-
measures and monitor the further progression of all risks
and the corresponding risk management measures. This
approach gives us the necessary maneuvering room and
allows for the controlled and responsible handling of
risks. The risk management system is designed to meet
the demands of currently applicable laws and regulations,
as well as nationally and internationally recognized
Risks are assessed on the basis of the probability of
occurrence and the possible loss in case of occurrence.
Risks are classified as “existentially threatening,” “material,”
“to be monitored,” or “other.” In order to present Axel
Springer’s risk situation as transparently as possible,
risks are assessed by means of a procedure that entails
both a gross assessment (before risk management
measures) and a net assessment (after risk management
measures). Uniform, Group-wide materiality limits are
applied for that purpose.
A theoretically existential risk is classified as such on the
basis of the possible gross loss and the effect of such a
loss on the Group’s financial position and liquidity.
The Corporate Risk Manager operates from Governance,
Risk, & Compliance. He monitors all risk management
activities, aggregates the risks at the Group level, and
assesses the plausibility and completeness of reported
risks. He is also responsible for continuously improving
the risk management system and the Group-wide, web-
based reporting tool.
The risk reports prepared for the Executive Board and
Supervisory Board focus primarily on the existentially
threatening risks and material risks, including the corre-
sponding risk management measures and suitable early
warning indicators, if any. For that purpose, risks are
classified as strategic and operational risks, financial
reporting risks, and risks related to compliance with
internal and external regulations.
Internal audit system
Axel Springer AG has a Corporate Internal Audit Depart-
ment that conducts its work independently of instructions
and processes, on the basis of internal rules of procedure
adopted by the Executive Board. The Corporate Internal
Audit Department is designed to fulfill the relevant national
and international professional standards.
Based on a risk-oriented audit plan, the Corporate Inter-
nal Audit Department continuously reviews the adequacy
and functional effectiveness of the risk management
system and internal control system, among other matters.
Combined Management Report 43
Report on risks and opportunities
Report on the (consolidated) financial
reporting-related risk management
system and internal control system
pursuant to Section 289 (5) and Section
315 (2) (5) HGB
The (consolidated) financial reporting-related risk man-
agement system and the connected internal control
system are important elements of the internal manage-
ment system of Axel Springer AG. The effective interplay
of the risk management system and internal control
system is meant to ensure the effectiveness and eco-
nomic efficiency of the Group’s business activities, as
well as the completeness and reliability of its financial
reporting. The (consolidated) financial reporting-related
risk management system and internal control system
comprise all organizational regulations and measures
aimed at the detection and management of risks related
to financial reporting. With a view to the (consolidated)
financial reporting process, the internal control system is
meant to ensure that the Group’s financial reports con-
vey a true and fair view of the financial position, liquidity,
and financial performance of Axel Springer AG and the
Axel Springer Group, in compliance with all relevant laws,
regulations, and standards. However, even an effective,
and therefore adequate and well-functioning, internal
control system cannot guarantee the prevention or de-
tection of all irregularities or inaccurate disclosures.
We consider the following elements of the risk management
system and internal control system to be significant with
respect to the (consolidated) financial reporting process:
(cid:1) Processes for identifying, assessing, and document-
ing all significant financial reporting-related processes
and risk areas, including the corresponding key con-
trols. Such processes include financial and account-
ing processes, as well as administrative and opera-
tional business processes that generate important in-
formation used in the preparation of the separate and
consolidated financial statements, including the man-
agement reports of the parent company and the Group.
44 Annual Report 2012 Axel Springer AG
(cid:1) Process-integrated controls (computer-aided controls
and access restrictions, dual control principle, separa-
tion of functions, analytical controls).
(cid:1) Standardized financial accounting processes, through
the use of an internal, Group-wide Shared Services
Center for most of the consolidated German compa-
nies of the Group.
(cid:1) Group-wide accounting directives in the form of ac-
counting guidelines, charts of accounts, and reporting
procedures.
(cid:1) Quarterly communication of information to all consoli-
dated Group companies on current developments re-
lated to accounting and the process of preparing the
financial statements, as well as the reporting dead-
lines to be observed.
(cid:1) Assuring the requisite expertise of employees involved
in the financial reporting process by means of appro-
priate selection procedures and training.
(cid:1) Centralized preparation of the consolidated financial
statements, employing manual and computer-system
controls in respect of financial reporting-specific con-
nections and dependencies.
(cid:1) Protection of financial reporting-related IT systems against
unauthorized access, by means of access restrictions.
(cid:1) Monthly internal reports (complete income statement,
statement of financial position, cash flow statement)
and monthly reports on all cost units of the Group, in-
cluding analysis and reporting of significant develop-
ments and budget/actual deviations.
The effectiveness of the (consolidated) financial reporting-
related risk management system and internal control
system is systematically reviewed and assessed by
means of periodic checks; a Group-wide reporting sys-
tem ensures that up-to-date information is provided on a
regular basis to the division heads, Executive Board, and
Supervisory Board.
Both the risk management system and the internal con-
trol system are continuously refined. For example, the
control system is being integrated beyond financial re-
porting with the broader system on a step-by-step basis,
to create a comprehensive system of internal corporate
monitoring. By that means, we synchronize and optimize
our control elements on a cross-divisional basis, thereby
enhancing the effectiveness and economic efficiency of
the entire system.
Risk areas
The risks described below could have material effects on
the business activity of Axel Springer and therefore also
on whether and when we achieve our business objectives.
Within the risk categories described below, risks are
presented in the order of their priority for Axel Springer.
Market and competition risks
Markets are worried about the crisis affecting numerous
European countries resulting from the substantial over-
indebtedness of individual nations, as well as by the
deteriorating credit ratings of several countries. Another
element of uncertainty relates to the further development
of China as an economic power, which continues to play
a crucial role in the world economy. A renewed economic
downturn caused by the euro crisis would have a nega-
tive impact on economic growth. Therefore, a significant
deterioration of the revenue performance of our advertis-
ing customers and a further reduction of our print adver-
tising revenues resulting from this cannot be ruled out. An
adverse development of the general market environment
could lead to lower advertising revenues in Germany and
also reduce our advertising revenues in central and eastern
Europe.
The risk of rising paper prices is currently deemed to be
manageable, particularly considering the Group’s diversi-
fied purchasing sources.
Combined Management Report 45
Report on risks and opportunities
Furthermore, the general market situation is still charac-
terized by intense competition pressure. The entry of
new competing titles and formats into the market exposes
the Axel Springer Group to the risk of lost revenues and
market shares in the circulation and advertising business;
this could intensify if free newspapers and magazines
were to be introduced. Furthermore, the trend towards
radio and TV advertising could reduce our print advertis-
ing revenues. Generally speaking, this risk is further
heightened by changing consumption and reading habits
(especially as a result of demographic changes).
Another source of uncertainty relates to the growing
competition with traditional print media posed by other
kinds of media. Above all, the growing importance and
use of the Internet tends to reduce the revenues of print
publications.
In that context, the high proportion of total Group-wide
revenues contributed by BILD and the entire family of
BILD brands poses a particular risk. Overall, the paid
circulation of BILD and BILD am SONNTAG has been
declining in the last few years. Furthermore, a significant
proportion of the Group’s high-revenue magazine titles
are supported by the strong recognition and brand famil-
iarity of the BILD family of brands. The possibility that the
success of our BILD titles could be adversely affected by
external factors on a lasting basis, which would conse-
quently have a negative impact on the Group’s financial
position, liquidity, and financial performance, cannot be
ruled out.
The above-mentioned general market risks are monitored
and minimized primarily by the operational managers. To
counter these risks successfully, Axel Springer continued
in 2012 to pursue the threefold strategy of market leader-
ship in the German-language core business, international-
ization, and digitization. Therefore, the targeted expansion
of existing activities in Germany is still vitally important to
our company. Furthermore, changing customer needs
can be accommodated by means of product innovations,
accompanied by incentives and other product-related
measures, such as sales-promoting giveaways and spe-
cial inserts offered at an extra cost, including DVDs, CDs,
and audio books, for example.
In the segment of digital media, the dominant position
of major Internet search engines poses an additional
market risk. If, for example, the search engines were to
alter their search algorithms or use their own websites
to broaden their offerings and so compete with our own
business activities, or those of our affiliated companies,
this could have a serious impact on the future revenue
performance of certain business activities of Axel Springer.
For certain business models, even a small loss of visibility
on search result pages can lead to significant declines in
revenues and earnings. We counter this risk by means of
targeted ad placements on search engine pages, among
other measures.
The constant further development and expansion of our
apps for the iPhone and iPad, among other mobile de-
vices, underscores our determination to continually in-
crease the degree of digitization of Axel Springer’s media.
By means of acquisitions, new company start-ups, and
the expansion of existing digital media, we will strive to
adapt to changes in the media world and further pro-
mote the cross-media networking and integration of our
brands. (For more information on this subject, please
refer to the section on the segments of the Axel Springer
Group, starting on page 12, and the section on the finan-
cial performance of the segments, starting on page 30).
Political and legal risks
The effects of new legislative initiatives on various indi-
vidual business models in the digital media segment are
still uncertain at the present time. For example, the en-
actment of national laws implementing the Cookie Regu-
lation Directive that has already been enacted on the
European level has not yet been completed in all coun-
tries. Cookies are an important tool that can be used for
recording data, such as the number of visitors to a web-
site or the number of clicks on an online advertisement,
for example. Advertisers use the data supplied by cook-
ies to measure the success of their advertisements and
website operators use it to optimize their offerings and
46 Annual Report 2012 Axel Springer AG
set advertising rates. Thus, cookies are an important
basis for generating revenues on the Internet. At the
present time, concrete implementation of this regulation
and the ensuing impact on the revenue performance of
Axel Springer and the company’s strategic orientation
remain to be seen.
Furthermore, the planned introduction of a Basic Regula-
tion for data protection, which is meant to reform and
harmonize the various laws applicable to the handling of
personal data in the countries of the European Union,
may entail far-reaching changes for mobile and web-
based business models.
The three-step test introduced by law in 2009 has prov-
en to be inadequate for effectively limiting the expansion
of state-owned TV stations into the Internet. ARD in
particular has intruded into the business sphere of the
private-sector press and distorted the competition envi-
ronment with a text-oriented news app for Tagesschau
financed by license fees, in a blatant contradiction of the
Interstate Broadcasting Agreement. Faced with competi-
tion from this cleverly designed “free offer,” it is naturally
hard for publishing companies to successfully offer paid
apps. After conducting fruitless negotiations with ARD
and NDR, Axel Springer AG and seven other publishing
companies, with the full support of the newspaper pub-
lishers’ association BDZV, filed a lawsuit against ARD
and NDR in the Competition Division of the Cologne
Regional Court. In September 2012, the court granted
the claim in most respects. The defendants have filed an
appeal against this ruling. Concurrently with the court
proceeding, the publishing companies are conducting
settlement negotiations with ARD, with the aim of estab-
lishing fundamental playing rules for the Internet. Thus,
public-sector radio enterprises should gear their online
offerings more to audio and video and the publishers
should focus on text and photos. If no agreement can be
reached and the publishing companies lose the case in
the highest instance, it will be much more difficult for
Axel Springer AG to successfully offer paid journalism
content in the fast-growing mobile market.
Furthermore, our business is still exposed to the compe-
tition-distorting effects of state-owned media and the
regulatory pressure of legislators on all relevant levels of
government.
Breaches of confidentiality agreements and violations of
insider trading regulations, as well as the incorrect publi-
cation of data or the non-observance of data protection
laws and regulations, could lead to economic or legal
consequences for Axel Springer. In such cases, the
possibility of damage to the reputation of the Group or
its brands cannot be ruled out.
To minimize such risks, Axel Springer has adopted vari-
ous control mechanisms and consultation rules, upgrad-
ed its data protection organization further, and initiated
extensive training programs, among other measures. The
company intends to intensify such activities in the future.
IT risks
As a company with a high level of digitization, Axel
Springer is exposed to considerable risks related to the
possible failure of IT systems, data centers, editing sys-
tems, or databases. Particular attention is given to IT
risks that could lead to data losses or, in the worst case,
business interruptions.
Besides those IT risks that affect Axel Springer directly,
there are others that have a considerable impact on the
company’s business activities. In consideration of the
growing importance of paid-content offerings and the
related handling of personal data, and the steadily grow-
ing threat of computer criminality, the careful handling
and protection of the above-mentioned customer data
are becoming increasingly important.
By reason of its many online-based business models, Axel
Springer is also dependent on the constant availability of
the websites. The possibility of hacker attacks and the
consequent downtimes entail risks that could potentially
have an adverse effect on the Group’s revenue perfor-
mance and reputation.
Combined Management Report 47
Report on risks and opportunities
Consequently, Axel Springer undertakes targeted
measures to guard against criminal acts and protect its
strategic business model. To avoid or mitigate such risks,
the company employs extensive IT security measures
(such as back-up systems, firewalls, and emergency data
centers), which are continuously upgraded and improved.
Reputation risks
In view of its growing international presence, Axel Springer
has adopted a catalog of social standards known as the
International Social Policy, as a binding guideline for social
integrity, applicable to all our companies throughout the
world. Non-observance of the International Social Policy,
especially in connection with the procurement of adver-
tisements and product giveaways, as well as merchandis-
ing or the sale of title licenses, could potentially cause
serious damage to the company’s reputation.
The Axel Springer Group has instituted a sustainability
management program that meets international standards.
The overly late detection of possible ecological or social
conflicts relative to the procurement of resources along
the value chain of wood, pulp, paper, and recycled ma-
terials could harm the Group’s reputation. To minimize
this risk as much as possible, we work closely together
with experts in the wood, pulp, and paper industry and
with numerous environmental protection organizations.
We also conduct monitoring measures across the entire
value chain, as well as eco-audits. As part of the eco-
audit process, we are obligated to publish an environ-
mental report on the company’s actions and goals with
respect to environmental protection, among other things.
Axel Springer’s internal and external communications on
this subject are generally characterized by a high level of
openness and transparency.
Strategic and other risks
Strategic risks arise from the possibility, among others,
that the Group would invest in concepts and companies
that prove not to be sustainably successful, leading to
financial losses. Such investment risks arise primarily
from the possibility of bankruptcy. If the revenue and
earnings performance of the companies in which we
hold an investment were to be worse than planned, due
to a renewed worsening of the financial markets and
economic crisis, it may become necessary to recognize
impairment losses. Generally speaking, however, the
business models of our subsidiaries and associates are
very heterogeneous. Furthermore, we employ internal
assurance measures, including the rigorous examination
of the investment criteria applied in connection with our
M&A activities.
To minimize such risks, Axel Springer employs an active
investment management program, takes the necessary
steps to recruit and retain qualified managers, and constantly
monitors the relevant business and market developments.
In the digital media business, Axel Springer is additionally
exposed to a heightened risk that a given business model
might not prove to be successful on a sustainable basis,
and that newer Internet business models might force
older ones out of the market. Another significant factor is
the growing popularity of paid-content offers in the online
business, leading not only to higher revenues, but also
increased competition. Therefore, it is entirely possible
that future revenues could be offset by higher costs to
win and retain customers. By introducing a usage-
dependent subscription model for the previously free
website of DIE WELT, we are striving to build a sustaina-
ble subscriber base also on the strength of paid access
to digital journalism content.
Furthermore, Axel Springer continues to systematically
pursue its strategy of internationalization and digitization.
The joint venture with Ringier is a key element of the
company’s internationalization strategy. From a risk
standpoint, the main risks to which Ringier Axel Springer
Media and its subsidiaries are exposed are market and
financial risks. Declining circulation numbers, which in
return reduce circulation revenues, represent a particular
market risk and could potentially also reduce advertising
revenues in the medium term. The advertising market in
eastern Europe in particular is exposed to significant
market risks associated with the growing shift to TV and
digital media. By virtue of the high degree of internationaliza-
48 Annual Report 2012 Axel Springer AG
tion of Ringier Axel Springer Media AG, the relevant market
risks are distributed over various countries, although that
fact does entail a heightened, though manageable, for-
eign exchange risk (€, CHF, eastern European curren-
cies), which the company counters by means of appro-
priate hedging activities.
With regard to our investment in Do⁄an TV Holding A.S.,
the risk of an impairment loss cannot be ruled out, par-
ticularly depending on the further developments and any
adjustments to the business plan that could possibly be
made by the management. In assessing the value of our
investment in this company, due consideration is given
to the existing contractual agreements that protect the
value of our investment.
Furthermore, the loss of major customers could have an
adverse effect on the business success and activities of
the Group. To avoid this risk, we employ a variety of
customer retention measures, among other measures.
Distribution-related risks, including the risk of liquidity
problems on the part of distribution partners, for example,
are countered by means of clearly stipulated payment
terms and firm payment modalities.
The threat of terrorism poses a fundamental risk to Axel
Springer. We counter terrorism risks in two ways. First,
we take structural and organizational measures to raise
the Group’s security standards even further; second,
initially in 2009, we took out a new insurance policy to
mitigate the financial consequences of terrorism.
Personnel risks
As a result of the falling birth rate and the resulting de-
mographic shift, the pool of potential young talent is
shrinking. Furthermore, the growing competition among
companies for qualified workers heightens the risk that
we may not be able to recruit enough sufficiently quali-
fied workers. We counter this risk by means of the em-
ployer marketing initiative launched in 2011. The purpose
of this initiative is to differentiate Axel Springer AG signifi-
cantly from other potential employers and promote the
company as an innovative and modern employer.
The dedication and qualifications of our employees are
crucial to the lasting attainment of our goals. Thus, the
loss of key personnel is a potential risk. As a means of
countering this risk, we place particular emphasis, as
part of our human resources management program, on
the targeted training and continuing education of our
employees, as well as the targeted development of fu-
ture executives and the creation of a motivating work
environment. We offer attractive bonus and share own-
ership programs, flexible work-time models, and two
company-owned day care centers, to ensure the satis-
faction and bolster the retention of our employees.
Financial risks and risks associated with the use of
financial instruments
The financial risks especially relevant to the Axel Springer
Group are interest rate risks and currency risks. Interest
rate risks arise primarily from financial assets or liabilities
with variable interest rates. Currency risks arise from
expenses, revenues, investment income and expenses,
and receivables and liabilities denominated in foreign
currencies (transaction risk).
The risk of changing interest rates inherent in variable-
interest assets or liabilities is minimized through the use
of interest rate derivatives. Interest rate risk was also
mitigated by means of the fixed-interest tranches of the
promissory note loan issued in 2012.
The risk of value changes arising from exchange rate
fluctuations are avoided primarily in that operating costs
are incurred in the same countries in which we sell our
products and services. Residual currency risks arising
from cash flows denominated in foreign currencies are
immaterial because we generate most of our earnings in
the euro zone. Currency risks inherent in receivables and
liabilities denominated in foreign currencies (excluding
contingent purchase price liabilities) with net exposures
of € 5 million or more per foreign currency are usually
hedged by means of maturity-matched forward ex-
change deals.
Combined Management Report 49
Report on risks and opportunities
Local-currency cash flows generated in non-euro zone
countries are either reinvested to expand local business
operations, or invested with Axel Springer AG and
hedged by means of forward exchange deals or distrib-
uted in the form of dividends. Therefore, the liquidity risk
arising from exchange rate changes affecting cash flows
denominated in foreign currencies is limited.
Currency effects arising from the translation of financial
statements denominated in foreign currencies (currency
translation risk) are recognized directly in the equity item
of other comprehensive income. Therefore, Axel Springer
does not hedge such currency effects.
Significant financing risks resulting from the uncertain
outlook for the financial sector are not evident for the
Axel Springer Group at the present time because the
credit line in the amount of € 0.9 billion (through 2017)
obtained for liquidity assurance purposes has been
committed by the participating banks with binding effect.
The credit facility is contingent upon the observance of
covenants that are based on a certain ratio of net debt
to the earnings indicators of the Axel Springer Group.
Even if the credit facility were to be drawn down in full,
we do not expect to breach any of the agreed covenants,
and therefore we consider the risk of acceleration of
borrowed amounts to be minor. Based on our continu-
ous observation of the money markets, capital markets,
and credit markets, we have concluded that companies
with outstanding creditworthiness and strong reputations
can always raise funding at favorable conditions. Fur-
thermore, Axel Springer can generate liquidity reliably,
based on its broadly diversified customer base and the
absence of significant payment delays and defaults.
Surplus cash not needed for operations is invested on
the basis of criteria set out in a corporate guideline,
which sets loss limits that may not be exceeded, as
a means (among others) of limiting risks.
The risks arising from financial instruments and hedging
activities are discussed in detail in Section (34) of the
notes to the consolidated financial statements.
Overall risk assessment
In the preceding sections, we reported on important
individual risks.
The overall risk situation of the Axel Springer Group is the
aggregation of individual risks in all risk categories of the
subsidiaries and corporate functions. In consideration of
correlative effects among the various individual risks,
currently no risks that would pose a threat to the ability
of the Axel Springer Group to continue operating as a
going concern or that would significantly influence the
financial position, financial performance, and liquidity
situation of the Group can be discerned, except for the
risk of a drastic deterioration of the global economy and
the ensuing deterioration of the Group’s financial perfor-
mance. Furthermore, risk concentrations are being grad-
ually reduced by means of growing diversification in the
form of internationalization and digitization. Compared to
the prior year, the various risk positions underwent
changes in financial year 2012, but these changes did
not have significant effects on the overall risk situation.
The capacity of the Axel Springer Group to absorb risks
is basically unchanged from the prior year.
50 Annual Report 2012 Axel Springer AG
Opportunities
Market opportunities
If the economy continues to stabilize, as currently pre-
dicted by the leading economic research institutions, that
will have a positive effect on our circulation and advertis-
ing revenues. But even a negative development of the
overall economy could create opportunities for Axel
Springer. For example, competitors could pull out of the
market, thereby strengthening our own market position
on a long-term basis. In such a scenario, moreover, it
may be possible to acquire companies at lower valuations.
The Group’s marketing unit, Axel Springer Media Impact,
has further consolidated its strong position in the market
and is one of the widest-reach cross-media marketers in
Europe. Thanks to its cross-media business model and
its strong competitive position, Axel Springer is an attrac-
tive advertising platform beyond the realm of TV advertising.
Political opportunities
The strengthening of intellectual property rights that would
result from the introduction of a publisher’s ancillary copy-
right could have a positive effect on the company’s busi-
ness in Germany. Such a law would considerably improve
the legal position of publishers in copyright disputes.
Strategic opportunities
The digitization strategy offers especially promising
opportunities for generating additional revenues via the
dynamic development of revenues in the online markets.
Axel Springer is taking advantage of this market trend
through the swift and consistent combination of print and
online offerings, and by investing in companies, entering
into cooperation agreements, and continually expanding
its existing and newly acquired activities. Opportunities
are seen especially in the area of paid content. Further-
more, the expansion of our digital offerings in the form of
apps, among others for the iPhone, and HD apps for the
iPad, creates tremendous strategic opportunities for
Axel Springer.
In implementing our internationalization strategy, we have
the decisive advantage over our competitors that we
have already attained strong market positions in many
countries, and – indeed, in numerous segments – leading
market positions.
At the start of 2012, Axel Springer and the growth inves-
tor General Atlantic formed the joint venture Axel Springer
Digital Classifieds GmbH, in order to further accelerate
the pace of acquisition-driven growth in the online classi-
fieds market by working together. With the support of
General Atlantic as an experienced partner and co-
investor, we can take advantage of investment and
growth opportunities not only in Europe, but also in other
developed and emerging-market countries.
Combined Management Report 51
Forecast report
3.0 million. The average unemployment rate for 2013 is
expected to be 6.9 %.
Recessionary conditions are expected to continue in
several countries of central and eastern Europe, par-
ticularly Hungary and the Czech Republic. Poland should
be able to offset weak export demand with domestic
demand. In general, economic growth will be slowed
further by restrictive fiscal policies in this region.
Anticipated Economic Development (Selection)
Change in gross domestic product
compared to prior year (real)
Germany
Switzerland1)
France
United Kingdom
Spain
Hungary
Poland
Czech Republic
Slovakia
Serbia1)
Russia
2013
0.7 %
1.4 %
0.3 %
0.8 %
– 1.2 %
– 0.3 %
1.0 %
0.0 %
2.0 %
2.0 %
2.5 %
Source: ifo Institute, December 2012.
1) Source: IMF, October 2012.
Industry environment
In line with the expectations of the IMF, the advertising
industry association ZAW is not particularly optimistic
about the general economic conditions to prevail in 2013.
However, ZAW’s expectations for the advertising market
in the medium-term future are stable, based on the po-
tential for new advertising concepts, the growing number
of technological possibilities for reaching customers, and
increased media usage.
Forecast report
Anticipated economic environment
General economic environment
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) expects that the
global economy will expand at a rate of 3.5 % in 2013.
The previous worries concerning the future development
of the global economy have given way to cautious
optimism. According to the IMF forecast, however, the
euro zone will remain in recession, with total growth of
only – 0.2 %, due to the tremendous uncertainty sur-
rounding the resolution of the euro debt crisis. The
economies of Italy and Spain are even expected to
shrink for the second year in a row. For the United States,
the IMF predicts economic growth of 2.0 %. China’s
economy is expected to expand at a rate of 8.2 %.
According to the economic forecast of the ifo Institute,
the German economy should return to a path of growth
in the later course of 2013, after a weakening phase in
the winter of 2012/2013. The country’s economic
growth will be dampened initially by the high level of
uncertainty concerning the euro crisis, but should ex-
pand by an average of 0.7 % for the full year, in price-
adjusted terms. This growth will be propelled by a 0.7 %
increase in consumer spending, mainly on the strength
of real incomes that are expected to rise again at a faster
rate. As world trade expands, investment spending is
expected to pick up again, especially in the second half
of the year, leading to a 0.7 % increase in price-adjusted
terms for the full year.
According to the ifo Institute, German exports can be
expected to rise by 3.0 % in real terms, on the strength
of demand from non-European countries. The resump-
tion of investment spending growth should also boost
imports, which are expected to rise at a rate of 3.3 % in
2013. Inflation is expected to subside significantly, with
consumer prices rising by an estimated 1.6 % in 2013.
The number of gainfully employed persons is expected
to reach 41.6 million in 2013, as immigration from other
EU countries continues. According to the ifo Institute, the
number of unemployed job-seekers is expected to rise
again slightly in 2013, for the first time in a long time, to
52 Annual Report 2012 Axel Springer AG
According to the latest advertising market forecast of
ZenithOptimedia (“Advertising Expenditure Forecast” of
December 2012), the worldwide advertising market is
expected to grow by 4.1 % in 2013. This represents a
downward revision to ZenithOptimedia’s forecast of +4.6 %
in September 2012.
According to ZenithOptimedia’s forecast, the net adver-
tising volume of the online market in western Europe is
expected to rise by 8.7 % to US$ 26.3 billion in 2013 –
based on the assumption of constant exchange rates.
The growth rates in eastern Europe markets will be in
some cases much higher.
Anticipated Advertising Activity 2013
(Selection)
Change in net ad
revenues compared to
prior year (nominal)
Germany
Switzerland
France1)
Newspapers Magazines
Online
– 3.1 %
– 2.8 %
11.0 %
– 6.0 %
– 4.0 %
– 5.0 %
– 4.4 %
9.3 %
4.9 %
9.2 %
3.0 %
6.0 %
7.5 %
United Kingdom
– 2.5 %
– 2.2 %
Spain1)
Hungary
Poland1)
– 11.0 %
– 10.0 %
– 2.2 %
– 2.2 %
– 21.5 %
– 20.8 %
Czech Republic1)
– 12.1 %
– 5.6 %
13.0 %
Slovakia1)
Serbia1)
Russia
India1)
– 6.0 %
– 5.6 %
28.6 %
– 1.6 %
– 2.2 %
23.8 %
9.3 %
6.0 %
2.0 %
6.0 %
30.3 %
35.0 %
Source: ZenithOptimedia, Advertising Expenditure Forecast (December) 2012.
1) Excluding classifieds.
Currently available forecasts for Germany point to a
slight increase in the total advertising market in 2013.
ZenithOptimedia is predicting a (nominal) 1.6 % increase
in the German advertising market in 2013. This increase
would fall short of the expected growth rate for the over-
all economy, that being 2.5 % in nominal terms (+ 0.7 %
in real terms). This growth will be driven by growth in TV
advertising (+ 1.9 %) and online advertising (+ 11.0 %).
ZenithOptimedia predicts decreased advertising reve-
nues for newspapers (– 3.1 %) and magazines (– 2.8 %).
The net advertising revenues of radio (+ 2.9 %) and out-
door (+ 3.7 %) are expected to increase in 2013.
The forecasts of ZenithOptimedia reflect the long-term
structural shift in advertising expenditures in favor of
digital media. According to the forecast data, Internet
and TV will increase their respective shares of advertising
budgets. It is assumed that the further growth of these
two media channels will depend on the convergence or
even the fusion of TV and online video.
The communications industry continues to perceive new
growth opportunities in new marketing services, net-
worked advertising concepts, the opening of new busi-
ness segments, and new product innovations.
For the international markets in which Axel Springer
conducts business through its own corporate activities,
ZenithOptimedia is predicting an uneven development of
net advertising revenues for newspapers and magazines.
Combined Management Report 53
Forecast report
By reason of the above-mentioned effects and the growing
percentage of non-controlling interests, particularly in the
Digital Media segment, adjusted earnings per share will
be significantly less than the corresponding figure for 2012.
Subject to a positive economic environment and the
absence of adverse factors, we expect to generate higher
revenues, EBITDA, and adjusted earnings per share in
financial year 2014, compared to financial year 2013.
Anticipated business developments and financial
performance of the segments
In financial year 2013, we expect to generate a double-
digit percentage increase in the total revenues of the
Digital Media segment, based on organic growth
and the effects of the acquisitions made in 2012. This
increase is expected to have a positive effect on both
advertising revenues and other revenues. We also antici-
pate a significant increase in segment EBITDA, com-
pared to 2012.
We anticipate a low-to-middle single-digit percentage
decrease in the total revenues of the Newspapers
National segment, due to lower circulation revenues
and advertising revenues. By reason of lower revenues
and higher expenses for structural adjustments, we
expect that segment EBITDA in 2013 will be significantly
less than the corresponding figure for 2012.
We anticipate a low-to-middle single-digit percentage
decrease in the total revenues of the Magazines National
segment in 2013, due to both lower circulation reve-
nues and lower advertising revenues. By reason of the
lower revenues, we expect that segment EBITDA will
be slightly less than the corresponding figure for 2012,
despite a planned cost reduction.
Group
Strategic and organizational orientation
The highest strategic priority for Axel Springer is to pur-
sue the consistent digitization of our business. By further
developing our digital offerings in Germany and abroad,
and making targeted acquisitions, we aim to achieve our
goal of becoming the leading digital media group. We are
accelerating the growth of our digital business by means
of targeted investments. In the print business, our primary
goals are to preserve our market leadership position on
the strength of excellent journalism and to practice strict
cost discipline.
We are not planning to make significant adjustments to
the Group’s organization at the present time.
Anticipated business developments and financial
performance of the Group
For financial year 2013, we anticipate a low single-digit
percentage increase in total revenues, assuming that
the structurally declining trends of the print business do
not worsen considerably. We anticipate that the ex-
pected decrease in circulation revenues will be more
than offset by the planned increase in advertising reve-
nues and by constant other revenues. We continue to
expect organic growth in our digital media, strengthened
by acquisition effects, while the revenues of our national
and international print media are expected to decline
further, in line with market trends.
We will increase our investments in the company’s fur-
ther development in financial year 2013. We will acceler-
ate the pace of digitization and increasingly adjust the
structures of our print business to reflect the structural
changes. This plan will necessitate higher expenditures
for expanding the digital business and significant expenses
for structural adjustments in the print business. By reason
of these expenditures, we anticipate a single-digit percent-
age decrease in the Group’s EBITDA, compared to 2012.
54 Annual Report 2012 Axel Springer AG
Given the still tough market environment in individual
countries, we anticipate a middle-to-high single-digit
percentage decrease in the total revenues of the Print
International segment, due to both lower circulation
revenues and lower advertising revenues. By reason of
lower revenues and higher expenses for structural ad-
justments, we expect that segment EBITDA will be signif-
icantly lower than the corresponding figure for 2012.
Planning assumptions
We plan the future development of the financial perfor-
mance, liquidity, and financial position on the basis of
assumptions that are plausible and sufficiently probable
from today’s perspective. However, actual developments
could possibly be much different than the assumptions
applied and thus from the business plans and trend
forecasts prepared on the basis of those assumptions.
Due to higher expenses for structural adjustments and
lower revenues, we expect that the EBITDA of the
Services/Holding segment in 2013 will be significantly
less than the corresponding figure for 2012.
The forecasts for EBITDA and the adjusted earnings per
share do not reflect any possible effects resulting from
acquisitions and divestitures, unplanned restructuring
expenses, or the insolvency of Kirch Media.
Anticipated development of liquidity and financial
position
According to the current planning status, the Group’s
liquidity and financial position will not change significantly
in 2013. Axel Springer has access to extensive credit
facilities, which can also be used to finance acquisitions.
Based on the capital expenditure projects planned to
date, investments in property, plant, and equipment and
intangible assets are likely to be higher than the corre-
sponding prior-year figure. Financing will be provided by
operating cash flow.
Dividend policy
Subject to a solid financial performance in the future,
Axel Springer will strive to maintain its dividend policy,
which seeks to pay high dividends but also allows for the
financing of growth.
Anticipated workforce development
The average full-year number of employees in 2013 will
be higher than in 2012, mainly due to higher staffing
levels in the Digital Media segment resulting from organic
growth and acquisitions.
EBITDA does not reflect any non-recurring effects. The
adjusted earnings per share neither reflect any non-
recurring effects or purchase price allocation effects, nor
the associated tax effects. Non-recurring effects are
defined as effects resulting from the acquisition and sale
of subsidiaries, divisions, and equity investments, as well
as write-downs and write-ups of equity investments,
effects resulting from the sale of real estate, impairments,
and write-ups of real estate used for operational purposes.
Purchase price allocation effects include the expenses of
amortization, depreciation, and impairments of intangible
assets and property, plant, and equipment acquired in
connection with the acquisition of companies and busi-
ness divisions, as well as, to a lesser extent, other effects
related to such allocations.
We consider EBITDA and adjusted earnings per share
to be suitable indicators for measuring the operational
profitability of Axel Springer, because these indicators
ignore effects that do not reflect the fundamental busi-
ness performance of Axel Springer.
EBITDA and adjusted earnings per share are not defined
under International Financial Reporting Standards and
should therefore be regarded as supplementary information.
Disclosures and explanatory report of the Executive Board pursuant to takeover law
Combined Management Report 55
Disclosures and explanatory report of the
Executive Board pursuant to takeover law
This section contains the disclosures pursuant to Sec-
tions 289 (4), 315 (4) HGB, along with the explanatory
report of the Executive Board pursuant to Section 176 (1)
(1) AktG.
Composition of subscribed capital
The company’s subscribed capital amounts to
€ 98,940,000. It is divided into 98,940,000 registered
shares. The shares can only be transferred with the
company’s consent (registered shares of restricted
transferability, see below). The company has only one
class of shares.
All shares carry the same rights and obligations. Each
share grants the right to cast one vote in the annual
shareholders’ meeting and represents the basis for de-
termining the shareholder’s entitlement to the company‘s
net profit. By way of exception, treasury shares do not
confer any rights to the company (cf. Section 71b AktG).
(Please refer to page 58 for information on the compa-
ny’s treasury shares.)
Restrictions on voting rights or the
transfer of shares
Transfer restrictions
By virtue of Article 5 para. 3 of the company’s Articles of
Incorporation, shares of Axel Springer AG and subscrip-
tion rights can be transferred only with the company’s
consent. Such consent must be granted by the Execu-
tive Board, although internally, it is the Supervisory Board
that adopts the resolution to grant such consent. Ac-
cording to the company’s Articles of Incorporation, such
consent can be refused without indication of reasons.
However, the company will not arbitrarily refuse its con-
sent to the transfer of company shares.
The share transfer restriction agreements described be-
low, which the company has concluded with various
shareholders for the purpose of upholding the restrictions
on the transfer of shares set out in the Articles of Incor-
poration, even in the case of indirect share transfers, give
rise, or have given rise, to transfer restrictions based on
the German law of obligations (Schuldrecht). In exchange,
the company has regularly agreed to the pledging the
shares in question to the financing banks.
(cid:1) In connection with the purchase of company shares
from Dr. h. c. Friede Springer by Good Media Invest-
ment Holdings S.A.R.L., the company entered into a
share transfer restriction agreement with Michael
Lewis, Nova Trust Ltd., in its capacity as the trustee
of The Michael Lewis Capital Discretionary Settle-
ments, and other so called ML investors held directly
and indirectly by Nova Trust Ltd., either exclusively or
as a majority owner (Hague Holdings Ltd., Colmar In-
vestment Holdings Ltd., and Media Investment Hold-
ings S.A.R.L.), and the Governor and Company of the
Bank of Scotland, by date of February 16, 2006. In
this share transfer restriction agreement, the compa-
nies participating on the side of Michael Lewis prom-
ised to observe the share transfer restrictions set out
in the company’s Articles of Incorporation in respect
of all indirect and direct purchases, disposals, and
encumbrances of the company’s shares. Under the
supplementary agreement of July 31 / September 11,
2006, the company granted its prior consent to the
acquisition of up to 340,000 additional shares (corre-
sponding to 1,020,000 shares after the share split
conducted in 2011) of the company (or 1 % of the ex-
isting capital stock) by Good Media Investment Hold-
ings S.A.R.L., and the parties agreed to apply the ob-
ligations under the share transfer restriction agree-
ment of February 16, 2006 to the shares to be pur-
chased in the future as well. In the confirmation
agreement of May 21, 2007, the parties specified that
the above-mentioned agreements will also apply to
any loan increase and to the existing subordinated
pledge right that had again been stipulated for the
shares by way of precaution.
56 Annual Report 2012 Axel Springer AG
(cid:1) In addition, a share transfer restriction agreement was
concluded between Dr. Mathias Döpfner, Brilliant 310.
GmbH, Axel Springer AG, and M.M. Warburg & Co.
KGaA dated July 31 / August 4, 2006. Under this
share transfer restriction agreement, the direct and
indirect purchase or disposal of the shares of Axel
Springer AG by Brilliant 310. GmbH or Dr. Mathias
Döpfner are made contingent on the prior consent of
Axel Springer AG, in accordance with the company’s
Articles of Incorporation.
(cid:1) By virtue of a declaration dated August 14, 2012,
Dr. Mathias Döpfner acceded to a pool agreement
(“pool agreement”) concluded between Dr. h. c. Friede
Springer and Friede Springer GmbH & Co. KG, in re-
spect of the 1,978,800 shares of Axel Springer AG
that were donated to him by Dr. h. c. Friede Springer
on the same date. In total, the pool agreement covers
52,826,967 voting shares of Axel Springer AG (“pool-
bound shares”). Under the terms of the pool agree-
ment, a pool member who wishes to transfer his pool-
bound shares to a third party must first offer these
shares for purchase by the other pool members (pur-
chase right). The purchase right expires two weeks af-
ter the purchase offer. The purchase right does not
apply in the case of transfers to certain persons who
are related to the pool member.
Other transfer restrictions based on the German law of
obligations exist in connection with the share ownership
programs conducted in 2011 and 2012 for the employ-
ees of the Axel Springer Group. The shares acquired
under the share ownership program 2011 are subject to
a minimum holding period that will remain in effect until
May 31, 2013, for employees with individual target
agreements; the minimum holding period for employees
entitled to the general profit-sharing bonus expired on
May 31, 2012. The shares acquired under the share
ownership program 2012 are subject to a minimum
holding period of four years, to expire on May 31, 2016,
both for employees with individual target agreements
and for employees entitled to a general profit-sharing
bonus. During the minimum holding periods, the shares
are held in safe custody for account of employees in a
custody account with Deutsche Bank AG.
In connection with the Virtual Stock Option Plan 2011 for
senior executives, the beneficiaries are required to per-
sonally invest in shares of Axel Springer AG. These
shares are not subject to any restrictions on disposal,
but any disposition of these shares would cause the
virtual stock option rights to lapse without replacement
or compensation (see page 72 for information on the
virtual stock option plan for senior executives).
The same applies to the virtual stock option plans 2009
and 2012 for members of the Executive Board (see page
70 for information on the virtual stock option plans 2009
and 2012 for Executive Board members).
Voting right restrictions
Under the pool agreement, the voting rights and other
rights attached to the pool-bound shares are to be exer-
cised in the annual shareholders’ meeting of Axel
Springer AG in accordance with the corresponding reso-
lutions of the pool members, regardless of whether and
how the respective pool member voted on the resolution
of the pool. The voting rights of pool members in the
meeting of pool members are based on their voting rights
in the annual shareholders’ meeting of Axel Springer AG,
depending on the number of pool-bound voting shares
held. To the extent that Friede Springer GmbH & Co. KG
indirectly holds shares in Axel Springer AG, her voting rights
are based on the imputed number of pool-bound voting
shares indirectly held by Friede Springer GmbH & Co. KG.
Shareholdings that represent more than
10 % of voting rights
At the end of financial year 2012, the following direct and
indirect shareholdings in the equity of Axel Springer AG
represented more than 10 % of voting rights in the com-
pany: Axel Springer Gesellschaft für Publizistik GmbH & Co,
Berlin, Germany (direct), AS Publizistik GmbH, Berlin,
Germany (indirect), Friede Springer GmbH & Co. KG,
Berlin, Germany (indirect), Friede Springer Verwaltungs-
Disclosures and explanatory report of the Executive Board pursuant to takeover law
Combined Management Report 57
GmbH, Berlin, Germany (indirect), Dr. h. c. Friede Springer,
Berlin, Germany (indirect), and Dr. Mathias Döpfner,
Potsdam, Germany (indirect).
Information on the amounts of the respective sharehold-
ings may be found in the disclosures pertaining to voting
rights notifications in the notes to the 2012 financial
statements of Axel Springer AG, www.axelspringer.com/
financialpublications, and in the section entitled “Voting
rights notifications” of the company’s website at
www.axelspringer.com/votingrights.
Shares endowed with special rights that
confer powers of control
There are no shares endowed with special rights that
confer powers of control.
Manner of exercising voting rights when
employees hold shares in the company’s
capital and do not directly exercise their
rights of control
In connection with the bonus share and share ownership
program for employees conducted in 2009 and the
share ownership programs for employees conducted in
2011 and 2012, Deutsche Bank AG was initially entered
into the share register as the third-party holder of the
shares transferred to the employees. However, each
employee is free to be registered personally as a share-
holder in the share register.
Statutory provisions and provisions of the
Articles of Incorporation pertaining to the
appointment and dismissal of Executive
Board members and amendments to the
Articles of Incorporation
on the number of Executive Board members, and on the
appointment and dismissal of Executive Board members.
The term of office is, at the most, five years and can be
renewed for no more than five years thereafter (cf. Section
84 (1) (1) to (4) AktG). If more than one person has been
appointed to the Executive Board, the Supervisory Board
is authorized to appoint one of those members as the
Chairman (Section 84 (2) AktG). If a required Executive
Board member were lacking, the court is authorized, in
urgent cases, to appoint the necessary member at the
request of one involved party (Section 85 (1) (1) AktG). The
Supervisory Board is authorized to revoke the appoint-
ment of a Executive Board member and the Executive
Board Chairman for an important reason (cf. Section 84 (3)
(1) and (2) AktG).
Amendments to the company’s Articles of Incorporation
require a resolution of the annual shareholders’ meeting,
carried not only by a simple majority of the votes cast,
but also by at least three quarters of the capital present
and represented at the time of voting on the resolution
(cf. Section 179 (2) (1) AktG in conjunction with Article 21
para. 2 of the company’s Articles of Incorporation). An
amendment of the management principles set out in
Article 3 of the Articles of Incorporation requires a majori-
ty equal to at least four-fifths of the capital present and
represented at the time of voting on the resolution (cf. Article
21 para. 3 of the company’s Articles of Incorporation).
The Supervisory Board is authorized to resolve amendments
to the Articles of Incorporation that only involve changes to
the wording (Article 13 of the Articles of Incorporation).
Authority of the Executive Board to issue
or buy back shares
Axel Springer AG has neither established any authorized
capital that would authorize the Executive Board to issue
new shares, nor any conditional capital.
The company’s Articles of Incorporation provide that the
Executive Board of Axel Springer AG must be composed
of at least two members. The Supervisory Board decides
By resolution of the annual shareholders’ meeting of April
14, 2011 (Agenda Item 7), the Executive Board is author-
ized, with the consent of the Supervisory Board, to pur-
58 Annual Report 2012 Axel Springer AG
chase the company’s own shares up to an amount
equivalent to 10 % of the capital stock existing at the
time the resolution was passed, in the time until April 13,
2016. Such purchases can be effected on the stock
exchange or by means of a public offer to all shareholders
or a public invitation to submit an offer.
Both the promissory note loan and the credit facility
2012 serve the purpose of replacing one credit facility
that expired in August 2012, in the amount of
€ 500,000,000, and another credit facility concluded in
August 2006, which was prematurely redeemed, in the
amount of a € 1,000,000,000.
Along with the shares held by the company or attributable
to the company in accordance with Sections 71 a ff.
AktG, the shares purchased by virtue of the foregoing
authorization may not at any time exceed 10 % of the
company’s capital stock. Details concerning this authori-
zation are provided in the invitation to the annual share-
holders’ meeting of April 14, 2011, which is available on
the website of Axel Springer AG (see Agenda Item 7 and
the Executive Board’s report on this subject).
At the end of financial year 2012, the company held
150,298 treasury shares, representing about 0.2 % of
share capital.
Significant agreements of the company
subject to the condition of a change of
control resulting from a takeover offer
With the exception of the covenants attached to the
credit facility and promissory note loan that are de-
scribed below, the company has not entered into any
significant agreements that would be subject to a
change of control resulting from a takeover offer.
For the purpose of strategic liquidity assurance, the
company placed a promissory note loan in the nominal
amount of € 500,000,000 in April 2012. Upon being
notified of a change of control, the creditor is entitled to
demand that the amount owed to it be repaid ahead of
maturity, in full or in part, within a notice period of 90
days. In September 2012, moreover, the company took
out a new credit facility in the amount of € 900,000,000
(“credit facility 2012”); also in this case, each lender is
entitled to call in the credit facility within a notice period
of 30 days, in the event of a change of control.
Aside from specific exceptions that relate to the share-
holders that currently control Axel Springer AG, a change
of control is understood to mean, in the context of the
credit facility 2012 and the promissory note loan, the
acquisition of shares of Axel Springer AG representing
more than 50 % of the capital stock and/or voting rights
by one or more parties acting together.
Indemnification agreements between the
company and Executive Board members
or employees in the event of a change of
control
Some Executive Board members have the right to termi-
nate their employment contracts in the event of a change
in control. A change in control within the meaning of
these contracts would exist if the majority shareholder Dr.
h. c. Friede Springer would cease to hold or control the
majority of shares, indirectly or directly. In such a case,
the affected Executive Board members have the right to
receive payment of their base salary for the most recently
negotiated remaining contractual term, not to be less
than payment of one year’s base salary. Furthermore,
the company will pay the pro-rated percentage of the
success-based compensation for the period of time
served in the year of resignation. The employment con-
tracts of the members of the Executive Board do not
provide for any other compensation
if the employment relationship is terminated as a result
of a change in control.
There are no such indemnification agreements with other
employees of the company.
Combined Management Report 59
Corporate Governance Report
Corporate Governance Report
There follows a report by the Executive Board – also on
behalf of the Supervisory Board – on corporate govern-
ance at Axel Springer, in conformity with the recommenda-
tion set out in Section 3.10 of the German Corporate Gov-
ernance Code (GCGC). This section also contains the
management declaration pursuant to Section 289a of
the German Commercial Code (HGB) and the Compen-
sation Report.
Good corporate governance as a guiding
principle
At Axel Springer, sound corporate governance is consid-
ered to be a crucial element of responsible management
and supervision geared to increasing the company’s
value on a long-term basis. It promotes the trust and
confidence of our national and international investors,
customers, employees, and the public in the manage-
ment and supervision of the company and is therefore
an essential basis for the company’s lasting success.
In this respect, we are guided by the German Corporate
Governance Code (GCGC). We have taken appropriate
measures to implement and ensure compliance with the
recommendations of GCGC. The Corporate Governance
Officer is the Executive Board member in charge of Per-
sonnel, Finance, and Services. The implementation
of and adherence to the recommendations of GCGC
are reviewed continually.
Management declaration pursuant to
Section 289a HGB
Declaration of Conformity pursuant to Section 161
AktG
The Executive Board and Supervisory Board published the
following Declaration of Conformity on November 6, 2012:
“Pursuant to Section 161 of the German Stock Corpora-
tions Act (AktG), the Executive Board and Supervisory
Board of Axel Springer AG declare the following:
I. Prospective section
The company follows the recommendations of the Ger-
man Corporate Governance Code (GCGC) in the version
of May 15, 2012, as published by the German Federal
Ministry of Justice in the official announcements section
of the electronic Federal Gazette of June 15, 2012, with
the exception of the differences noted and justified below:
1. Chairman of the Audit Committee (Section 5.2
Sentence 3 GCGC)
The Chairman of the Supervisory Board, Dr. Giuseppe
Vita, is also the Chairman of the Audit Committee of the
Supervisory Board.
The Supervisory Board is convinced that Dr. Vita is an
ideal Chairman, both for the Audit Committee and for the
Supervisory Board, by virtue of his qualifications and
experience, also in the financial services industry, not to
mention his personal qualities. Therefore, the Supervisory
Board is of the opinion that Dr. Vita should also continue
to serve as the Chairman of the Audit Committee.
2. Disclosure of relationships between Supervisory
Board candidates and the company, its directors
and officers, and important shareholders in con-
nection with election proposals submitted to the
annual shareholders’ meeting (Section 5.4.1 Sen-
tences 6 to 8 GCGC)
In its election proposals to the annual shareholders’
meeting, the Supervisory Board will disclose all legally
required information concerning Supervisory Board
members and also introduce the candidates at the an-
nual shareholders’ meeting, wherever possible. Further-
more, shareholders attending the annual shareholders’
meeting will be given an opportunity to ask questions of
the candidates. In the opinion of the Supervisory Board,
this information will assure a solid and adequate basis for
evaluating the proposed candidates.
60 Annual Report 2012 Axel Springer AG
3. Itemized disclosure of Supervisory Board com-
pensation (Section 5.4.6 Sentences 6 and 7 GCGC)
The compensation granted to the members of the
Supervisory Board and the payments made by the com-
pany to the members of the Supervisory Board for ser-
vices provided personally are not individually itemized in
the Corporate Governance Report (Section 5.4.6 Sen-
tences 6 and 7 GCGC).
The information is not individually itemized because the
competitors of Axel Springer AG do not publish any such
information either.
4. Orientation of success-based Supervisory Board
compensation to the company’s long-term devel-
opment (Section 5.4.6 Sentence 5 GCGC)
The compensation of the Supervisory Board consists of
a fixed component and a variable component. The variable
component of Supervisory Board compensation is divided
into a dividend-based component and a component
based on the growth of consolidated net income (in
relation to the corresponding net income for the third-last
financial year). Because the dividend-based component
of variable compensation is based on the prior year in
every case, meaning that it is possibly not oriented to the
company’s long-term development in the view of the
GCGC, and furthermore because the amount of divi-
dend-based variable compensation has, in the past few
years, usually exceeded the amount of variable compen-
sation that is based on consolidated net income, which
is indisputably oriented to the company’s long-term
development, the company hereby declares an excep-
tion to the corresponding GCGC recommendation by
way of precaution. Nonetheless, we still consider the
division of variable Supervisory Board compensation into
one part based on the dividend and another part based
on consolidated net income, as resolved by the share-
holders of our company, to be proper and appropriate.
II. Retrospective section
Period from the issuance of the last Declaration of
Conformity on November 7, 2011 to the announce-
ment of the new version of the Code on June 15, 2012
In the time from the issuance of the last Declaration of
Conformity on November 7, 2011 to the announcement
of the new version of the Code on June 15, 2012, the
company has followed the recommendations of GCGC
in the version of May 26, 2010, as published by the
German Federal Ministry of Justice in the official an-
nouncements section of the electronic Federal Gazette of
July 2, 2010, with the exception of the difference noted
and justified above in Section I.3).
Period since the announcement of the new version
of the Code on June 15, 2012:
In the time since it was announced, the company has fol-
lowed the recommendations of GCGC in the version of May
15, 2012, as published by the German Federal Ministry of
Justice in the official announcements section of the elec-
tronic Federal Gazette of June 15, 2012, with the exception
of the differences noted and justified in Sections I. 1), I. 3)
and I. 4) above, and also in the time from when it was an-
nounced to October 24, 2012, with the following exception:
Definition of concrete goals for the number of in-
dependent Supervisory Board members (Section
5.4.1 Sentence 2 GCGC)
In its meeting of October 24, 2012, the Supervisory
Board adopted a concrete goal for the number of inde-
pendent Supervisory Board members by resolving that at
least two of its members should be independent in the
sense of Section 5.4.2 GCGC, so as to implement the
new GCGC recommendation mentioned above, in addi-
tion to the goals adopted in October 2012 concerning
the diversity and international nature of its composition.
This goal has been and is still achieved in the current
composition of the Supervisory Board.
Berlin, November 6, 2012
Axel Springer AG
The Supervisory Board
The Executive Board”
Combined Management Report 61
Corporate Governance Report
The foregoing Declaration of Conformity of Novem-
ber 6, 2012 and the older versions can be found at
www.axelspringer.com/declarationofconformity.
Important management practices
Axel Springer is the only independent media company that
has provided itself with a corporate constitution. This is
anchored in Article 3 (“Principles of Corporate Governance”)
of the company’s Articles of Incorporation and is thus a
guiding principle for all employees. The five principles
formulated therein form the basis for the company’s jour-
nalistic practices. They express fundamental convictions of
corporate social policy, but do not dictate personal opinions.
Axel Springer’s corporate constitution can be found at
www.axelspringer.com/corporateprinciples.
Axel Springer has also defined corporate values as the
foundation of its corporate culture, to guide the work of
every employee. They are: creativity as the crucial pre-
requisite for success in journalism and business; entre-
preneurship in the sense of being courageously inventive,
self-reliant and results-oriented, qualities that are ex-
pected of all managers and employees; integrity in all
dealings with the company, readers, customers, em-
ployees, business partners, and shareholders. Based on
these corporate values, the management principles of
Axel Springer AG concretize the requirements to be met
specifically by the managers of the Axel Springer Group.
These principles are meant to serve as a framework of
action, by making transparent the demands and expec-
tations associated with the managerial role.
Moreover, Axel Springer has established guidelines for
journalistic independence. These guidelines concretize
and broaden the scope of the journalistic principles set
out in the Code of Conduct of the German Press Council.
They specifically delineate the boundaries between ad-
vertising and editorial copy, and between the editors’
and reporters’ private and business interests. They also
preclude actions in pursuit of personal advantages and
define the company’s position with respect to the treat-
ment of news sources. The guidelines thus represent the
framework for independent and critical journalism in the
editorial departments of all media belonging to the Group.
The editors-in-chief are responsible for observing and
implementing the guidelines in the company’s day-to-
day activities.
In addition, Axel Springer has developed a catalog of
social standards applicable to all the company’s activities.
Known as the International Social Policy, it states the
company’s positions on matters of human rights, adher-
ence to the rule of law, the protection of children and
young people, the treatment of employees, health, safety,
the compatibility of work and family, and other matters.
Furthermore, the company has issued an environmental
guideline, comprising four points, which serves as a
practical guide to the many environmental protection
measures conducted at Axel Springer.
The corporate values, management principles, and all guide-
lines can be found at www.axelspringer.com/guidelines.
Already in financial year 2010, Axel Springer established a
separate department for Governance, Risk & Compliance.
This department is responsible for topics such as risk
management, the internal control system, and compliance
management. As described in the Risk Report (see page
42), risk management and the internal control system
seek to identify risks throughout the company and to
systematically monitor the measures implemented to
minimize risks. At Axel Springer, compliance means the
fulfillment of all laws, regulations, and guidelines, as well
as the commitments undertaken voluntarily. Based on
the foregoing, the goal of compliance management is to
institute structures and processes to ensure that all
directors and employees, and especially senior execu-
tives, conduct themselves in accordance with applicable
laws and regulations. Another goal of compliance man-
agement is to prevent harm to the company’s reputation
and financial condition that could result from violations of
laws and regulations.
As another step to strengthen sound corporate governance
and establish an appropriate compliance management
62 Annual Report 2012 Axel Springer AG
program, Axel Springer published a Code of Conduct in
financial year 2011. The Code of Conduct summarizes
the existing corporate principles and values, along with
appropriate guidelines, and specifies the ethical, moral,
and legal requirements to be observed by all employees.
The Code of Conduct can be found at
www.axelspringer.de/coc.
Procedures of the Executive Board and Supervisory
Board, and composition and procedures of the
committees of the Supervisory Board
Cooperation between the Executive Board and Supervi-
sory Board
In accordance with the legal requirements, management
and supervision at Axel Springer are conducted on the
basis of a dual management system. The Executive
Board manages the company under its own responsibil-
ity. The Supervisory Board appoints the members of the
Executive Board, and monitors and advises the latter in
the conduct of the business. The two boards work close-
ly together in an atmosphere of trust and confidence to
sustainably enhance the company’s value. The two
boards are strictly separated in terms of personnel and
their areas of authority.
Procedures of the Executive Board
In its executive function, the Executive Board is obligated
to pursue the interests of the company and dedicated to
sustainable company development. It develops the stra-
tegic orientation of the company and is responsible for its
implementation in coordination with the Supervisory
Board. The Executive Board manages the company’s
affairs in compliance with the relevant laws, the Articles
of Incorporation, and its rules of procedure.
It provides regular, timely, and comprehensive infor-
mation to the Supervisory Board on all relevant matters
of strategy, planning, business development, risk man-
agement including the risk situation, and the internal
control system and compliance management system. In
accordance with the internal rules of procedure adopted
by the Supervisory Board, important decisions of the
Executive Board require the approval of the Supervisory
Board. Such decisions include, above all, the creation or
discontinuation of business divisions, the acquisition or
sale of significant equity investments, and the adoption of
the company’s annual business and financial plan.
The members of the Executive Board are jointly respon-
sible for the management, work together collegially, and
keep each other informed of important measures and
business transactions in their business divisions. Notwith-
standing the general responsibility of all Executive Board
members, each member of the Executive Board manages
the business division assigned to him, under his own
responsibility, with the exception of those decisions that
are incumbent on the full Executive Board.
The Executive Board meets regularly in the form of Ex-
ecutive Board meetings, which are convened and
chaired by the Executive Board Chairman, as a general
rule. Furthermore, every Executive Board member and
the Chairman of the Supervisory Board is entitled to
convene a meeting. As a general rule, the full Executive
Board adopts resolutions by a simple majority of the
votes cast; in case of a tie, the Executive Board Chair-
man casts the deciding vote, to the extent legally per-
missible. No resolution adopted in spite of being op-
posed by the Executive Board Chairman shall be carried
out until the Supervisory Board decides the issue, also
subject to the limits of the applicable laws.
The internal rules of procedure adopted by the Supervi-
sory Board for the Executive Board provide more precise
rules, including the following:
(cid:1) The obligation to observe and comply with the corpo-
rate constitution and to anchor it throughout the Group
(cid:1) The executive organization chart and the decisions to
be made by the full Executive Board
(cid:1) The duties of the Chairman of the Executive Board
(cid:1) Transactions that require the approval of the Super-
visory Board
Combined Management Report 63
Corporate Governance Report
(cid:1) Rules concerning the regular, timely, and comprehen-
sive provision of information to the Supervisory Board
(cid:1) Rules concerning meetings and the adoption of reso-
lutions
(cid:1) The obligation to disclose conflicts of interest
Following the retirement, effective at the end of 2011, of
Mr. Rudolf Knepper, who had been the Executive Board
member in charge of Printing, Logistics, and Personnel
and the Vice Chairman for many years, and the appoint-
ment of Jan Bayer and Ralph Büchi to the Executive
Board, both with effect from January 1, 2012, the Exec-
utive Board is now composed of five members:
(cid:1) Dr. Mathias Döpfner, Executive Board Chairman
(cid:1) Jan Bayer, Executive Board member in charge of
WELT Group and Printing
(cid:1) Ralph Büchi, Executive Board member in charge of
International Business
(cid:1) Lothar Lanz, Executive Board member in charge of
Personnel, Finance, and Services
(cid:1) Dr. Andreas Wiele, Executive Board member in
charge of BILD Group and Magazines
Procedures of the Supervisory Board
As per the company’s Articles of Incorporation, the Su-
pervisory Board is composed of nine members, who are
elected by the annual shareholders’ meeting. The regular
term of office of Supervisory Board members is five years;
they are eligible for re-election at the end of their terms.
The Supervisory Board elects its Chairman from among
its own ranks; the term of office of the Supervisory Board
Chairman is coincident with that of the Supervisory
Board. The Supervisory Board advises the Executive
Board and monitors the work of the Executive Board. It
holds at least four meetings a year. In case of necessity,
it meets without the Executive Board in attendance.
Meetings may be held and resolutions adopted also by
way of written correspondence, telephone calls, telexes,
or other forms of telecommunication. Furthermore, the
Supervisory Board Chairman remains in contact with the
Executive Board between meetings and provides advice
on matters of strategy, planning, business developments,
the risk situation, risk management, and compliance. As
a general rule, the Supervisory Board adopts resolutions
by a simple majority of the members voting on the reso-
lution; in case of a tie, the Chairman casts the deciding
vote. The Supervisory Board deliberates on the compa-
ny’s business developments, planning, strategy, and
significant capital expenditures at regular intervals. The
Supervisory Board adopts the separate financial state-
ments of Axel Springer AG and approves the consolidat-
ed financial statements of the Group. It regularly assess-
es the efficiency of its work by means of a questionnaire,
most recently in the full Supervisory Board meeting held
in October 2012. Please refer to the report of the Super-
visory Board (page 74) for additional information on the
specific activities of the Supervisory Board in financial
year 2012.
The internal rules of procedure of the Supervisory Board
comply with the requirements of the German Corporate
Governance Code and contain rules covering the follow-
ing, among other things:
(cid:1) Election and duties of the Chairman and Vice Chairman
of the Supervisory Board
(cid:1) Calling of meetings
(cid:1) Adoption of resolutions at meetings or voting by way
of written correspondence, telephone calls, telexes, or
other means of telecommunications
(cid:1) Supervisory Board committees, including their com-
position, organization, and duties
(cid:1) The obligation to disclose conflicts of interest
64 Annual Report 2012 Axel Springer AG
The members of the Supervisory Board are:
(cid:1) Dr. Giuseppe Vita, Chairman
(cid:1) Dr. h. c. Friede Springer, Vice Chairwoman
(cid:1) Dr. Gerhard Cromme
(cid:1) Oliver Heine
(cid:1) Rudolf Knepper (as of January 8, 2013)
(cid:1) Klaus Krone
(cid:1) Dr. Nicola Leibinger-Kammüller
(cid:1) Prof. Dr. Wolf Lepenies
(cid:1) Dr. Michael Otto
The Chairman of the Supervisory Board, Dr. Giuseppe
Vita, who is concurrently the Chairman of the Audit
Committee, also satisfies the requirements of expert
knowledge and independence defined in Section 100 (5)
AktG (financial expert).
Effective at the close of September 30, 2012, Michael
Lewis resigned from the Supervisory Board of Axel
Springer AG. By resolution of January 7, 2013, the
Charlottenburg Local Court appointed Rudolf Knepper to
succeed Michael Lewis, who served on the nine-member
board for more than five years, until the close of the next
annual shareholders’ meeting to be held on April 24, 2013.
The terms of office of the other current members of the
Supervisory Board will expire at the close of the annual
shareholders’ meeting to be held in 2014.
Composition and procedures of committees
The Executive Board has not formed committees.
In accordance with its internal rules of procedure, the
Supervisory Board has formed four committees to sup-
port the work of the full board: the Executive Committee,
the Personnel Committee, the Nominating Committee,
and the Audit Committee. In those matters stipulated in
the internal rules of procedure of the Supervisory Board,
the committees prepare the resolutions to be adopted
and other matters to be addressed by the full board.
Within the limits of applicable laws, the committees also
adopt resolutions in lieu of the full board in those matters
stipulated in the internal rules of procedure of the Super-
visory Board. The internal rules of procedure of the Su-
pervisory Board stipulate the procedures for meetings
and resolutions adopted by the committees and define
their areas of responsibility.
Please refer to the Report of the Supervisory Board
(page 76ff.) for information on the areas of responsibility
and composition of the committees.
By way of exception to the recommendation set out in
Section 5.2 Sentence 3 GCGC, the Chairman of the
Supervisory Board, Dr. Giuseppe Vita, is also the Chair-
man of the Audit Committee of the Supervisory Board.
By virtue of his qualifications and experience, also in the
financial services industry, not to mention his personal
qualities, Dr. Giuseppe Vita is ideally suited also to serve
as the Chairman of the Audit Committee. Therefore, the
Supervisory Board believes that Dr. Giuseppe Vita
should continue to serve as the Chairman of the Audit
Committee. (See the explanation of the exception to the
GCGC in the Declaration of Conformity of November 6,
2012, page 59). Furthermore, Dr. Giuseppe Vita meets
the requirements relative to expertise and independence
defined in Section 107 (4) in conjunction with Section
100 (5) AktG (financial expert), as well as the require-
ments defined in the recommendations set out in Section
5.3.2 Sentences 2 and 3 GCGC.
Combined Management Report 65
Corporate Governance Report
Further information on corporate
governance
Further development of corporate governance practices
While no changes were made to the GCGC in 2011, the
Government Commission on the German Corporate
Governance Code adopted new changes to the GCGC
on May 15, 2012. The amended version entered into
force upon being published in the Federal Gazette on
June 15, 2012. Most of the changes pertain to the
Supervisory Board, and specifically the topics the “Audit
Committee” and the “independence of Supervisory Board
members.” In addition, the recommendations concerning
Supervisory Board compensation were amended to state
that Supervisory Board compensation composed exclu-
sively of fixed compensation is conformant with the rec-
ommendations of the GCGC. In those cases in which
success-dependent compensation is also promised to
Supervisory Board members, it should no longer only
contain components based on the company’s long-term
success (as before), but should also be geared (as a whole)
to the company’s sustainable development in the future.
With a few exceptions, Axel Springer also adheres to the
new recommendations of the GCGC. For explanations of
the individual exceptions to the GCGC recommendations
please refer to the Declaration of Conformity of Novem-
ber 6, 2012 on page 59.
Goals for the composition of the Supervisory Board
In its meeting of October 14, 2010, the Supervisory
Board resolved and confirmed the following goals for its
composition, in view of Section 5.4.1 GCGC:
(cid:1) The Supervisory Board of Axel Springer AG should be
composed in such a way that its members generally
possess all knowledge, abilities, and professional ex-
perience necessary to properly perform the duties of
the Supervisory Board.
(cid:1) With due consideration given to the company’s busi-
ness object and purpose set forth in the Articles of In-
corporation, the size of the company, and the relative
importance of its international activities, the Supervi-
sory Board will also strive, as a goal for the upcoming
regular elections, to bring about a composition of its
members that is appropriate in view of the following
considerations, in particular:
(cid:1) At least two seats on the Supervisory Board should
be held by persons who fulfill the criterion of interna-
tionality to a particular degree (for example, by reason
of relevant experience in international business).
(cid:1) Supervisory Board members should not hold any
position on a board or perform any consulting work
for important competitors of the company.
(cid:1) The Supervisory Board should have an adequate
proportion of women. Currently, two of the nine
members (22.2 %) are women; the Supervisory Board
considers this adequate in any event.
(cid:1) In making nominations, due consideration should be
given to the general rule that Supervisory Board
members should not be older than 72 years; the Su-
pervisory Board can approve exceptions to this policy.
Furthermore, the Supervisory Board should observe
the principle that as few members as possible should
be subject to a potential conflict of interest, as in con-
nection with an advisory role or board seat with signif-
icant customers, suppliers, creditors, or other signifi-
cant business partners of Axel Springer. Furthermore,
the Supervisory Board should give due consideration
to the principle that its composition should meet the
criterion of diversity.
In its meeting of October 24, 2012, the Supervisory Board
also adopted the following additional goal for its composi-
tion, in consideration of the recommendation set out in Sec-
tion 5.4.1 Sentence 2 GCGC in the version of June 15, 2012:
(cid:1) With respect to its composition, the Supervisory
Board adopted the goal that at least two of its mem-
bers will be independent according to the definition of
the GCGC.
66 Annual Report 2012 Axel Springer AG
The foregoing principles have already been completely
implemented with the current composition of the Super-
visory Board of Axel Springer AG.
Goals for the composition of the Executive Board
Also in its meeting of October 14, 2010, the Supervisory
Board adopted the following goals for the composition of
the Executive Board, in view of Section 5.1.2 GCGC:
(cid:1) In making decisions concerning the composition of the
Executive Board, the Supervisory Board should give
due consideration to the principle of diversity and
should strive in particular to give appropriate consider-
ation to women.
(cid:1) The Supervisory Board should work together with the
Executive Board to assure long-term succession
planning.
(cid:1) At the time of being (re-)appointed to the Executive
Board, no member should be older than 62, as a
general rule; the Supervisory Board can approve ex-
ceptions to this rule.
In appointing the two new Executive Board members
Messrs. Jan Bayer and Ralph Büchi effective January 1,
2012, the Supervisory Board gave due consideration to
the principles mentioned above and appointed the most
qualified candidates, in its opinion.
Goals concerning the staffing of key functions
In view of the recommendation set out in Section 4.1.5
GCGC, reference is made to the description of personnel
policies designed to assure equal opportunity and diver-
sity on page 37 of the present Annual Report.
Shareholders and annual shareholders’ meeting
The annual shareholders’ meeting of Axel Springer AG is
the central governing authority in which the shareholders
exercise their rights and cast their votes. Every share
confers the right to cast one vote in the annual share-
holders’ meeting. Those shareholders who are registered
in the share register and have registered for the meeting
in time are entitled to vote. The Chairman of the Supervi-
sory Board generally chairs the shareholders’ meeting.
To make it easier for shareholders to exercise their pre-
rogatives at the annual shareholders’ meeting, their votes
can be cast by authorized proxies. Axel Springer AG also
designates a voting proxy whom shareholders can elect
to execute their voting rights according to their instruc-
tions. All required reports and documents are made
available to the shareholders in advance, also on the
company’s Internet page.
The annual shareholders’ meeting resolves specifically
on the utilization of the distributable profit, the ratification
of the actions of the Executive Board and Supervisory
Board, the election of the Supervisory Board, the elec-
tion of the independent auditor, and other matters legally
assigned to them, such as corporate actions and other
amendments to the Articles of Incorporation. The resolu-
tions of the annual shareholders’ meeting require a sim-
ple majority of the votes cast, unless another majority is
prescribed by law or by the company’s Articles of Incor-
poration. The Articles of Incorporation can be inspected
on the company’s website at
www.axelspringer.com/articlesofassociation.
Conflicts of interest
The members of the Executive Board and Supervisory
Board are bound to promote the interests of the company.
No member of either board may, through their decisions,
pursue personal interests or take advantage of business
opportunities that should be the province of the company.
Executive Board members may not demand or accept
gifts or other benefits from, or grant unjustified benefits
to, third parties in connection with their activities, either
for their own benefit or for that of others. Sideline activi-
ties of the Executive Board require the consent of the
Supervisory Board. Executive Board members are sub-
ject to a comprehensive anti-competition clause during
the period of their activity for Axel Springer. Every Execu-
tive Board member must inform the Supervisory Board
of any conflict of interest without delay. The following
potential conflict of interest arose in the Executive Board
Combined Management Report 67
Corporate Governance Report
in 2012: In August 2012, Dr. Mathias Döpfner did not
participate in the Executive Board resolution on the trans-
fer and entry into the share register of the 1,978,800
shares of Axel Springer AG donated to Dr. Mathias Dö-
pfner by Dr. h. c. Friede Springer.
Likewise, each member of the Supervisory Board must
disclose such conflicts to the Supervisory Board imme-
diately; the Supervisory Board reports to the annual
shareholders’ meeting on any conflicts of interest and
how they are handled (see the Report of the Supervisory
Board on page 76 for information on conflicts of interest
that arose in 2012).
Memberships on other supervisory bodies
A summary of the seats held by the Executive Board and
Supervisory Board members of Axel Springer AG on other
legally prescribed supervisory boards or comparable
boards in Germany and abroad can be found on page 144.
Transparency
Axel Springer is committed to always providing compre-
hensive, timely – and simultaneously – and consistent
information on the significant events and developments
relevant to an evaluation of the company’s present and
future business performance to all capital market partici-
pants. Reporting on the business situation and Group
results is presented in its annual report, at its annual finan-
cial statements press conference, and in its semiannual
financial report and quarterly financial reports. For this
purpose, the company also uses Internet communication
channels whenever possible. Axel Springer also regularly
participates in conferences and roadshows in key interna-
tional financial centers; additional information on this sub-
ject can be found on page 6 of the present Annual Report.
To the extent required by law, the company also provides
information in the form of ad-hoc announcements and
press releases, and on the company’s website.
In order to ensure equal treatment of all capital market
participants, Axel Springer also publishes information
relevant to the capital markets simultaneously in the
German and English languages on the company’s Inter-
net page. Financial reporting dates are published in the
financial calendar with sufficient advance notice. Immedi-
ately upon receiving the corresponding notices, the
company publishes changes in the composition of the
shareholder structure that are subject to the reporting
obligation according to Section 26 of the German Securi-
ties Trading Act (Wertpapierhandelsgesetz, WpHG), and
on the purchase and sale of shares by persons who
exercise management duties at Axel Springer (directors’
dealings), in accordance with Section 15a WpHG.
Shareholdings
The Executive Board members in office at the reporting
date directly or indirectly held 3,341,209 shares of Axel
Springer AG at the reporting date of December 31, 2012.
Of that number, 3,225,492 shares were held by the
Chairman of the Executive Board, Dr. Mathias Döpfner,
either directly or indirectly via Brilliant 310. GmbH.
At the reporting date, the Supervisory Board members
directly or indirectly held a total of 55,981,170 shares of
Axel Springer AG. Dr. h. c. Friede Springer held
51,000,030 shares indirectly via Friede Springer GmbH &
Co. KG and Axel Springer Gesellschaft fur Publizistik
GmbH & Co, and 4,948,140 shares directly.
Preparation and audit of the financial statements
The consolidated financial statements and interim finan-
cial statements are prepared in accordance with the
International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), as
they are to be applied in the European Union. The con-
solidated financial statements also contain the disclo-
sures prescribed by Section 315a (1) HGB.
The consolidated financial statements are prepared by
the Executive Board of Axel Springer AG and audited by
the independent auditor. Axel Springer publishes the
consolidated financial statements within 90 days and the
quarterly financial reports within 45 days of the respec-
tive period ending dates.
68 Annual Report 2012 Axel Springer AG
The notes to the consolidated financial statements also
contain information on the company’s relationships with
shareholders who are to be classified as related parties
according to the definitions of the applicable accounting
regulations.
In accordance with the German Corporate Governance
Code, it is agreed with the independent auditor in each
financial year that the latter will inform the Chairman of
the Supervisory Board or the Audit Committee without
delay of any circumstances arising during the course of
the audit that would constitute grounds for disqualifica-
tion or partiality. It is also agreed that the independent
auditor will immediately report any material issues, mat-
ters, and events arising during the course of the audit
that fall within the purview of the Supervisory Board. It is
further agreed that the independent auditor will inform
the Supervisory Board or make an observation in the
audit report if the independent auditor were to discover,
during the course of the audit, any facts that contradict
the Declaration of Conformity by the Executive Board
and Supervisory Board according to Section 161 AktG.
Ongoing actions for nullification
In the years 2005 to 2007, the shareholder Dr. Oliver
Kraus contested various resolutions adopted by the
respective annual shareholders’ meetings of the compa-
ny. All of the suits were unsuccessful with the exception
of the action to nullify the resolutions ratifying the actions
of the Executive Board at the regular annual sharehold-
ers’ meeting of 2006, which were then repeated by the
regular annual shareholders’ meeting of 2010. There
follows a report on proceedings that were pending or
concluded in financial year 2012.
On May 20, 2008, Dr. Oliver Kraus filed an action to
nullify the resolutions of the annual shareholders’ meeting
of April 24, 2008 relating to Agenda Item 2 (Utilization of
the retained earnings), Agenda Item 3 (Ratification of the
actions of the Executive Board), and Agenda Item 4
(Ratification of the actions of the Supervisory Board), as
well as Agenda Item 7 (Special authorization to purchase
and use the company’s own shares according to Section
71 (1) (8) AktG in connection with the Management Par-
ticipation Program). On May 26, 2008, moreover, the
shareholder Klaus Zapf filed an action to nullify, or failing
that, to annul the resolution of the annual shareholders’
meeting of April 24, 2008 relating to the Agenda Item 3
(Ratification of the actions of the Executive Board). The
Berlin Regional Court combined the two actions into one
(Case No. 98 O 49/08). The shareholders Oliver Wieder-
hold, Gastro Beteiligungs AG, and SCI AG joined the
action on the side of the defendant. On March 17, 2009,
the Berlin Regional Court rejected both suits in their
entirety. The plaintiff Dr. Oliver Kraus filed an appeal of
this ruling with the Berlin Appellate Court (Case No. 23 U
63/09), which for its part was denied in its entirety by a
ruling dated May 3, 2010. Thereupon, the plaintiff filed
an appeal against the judgment of the Berlin Appellate
Court and an appeal against denial of leave to appeal
with the Federal Supreme Court (Case No. II ZR 122/10).
In its ruling of July 10, 2012, the Federal Supreme Court
denied the appeal against denial of leave to appeal.
Thereupon, Dr. Oliver Krauß withdrew the appeal on
October 1, 2012. By ruling of November 28, 2012, the
Federal Supreme Court preempted the plaintiff’s right
to file an appeal. Therefore, the case has been finally
decided in favor of the company.
On May 21, 2009, Dr. Oliver Kraus filed an action to
nullify the resolution of the annual shareholders’ meeting
of April 23, 2009 relating to Agenda Item 7 (Special au-
thorization to purchase and use the company’s own
shares according to Section 71 (1) (8) AktG in connection
with the Management Participation Program) and con-
tested the election of Dr. h. c. Friede Springer and Brian
Powers to the Supervisory Board of the company (Agen-
da Item 8). Moreover, Dr. Oliver Kraus petitioned for a
finding that the company is obligated to provide him, in
his capacity as a shareholder, with a transcript of those
portions of the “stenographic minutes from its question
recording and question answering system” that cover his
questions and comments, as well as the information
provided by the company in response. The shareholders
SCI AG and Oliver Wiederhold joined the action on the
side of the defendant. The Berlin Regional Court rejected
Combined Management Report 69
Corporate Governance Report
the suit in its entirety by judgment dated June 10, 2010
(Case No. 95 O 52/09), that is, both with regard to the
action to nullify, as well as the petition for a finding. Dr.
Oliver Kraus filed an appeal against this decision before
the Berlin Appellate Court; the appeal proceeding is
being conducted under Case No. 23 U 125/10.
stock-based component. All components of compensa-
tion are appropriate, both individually and as a whole.
The criteria used to determine appropriateness are the
tasks of the individual Executive Board member, his
personal performance, as well as the economic situation,
profit, and the future prospects of Axel Springer.
On May 21, 2010, Dr. Oliver Kraus filed an additional action
to nullify the resolutions of the annual shareholders’ meet-
ing of April 23, 2010 relating to the ratification of the actions
of the Executive Board and the Supervisory Board for
financial year 2009 (Agenda Items 3 and 4), as well as the
general authorization to purchase and use the company’s
own shares according to Section 71 (1) (8) AktG and to
exclude the preemptive right, and the special authorization,
to purchase and use the company’s own shares according
to Section 71 (1) (8) AktG in connection with the Manage-
ment Participation Program and to exclude the right to
tender and preemptive right (Agenda Items 6 and 7). The
shareholders Frank Scheunert and Gastro Beteiligungs AG
joined this action on the side of the defendant. In its ruling
of March 7, 2012 (Case No. 105 O 53/10), the Berlin Re-
gional Court partially granted the claim and nullified the
resolutions of the annual shareholders’ meeting adopted
under Agenda Items 4, 6, and 7. Axel Springer has filed an
appeal against this ruling with the Berlin Appellate Court.
The appeal is pending under Case No. 23 U 92/12.
Compensation report
Axel Springer’s compensation policy follows the principle
of granting compensation to the Executive Board and
Supervisory Board that is based on their performance in
the interest of sustainable corporate development. This
compensation consists of fixed and variable components.
Executive Board
In accordance with the requirements of the German
Stock Corporation Act and the recommendations of
GCGC, the compensation of the Executive Board mem-
bers consists of fixed and variable components. The
variable compensation is composed of a cash compo-
nent paid in the form of an annual bonus and a long-term,
Due consideration is also given to the industry environ-
ment. The Supervisory Board did not consult with out-
side compensation experts in 2012.
The fixed compensation corresponds to the annual
fixed salary; in addition, the Executive Board members
receive a company car or company car allowance and
security expenses as fringe benefits. The annual fixed
salary is established for the entire term of an employment
agreement and is disbursed in 12 monthly installments. It
is set on the basis of the duties of the individual Execu-
tive Board member, the current economic situation, the
profit, and the future prospects of the Group, among
other considerations.
The variable compensation in the form of a cash
component paid as an annual bonus is limited in its
maximum amount and is set according to the perfor-
mance of the individual in the context of individual goals
(including quantitative divisional goals and qualitative indi-
vidual goals aligned with the strategy of Axel Springer AG)
as well as corporate goals. For financial year 2011, the
corporate goals were Group EBITDA, the index of Group
customer satisfaction, and EBITDA in the Digital Media
segment; for financial year 2012, determining corporate
goals are Group EBITDA and the EBITDA of the Digital
Media segment. The Supervisory Board adopts both the
goals applied for measuring individual performance and
the corporate goals. Goal achievement is determined
initially by the Supervisory Board Chairman, in consulta-
tion with the respective Executive Board member, and is
then resolved by the Supervisory Board. In the case of
Executive Board members whose employment contracts
were either amended or concluded anew, or extended in
the time since the Act on the Appropriate Compensation
of Executive Board Members (VorstAG) became effective
70 Annual Report 2012 Axel Springer AG
on August 5, 2009, a portion of the variable cash compen-
sation is determined on the basis of fulfillment of the corpo-
rate goals adopted for an appraisal period of three years.
In addition, Executive Board members receive a long-
term variable compensation component in the form
of virtual stock option plans that were introduced in 2009
(referred to hereinafter as the Virtual Stock Option Plan
2009) and as of January 1, 2012 (referred to hereinafter
as the Virtual Stock Option Plan 2012).
Under the Virtual Stock Option Plan 2009, a total of
1,125,000 (before the share split: 375,000) virtual stock
options were issued, effective July 1, 2009; under the
Virtual Stock Option Plan 2012, a total of 450,000
virtual stock options were issued, effective January 1, 2012.
In both cases, the virtual stock options have a term of six
years and can be exercised at the earliest after four years.
If the Executive Board employment contract or appoint-
ment to the Executive Board remains in effect at least
until the expiration of the four-year vesting period, all
virtual stock options granted to the Executive Board
member can become vested. If the respective Executive
Board member resigns prior to this time, a pro-rated
number of the virtual stock options granted to him will
become vested, in proportion to the four-year waiting
period, unless the termination occurs on or before the
first anniversary day of the date on which the respective
virtual stock options were issued. In that case, the af-
fected virtual stock options will be forfeited without re-
placement or compensation. Another precondition for
vesting is the achievement of a performance or outper-
formance target related to the share price of the Axel
Springer share. The stock options can only be exercised
if the average price of the Axel Springer share during a
period of 90 calendar days prior to exercise is at least 30 %
higher than the baseline values (Virtual Stock Option Plan
2009: € 20.29 (before the share split: € 60.86); Virtual
Stock Option Plan 2012: € 30.53) and if the percentage
increase in the price of the Axel Springer share is greater
than the appreciation of the DAX stock index over the
same period. Each stock option grants the right to pay-
ment of an amount equal to the appreciation of the Axel
Springer share, but not to exceed 200 % of the baseline
value (Virtual Stock Option Plan 2009: € 40.57 (before
the share split: € 121.72); Virtual Stock Option Plan
2012: € 61.06); this amount is in each case the differ-
ence between the volume-weighted average share price
during the last 90 calendar days prior to exercising the
stock options and the baseline value. Executive Board
members are obligated to hold one share of Axel Spring-
er AG for every ten stock options as a personal invest-
ment. If they were to dispose of these shares prior to
exercising the options, the stock options will be forfeited
at the rate of one share for each ten stock options. The
value of the Virtual Stock Option Plan 2009 at the grant
date was € 4.7 million. The value of the Virtual Stock
Option Plan 2012 at the grant date was € 2.4 million. For
additional information on the Virtual Stock Plans 2009
and 2012, please refer also to the disclosures in Section
(12) of the notes to the consolidated financial statements.
A majority of Executive Board members have received
contractual pension commitments. Payment of the pen-
sion commences upon reaching age 62, if the Executive
Board member is no longer in office at this time. In case
of premature departure, a Executive Board member who
has been employed with the company for five years has
a vested claim to a pension payment proportional to the
length of his employment with the company. Payments
are also provided for in case of a complete reduction in
earning capacity.
Some Executive Board members have the right to termi-
nate their service contracts due to a change in control.
They then have the right to receive payment of their base
salary for the most recently negotiated remaining contrac-
tual term, not to be less than one year’s base salary. Fur-
thermore, the company will pay the pro-rated percentage
of the success-based compensation for the period of time
served in the year of resignation. The service contracts of
the members of the Executive Board do not provide for
any other compensation if the service relationship is termi-
nated as a result of a change in control.
Combined Management Report 71
Corporate Governance Report
The compensation system for the Executive Board was
reviewed again by the full Supervisory Board in 2012.
This review yielded the result that the Executive Board
compensation system complies with applicable laws and
regulations, and particularly that it is also geared appro-
priate to the sustainable development of the company.
The total compensation granted to the Executive Board in
financial year 2012 amounted to € 19.9 million (PY:
€ 17.0 million). The fixed compensation amounted to
€ 9.2 million (PY: € 8.7 million); that amount also includes
the amounts for fringe benefits (company car and security
expenses). The total variable compensation amounted to
€ 10.7 million (PY: € 8.3 million). Accordingly, the fixed
compensation, including fringe benefits, represented 46 %
of the total compensation granted in 2012 (PY: 51 %).
Long-term variable compensation components were
granted in the form of share-based compensation in the
amount of € 2.4 million in financial year 2012 (Virtual
Stock Option Plan 2012); no such compensation com-
ponents were granted in 2011.
To cover the company’s pension obligations to Executive
Board members, personnel expenses of € 0.3 million were
incurred in financial year 2012 (PY: € 0.2 million). At the
reporting date, the net present value of the pension
obligation recognized in the pension provisions was
€ 6.2 million (PY: € 7.4 million). No loans or advances
were granted to members of the Executive Board in
financial year 2012.
Axel Springer AG does not disclose the total compensa-
tion of individual Executive Board members by name,
given that Sections 314 (2) and 286 (5) HGB expressly
place the disclosure of Executive Board compensation
by name under the reservation of a differing resolution of
the annual shareholders’ meeting with a qualified majority
of the share capital represented upon the adoption of the
resolution. The annual shareholders’ meeting of Axel
Springer AG held on April 23, 2010, adopted such a
resolution with the requisite majority. The reason for this
is that Axel Springer AG’s competitors do not disclose
itemized compensation either.
Supervisory Board
The compensation of the Supervisory Board is set by the
annual shareholders’ meeting; it is regulated in Article 16
of the Articles of Incorporation of Axel Springer AG.
Accordingly, the compensation is comprised of fixed and
variable components. The Supervisory Board receives a
fixed annual compensation of € 2.0 million. In addition,
the Supervisory Board receives an additional compensa-
tion of € 3 thousand for every cent (€ 0.01) by which the
dividend per share distributed to the shareholders ex-
ceeds € 0.05, but at least 4.0 % of the share capital in
relation to one share. The Supervisory Board also re-
ceives compensation in the amount of € 300 thousand if
the basic earnings per share for the financial year (based
on the share of the company’s shareholders in consoli-
dated net income) exceeds the basic earnings per share
of the third previous financial year, calculated in the same
manner – with due consideration given, where applicable,
to the re-apportionment of share capital resolved by the
annual shareholders’ meeting of April 14, 2011 – by 15 %
or more. For financial years in which positive consolidat-
ed profits cannot be applied as a reference benchmark,
an amount of € 1.00 per share shall apply as the refer-
ence benchmark for calculating the increase in annual
profits. For financial years with a net consolidated loss,
only the fixed compensation of € 2.0 million will be paid.
The Supervisory Board decides how the aforementioned
amounts are distributed among its members, with ap-
propriate consideration given to their activities as chair-
man and in the committees.
For financial year 2012, the Supervisory Board received
total compensation of € 2.5 million (PY: € 2.5 million).
The variable components of this compensation amount-
ed to € 0.5 million (PY: € 0.5 million); as in the prior year,
this amount was based entirely on the dividend proposal
of the Executive Board and Supervisory Board, and is
therefore subject to the adoption of the corresponding
resolution by the annual shareholders’ meeting. No further
variable compensation is granted for financial year 2012.
72 Annual Report 2012 Axel Springer AG
In addition, the company reimburses all members of the
Supervisory Board for their expenses and for the value
added taxes payable on their compensation. The com-
pany pays the premium for the D&O insurance taken out
for members of the Supervisory Board. One member of
the Supervisory Board is paid an annual salary of
€ 0.1 million for his services as an author.
Contrary to Section 5.4.6 sentences 6 and 7 of the Ger-
man Corporate Governance Code, the compensation
paid to members of the Supervisory Board, as well as
the compensation paid by the company to them for
services rendered personally, are not presented in the
Corporate Governance Report, since Axel Springer AG’s
competitors do not disclose such information either.
Share-based compensation of senior executives
In addition to the Virtual Stock Option Plans 2009 and
2012 for Executive Board members, Axel Springer also
introduced a virtual stock option plan for selected senior
executives in 2011 (referred to hereinafter as the Virtual
Stock Option Plan 2011).
Effective October 1, 2011, a total of 945 thousand virtual
stock options were granted to senior executives of Axel
Springer AG, with each beneficiary receiving stock op-
tions under Tranche A and stock options under Tranche
B. The virtual stock options under Tranche A have a term
of four years, that is, until September 30, 2015, and can
be exercised at the earliest after two years, that is, on
October 1, 2013. The virtual stock options under
Tranche B have a term of six years, that is, until Septem-
ber 30, 2017, and can be exercised at the earliest after
four years, that is, on October 1, 2015.
Provided that the beneficiary is employed by the compa-
ny at least until the expiration of the respective vesting
period, all virtual stock options may become vested. If
the employment relationship is terminated before the
expiration of the respective vesting period, but after the
lapse of one year of the vesting period, one half of the
virtual stock options granted under Tranche A will be-
come vested; one fourth of the virtual stock options
granted under Tranche B become vested upon the lapse
of each year of the vesting period. They will not become
vested if the beneficiary resigned without reasonable
cause or if Axel Springer AG or an affiliated company
terminated the employment relationship with reasonable
cause; in such cases, all virtual stock options will be
forfeited. Another precondition for vesting is the
achievement of a performance or outperformance target
related to the share price of the Axel Springer share.
The stock options can only be exercised if the average
price of the Axel Springer share during a period of three
months prior to being exercised is at least 30 % higher
than the baseline values of € 30.00 for Tranche A and
€ 35.00 for Tranche B, and if the percentage increase in
the price of the Axel Springer share is greater than the
appreciation of the DAX stock index over the same peri-
od. Each stock option grants the right to payment of an
amount equal to the appreciation of the Axel Springer
share, but not in excess of a defined maximum amount
(€ 60.00 for Tranche A, € 70.00 for Tranche B); this
amount is the difference between the volume-weighted
average share price during the last three months prior to
exercising the stock options and the baseline value. The
first day of the month determines the beginning and end
of the corresponding period.
Beneficiaries are obligated to hold one share of Axel
Springer AG for every ten stock options as a personal
investment. Disposing of these shares prior to exercising
the options would result in the stock options being for-
feited at the rate of one share for each ten stock options.
The total value of the Virtual Stock Option Plan 2011 at
the grant date was € 2.4 million. For more information on
the Virtual Stock Option Plan 2011 for selected senior
executives, see also the disclosures in the notes to the
consolidated financial statements, Section (12).
Report of the 73
Supervisory Board
Dr. Giuseppe Vita
Chairman
Dr. h. c. Friede Springer
Vice Chairwoman
Dr. Gerhard Cromme
Chairman of the Supervisory Board
of ThyssenKrupp AG
Oliver Heine
Lawyer and partner in the law firm
of Oliver Heine & Partner
Rudolf Knepper (since January 8, 2013)
Member of the Supervisory Board
of Axel Springer AG
Klaus Krone
Member of the Supervisory Board
of Axel Springer AG
Dr. Nicola Leibinger-Kammüller
Chairwoman of the Management Board
of TRUMPF GmbH + Co. KG
Prof. Dr. Wolf Lepenies
University Professor (emer.) FU Berlin;
Permanent Fellow (emer.) at Wissenschaftskolleg
zu Berlin
Dr. Michael Otto
Chairman of the Supervisory Board
of Otto GmbH & Co. KG
74 Annual Report 2012 Axel Springer AG
By means of written and oral reports and at meetings,
the Executive Board informed the Supervisory Board in
detail, regularly, and promptly about the company’s
situation and development, important business transac-
tions, as well as the risk management system, the Inter-
nal Control System (ICS), and the compliance manage-
ment system. The Executive Board also kept the Super-
visory Board informed of significant events in the time
between its meetings. In addition, the Supervisory Board
Chairman and the Executive Board Chairman held infor-
mation and consultation meetings on a regular basis. It
was not necessary in financial year 2012 for the Supervi-
sory Board to inspect company books and documents
beyond those presented during the normal course of
reporting by the Executive Board.
In financial year 2012, the Supervisory Board performed
all the duties incumbent upon it by virtue of applicable
laws, the company’s Articles of Incorporation, and internal
rules of procedure. The Supervisory Board worked close-
ly and trustfully with the Executive Board in an advisory
role and supervised the management of the company.
The supervision performed by the Supervisory Board
also covered the implementation of appropriate
measures to ensure risk management and compliance.
The Supervisory Board also verified that the Executive
Board has taken suitable measures as required by Sec-
tion 91 (2) of the German Stock Corporations Act (AktG)
and that the risk management system instituted by
means of such measures is effective.
The Supervisory Board discussed with the Executive
Board all matters of crucial importance for the company,
especially the company’s business plan, the implementa-
tion of the company’s business strategy, large capital
expenditure projects, and personnel matters. Further-
more, the Supervisory Board discussed important specif-
ic transactions of significance to the company’s future
development and adopted resolutions on those transac-
tions and measures for which the participation of the
Supervisory Board is required by law, by the company’s
Articles of Incorporation, or by the Executive Board’s
internal rules of procedure.
The Supervisory Board held a total of five meetings in
2012, three of which in the first half and two in the sec-
ond half of the calendar year. All members of the Super-
visory Board attended at least three of these meetings.
When necessary, Supervisory Board resolutions were
adopted by way of written circulation.
Composition of the Supervisory Board
Effective September 30, 2012, Michael Lewis resigned
his seat on the Supervisory Board of Axel Springer AG.
By resolution of January 7, 2013, the Charlottenburg
Local Court appointed Rudolf Knepper to succeed Mi-
chael Lewis, who had served on the nine-person board
for more than five years, until the close of the next regu-
lar shareholders’ meeting to be held on April 24, 2013.
The Supervisory Board intends to propose to the annual
shareholders’ meeting of April 24, 2013 that Rudolf
Knepper be elected to the Supervisory Board.
Significant matters addressed by the
Supervisory Board
In its meeting of February 6, 2012, the Supervisory
Board discussed and approved the financial plan 2012
submitted by the Executive Board. The Executive Board
Report of the Supervisory Board 75
informed the Supervisory Board of the preliminary num-
bers concerning the company’s business performance in
financial year 2011, reported on the planned formation of
a joint venture with the global financial investor General
Atlantic LLC in the online classifieds business, and pro-
vided an overview of the anniversary activities planned in
connection with the 100th birthday of Axel Springer.
Furthermore, the Supervisory Board resolved to extend
the term of office of a Executive Board member and
extend the Executive Board employment contract ac-
cordingly.
In its meeting of March 6, 2012, the Supervisory Board
devoted its attention primarily to the separate financial
statements of the parent company and the consolidated
financial statements of the Group at December 31, 2011
(including, in each case, the combined management
report and Group management report), as well as the
report on the company’s dealings with affiliated compa-
nies (Dependency Report), the Executive Board’s profit
utilization proposal for financial year 2011, and the Cor-
porate Governance Report issued jointly with the Execu-
tive Board. Based on a recommendation of the Audit
Committee, it also discussed the proposal for the elec-
tion of the independent auditor for financial year 2012, to
be submitted to the annual shareholders’ meeting. The
Supervisory Board also discussed the agenda for the
annual shareholders’ meeting in 2012, including the draft
resolutions to be approved by the annual shareholders’
meeting, and adopted a resolution on its report for finan-
cial year 2011 to be submitted to the annual sharehold-
ers’ meeting. The Supervisory Board also approved the
formation of Axel Springer Digital Classifieds GmbH, the
contribution of immonet, SeLoger, and StepStone to this
new joint venture, and the 30 % investment by the finan-
cial investor General Atlantic LLC. The Supervisory Board
also approved the share ownership plan for employees
with target agreements or profit-sharing bonuses, which
was implemented in financial year 2012.
At its meeting of April 25, 2012, the Supervisory Board
again dealt with the preparations for the upcoming
shareholders’ meeting. The Supervisory Board approved
the decision to appeal the ruling of the Berlin Regional
Court of March 7, 2012, which allowed the nullification of
the resolutions of the annual shareholders’ meeting held
in 2010 pertaining to the ratification of the actions taken
by the Supervisory Board in financial year 2009 and the
general and special authorization to purchase and utilize
treasury shares. In addition, the Executive Board report-
ed to the Supervisory Board on the company’s business
performance in the first quarter of financial year 2012.
In the Supervisory Board meeting of July 3, 2012, the
Executive Board reported on the company’s business
performance through May 31, 2012 and on the results of
a closed meeting of the Executive Board, in which it was
resolved to send three senior executives on a research
trip to Palo Alto and to implement structural measures to
adapt the company to changing usage habits and tech-
nologies. The Supervisory Board acknowledged and ap-
proved the corresponding measures.
In its meeting of October 24, 2012 the Supervisory
Board primarily discussed the business strategy of Axel
Springer AG since 2002, which has been to pursue
profitable growth on the basis of the strategic goals of
extending the company’s market leadership position in
the German-language core business and pursuing inter-
nationalization and digitization, on the basis of a com-
prehensive presentation by the Executive Board. The
Executive Board also reported on the development
of key acquisitions since 2006, particularly in the Digital
Media segment, and the Supervisory Board discussed
these matters. The Supervisory Board also adopted a
resolution on the Declaration of Conformity for 2012. In
this regard, it discussed the amendments made to the
German Corporate Governance Code (“GCGC”), which
entered into force on June 15, 2012, particularly includ-
ing the more specifically formulated recommendations
76 Annual Report 2012 Axel Springer AG
concerning the independence of Supervisory Board
members. In this connection, the Supervisory Board
adopted concrete goals for the number of independent
members of the Supervisory Board, which are printed on
page 66 of the present Annual Report, in addition to the
goals for its composition concerning the appropriate
participation of women and international diversity, which
it had already adopted in October 2010. Furthermore,
the Supervisory Board conducted a self-evaluation on
the basis of questionnaires; after discussing the results
of the questionnaires completed by the Supervisory
Board members, it concluded that the Supervisory
Board continues to work in an efficient manner. With
respect to the Executive Board compensation system,
the Supervisory Board concluded that the findings of the
review conducted in November 2011 are still valid,
namely that the Executive Board compensation system
fulfills the legal requirements and particularly also that it is
appropriate and suitable for promoting the sustainable
development of the company’s business. The Superviso-
ry Board also adopted a more efficient procedure for
granting permission to transfer the company’s shares
pursuant to Article 5 para. 3 of the company’s Articles of
Incorporation (restricted transferability). In addition, the
Supervisory Board heard reports on the company’s
business performance in the months of January to Sep-
tember 2012, current acquisition plans, the introduction
of paid-content and subscription models for WELT
ONLINE and BILD.de, as well as the business perfor-
mance of the Swiss Amiado group and the company
gamigo AG, which was sold in financial year 2012,
among other matters. It also noted the recommended
non-trading periods for shares of Axel Springer AG in
calendar year 2013, preceding the publication of the
annual financial statements and the quarterly results.
Conflicts of interest
The following potential conflicts of interest arose on the
Supervisory Board in financial year 2012, which were
disclosed to the Supervisory Board by the affected mem-
bers. In August 2012, Dr. Giuseppe Vita abstained from
voting on the Executive Committee resolution to approve
a syndicated loan, because the bank syndicate includes
UniCredit Luxembourg S.A., an indirect subsidiary of
UniCredit S.p.A., the Chairman of whose Board of Direc-
tors has been Dr. Giuseppe Vita since May 2012. In Au-
gust 2012, Dr. h. c. Friede Springer abstained from voting
on the Executive Committee resolution on the transfer of
shares held by Dr. h. c. Friede Springer to Dr. Mathias
Döpfner, as she was the previous owner of the shares.
Corporate governance
The Executive Board and Supervisory Board issued their
joint Declaration of Conformity pursuant to Section 161
AktG on November 6, 2012. The declaration and the
justifications of the few exceptions to the recommenda-
tions of the GCGC have been made permanently acces-
sible on the company’s website. It is presented on page
59 of the present Annual Report.
Additional information on corporate governance in the
Axel Springer Group may be found in the joint Corporate
Governance Report of the Executive Board and
Supervisory Board (see page 59).
Report of the Supervisory Board 77
Work of the committees of the
Supervisory Board
In the interest of performing its duties in an efficient man-
ner, the Supervisory Board has formed an Executive
Committee, a Personnel Committee, an Audit Committee,
and a Nominating Committee as permanent committees.
The Chairman of the Supervisory Board chairs the meet-
ings of the committees and reports to the Supervisory
Board on the work of the committees in the subsequent
meeting of the Supervisory Board.
Notwithstanding the general responsibility of the full
Supervisory Board, the Executive Committee is re-
sponsible for fundamental matters related to publishing
and journalism, and for matters of strategy, financial
planning, capital expenditures, and the financing of capi-
tal expenditures. It is also responsible for preparing deci-
sions on the organization of the Executive Board, the
approval of sales of shares of Axel Springer AG and
subscription rights for such shares, and for approving
certain management actions that require the approval of
the Supervisory Board, which have been delegated to
the Executive Committee. The members of the Executive
Committee are Dr. Giuseppe Vita, Chairman, Dr. h. c.
Friede Springer, Vice Chairwoman, Dr. Gerhard Cromme,
and Klaus Krone.
The Executive Committee held eight meetings in financial
year 2012 (including three in the form of telephone con-
ferences), which were regularly attended also by the
members of the company’s Executive Board. The Ex-
ecutive Committee approved the following transactions:
the acquisition of a 100 % equity interest in Totaljobs
Group Ltd. by StepStone GmbH, the acquisition of a 75 %
equity interest in Grupa Onet.pfl S.A. (including put and
call options for the remaining 25 %) by Ringier Axel
Springer Media AG, and the acquisitions of a 100 %
equity interest in allesklar.com AG (meinedtadt.de) and
an 80 % equity interest in Immoweb S.A. (including put
and call options for the remaining 20 %), each by a com-
pany of Axel Springer Digital Classifieds. In addition, the
Executive Committee approved an increase in the in-
vestment held by SeLoger.com S.A. in iProperty Group
Ltd. in connection with a capital increase. The delibera-
tions and resolutions of the Executive Committee also
pertained to the issuance of a promissory-note loan, the
refinancing of the expiring credit facility with a revolving
credit facility, the purchase of rights to German National
Soccer League highlights for the seasons 2013/2014
through 2016/2017 as part of the premium strategy of
BILD Digital, the conclusion of a management control
and profit/loss transfer agreement between Axel Springer
International GmbH and Axel Springer International Holding
GmbH, and the termination of the existing management
control and profit/loss transfer agreement between Axel
Springer AG and Axel Springer Financial Media GmbH.
The Executive Committee also adopted resolutions on
granting permission to transfer shares in Axel Spring-
er AG pursuant to Article 5 para. 3 of the company’s
Articles of Incorporation. Finally, the Executive Board re-
ported to the Executive Committee on the performance of
the company’s investments in Do⁄an TV Holding A.S. and
PRINOVIS Ltd. & Co. KG, among other matters.
The Personnel Committee is responsible in particular
for preparing decisions on the appointment and dismis-
sal of Executive Board members. It is also responsible
for preparing the resolutions to be adopted by the Su-
pervisory Board on the compensation of individual mem-
bers of the Executive Board; in all other matters pertain-
ing to employment contracts, the Personnel Committee
adopts resolutions in lieu of the Supervisory Board. The
Personnel Committee also adopts resolutions in lieu of
the Supervisory Board in matters pertaining to the exten-
sion of loans within the meaning of Sections 89, 115
AktG; the same applies to the approval of contracts with
Supervisory Board members pursuant to Section 114
AktG. The responsibilities of the Personnel Committee
also include representing the company in transactions
with individual Executive Board members. Finally, the
Personnel Committee decides on the approval of the
management transactions requiring the approval of the
Supervisory Board, which have been delegated to the
Personnel Committee. The members of the Personnel
78 Annual Report 2012 Axel Springer AG
Committee are Dr. Giuseppe Vita, Chairman, Dr. h. c.
Friede Springer, and Dr. Gerhard Cromme.
The Personnel Committee held three meetings in finan-
cial year 2012. Among other things, it prepared the deci-
sion on extending the term of office of a Executive Board
member and on the amount of his compensation, includ-
ing a long-term share-based compensation component.
It also dealt with the individual goals and corporate goals
for the cash component of the variable compensation of
the Executive Board.
Notwithstanding the responsibility of the full Supervisory
Board, the Audit Committee is responsible for preparing
the decision on the adoption of the separate financial
statements of the parent company and the approval of the
consolidated financial statements of the Group, by means
of conducting a preliminary review of the separate financial
statements, the Dependency Report, and the consolidat-
ed financial statements, as well as the management report
for the company and the management report for the
Group, the review of the profit utilization proposal, and the
discussion of the audit report with the independent auditor,
among other matters. It is also responsible for reviewing
the interim financial statements and interim reports, and
for discussing the report of the independent auditor on the
critical review of the interim financial statements. The re-
sponsibilities of the Audit Committee also include review-
ing the internal control system, the internal audit system,
the risk management system, the supervision of the ac-
counting process and matters related to compliance. With
regard to the audit of the financial statements, it is respon-
sible for preparing the proposal of the Supervisory Board
to the annual shareholders’ meeting on the election of the
independent auditor and the engagement of the inde-
pendent auditor, and for adopting audit priorities, among
other matters. The Audit Committee is composed of Dr.
Giuseppe Vita, Chairman, Dr. h. c. Friede Springer, Klaus
Krone, and Oliver Heine.
The Audit Committee held five meetings in 2012. It kept
itself informed of the scope, execution, and results of the
audit of the separate financial statements of the parent
company and the consolidated financial statements of
the Group for 2011, prepared the decisions of the Su-
pervisory Board on the adoption of the separate financial
statements and the approval of the consolidated financial
statements, and reviewed the interim financial state-
ments and interim reports for the year 2012. In addition,
the Audit Committee dealt with the preparation of the
resolution to be adopted by the full Supervisory Board
with regard to the proposal to the annual shareholders’
meeting for engaging the independent auditor to audit
the financial statements for 2012. In this regard, the
Supervisory Board received a written confirmation of
independence from Ernst & Young GmbH
Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft. In addition, the Audit
Committee dealt with the audit priorities to be consid-
ered by the auditor and engaged the independent audi-
tor to audit the financial statements for 2012. The Audit
Committee also reviewed the effectiveness of the risk
management system and internal control system, as well
as the compliance management system and the internal
audit function.
The Nominating Committee prepares the proposal of
the Supervisory Board to the annual shareholders’ meet-
ing on the election of Supervisory Board members; in
particular, it proposes suitable candidates to the Super-
visory Board, also in consideration of the diversity and
independence criteria adopted by the Supervisory Board.
It develops and reviews job profiles relative to the qualifi-
cations expected of Supervisory Board members by the
company, and continually adapts them to suit changing
requirements. The Nominating Committee is composed
of Dr. Giuseppe Vita, Chairman, Dr. h. c. Friede Springer,
and Dr. Michael Otto.
The Nominating Committee held two meetings in finan-
cial year 2012. Among other things, it deliberated on the
successor to Michael Lewis (see above under “Composi-
tion of the Supervisory Board”).
Report of the Supervisory Board 79
Separate financial statements of the
parent company and consolidated
financial statements of the Group;
management report for the parent
company and the Group
Ernst & Young GmbH Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft
audited and issued an unqualified audit opinion for the
separate financial statements of the parent company and
the consolidated financial statements of the Group, as well
as the combined management report for the parent com-
pany and the Group, all of which prepared by the Execu-
tive Board for financial year 2012. In connection with the
audit, the independent auditor also noted in summary
that the Executive Board has implemented a risk man-
agement system that fulfills the requirements of law, and
that this system is generally suitable for the early detec-
tion of any developments that could endanger the com-
pany’s survival as a going concern.
The aforementioned documents and the proposal of the
Executive Board for the utilization of the distributable
profit, as well as the audit reports of Ernst & Young
GmbH Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft, were provided
to all members of the Supervisory Board in a timely
manner. The documents were reviewed and discussed
extensively in the presence of the independent auditor in
the meetings of the Audit Committee of February 22,
2013 and March 5, 2013. At these meetings, the inde-
pendent auditor reported on the principal findings of their
audit and provided additional information, as requested.
No deficiencies in the internal control and risk manage-
ment system, as it relates to the financial accounting
process, were noted. The independent auditor explained
further the scope, priorities, and costs of the audit. Be-
sides auditing the financial statements, the independent
auditor provided other services to the company (including
its affiliated companies) in the amount of € 882.1 thousand
in financial year 2012. No circumstances that would cast
doubt on the impartiality of the independent auditor arose.
The Audit Committee resolved to recommend to the
Supervisory Board that it approve the separate financial
statements of the parent company and the consolidated
financial statements of the Group, as well as the com-
bined management report of the parent company and
the Group.
At the meeting of the full Supervisory Board of March 5,
2013, the Audit Committee reported on the results of its
examination and recommended that the Supervisory
Board approve the separate and consolidated financial
statements. At this meeting, the Supervisory Board re-
viewed the documents in question, having noted and duly
considered this report and recommendation of the Audit
Committee and the reports of Ernst & Young GmbH
Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft, and having discussed
them with the independent auditor, who was in attendance.
The Supervisory Board acknowledged and approved the
audit results. Based on the results of its own review, the
Supervisory Board noted that it had no objections to
raise. Based on the recommendations of the Audit
Committee, the Supervisory Board approved the annual
financial statements of the parent company and the
consolidated financial statements of the Group, as well
as the combined management report for the parent
company and the Group, all of which were prepared by
the Executive Board. Accordingly, the annual financial
statements of Axel Springer AG were officially adopted.
The Supervisory Board also reviewed the proposal of the
Executive Board concerning the utilization of the distrib-
utable profit and concurred with that proposal, in con-
sideration in particular of the company’s financial year
net income, liquidity, and financing plan.
The Executive Board also submitted its report on the
company’s dealings with related parties pursuant to
Section 312 of the German Stock Corporations Act
(AktG) to the Supervisory Board. The Supervisory Board
was also in receipt of the corresponding audit report by
Ernst & Young GmbH Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft.
Both reports were provided to each member of the Su-
pervisory Board in advance. The audit opinion of the
independent auditor reads as follows:
80 Annual Report 2012 Axel Springer AG
“Based on the audit and evaluation conducted in accor-
dance with our professional duties, we hereby confirm that
Thanks to the members of the Executive
Board and to all employees
Finally, the Supervisory Board wishes to thank all mem-
bers of the Executive Board and all employees for their
outstanding work in the past year.
Berlin, March 5, 2013
The Supervisory Board
1. the factual information contained in the report is cor-
rect; and
2. the consideration provided by the company in respect
of the legal transactions mentioned in the report was
not inappropriately high.”
The Supervisory Board also reviewed the report of the
Executive Board on the dealings with related parties
pursuant to Section 312 AktG and the independent
auditor’s report on this subject. At the Supervisory Board
meeting of March 5, 2013, the independent auditor also
reported orally on the principal findings of the audit and
provided additional information, as requested. The Su-
pervisory Board acknowledged and approved the report
of the independent auditor. Based on the final results of
its own review, the Supervisory Board had no objections
to raise with respect to the results of the audit report of
the independent auditor or the Executive Board’s decla-
ration on the report pursuant to Section 312 (3) AktG.
Dr. Giuseppe Vita
Chairman
Consolidated 81
Financial Statements
82 Responsibility Statement
83 Auditor’s Report
84 Consolidated Statement of Financial Position
86 Consolidated Statement
of Comprehensive Income
87 Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
88 Consolidated Statement
of Changes in Equity
89 Consolidated Segment Report
90 Notes to the Consolidated
Financial Statements
90 General information
107 Notes to the consolidated statement
of financial position
123 Notes to the consolidated statement
of comprehensive income
129 Notes to the consolidated statement
of cash flows
130 Notes to the consolidated segment report
132 Other disclosures
82 Annual Report 2012 Axel Springer AG
Responsibility Statement
To the best of our knowledge, and in accordance with
the applicable reporting principles, the consolidated
financial statements give a true and fair view of the finan-
cial position, liquidity, and financial performance of the
Group, and the Group management report includes a fair
review of the development and performance of the busi-
ness and the position of the Group, together with a de-
scription of the principal rewards and risks associated
with the expected development of the Group.
Berlin, February 19, 2013
Axel Springer Aktiengesellschaft
Dr. Mathias Döpfner
Jan Bayer
Ralph Büchi
Lothar Lanz
Dr. Andreas Wiele
Auditor’s Report
We have audited the consolidated financial statements
prepared by the Axel Springer Aktiengesellschaft, Berlin,
comprising the statement of financial position, the income
statement, the statement of recognized income and
expenses, the statement of cash flows, the statement
of changes in equity, and the notes to the consolidated
financial statements together with the combined man-
agement report of the Axel Springer Group and Axel
Springer AG for the fiscal year from January 1 to Decem-
ber 31, 2012. The preparation of the consolidated finan-
cial statements and the combined management report of
the Axel Springer Group and Axel Springer AG in accord-
ance with IFRSs as adopted by the EU, and the additional
requirements of German commercial law pursuant to Sec.
315a (1) HGB [“Handelsgesetzbuch”: “German Commer-
cial Code”] are the responsibility of the parent company’s
management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion
on the consolidated financial statements and on the
combined management report of the Axel Springer Group
and Axel Springer AG based on our audit.
We conducted our audit of the consolidated financial
statements in accordance with Sec. 317 HGB and Ger-
man generally accepted standards for the audit of finan-
cial statements promulgated by the Institut der
Wirtschaftsprüfer [Institute of Public Auditors in Germany]
(IDW). Those standards require that we plan and perform
the audit such that misstatements materially affecting the
presentation of the net assets, financial position, and
results of operations in the consolidated financial state-
ments in accordance with the applicable financial report-
ing framework and in the combined management report
of the Axel Springer Group and Axel Springer AG are
detected with reasonable assurance. Knowledge of the
business activities and the economic and legal environ-
ment of the Group and expectations as to possible mis-
statements are taken into account in the determination of
audit procedures. The effectiveness of the accounting-
related internal control system and the evidence support-
ing the disclosures in the consolidated financial state-
ments and the report on the situation of the company Axel
Springer AG and the Axel Springer Group are examined
primarily on a test basis within the framework of the audit.
Consolidated Financial Statements
Auditor’s Report
83
The audit includes assessing the annual financial state-
ments of those entities included in consolidation, the de-
termination of entities to be included in consolidation, the
accounting and consolidation principles used, and signifi-
cant estimates made by management, as well as evaluat-
ing the overall presentation of the consolidated financial
statements and the report on the situation of the Axel
Springer Group and Axel Springer AG. In our opinion, our
audit provides a sufficiently sound basis for our opinion.
Our audit has not led to any reservations.
In our opinion, based on the findings of our audit, the
consolidated financial statements comply with IFRS as
adopted by the EU, the additional requirements of Ger-
man commercial law pursuant to Sec. 315a (1) HGB,
and give a true and fair view of the net assets, financial
position, and results of operations of the Axel Springer
Group in accordance with these requirements. The
combined management report of the Axel Springer
Group and Axel Springer AG is consistent with the con-
solidated financial statements and as a whole provides a
suitable view of the Group’s position and suitably pre-
sents the opportunities and risks of future development.
Berlin, February 22, 2013
Ernst & Young GmbH
Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft
Plett
Glöckner
Wirtschaftsprüfer
[German Public Auditor]
Wirtschaftsprüfer
[German Public Auditor]
84 Annual Report 2012 Axel Springer AG
Consolidated Statement of Financial Position
€ millions
ASSETS
Non-current assets
Intangible assets
Property, plant, and equipment
Investment property
Non-current financial assets
Investments accounted for using the equity method
Other non-current financial assets
Receivables from income taxes
Other assets
Deferred tax assets
Current assets
Inventories
Trade receivables
Receivables due from related parties
Receivables from income taxes
Other assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Total assets
Note 12/31/2012 12/31/2011
(4)
(5)
(6)
(7)
(10)
(26)
(8)
(9)
(36)
(10)
(29)
3,841.4
3,308.9
2,455.5
1,908.1
690.7
57.0
470.9
24.6
446.3
27.7
78.4
61.2
697.9
52.6
486.4
30.6
455.9
30.9
105.5
27.5
966.8
878.5
27.1
502.6
40.9
44.5
97.6
28.6
442.4
41.9
42.5
79.1
254.1
244.0
4,808.2
4,187.5
Consolidated Financial Statements
Consolidated Statement of Financial Position
85
Note 12/31/2012 12/31/2011
(11)
2,253.1
1,930.8
1,887.5
1,694.2
365.6
236.6
1,602.0
1,382.8
(13)
(14)
(15)
(36)
(16)
(26)
(13)
(14)
(15)
(36)
294.6
52.0
691.2
0.9
1.4
232.1
329.8
953.1
49.5
144.2
12.5
281.3
24.2
72.9
279.5
40.8
672.9
1.2
9.7
125.5
253.3
873.9
46.9
143.8
44.0
270.9
17.9
47.6
(16)
368.5
302.9
4,808.2
4,187.5
€ millions
EQUITY AND LIABILITIES
Equity
Shareholders of Axel Springer AG
Non-controlling interests
Non-current provisions and liabilities
Provisions for pensions
Other provisions
Financial liabilities
Trade payables
Liabilities due to related parties
Other liabilities
Deferred tax liabilities
Current provisions and liabilities
Provisions for pensions
Other provisions
Financial liabilities
Trade payables
Liabilities due to related parties
Liabilities from income taxes
Other liabilities
Total equity and liabilities
86 Annual Report 2012 Axel Springer AG
Consolidated Statement of
Comprehensive Income
€ millions
Consolidated Income Statement
Revenues
Other operating income
Change in inventories and internal costs capitalized
Purchased goods and services
Personnel expenses
Depreciation, amortization, and impairments
Other operating expenses
Income from investments
Result from investments accounted for using the equity method
Other investment income
Financial result
Income taxes
Net income
Net income attributable to shareholders of Axel Springer AG
Net income attributable to non-controlling interests
Note
2012
2011
(18)
(19)
3,310.3
3,184.9
88.2
10.9
73.3
6.8
(20)
– 1,056.8
– 1,055.7
(21)
(22)
(23)
(24)
(25)
(26)
– 920.4
– 851.6
– 172.2
– 138.8
– 820.0
– 783.9
7.9
2.5
5.5
9.5
– 3.5
13.0
– 46.5
– 23.1
– 125.7
– 132.0
275.8
238.1
37.7
289.4
257.8
31.6
Basic/diluted earnings per share (in €)
(27)
2.41
2.62
€ millions
Consolidated Statement of Recognized Income and Expenses
Note
Net income
Actuarial gains/losses from defined benefit pension obligations
Currency translation differences
Changes in fair value of available-for-sale financial assets
Changes in fair value of derivatives in cash flow hedges
Other income/loss from investments accounted for using the equity method
Other income/loss
Comprehensive income
Comprehensive income attributable to shareholders of Axel Springer AG
Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interests
2012
275.8
– 48.2
14.1
– 1.3
10.9
– 0.3
(28)
– 24.9
250.9
211.1
39.8
2011
289.4
12.3
– 9.6
0.7
3.5
0.1
7.0
296.4
270.1
26.3
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
Consolidated Financial Statements
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
87
€ millions
Net income
Reconciliation of net income to the cash flow from operating activities
Depreciation, amortization, impairments, and write-ups
Result from investments accounted for using the equity method
Dividends received from investments accounted for using the equity method
Result from disposal of consolidated subsidiaries and business units and intangible assets, property, plant,
and equipment, and financial assets
Changes in non-current provisions
Changes in deferred taxes
Other non-cash income and expenses
Changes in trade receivables
Changes in trade payables
Changes in other assets and liabilities
Cash flow from operating activities
Proceeds from disposals of intangible assets, property, plant, and equipment
Proceeds from disposals of consolidated subsidiaries and business units, less cash and cash equivalents
given up
Proceeds from disposals of non-current financial assets
Purchases of intangible assets, property, plant, equipment, and investment property
Purchases of shares in consolidated subsidiaries and business units less cash and cash equivalents
acquired
Purchases of investments in non-current financial assets
Cash flow from investing activities
Dividends paid to shareholders of Axel Springer AG
Dividends paid to other shareholders
Purchase of non-controlling interests
Disposal of non-controlling interests
Issuance of treasury shares
Repayments of liabilities under finance leases
Proceeds from other financial liabilities
Repayments of other financial liabilities
Additions to plan assets
Other financial transactions
Cash flow from financing activities
Cash flow-related changes in cash and cash equivalents
Changes in cash and cash equivalents due to exchange rates
Changes in cash and cash equivalents due to changes in companies included in consolidation
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
€ millions
Cash flows contained in the cash flow from operating activities
Income taxes paid
Income taxes received
Interest paid
Interest received
Dividends received
Note
(7)
(7)
(29)
2012
275.8
167.0
– 2.5
4.5
15.4
13.1
– 31.0
10.3
– 36.2
1.3
46.1
463.9
1.3
– 0.1
34.6
2011
289.4
137.7
3.5
5.4
0.0
2.8
– 9.4
– 0.1
– 36.3
14.1
– 1.3
405.9
0.6
0.6
30.2
– 80.7
– 112.7
(3)
– 518.1
– 595.3
(29)
(29)
(29)
– 9.6
– 572.7
– 167.6
– 12.0
0.0
244.9
6.1
– 0.3
649.5
– 24.7
– 701.2
– 157.3
– 15.5
– 7.3
0.0
9.4
– 0.2
495.5
– 693.4
– 180.8
– 25.0
121.1
123.3
14.5
1.0
– 5.4
244.0
254.1
– 25.2
– 9.5
109.1
– 186.2
– 0.6
– 5.0
435.9
244.0
2012
2011
– 162.2
– 196.0
22.1
– 31.0
8.7
19.2
39.4
– 26.3
12.5
19.4
88 Annual Report 2012 Axel Springer AG
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity
Accumulated other comprehensive income
Changes in fair value
Sub-
scribed
capital
Ad-
ditional
paid-in
capital
Accumu-
lated
retained
earnings
Treasury
shares
Currency
translation
Available-
for-sale
financial
assets
Deriva-
tives in
cash flow
hedges
Other
equity
Share-
holders
of Axel
Springer
AG
Non-
controlling
interests
Equity
98.9
43.3
1,422.9
– 11.2
46.9
2.5
– 14.2
– 26.6
1,562.4
210.2
1,772.6
257.8
257.8
– 157.3
4.5
4.9
– 0.4
10.5
– 1.0
0.5
– 4.6
– 4.6
0.7
0.7
3.5
3.5
12.6
12.6
257.8
12.3
270.1
31.6
– 5.3
26.3
289.4
7.0
296.4
– 157.3
– 15.5
– 172.9
9.4
– 0.4
1.4
10.5
– 0.5
13.6
0.6
9.4
0.9
24.1
0.2
98.9
43.8
1,536.9
– 6.3
42.2
3.3
– 10.7
– 14.0
1,694.2
236.6
1,930.8
238.1
238.1
– 167.6
2.6
3.4
– 0.3
146.9
– 0.6
0.2
10.7
10.7
0.5
0.5
10.5
10.5
– 48.6
– 48.6
238.1
– 26.9
211.1
37.7
2.0
39.7
275.8
– 24.9
250.9
– 167.6
– 12.0
– 179.6
6.1
– 0.3
1.8
6.1
1.5
– 2.4
144.5
100.4
244.9
– 0.5
– 0.9
– 1.4
98.9
44.0
1,755.9
– 2.8
53.0
1.4
– 0.2
– 62.6
1,887.5
365.6
2,253.1
€ millions
Balance as of
01/01/2011
Net income
Other income/loss
Comprehensive income
Dividends paid
Issuance of treasury
shares
Change in consolidated
companies
Purchase and disposal of
non-controlling interests
Other changes
Balance as of
12/31/2011
Net income
Other income/loss
Comprehensive income
Dividends paid
Issuance of treasury
shares
Change in consolidated
companies
Disposal of non-
controlling interests
Other changes
Balance as of
12/31/2012
Consolidated Financial Statements 89
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Consolidated Segment Report
Operating segments
Digital Media
Newspapers National Magazines National
Print International
Services/Holding Consolidated totals
€ millions
2012
2011
2012
2011
2012
2011
2012
2011
2012
2011
2012
2011
External revenues
1,174.2
962.1
1,126.1
1,164.9
450.1
468.1
440.8
473.5
119.1
116.2
3,310.3
3,184.9
Internal revenues
55.8
43.7
7.8
10.0
5.6
5.3
42.1
43.5
320.7
309.9
Segment revenues
1,230.0
1,005.8
1,133.9
1,175.0
455.7
473.4
482.8
517.0
439.8
426.1
EBITDA 1)
EBITDA margin 1)
Thereof income from
investments
Thereof accounted for
using the equity
method
Depreciation, amortiza-
tion, impairments and
write-ups (except from
purchase price
allocations)
EBIT 1)
Effects of purchase
price allocations
242.9
158.1
256.1
282.7
93.3
103.2
65.0
73.8
– 29.3
– 24.4
628.0
593.4
20.7 %
16.4 %
22.7 %
24.3 %
20.7 %
22.0 %
14.7 %
15.6 %
19.0 %
18.6 %
7.3
6.6
2.2
2.9
0.2
0.4
3.9
4.3
4.8
4.9
18.3
19.1
0.2
0.1
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.3
2.3
4.5
0.0
0.0
2.5
4.9
– 28.7
– 17.0
– 2.6
– 3.2
– 1.0
– 1.1
– 12.8
– 12.6
– 45.4
– 48.1
– 90.5
– 82.0
214.2
141.2
253.5
279.5
92.2
102.1
52.2
61.2
– 74.7
– 72.5
537.5
511.4
Non-recurring effects
– 11.4
– 2.2
– 61.5
– 30.8
0.0
0.0
0.0
– 0.5
0.0
1.9
0.0
– 16.6
– 22.6
– 0.1
– 1.3
– 78.1
– 54.7
– 0.3
– 2.0
– 8.5
0.0
– 0.7
– 11.4
– 12.2
Segment earnings
before interest and
taxes
Financial result
Income taxes
Net income
141.3
108.1
253.5
279.0
94.2
101.8
33.7
30.1
– 74.8
– 74.5
447.9
444.5
– 46.5
– 23.1
– 125.7
– 132.0
275.8
289.4
1) Adjusted for non-recurring effects and effects of purchase price allocations.
Geographical information
€ millions
External revenues
Germany
Other countries
Consolidated totals
2012
2011
2012
2011
2012
2011
2,146.9
2,136.9
1,163.3
1,048.0
3,310.3
3,184.9
Non-current segment assets (31)
1,158.1
1,143.7
2,045.1
1,514.9
3,203.2
2,658.6
90 Annual Report 2012 Axel Springer AG
Notes to the Consolidated
Financial Statements
General information
(1) Basic principles
Axel Springer Aktiengesellschaft (“Axel Springer AG”) is
an exchange-listed stock corporation with its registered
head office in Berlin, Germany. The principal activities
of Axel Springer AG and its subsidiaries (“Axel Springer
Group”, “Axel Springer” or the “Group”) are described in
note (30a).
On February 19, 2013, the Executive Board of Axel
Springer AG authorized the consolidated financial state-
ments for fiscal year 2012 and subsequently presented
them to the Supervisory Board for approval. The consol-
idated financial statements were prepared by application
of Section 315a HGB in accordance with the Internation-
al Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) of the Interna-
tional Accounting Standards Board (IASB) and the inter-
pretations of the IFRS Interpretations Committee (IFRS
IC) approved by the IASB, in effect and recognized by
the European Union (EU) at the reporting date. The re-
porting currency is the Euro (€); unless otherwise indi-
cated, all figures are stated in Euro millions (€ millions).
Totals and percentages were calculated based on the
non-rounded Euro amounts and may differ from a calcu-
lation based on the reported amounts in millions of Euros.
The consolidated financial statements and consolidated
management report will be published in the Federal
Gazette in Germany.
(2) Consolidation
(a) Consolidation principle
The consolidated financial statements include Axel
Springer AG and its subsidiaries. Subsidiaries are entities
in which Axel Springer AG is able to control, directly or
indirectly, the financial and operating policies.
The consideration transferred in business combinations
is offset against the pro-rated fair value of the acquired
assets and liabilities at the acquisition date. Any remain-
ing positive difference allocated to our interests is capital-
ized as goodwill. Negative differences are immediately
recognized as income. The date of acquisition is the date
when the ability to control the assets and financial and
operating activities of the acquired entity or business
passes to the Axel Springer Group. We offset differences
arising from disposals and purchases of non-controlling
interests in equity.
Associated companies in which the Axel Springer Group
can exert significant influence over the financial and
operating policies, as well as joint venture companies
that are managed jointly by Axel Springer and one or
more other parties, are included in the consolidated
financial statements by application of the equity method.
The IFRS separate and consolidated financial statements
of these companies as at the Axel Springer Group’s
reporting date, respectively, serve as the basis for apply-
ing the equity method. Goodwill and assets and liabilities
included in the amortized carrying amount are accounted
for using the accounting principles applied to business
combinations. Losses that exceed the carrying amount
of the investment, or any other long-term receivables
related to the financing of these companies, are not
recognized, unless the Axel Springer Group is bound
by additional contribution requirements. Intercompany
profits and losses are eliminated on a pro-rated basis.
The carrying amounts of investments are tested for im-
pairment; if impairments exist, they are written down to
the lower recoverable amount.
Consolidated Financial Statements 91
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(b) Companies included in the consolidated
financial statements
Companies included in the consolidated financial state-
ments broke down as follows:
Fully consolidated companies
Germany
Other countries
Fully consolidated special purpose
entities
Germany
Investments accounted for using the
equity method
Germany
Other countries
12/31/2012 12/31/2011
56
75
1
2
3
52
65
2
3
3
Consolidated companies are listed in note (42). The
special-purpose entities included are closed property
funds whose risks and rewards are economically at-
tributable to the Group.
The following changes occurred in 2012:
At the beginning of January 2012, we acquired 100 %
of the shares in RAS Online d.o.o. (formerly Media
Swiss d.o.o.), Belgrade, Serbia. This company, as well
as the newly founded company ofeminin.pl Sp. z o.o.,
Warsaw, Poland, have been fully consolidated since
January 1, 2012.
The company Jahr Top Special Verlag GmbH & Co. KG,
Hamburg, which had been previously accounted for
using the equity method, was sold at the beginning of
March 2012.
At the beginning of April, we acquired 100 % of the
shares in Totaljobs Group Limited, London, Great Britain,
and fully consolidated the company starting April 1, 2012.
In May 2012, we founded and fully consolidated Axel
Springer Digital Classifieds GmbH and Axel Springer
Digital Classifieds Holding GmbH in Berlin. Our shares in
SeLoger, StepStone, and Immonet were brought into
these companies.
Effective June 1, 2012, we founded Ringier Axel Springer
Management AG, Zurich, Switzerland, and acquired 100 %
of the shares in Villaweb SARL, Rennes, France, in mid-
June 2012. Since that time, both companies have been
fully consolidated.
In the third quarter, two German holding companies
were fully consolidated for the first time, one company
was merged, and Etoilecasting.com SAS, Paris, France,
was fully consolidated at August 1, 2012.
At the beginning of October 2012, we acquired 100 % of
the shares in allesklar.com AG, Siegburg. The shares are
held by a newly founded German holding company and
have been fully consolidated since October 1, 2012.
We sold and deconsolidated our shares in gamigo AG,
Hamburg, at the beginning of October 2012.
The acquisition of 80 % of the shares in Immoweb S.A.,
Brussels, Belgium, occurred at the beginning of Novem-
ber 2012. This company, as well as the holding company
founded in Paris, France, for the acquisition, have been
fully consolidated since that time.
The acquisition of 75 % of the shares in Onet.pl S.A.,
Krakow, Poland, was carried out by Ringier Axel Spring-
er Media at the beginning of November 2012. This com-
pany, its Polish subsidiary, and the holding company
founded in Warsaw, Poland, for the acquisition, have
been fully consolidated since November 1, 2012.
Effective November 1, 2012, real estate assets were
contributed to Axel Springer Pensionstreuhand e.V.,
Berlin, which is not included in the consolidated financial
statements of Axel Springer. This resulted in the decon-
solidation of Axel-Springer-Immobilien-Fonds-II-
92 Annual Report 2012 Axel Springer AG
Produktionszentrum Dr. Rühl & Co. KG, Düsseldorf,
which had previously been consolidated as a special-
purpose entity.
Effective December 31, 2012, The Mbuyu Community
B.V., Amsterdam, the Netherlands, was merged into
zanox B.V., Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
(c) Acquisitions and divestitures
At the beginning of April 2012, with our takeover of 100 %
of the shares in Totaljobs Group Limited, London, Great
Britain, we acquired control of the leading online job
portal in Great Britain, Totaljobs, and thus significantly
expanded our digital business in the area of online
classifieds/marketplaces in the context of our digitiza-
tion strategy.
The acquisition costs totaled € 130.4 million and were
fully paid in the reporting period. This included the as-
sumption of liabilities owed to employees from the former
shareholder in the amount of € 1.1 million. The acquisi-
tion-related expenses of the purchase recorded in other
operating expenses amounted to € 1.5 million.
Based on the purchase price allocation, the acquisition
costs were allocated to the purchased assets and liabili-
ties at the acquisition date as follows:
€ millions
Intangible assets
Trade receivables
Other assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Carrying
amount
before
acquisition
Adjust-
ment
amount
Carrying
amount
after
acquisition
4.3
8.5
0.6
0.1
80.7
84.9
8.5
0.6
0.1
Provisions and liabilities
– 9.4
1.5
– 7.8
Deferred tax liabilities
– 18.9
– 18.9
Net assets
Acquisition cost
Goodwill
4.1
63.3
67.4
130.4
63.0
Of the other intangible assets acquired, intangible assets
with carrying amounts of € 40.0 million have indefinite
useful lives. The non-tax-deductible goodwill is above
all attributable to inseparable values such as employee
expertise, expected synergy effects from the integration
and strategic advantages resulting from the leading
market position of the acquired company, and was allo-
cated to the Digital Media segment.
The gross amount of the acquired trade receivables was
€ 8.9 million. Corresponding valuation allowances in the
amount of € 0.4 million were recorded.
Since first inclusion, Totaljobs contributed to consolidat-
ed revenues in the amount of € 41.1 million and to con-
solidated net income in the amount of € 2.2 million. If
Totaljobs had already been fully consolidated at January
1, 2012, Totaljobs would have contributed to consolidat-
ed revenues in the amount of € 54.5 million and to con-
solidated net income in the amount of € 1.7 million.
In the context of the growth campaign in the online clas-
sified sector, we acquired control of the leading German
regional portal, meinestadt.de, at the beginning of Octo-
ber 2012 by taking over 100 % of the shares in allesk-
lar.com AG, Siegburg. This acquisition was carried out
through Axel Springer Digital Classifieds together with
our partner General Atlantic, which financed € 9.0 million
of the purchase price as a capital contribution.
The acquisition costs in the amount of the purchase
price paid amounted to € 57.8 million. The acquisition-
related expenses of the purchase recorded in other
operating expenses amounted to € 0.3 million.
Consolidated Financial Statements 93
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Based on the preliminary purchase price allocation, the
acquisition costs were allocated to the purchased assets
and liabilities at the acquisition date as follows:
The gross amount of the acquired trade receivables was
€ 3.8 million. Corresponding valuation allowances in the
amount of € 0.2 million were recorded.
Carrying
amount
before
acquisition
Adjust-
ment
amount
Carrying
amount
after
acquisition
24.4
25.0
€ millions
Intangible assets
Property, plant, and
equipment
Non-current financial assets
Trade receivables
Other assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Provisions and liabilities
Deferred tax liabilities
Net assets
0.5
1.2
1.4
3.6
0.2
6.3
– 3.4
– 0.2
9.8
– 8.3
16.2
Share of non-controlling interests in net assets
Acquisition cost
Share of non-controlling interests in acquisition cost
Goodwill (preliminary)
1.2
1.4
3.6
0.2
6.3
– 3.4
– 8.4
25.9
7.8
57.8
– 17.3
22.3
The purchase price allocation considers all knowledge
and adjusting events about conditions that existed al-
ready at the acquisition date, and has not yet been com-
pleted, particularly due to the closeness in time to the
reporting date.
Of the intangible assets acquired, intangible assets with
carrying amounts of € 9.9 million have indefinite useful
lives. The preliminary, non-tax-deductible goodwill is
above all attributable to inseparable values such as em-
ployee expertise and the strategic advantages resulting
from the leading market position of the acquired compa-
ny, and was allocated to the Digital Media segment.
Since first inclusion, allesklar.com contributed to consoli-
dated revenues in the amount of € 6.4 million and to
consolidated net income in the amount of € 0.1 million.
If allesklar.com had already been fully consolidated at
January 1, 2012, allesklar.com would have contributed
to consolidated revenues in the amount of € 24.0 million
and to consolidated net income in the amount of
€ 0.0 million.
In the context of the growth strategy in the online classi-
fieds sector, Axel Springer Digital Classifieds acquired 80 %
of the shares in Immoweb S.A., Brussels, Belgium, at the
beginning of November, thus acquiring control over the
leading online real estate portal in Belgium. Mutual call
and put option agreements have been signed upon for
the remaining 20 % of the shares, in which the purchase
price to be paid will be measured by the future earnings
of Immoweb S.A. The purchase price of the put options
is limited by contract to a maximum of € 100.0 million.
The preliminary acquisition costs amounted to
€ 184.8 million, comprising the purchase price of
€ 135.8 million paid in the reporting year, a liability of
€ 3.1 million for a purchase price adjustment expected
for the beginning of 2013, and a contingent purchase
price liability of € 46.0 million for the option rights. Pro-
portional financing of the acquisition was paid in the
amount of € 22.5 million from a capital contribution from
our partner General Atlantic. The acquisition-related
expenses of the purchase recorded in other operating
expenses amounted to € 0.7 million.
94 Annual Report 2012 Axel Springer AG
Based on the preliminary purchase price allocation, the
preliminary acquisition costs were allocated to the pur-
chased assets and liabilities at the acquisition date as
follows:
€ millions
Carrying
amount
before
acquisition
Adjust-
ment
amount
Carrying
amount
after
acquisition
Intangible assets
0.3
104.5
104.8
Property, plant, and
equipment
Trade receivables
Other assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Provisions and liabilities
0.4
3.4
10.8
5.6
– 5.6
0.4
3.4
10.8
5.6
– 5.6
Deferred tax liabilities
– 35.5
– 35.5
Net assets
14.8
69.0
Share of non-controlling interests in net assets
Acquisition cost (preliminary)
Share of non-controlling interests in acquisition cost
Goodwill (preliminary)
83.8
25.1
184.8
– 55.4
70.7
The purchase price allocation considers all knowledge
and adjusting events about conditions that existed al-
ready at the acquisition date, and has not yet been com-
pleted, particularly due to the closeness in time to the
reporting date.
Of the intangible assets acquired, intangible assets with
carrying amounts of € 52.9 million have indefinite useful
lives. The preliminary, non-tax-deductible goodwill is
above all attributable to inseparable values such as em-
ployee expertise and strategic advantages resulting from
the leading market position of the acquired company,
and was allocated to the Digital Media segment.
The gross amount of the acquired trade accounts re-
ceivable was € 3.5 million. Corresponding valuation
allowances in the amount of € 0.2 million were recorded.
Since first inclusion, Immoweb contributed to consolidat-
ed revenues in the amount of € 3.6 million and to con-
solidated net income in the amount of € 1.2 million. If
Immoweb had already been fully consolidated at January
1, 2012, Immoweb would have contributed to consoli-
dated revenues in the amount of € 21.0 million and to
consolidated net income in the amount of € 5.7 million.
At the beginning of November 2012, Ringier Axel
Springer Media acquired control of Onet.pl S.A., Krakow,
Poland, representing a significant step in the direction of
digitization. Onet.pl is the leading online portal in Poland.
The acquisition of 75 % of the shares in Onet.pl took
place through the holding company Vidalia Investments
Sp. Z o.o., Warsaw, Poland. The seller then contributed
the remaining 25 % of the shares in Onet.pl to Vidalia
Investments and received in exchange 25 % of the
shares in Vidalia Investments. Mutual call and put option
agreements have been signed upon for this 25 % of the
shares in Vidalia Investments, in which the purchase
price to be paid will be measured by the future earnings
of Onet.pl S.A. The purchase price of the put options is
limited by contract to a maximum of PLN 1 billion (about
€ 245.8 million).
The preliminary acquisition costs amounted to
€ 302.6 million, comprising the purchase price of
€ 206.1 million paid in the reporting year, a liability of
€ 8.4 million for a purchase price adjustment effected at
the beginning of 2013, and the contingent purchase
price liability of € 88.1 million for the option rights. Pro-
portional financing of the acquisition was paid in the
amount of € 60.5 million from a capital contribution from
our joint venture partner Ringier. The acquisition-related
expenses of the purchase recorded in other operating
expenses amounted to € 2.3 million.
Consolidated Financial Statements 95
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Based on the preliminary purchase price allocation, the
preliminary acquisition costs were allocated to the pur-
chased assets and liabilities at the acquisition date as
follows:
The gross amount of the acquired trade accounts re-
ceivable was € 13.2 million. Corresponding valuation
allowances in the amount of € 1.9 million were recorded.
Since first inclusion, Onet.pl contributed to consolidated
revenues in the amount of € 12.3 million and to consoli-
dated net income in the amount of € 2.5 million. If
Onet.pl had already been fully consolidated at January 1,
2012, Onet.pl would have contributed to consolidated
revenues in the amount of € 62.3 million and to consoli-
dated net income in the amount of € 10.1 million.
In the context of our digitization and internationalization
strategy in the online classifieds business, we signed an
agreement at the beginning of March 2012 with the
global growth investor General Atlantic for a 30 % in-
vestment by General Atlantic Coöperatief U.A., Amster-
dam, the Netherlands, in the newly founded company
Axel Springer Digital Classifieds GmbH, Berlin, into which
we brought our investments in SeLoger, Immonet, and
StepStone (including Totaljobs). The sale of the shares
was completed on May 24, 2012, for a total sale price of
€ 237.0 million. The share of net assets (including
goodwill) of Axel Springer Digital Classifieds allocated to
the non-controlling interests increased by € 98.6 million.
The accumulated retained earnings allocated to the
shareholders of Axel Springer AG increased by
€ 140.8 million, and accumulated other comprehensive
income declined by € 2.4 million.
€ millions
Carrying
amount
before
acquisition
Adjust-
ment
amount
Carrying
amount
after
acquisition
Intangible assets
8.0
137.6
145.6
Property, plant, and
equipment
Trade receivables
Other assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Provisions and other
liabilities
Trade payables
Deferred tax liabilities
Net assets
24.7
11.3
4.1
7.9
– 6.5
– 7.1
– 0.5
41.9
Share of non-controlling interests in net assets
Acquisition cost (preliminary)
– 26.1
111.5
24.7
11.3
4.1
7.9
– 6.5
– 7.1
– 26.7
153.4
76.7
302.6
Share of non-controlling interests in acquisition cost
– 151.3
Goodwill (preliminary)
74.6
The purchase price allocation considers all knowledge
and adjusting events about conditions that existed al-
ready at the acquisition date, and has not yet been com-
pleted, particularly due to the closeness in time to the
reporting date.
Of the intangible assets acquired, intangible assets with
carrying amounts of € 112.1 million have indefinite useful
lives. The preliminary, non-tax-deductible goodwill is
above all attributable to inseparable values such as em-
ployee expertise, expected synergy effects from the
integration and the strategic advantages resulting from
the leading market position of the acquired company,
and was allocated to the Digital Media segment.
96 Annual Report 2012 Axel Springer AG
The sale of the online game provider gamigo AG, Ham-
burg, took place at the beginning of October 2012. The
loss on the sale recorded in other operating expenses
amounted to € 16.9 million. The following table shows
the carrying amounts of the assets and liabilities sold:
2011, we held 98.7 % of the company’s shares. In addi-
tion, we agreed upon options to acquire an additional
0.3 % of the shares. These options also cover the acqui-
sition of shares in the context of the employee stock
option programs that still exist at SeLoger.
€ millions
Goodwill
Other intangible assets
Property, plant, and equipment
Non-current financial assets
Trade receivables
Other assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Provisions and other liabilities
Deferred tax liabilities
Disposal net assets
Total sales price
Loss on disposal
Carrying
amount
1.6
9.9
2.4
1.7
2.9
2.5
0.1
– 3.7
– 0.5
16.9
0.0
– 16.9
Additional transactions carried out in 2012, as well as
finalizations of purchase price allocations arising from
acquisitions of companies in the prior year, had no mate-
rial effects individually and collectively on the financial
position, liquidity, and financial performance of the Axel
Springer Group.
Acquisitions and divestures in the prior year:
In the context of our digitization strategy, we significantly
expanded our digital business in the area of online classi-
fieds/marketplaces with our takeover of the majority in
the leading French online real estate portal. In September
2010, we had initially acquired 12.4 % of the shares in
SeLoger.com SA, Paris, France. We acquired an addi-
tional 61.8 % of the shares through the first phase of the
public tender offer and thus acquired control of SeLoger
at the beginning of March 2011. At the end of the sec-
ond phase of the public tender offer, at the end of March
The acquisition costs totaling € 632.5 million included,
above all, the purchase price already paid in 2010 and
2011 totaling € 624.8 million (thereof € 70.0 million in
September 2010) as well as liabilities of € 7.7 million
from promises in connection with the employee stock
option programs. The incidental acquisition costs
recorded in other operating expenses amounted to
€ 3.6 million. The acquisition was financed both by using
our own funds and by utilization of our credit facility.
Based on the preliminary purchase price allocation, the
preliminary acquisition costs were allocated to the pur-
chased assets and liabilities at the acquisition date as
follows:
€ millions
Carrying
amount
before
acquisition
Adjust-
ment
amount
Carrying
amount
after
acquisition
Intangible assets
1.0
237.2
238.2
Property, plant, and
equipment
Trade receivables
Other assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Trade payables
Financial liabilities
Other liabilities
Deferred tax liabilities
Net assets
1.0
13.5
3.5
44.3
– 7.6
– 23.9
– 14.1
0.0
17.9
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
– 81.7
155.5
Share in non-controlling interests in net assets
Acquisition cost
Goodwill
1.0
13.5
3.5
44.3
– 7.6
– 23.9
– 14.1
– 81.7
173.4
1.7
632.5
460.9
Consolidated Financial Statements 97
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
The additional business combinations completed 2011
related to the acquisitions of Juno Internet GmbH (kaufDA,
74.9 %), The Mbuyu Community B.V. (M4N, 100 %), Net-
mums Ltd. (NetMums,100 %), Visual Meta GmbH (laden-
zeile, 77.66 %), and CIBLETIC SAS (aGites, 100 %). In
addition, we acquired 83 % of the shares in AR Technology
SAS, which holds 100 % of the shares in Autoreflex.com
SAS, through EMAS Digital SAS, which we founded to-
gether with Mondadori, in December 2011. These acquisi-
tions occurred in connection with our digitization strategy
and individually did not have any significant effects on the
financial position, liquidity, and financial performance of the
Group.
The consideration transferred for these acquisitions, total-
ing € 118.6 million, included both the purchase prices paid
in 2011 and contingent consideration of € 30.7 million. The
acquisition-related expenses of the purchase recorded in
other operating expenses amounted to € 0.8 million.
The contingent consideration resulted from options to
acquire the remaining shares in the companies and from
purchase price adjustment clauses (earn-outs). The current
fair value depends significantly on the profit trends of the
acquired companies in the years prior to the payment
dates or possible exercise dates of the options. Contractu-
ally these payment obligations are limited to a maximum of
€ 73.6 million.
Of the other intangible assets acquired, intangible assets
with carrying amounts of € 128.3 million have indefinite
useful lives. The non-tax-deductible goodwill is above all
attributable to inseparable values such as employee exper-
tise and the strategic advantages resulting from the lead-
ing market position of the acquired company, and was
allocated to the Digital Media segment. As of December 31,
2011 the goodwill amounted to € 464.0 million. The in-
crease resulted from the acquisition and the subsequent
merger of the CIBLETIC SAS.
The gross amount of the acquired trade accounts receiv-
able was € 16.9 million. Corresponding valuation allowan-
ces in the amount of € 3.4 million were recorded.
In conjunction with a squeeze-out process initiated in
March 2011, the remaining 1.0 % of the share capital was
taken over at the beginning of April 2011 at a price of
€ 6.5 million and treated in the balance sheet as an acqui-
sition of non-controlling shares (€ 1.7 million). The differ-
ence in the amount of € 4.8 million was offset in accumu-
lated retained earnings.
The acquisition date fair value of our investment in SeLoger
held before gaining control equaled its carrying amount of
€ 78.3 million.
Since first inclusion, SeLoger contributed to consolidated
revenues 2011 in the amount of € 79.7 million and to con-
solidated net income 2011 in the amount of € 16.2 million.
If SeLoger had already been fully consolidated at January 1,
2011, SeLoger would have contributed to consolidated
revenues 2011 in the amount of € 94.1 million and to con-
solidated net income 2011 in the amount of € 18.6 million.
98 Annual Report 2012 Axel Springer AG
Based on the preliminary purchase price allocations, the
accumulated costs of purchase of these acquisitions could
be allocated to the purchased assets and liabilities at the
acquisition date as follows:
Carrying
amount
before
acquisition
Adjust-
ment
amount
Carrying
amount
after
acquisition
€ millions
Other intangible assets
Property, plant, and
equipment
Non-current financial assets
Trade receivables
Other assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Provisions and other
liabilities
Trade payables
Deferred tax liabilities
Net assets
0.5
0.5
2.8
5.8
2.8
4.8
– 10.2
– 3.3
– 0.5
3.2
Share in non-controlling interests in net assets
Acquisition cost (preliminary)
Share of non-controlling interests in acquisition cost
Goodwill (preliminary)
40.0
40.5
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.2
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.5
2.8
5.8
3.1
4.8
– 10.2
– 3.3
– 11.7
– 12.2
28.6
31.9
8.4
118.6
– 24.5
70.6
The purchase price allocations consider all knowledge
and adjusting events about conditions that existed al-
ready at the acquisition date, and have not yet been
completed, particularly due to the closeness in time
between individual acquisitions and the reporting date.
Of the intangible assets acquired, intangible assets with
carrying amounts of € 11.2 million have indefinite useful
lives. The preliminary, non-tax-deductible goodwill values
are above all attributable to inseparable values such as
employee expertise, expected synergy effects from the
integration or strategic advantages from the early move-
ment into these new market segments, and were allocat-
ed to the Digital Media segment.
Since initial consolidation, these companies have
contributed to consolidated revenues 2011 in the
amount of € 21.7 million and to consolidated net income
2011 in the amount of € – 1.5 million. If the acquisitions
had already occurred on January 1, 2011, the consoli-
dated revenues 2011 would have increased by
€ 51.7 million, and the consolidated net income 2011
would have decreased by € – 0.2 million.
Due to the termination of a call-and-put-option agree-
ment, acquisition-related liabilities of € 38.7 million were
derecognized. The non-controlling interests increased by
€ 22.1 million, corresponding to their share in net assets
(including goodwill) of 25.1 %. The residual amount of
€ 16.6 million increased retained earnings.
The divestitures carried out in 2011 collectively had no
material effects on the financial position, liquidity, and
financial performance of the Axel Springer Group.
(d) Translation of separate financial statements
denominated in foreign currency
Assets and liabilities of subsidiaries for which the func-
tional currency is not the euro have been translated at
the exchange rate in effect on the reporting date. The
goodwill and fair value adjustments of assets and liabili-
ties related to the acquisition of companies outside the
European Monetary Union are assigned to the acquired
company and accordingly translated at the exchange
rate in effect on the reporting date.
Items of the income statement of these subsidiaries have
been translated at the weighted average exchange rate
for the year. Equity components have been translated at
the historical exchange rate at the date of origination.
Foreign exchange differences resulting from the transla-
tion have been recognized within accumulated other
comprehensive income and/or non-controlling interests.
Consolidated Financial Statements 99
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
The exchange rates to the euro of foreign currencies that
are significant for Axel Springer Group underwent the
following changes in the past year:
1 € in foreign
currency
Average exchange rate
Exchange rate on
balance sheet date
Polish zloty
Swiss franc
2012
4.10
1.21
2011 12/31/2012 12/31/2011
4.11
1.24
4.07
1.21
4.40
1.22
Czech koruna
25.21
24.56
25.07
25.81
Hungarian
forint
284.80
278.48
291.73
310.83
British pound
0.81
0.87
0.82
0.84
(3) Explanation of significant accounting and
valuation methods
(a) Basic principles
The accounting and valuation principles applied uniformly
across the Axel Springer Group in fiscal year 2012 are
basically the same as those applied in the prior year.
For information on the accounting and valuation methods
resulting from new or revised IFRSs and IFRS IC Inter-
pretations, please refer to note (3q).
(b) Recognition of income and expenses
The Axel Springer Group mainly generates circulation
and advertising revenues. Revenues are recognized at
the time when the significant risks of ownership have
passed to the buyer/the services have been rendered,
the amount of revenue can be reliably measured, and it
is sufficiently probable that the economic benefits will
flow to the enterprise. Revenues are stated net of any
discounts allowed. Revenues from services rendered
over a certain period in an indefinite number of transac-
tions are recognized on a straight-line-basis over the
contractual term.
Circulation revenues encompass the sales of newspa-
pers and magazines to retailers, wholesalers, and sub-
scribers. Revenue is not recognized for that portion of
products sold, which can be expected, on the basis of
historical experience, to be returned. Additionally, circula-
tion revenues comprise the sale of digital applications
and formats.
The advertising revenues encompass revenues from
sales of advertising spaces in the published newspapers
and magazines and the revenues generated in the cate-
gories of display, affiliate marketing, online classifieds,
and search in the Digital Media segment.
Where significant risks and rewards of business activities
do not lie with the Axel Springer Group or the income is
collected in the interest of third parties, only the corre-
sponding commission income or proportion of revenue
accruing to the Axel Springer Group are recognized as
revenues.
Offers that contain multiple service components are
separated for purposes of revenue recognition when the
delivered components have an independent benefit and
the market values of goods not yet delivered or services
not yet performed can be determined objectively. The
total remuneration for these offers is distributed in princi-
ple among the individual service components in such a
way that the service components still to be provided are
allocated remuneration in the amount of their fair value,
and then the service components already provided are
allocated the remaining remuneration in proportion to
their fair values.
Revenues from barter transactions are recognized if the
goods or services exchanged are dissimilar and the
amount of revenue can be measured reliably. Revenues
are measured at the fair value of services received. If the
fair value of the service received under barter transac-
tions cannot be measured reliably, the fair value is de-
termined on the basis of the service rendered.
100 Annual Report 2012 Axel Springer AG
Other income is recognized when the future inflow of
economic benefits from the transaction can be mea-
sured reliably and was received by the company during
the reporting period.
Operating expenses are recognized either when the
corresponding goods or services are sold or rendered, or
at the time of their origination.
Interest expenses and income are recognized on an
accrual basis in the period of their occurrence. Interest
expenses incurred in connection with the acquisition and
production of qualified assets are capitalized as assets in
the financial statements. Dividend income is recognized
when the legal entitlement is constituted.
(c) Intangible assets
Internally generated intangible assets are measured as
the sum of costs incurred in the development phase
from the time when the technical and economic feasibil-
ity has been demonstrated until the time when the intan-
gible asset has been completed. The capitalized produc-
tion costs include all costs that are directly or indirectly
allocable to the development phase. Costs for the self-
development of websites are capitalized only when the
website directly serves the generation of revenues. Pur-
chased intangible assets are measured at cost.
Internally generated and purchased intangible assets that
have a determinable useful life are amortized over their
expected useful lives using the straight-line method,
starting from the time when they become available for
use by the enterprise, as follows:
Software
Licenses
Supply rights
Internet platform
Customer relationships
Useful life
in years
3 – 8
3 – 10
3 – 6
3 – 8
3 – 17
Intangible assets with an indefinite useful life, which in-
clude goodwill, title rights, and brand rights, are not
amortized. At present, the use of these assets by the
company is not limited by any economic or legal re-
strictions.
(d) Property, plant, and equipment
Property, plant, and equipment are measured at cost
and depreciated over their expected useful lives using
the straight-line method. Any gains or losses on the
disposal of property, plant, and equipment are recog-
nized as other operating income or expenses.
Leased assets whose economic benefits are attributable
to Axel Springer are recognized and measured at the
present value of the minimum future lease payments or
the lower fair value of the leased asset and depreciated
by the straight-line method over the minimum contract
term, taking any existing residual value into consideration.
When it is reasonably certain that ownership will pass to
Axel Springer at the end of the lease period, such assets
are depreciated over their useful lives. The present value
of the payment obligations associated with the minimum
future lease payments is recognized as a liability.
For depreciation purposes, the following useful lives are
applied for property, plant, and equipment:
Buildings
Leased buildings
Leasehold improvements
Printing machines
Editing systems
Other operational and business equipment
Useful life
in years
30 – 50
19 – 20
5 – 15
12 – 20
3 – 7
3 – 14
Consolidated Financial Statements 101
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
The impairment test is conducted by determining the
value in use of the reporting units, determined as the
sum of the discounted estimated future cash flows,
which are derived from the company’s medium-term
plan. The planning horizon for the medium-term planning
is five years. The value in use of the reporting units is
determined primarily by the terminal value, however. The
amount of the terminal value depends on the forecasted
cash flow in the fifth year of medium-term planning, on
the growth rate of the cash flows subsequent to the
medium-term planning, and on the discount rate. The
cash flows to be received after the five-year period are
extrapolated on the assumption of a growth rate of 1.5 %
(PY: 1.5 %), which does not exceed the assumed aver-
age market or industry growth rate.
In order to determine the present value, the discount
rates are calculated on the basis of the weighted average
capital costs of the Group, taking country-specific con-
siderations into account. The discount rates range from
6.4 % to 10.4 % (PY: from 6.4 % to 10.7 %) after taxes
and from 8.5 % to 13.0 % (PY: from 8.4 % to 13.0 %)
before taxes.
Estimation uncertainties arise in the following assump-
tions applied in calculating the value-in-use amounts of
the reporting units:
Medium-term planning: The medium-term planning is
determined on the basis of past historical values, and
factors in business-segment-specific expectations about
future market growth. Here, we assume that cash flows
in the electronic media sector will usually exhibit higher
growth rates than in the print sector.
Discount rates: Based on the average weighted capital
costs of the sector in question, the discount rates of the
reporting units consider also country-specific risks,
which reflect the current market estimates.
Capital investment subsidies and bonuses granted by
the government are recognized when it is reasonably
certain that the subsidies will be granted and the related
terms and conditions will be fulfilled. Bonuses and subsi-
dies granted for the acquisition or construction of prop-
erty, plant and equipment are recognized in a deferred
income item within other liabilities. In subsequent periods,
the deferred income item is released and recognized as
income over the useful life of the corresponding assets.
(e) Investment property
Investment property intended for lease to third parties is
measured at amortized cost. Such property is depreciat-
ed over a useful life of 50 years using the straight-line
method. For leased assets whose economic benefits are
attributable to Axel Springer, see note (3d).
(f) Recognition of impairment losses in intangible
assets, in property, plant, and equipment, and
in investment property
Impairment losses are recognized in intangible assets, in
property, plant, and equipment, and in investment prop-
erty when as a result of certain events or changed cir-
cumstances, the carrying amount of the asset exceeds
its recoverable amount (fair value less the costs to sell
or the value in use). If it is not possible to determine the
recoverable amount of an individual asset, the recover-
able amount for the next-higher group of assets is ap-
plied.
Goodwill and intangibles with indefinite useful lives ac-
quired in the context of business combinations are test-
ed at least once annually for impairment. In order to carry
out the impairment tests, these assets are assigned to
those cash-generating units or those cash-generating
groups (i.e., each “reporting unit”) that can be expected
to profit from the synergies of the business combinations.
These reporting units represent the lowest level at which
these assets are monitored for management purposes.
They generally correspond to individual titles and digital
media of the Axel Springer Group. In the case of inte-
grated business models, individual titles and digital me-
dia are collected into a single reporting unit.
102 Annual Report 2012 Axel Springer AG
Growth rates: The growth rates are determined on the
basis of published market research reports for the sec-
tors in question. In estimating the long-term growth
rates, due consideration was given to the compensatory
effects between the different business lines, based on
the adopted strategy of the Group.
Impairment losses are reversed when the recoverable
amount exceeds the carrying amount of the asset due to
changes of the underlying estimates used for the meas-
urement. The reversal is limited to the amount that would
have resulted if previous impairment losses had not been
recognized. A recognized impairment loss in goodwill is
never reversed.
(g) Financial assets and liabilities
Financial assets are mainly composed of cash and cash
equivalents, deferred purchase price receivables, trade
receivables, receivables due from related parties, loans,
investments, securities, and financial derivatives with
positive market values. Financial liabilities are mainly
composed of trade payables, liabilities due to related
parties, liabilities due to banks, promissory notes, con-
tingent consideration, and financial derivatives with nega-
tive market values.
The initial recognition and derecognition of financial in-
struments coincide with the settlement dates of custom-
ary market purchases and sales of financial assets.
A financial asset is derecognized when the contractual
rights to the cash flows from the financial asset have
expired or have been transferred to third parties, or when
the Group has assumed a contractual obligation to pay
the cash flows to a third party, under which the risks and
rewards or the power of control were transferred. A finan-
cial liability is derecognized when the obligation underlying
the liability is settled or annulled, or has expired.
Investments and securities
Investments that have not been consolidated or ac-
counted for using the equity method in the consolidated
financial statements, as well as securities, are measured
at fair value if it can be determined reliably on the basis of
stock exchange or market prices and generally accepted
valuation methods, respectively. Otherwise, they are
measured at amortized cost. The valuation methods
employed include especially the discounted cash flow
method (DCF method) based on the expected invest-
ment income. We assume that the fair value of invest-
ments and securities is not reliably measurable when
either material valuation differences appear in estimating
fair values based on projections and scenarios, or when
the likelihood of such projections and scenarios cannot
be reliably determined. Any unrealized gains or losses
resulting from the changes in fair value of the financial
assets and liabilities, considering resulting tax effects, are
recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income.
Changes in fair value are not recognized in income until
the corresponding non-current financial assets are sold
or an impairment loss is recognized.
The carrying amounts of investments and securities are
reviewed at every reporting date to determine whether
there are objective indications of an impairment. If an
impairment is found to exist, an impairment loss is rec-
ognized and charged to income.
Loans, receivables, and other financial assets
Upon initial recognition, loans, receivables, and other
financial assets are measured at fair value plus transac-
tion costs. In subsequent periods, they are measured at
amortized cost, after deduction of any write-downs,
using the effective interest method. A write-down is
taken when objective indications suggest that the receiv-
able may not be fully collectible. Such an indication might
be the insolvency or other considerable financial prob-
lems of the debtor, for example. The amount of the
write-down is measured as the difference between the
carrying amount of the receivable and the present value
of the estimated future cash flows from this receivable,
discounted by application of the effective interest rate.
Consolidated Financial Statements 103
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Write-downs are charged against income both in the
form of an account for allowances on doubtful accounts
and by means of direct write-downs. The account for
allowances on doubtful accounts is used, in particular,
for allowances on doubtful trade receivables and receiv-
ables due from related parties. If in subsequent periods
the fair value has objectively risen, the write-downs are
reversed and recognized in income in the appropriate
amounts.
Financial derivatives
Financial derivatives are utilized exclusively to hedge
against currency and interest rate risks that have an
influence on future cash flows. They are measured at fair
values based on stock exchange or market prices, or
using generally accepted valuation methods. If the condi-
tions for the application of hedge accounting are met,
changes in the fair values, including the tax effects, are
recognized directly in equity as accumulated other com-
prehensive income. The amounts recognized in accumu-
lated other comprehensive income are recycled when
the underlying transaction is recognized on the balance
sheet or income statement. The changes in the fair value
of derivatives that do not meet the conditions for the
application of hedge accounting, despite their economic
hedging effect, are measured at fair value through profit
and loss. Furthermore, financial derivatives are used to
cover the risk of impairments of investments and securi-
ties. When the underlying financial assets are recognized
at amortized costs because their fair values are not relia-
bly measurable, the financial derivative is recognized at
amortized costs as well.
Contingent consideration
Options and earn-out agreements in connection with
business combinations and acquisition of non-controlling
interests are treated as contingent consideration at fair
value. To the extent it can be reliably measured, this
value is derived from the estimated profit trends of the
acquired companies in the years prior to the possible
exercise dates of the options or the payment dates of
the earn-outs. In the subsequent periods, changes in
the fair value are recognized immediately in income. The
discount rates are determined on the basis of the interest
rates charged on the Group’s borrowings.
For acquisitions that were completed prior to January 1,
2010, the obligation was measured at the present value
of the expected net profits provided that utilization was
probable and the obligation could be measured reliably.
Adjustments in measurement in the subsequent periods
continue to be recorded with no effect on income.
The earnings used as a basis for measurement are gen-
erally EBIDTA figures adjusted for material non-recurring
effects.
Other financial liabilities
Upon initial recognition, other non-derivative financial
liabilities are measured at fair value less transaction costs.
In subsequent periods, they are measured at amortized
cost using the effective interest method.
(h) Inventories
Inventories are measured at cost. Purchase costs are
determined on the basis of a weighted average value.
Production costs include all costs directly related to the
units of production and production-related overhead
costs. Inventories are measured at the reporting date at
the lower of the purchase or production cost and the net
realizable value. The net realizable value is the estimated
selling price less estimated costs to be incurred until the
sale. The net realizable value of goods and services in
progress is calculated as the net realizable value of fin-
ished goods and services less remaining costs of com-
pletion. Impairments are reversed whenever the reasons
justifying an earlier write-down no longer exist.
(i) Assets held for sale
Assets are classified as held-for-sale when their disposal
has been initiated. The non-current assets held for sale
are measured at the lower of the carrying amount or the
fair value less costs to sell. Depreciation is no longer
applied to these assets.
104 Annual Report 2012 Axel Springer AG
(j) Pension provisions
Pension obligations under defined benefit plans are
determined using the projected unit credit method under
which future changes in compensation and benefits are
taken into account. In order to calculate the pension
provisions, the present value of the obligations is netted
against the fair value of the plan assets.
The expected life spans of the participants are deter-
mined with reference to the country-specific recognized
actuarial tables. The present value of the defined benefit
commitments is determined by discounting the estimat-
ed future cash outflows. The discount rate applied for
this purpose is determined with reference to high-quality
AA-rated corporate bonds that match the underlying
pension obligations with respect to currency and maturi-
ty. If corporate bonds with matching terms do not exist,
then the yields of these bonds at the balance sheet date
are adjusted along the yield curve for fixed-interest gov-
ernment bonds using a constant spread over the term of
the underlying pension obligations.
The expected long-term income from plan assets is
derived from the expected income of the asset classes
within the portfolios and is based on a value-securing
investment strategy mainly investing in obligations of
issuers with high credit ratings, and real estate.
Actuarial gains and losses resulting from changes in
actuarial parameters are immediately offset against
accumulated other comprehensive income without
affecting net income.
(k) Other provisions and accrued liabilities
Other provisions have been formed to account for all
discernible legal and constructive obligations to third
parties, provided that the settlement of the obligation is
probable and the amount of the obligation can be reliably
estimated. The amount of each provision corresponds
to the expected settlement amount. In the case of long-
term provisions, the expected settlement amount is
discounted to the present value at the reporting date by
application of appropriate market rates of interest. Provi-
sions are recognized for restructuring expenses only
when the intended measures have been sufficiently con-
cretized and announced on or before the reporting date.
(l) Deferred taxes
Deferred taxes are recognized to account for the future
tax effects of temporary differences between the tax
bases of assets and liabilities and the carrying amounts
of those assets and liabilities in the consolidated financial
statements, and for interest and tax loss carry-forwards.
Deferred taxes are measured on the basis of the tax laws
already enacted for those fiscal years in which it is prob-
able that the differences will reverse or the tax loss carry-
forwards can be utilized. Deferred tax assets are recog-
nized for temporary differences or interest and tax loss
carry-forwards only when the ability to utilize them in the
near future appears to be reasonably certain. Deferred
taxes are recognized for temporary differences resulting
from the fair value measurement of assets and liabilities
obtained through business combinations. Deferred taxes
are recognized for temporary differences relating to
goodwill only when the goodwill can be utilized for
tax purposes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities of tax
groups are netted if they are based on the same kind
of income taxes; otherwise, they are netted only if the
deferred taxes are based on the income taxes imposed
by the same tax authority and only when current taxes
can be netted as well.
(m) Treasury shares
Treasury shares are measured at cost and are charged
directly to equity. The treasury shares are presented in
a separate line item of the consolidated statement of
changes in equity.
(n) Share-based payment programs
As part of performance-based remuneration programs,
Axel Springer Group grants equity-settled and cash-
settled share-based payment programs. The compensa-
tion components to be recognized as expenses over
the vesting period are measured as the fair value of the
options granted at the time when they were granted (in
case of equity-settled programs) or at the reporting date
Consolidated Financial Statements 105
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(in case of cash-settled programs). The fair values are
determined on the basis of generally accepted option
pricing models. The corresponding amount is recognized
in the additional paid-in capital (in the case of equity-
settled programs) or as provisions/liabilities (in the case
of cash-settled programs). Additions to liabilities or provi-
sions are recognized in personnel expenses; reversals
are accounted for in other operating income.
(o) Transactions in foreign currencies
Purchases and sales in foreign currencies are translated
at the exchange rate on the date of the transaction.
Assets and liabilities in foreign currencies are translated
into the functional currency at the exchange rate on the
reporting date. Any foreign exchange gains or losses
resulting from such translations are recognized in income.
(p) Estimates and assumptions
The preparation of the consolidated financial statements
requires estimates and assumptions that have an influ-
ence on the presentation of assets and liabilities, the
disclosure of contingent liabilities at the reporting date,
and the presentation of income and expenses. Estimates
and assumptions that are subject to uncertainty relate in
particular to discounted cash flows for the purposes of
impairment testing, purchase price allocations and the
measurement of contingent purchase price obligations in
connection with business combinations and the acquisi-
tion of non-controlling interests, future taxable income to
determine the ability to utilize tax loss carry-forwards and
discount rates for the measurement of pension obliga-
tions. Information concerning the carrying amounts de-
termined with the use of estimates can be found in the
comments on the specific line items.
(q) New accounting standards
No material changes resulted in fiscal year 2012 for Axel
Springer from IFRS standards or IFRIC interpretations to
be applied for the first time.
The following IFRSs have already been published, but
not yet applied.
IFRS 9 “Financial Instruments” was published by IASB in
November 2009. In the future, financial assets must be
assigned only to the two valuation categories “at amor-
tized cost” and “at fair value” and measured accordingly.
The regulations for recognizing financial liabilities were
published as a supplement in October 2010 and led to
changes in the application of the fair value option. Due to
an amendment published in December 2011, IFRS 9 is
only required to be applied to fiscal years beginning on
or after January 1, 2015. These amendments have not
yet been incorporated into European law. The application
of the new standard will lead to changes in the presenta-
tion and recognition of financial assets and liabilities.
In May 2011, the IASB published IFRS 10 “Consolidated
Financial Statements”, IFRS 11 “Joint Arrangements”,
IFRS 12 “Disclosure of Interests in Other Entities”,
amendments to IAS 27 “Consolidated and Separate
Financial Statements”, and amendments to IAS 28 "In-
vestments in Associates and Joint Ventures”. IFRS 10
supersedes the previous regulations on consolidated
financial statements (parts of IAS 27 “Consolidated and
Separate Financial Statements”) and special purpose
entities (SIC-12 “Consolidation – Special Purpose Enti-
ties”) and prescribes the control model as a uniform
principle for the future. The standard additionally includes
guidelines for assessing control in cases of doubt. The
currently applicable regulations for recognizing shares in
joint ventures (IAS 31 “Interests in Joint Ventures” and
SIC-13 “Jointly Controlled Entities – Non-Monetary Con-
tributions by Venturers”) will be replaced by IFRS 11 in
the future. The disclosure obligations previously included
in IAS 27, IAS 28, and IAS 31 are combined into IFRS 12
and expanded with additional particulars. Due to these
amendments, IAS 27 only still contains regulations on
the recognition of shares in subsidiaries, affiliates, and
joint ventures in the separate financial statements of the
parent company. IAS 28 is being expanded to include
regulations on the recognition of shares in joint ventures
and prescribes the mandatory use of the equity method
for affiliates and joint ventures. Due to the incorporation
into European law, these amendments are required to be
applied to fiscal years that begin on or after January 1,
106 Annual Report 2012 Axel Springer AG
2014. The amendments published by the IASB in June
2012 to IFRS 10, IFRS 11, and IFRS 12 in order to clarify
the transitional regulations of IFRS 10 and with regard to
simplifications for the initial application have not yet been
incorporated into European law, however. We assume
that the new and revised standards will have no material
influence on our financial position, liquidity, and financial
performance.
IFRS 13 “Fair Value Measurement”, which was also
published in May 2011, introduces a comprehensive
framework for measuring the fair value. IFRS 13 is re-
quired to be applied to fiscal years that begin on or after
January 1, 2013. The standard will have no material
influence on our financial position, liquidity, and financial
performance
In June 2011, the IASB published “Changes to IAS 1–
Presentation of Financial Statements”. The option to
present the income statement and the other income/loss
either in a continuous presentation or alternatively in two
subsequent presentations is fundamentally preserved. In
the future, however, the items of the other income/loss
must be grouped in such a way that a separate presen-
tation is created showing whether or not these items will
later have to be reclassified into the income statement.
The related income tax items must be assigned accord-
ingly. These changes are required to be applied to fiscal
years that begin on or after July 1, 2012. The application
of the amended standard will lead to changes in the
presentation of the statement of comprehensive income.
“Changes to IAS 19 – Employee Benefits” was published
in June 2011. These changes lead to abolition of the
corridor method and require the recognition of the actu-
arial gains and losses directly in other comprehensive
income. In addition, the discount rate used for the pen-
sion obligations has to be used as expected return on
plan assets, as well. In the future, moreover, any past
service cost must be entered entirely in the period of the
plan change. The revised standard also changes the
rules for termination benefits and expands the disclosure
obligations. These changes are required to be applied to
fiscal years that begin on or after January 1, 2013. We
assume that the changes will have no material influence
on our financial position, liquidity, and financial perfor-
mance.
In the reporting year, IASB and IFRS IC published addi-
tional pronouncements that had or will have no material
influence on our consolidated financial statements.
Consolidated Financial Statements 107
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Notes to the consolidated statement of financial position
(4) Intangible assets
The changes in intangible assets were as follows:
€ millions
Acquisition or production cost
Balance as of January 1, 2011
Initial consolidation
Deconsolidation
Currency effects
Additions
Disposals
Transfers
Balance as of December 31, 2011
Initial consolidation
Deconsolidation
Currency effects
Additions
Disposals
Transfers
Balance as of December 31, 2012
Depreciation, amortization, and impairments
Balance as of January 1, 2011
Deconsolidation
Currency effects
Additions
Disposals
Transfers
Balance as of December 31, 2011
Deconsolidation
Currency effects
Additions
Disposals
Balance as of December 31, 2012
Carrying amounts
Balance as of December 31, 2012
Balance as of December 31, 2011
Purchased
rights and
licenses
Internally
generated
rights
Goodwill
Total
711.7
291.0
– 0.1
– 0.8
38.4
– 12.9
– 0.3
1,027.1
359.5
– 19.1
3.3
34.4
– 2.7
– 0.7
1,401.7
174.9
– 0.1
– 0.6
63.1
– 9.7
0.1
227.6
– 9.2
0.8
77.7
– 0.5
296.3
34.5
6.6
0.0
0.0
7.9
– 1.2
0.1
47.8
29.2
0.0
0.0
14.6
– 0.3
1.1
92.4
21.6
0.0
0.0
5.7
– 0.3
0.0
26.9
0.0
0.0
12.0
0.1
39.1
614.0
529.2
0.0
– 1.0
1.7
0.0
– 0.7
1,360.3
826.8
– 0.1
– 1.7
48.0
– 14.1
– 0.9
1,143.1
2,218.0
227.1
– 1.6
4.8
– 3.7
0.0
– 0.5
615.8
– 20.7
8.1
45.3
– 3.0
0.0
1,369.4
2,863.5
48.2
0.0
0.0
7.8
0.0
– 0.7
55.3
0.0
0.0
17.4
0.0
72.7
244.6
– 0.1
– 0.7
76.5
– 10.0
– 0.6
309.8
– 9.2
0.7
107.1
– 0.4
408.1
1,105.4
799.5
53.3
20.9
1,296.7
1,087.9
2,455.5
1,908.3
108 Annual Report 2012 Axel Springer AG
The purchased rights and licenses mainly comprised
title rights, trademarks, and customer relationships.
The internally generated intangible assets mainly con-
sisted of software solutions and websites.
The goodwill and the intangible assets with indefinite
useful lives that were included in the acquired rights
and licenses totaled € 2,005.4 million at December 31,
2012 (PY: € 1,570.2 million). Of this amount,
€ 1,644.0 million was allocated to the Digital Media
segment, € 342.1 million to the Print International
segment, and € 19.3 million to the other segments.
With the exception of the SeLoger reporting unit as-
signed to the Digital Media segment and the Ringier
Axel Springer Media reporting unit assigned to the
segments Print International and Digital Media, the
total of goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite
useful lives that have been assigned to the individual
reporting units amounted to less than 9 % of the total
value of all goodwill and intangible assets with indefi-
nite useful lives.
With goodwill of € 464.9 million and intangible assets
with indefinite useful lives of € 129.4 million,
€ 594.3 million or about 30 % of the total value is as-
signed to the SeLoger reporting unit. The goodwill
increased in amount of € 0.9 million in the reporting
year due to the acquisition of Villaweb. In order to
determine the value in use, a discount rate of 6.4 %
(8.8 % before taxes) and a growth rate of 1.5 % for the
cash flows subsequent to the five-year medium-term
planning was used.
Material assumptions in the context of the medium-
term planning of SeLoger relate to the assumption of
stagnation in the online real estate market in France,
focusing marketing on the goal of increasing average
revenue per customer, improving market penetration
particularly in regions outside of Paris, and accelerating
growth in vertical niche portals by increasing market
share. These assumptions factor in both past experi-
ence and external data relevant to the market, such as
the 2012 Xerfi Study on online classified advertising
business.
The surplus of € 424.4 million between the value in
use and the carrying amount of the reporting unit
would be reduced to zero either in case of a reduction
in the cash flow in the fifth plan year by about 46 %, or
a reduction in the growth rate to – 2.9 % or an increase
in the discount rate to 9.5 % (13.3 % before taxes).
With goodwill of € 146.3 million and intangible
assets with indefinite useful lives of € 279.1 million,
€ 425.4 million or about 21 % of the total value is as-
signed to the Ringier Axel Springer Media reporting
unit. The goodwill increased in amount of € 78.0 million
in the reporting year due to the acquisition of Onet.pl
(€ 74.6 million) and currency effects amounting to
€ 2.8 million. In order to determine the value in use, a
discount rate of 6.7 % (8.1 % before taxes) and a
growth rate of 1.5 % for the cash flows subsequent to
the five-year medium-term planning was used.
In the medium-term planning of Ringier Axel Springer
Media, we assume that the two large revenue streams
in sales and the print advertising market will come under
increasing pressure in the coming years. It will be possi-
ble to compensate for the declining circulation figures
primarily by using price increases. We further assume
that our online businesses will profit from the trend to-
wards performance-based forms of advertising and will
be able to participate in the structural shift of print adver-
tisements into digital channels. We assume that new
revenue sources from additional business in the strong
tabloid brands as well as strict cost management (by
rolling out the newsroom concept, for instance) will
make it possible to largely maintain profitability.
The surplus of € 401.1 million between the value in use
and the carrying amount of the reporting unit would be
reduced to zero either in case of a reduction in the
cash flow in the fifth plan year by about 48 %, or a
reduction in the growth rate to – 3.3 % or an increase in
the discount rate to 10.1 % (12.4 % before taxes).
Consolidated Financial Statements 109
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(5) Property, plant, and equipment
The changes in property, plant, and equipment were as follows:
€ millions
Acquisition or production cost
Balance as of January 1, 2011
Initial consolidation
Currency effects
Additions
Disposals
Transfers
Balance as of December 31, 2011
Initial consolidation
Deconsolidation
Currency effects
Additions
Disposals
Transfers
Balance as of December 31, 2012
Depreciation, amortization, and impairments
Balance as of January 1, 2011
Currency effects
Additions
Disposals
Transfers
Balance as of December 31, 2011
Deconsolidation
Currency effects
Additions
Disposals
Transfers
Balance as of December 31, 2012
Carrying amounts
Balance as of December 31, 2012
Balance as of December 31, 2011
Technical
equipment
and
machinery
Other
equipment,
operational
and office
equipment
Construction
in progress
Land and
buildings
553.1
0.0
– 0.6
51.1
– 24.7
3.6
582.5
12.1
0.0
0.6
28.3
– 58.6
– 0.7
564.3
173.1
– 0.2
11.5
– 11.1
0.9
174.2
0.0
0.2
10.7
– 27.8
– 0.1
157.3
407.0
408.3
549.3
0.0
– 1.2
2.8
– 4.2
2.6
549.2
0.3
0.0
1.0
1.7
– 3.6
0.9
549.6
305.2
– 0.8
29.1
– 3.8
0.0
329.7
0.0
0.5
28.6
– 3.5
– 0.1
355.2
194.4
219.5
187.3
1.4
– 1.6
25.6
– 16.1
2.6
199.0
14.4
– 4.3
1.3
16.0
– 11.7
3.7
218.5
129.4
– 1.0
20.5
– 15.6
0.0
133.3
– 1.9
0.8
23.8
– 13.9
0.1
142.2
76.4
65.7
4.7
0.0
0.0
5.5
– 0.5
– 5.3
4.3
0.1
– 0.7
– 0.1
14.1
– 0.2
– 4.6
12.9
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
– 0.1
– 0.7
0.0
0.7
0.0
0.0
– 0.1
13.0
4.4
Total
1,294.4
1.4
– 3.4
84.9
– 45.5
3.4
1,335.0
26.9
– 4.9
2.9
60.1
– 74.0
– 0.7
1,345.3
607.7
– 2.0
61.0
– 30.5
0.9
637.1
– 2.5
1.5
63.8
– 45.2
– 0.1
654.6
690.7
697.9
110 Annual Report 2012 Axel Springer AG
As of December 31, 2012, property, plant, and
equipment with acquisition or production cost of
€ 151.7 million (PY: € 145.6 million) were in use that
had already been fully depreciated.
Property, plant, and equipment in the amount of
€ 30.9 million (PY: € 72.0 million) had been pledged as
security for own liabilities as of December 31, 2012.
The carrying amount of the property, plant, and equip-
ment carried in the context of finance leases, which
are allocated almost exclusively to land and buildings,
amounted to € 46.4 million at December 31, 2012 (PY:
€ 19.9 million).
In the reporting year, real estate assets with a residual
carrying amount of € 28.2 million (property, plant, and
equipment) and € 3.1 million (investment property) were
contributed to plan assets (see note (13)). Under a fi-
nance lease Axel Springer leased back the real estate.
Due to the continuing lease of a portion of the building
space to third parties, the present value of the minimum
lease payments was recorded as additions to property,
plant, and equipment at € 27.9 million, and as additions
to investment property at € 3.1 million.
(6) Investment property
The development of our office and retails spaces in Berlin
and Hamburg leased to third parties was as follows:
€ millions
Acquisition or production cost
Balance as of January 1, 2011
Additions
Disposals
Transfers
Balance as of December 31, 2011
Additions
Disposals
Transfers
Balance as of December 31, 2012
Depreciation, amortization, and impairments
Balance as of January 1, 2011
Additions
Disposals
Transfers
Write-ups
Balance as of December 31, 2011
Additions
Disposals
Transfers
Write-ups
Balance as of December 31, 2012
Carrying amounts
As of December 31, 2012
As of December 31, 2011
Investment
property
91.3
3.3
– 8.2
– 3.1
83.3
3.1
– 5.6
0.7
81.5
37.0
1.3
– 4.5
– 0.9
– 2.2
30.7
1.4
– 2.5
0.1
– 5.2
24.5
57.0
52.6
Consolidated Financial Statements 111
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
The changes resulting from contributing real estate as-
sets to plan assets are presented in note (5).
(7) Non-current financial assets
The carrying amount of investment property in the con-
text of finance leases was € 7.1 million at December 31,
2012 (PY: € 3.2 million).
The fair value of investment property as of December 31,
2012 amounted to € 57,0 million (PY: € 52.6 million).
The measurement, which was performed by us, was
based on the application of the discounted cash flow
method, with reference to the estimated cash flows.
In calculating this value, a discount rate of 6.85 % (PY:
7.0 %) and a perpetuity capitalization rate of 5.85 % (PY:
6.0 %) was applied. As a result of the change in fair value,
write-ups amounting to € 5.2 million (PY: € 2.2 million)
have been recognized in other operating income in the
Services/Holding segment.
Due to reduced own usage of office space, we reclassi-
fied an amount of € 0.6 million from property, plant, and
equipment into investment property in the reporting year.
In 2012, rental income of € 5.4 million (PY: € 5.1 million)
was generated, with corresponding directly attributable
operating expenses of € 0.8 million (PY: € 0.6 million).
As in the prior year, directly allocable expenses of less
than € 0.1 million were incurred for non-rented space.
The future minimum lease payments from investment
property as broke down as follows:
€ millions
Due in up to one year
Due in one to five years
Due in more than five years
Total
2012
2011
3.5
10.7
6.3
20.5
3.7
10.4
6.0
20.1
The non-current financial assets include the shares in
Do⁄an TV at € 352.0 million, unchanged from the prior
year. When determining the recoverable amount in the
context of the impairment test of our investment in Do⁄an
TV, we factored in both estimated future cash flows and
contractually stipulated value-securing mechanisms.
The carrying amounts of investments using the equity
method showed the following development:
€ millions
Carrying amount as of January 1
Attributable net income
Dividends
Changes recognized in other
comprehensive income
Impairment losses
Disposals
Carrying amount as of December 31
2012
30.6
4.5
– 4.5
0.4
– 2.0
– 4.3
24.6
2011
40.7
5.0
– 5.4
– 1.2
– 8.4
0.0
30.6
Proportionate income/losses to be recognized in income
from investments were not recognized in the reporting
year in the amount of € – 17.4 million (PY: € – 10.1 million),
and cumulatively in the amount of € – 27.5 million (PY:
€ – 10.1 million). The corresponding net carrying amount
of investments was fully depreciated in 2010.
The impairment losses relate to our investment in INFOR
in the amount of € 2.0 million (PY: € 8.1 million).
The disposals related to the sale of our shares in Jahr
Top Special Verlag.
112 Annual Report 2012 Axel Springer AG
The aggregated financial data for the investments ac-
counted for using the equity method are shown in the
table below. Net income and revenue amounts corre-
spond to the period of inclusion under the equity method
in the reporting periods:
€ millions
Net income
Revenues
Assets
Liabilities
2012
– 62.9
898.0
493.0
596.6
2011
– 36.3
954.3
616.6
591.7
(8) Inventories
The inventories broke down as follows:
€ millions
12/31/2012 12/31/2011
Raw materials and supplies
17.1
19.4
Semi-finished goods
Finished goods and merchandise
Inventories
2.9
7.1
2.8
6.3
27.1
28.6
(9) Trade receivables
The trade receivables broke down as follows:
€ millions
12/31/2012 12/31/2011
Trade receivables, nominal
Allowances for doubtful trade receivables
Trade receivables
527.7
– 25.0
502.6
455.5
– 13.1
442.4
The changes in the allowances for doubtful trade receiv-
ables are presented below:
€ millions
Balance as of January 1
Utilization
Reversals
Disposal due to deconsolidation
Additions
Other changes
Balance as of December 31
2012
2011
13.1
– 0.9
– 0.3
0.0
12.3
0.9
25.0
13.0
– 5.3
– 2.0
– 0.5
7.9
0.0
13.1
Inventories of € 11.0 million (PY:€ 8.5 million) were
measured at their net realizable value. At December 31,
2012, the valuation allowance for these inventories
amounted to € 2.7 million (PY: € 1.9 million), of which
€ 0.1 million (PY: € 0.3 million) was recognized affecting
net income in 2012.
At December 31, 2012, receivables in the amount of
€ 345.6 million (PY: € 288.7 million) were neither past
due nor subject to valuation allowances. With regard
to these receivables, there were no indications at the
reporting date that would suggest that the customers
would not fulfill their payment obligations.
Consolidated Financial Statements 113
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
The past-due trade receivables at the reporting date for
which no valuation allowances have been charged are
presented in the table below.
€ millions
up to 30 days
31 to 90 days
91 to 180 days
181 to 360 days
361 days and longer
12/31/2012 12/31/2011
55.5
16.5
7.7
10.0
9.0
47.9
20.1
5.7
7.2
7.0
(10) Other assets
The other assets broke down as follows:
€ millions
12/31/2012 12/31/2011
Deferral of payment for regional
newspaper investments
Credit balances in accounts payable
Derivatives
Other
Other financial assets
Advance payments
Receivables from other taxes
Other non-financial assets
100.0
125.0
4.6
0.7
7.2
0.4
39.2
24.8
144.5
157.5
17.3
14.1
31.5
17.1
10.0
27.1
Other assets
176.0
184.6
The purchase price from the sale of investments in re-
gional newspapers that occurred in 2009 will become
successively due and payable in the period from 2011 to
2016 amounting to an annual payment of € 25.0 million.
The miscellaneous financial assets include loans and
receivables due from other investee companies and
security deposits, among other items.
(11) Equity
The components and changes in consolidated equity are
summarized in the consolidated statement of changes in
equity.
(a) Subscribed capital
The subscribed capital of € 98.9 million is fully paid in.
Based on the percentage of subscribed capital that each
share represents, the shares are valued at € 1.00 per
share. The subscribed capital is divided into
98,940 thousand registered shares, which can be trans-
ferred only with the consent of the company. At the
reporting date, 98,790 thousand shares were outstanding
(PY: 98,606 thousand shares).
(b) Additional paid-in capital
The additional paid-in capital primarily resulted from a
shareholder contribution granted in previous years and
the amount of imputed compensation for the share-
based payment programs (see note (12)).
(c) Accumulated retained earnings
The accumulated retained earnings included the income
of the companies included in the consolidated financial
statements, to the extent that they have not been dis-
tributed to shareholders. Moreover, transactions with
shareholders are recognized.
In 2012, Axel Springer AG distributed an amount of
€ 167.6 million as dividend payments (€ 1,70 per qualify-
ing share) for the fiscal year 2011. In 2011, Axel Springer
AG distributed an amount of € 157.3 million as dividend
payments (€ 1.60 per qualifying share, factoring in the
share split undertaken in 2011) for the fiscal year 2010.
The premium resulting from the issue of treasury shares
in the reporting period increased accumulated retained
earnings by € 2.6 million (PY: € 4.5 million) (see note 11(d)).
114 Annual Report 2012 Axel Springer AG
(d) Treasury shares
As of December 31, 2012, Axel Springer AG held
150 thousand treasury shares (PY: 334 thousand shares),
corresponding to 0.2 % (PY: 0.3 %) of its capital stock.
The increase in the non-controlling interests is due par-
ticularly to the investment by General Atlantic into Axel
Springer Digital Classifieds.
In the reporting year, 184 thousand treasury shares were
issued by conversion of variable compensation tied to
performance of the employees of the Group, and thus
€ 6.1 million was collected, increasing equity (of which
€ 2.6 million is allocated to the premium recorded in
accumulated retained earnings).
(e) Accumulated other comprehensive income
At the reporting date, accumulated other comprehensive
income contained effects companies accounted for
using the equity method in the amount of € – 10.4 million
(PY: € – 10.1 million), actuarial gains/losses from em-
ployer pension plans of € – 49.1 million (PY:
€ – 0.8 million), as well as a revaluation reserve of
€ – 3.1 million (PY: € – 3.1 million.). The change results
primarily from the adjustment of the pension discount
rate for German pension plans to 3.6 % (PY: 5.0 %).
In connection with the refinancing of our credit lines,
losses in the amount of € 10.5 million originating from
the revaluation of interest rate hedging instruments that
were previously recognized in accumulated other com-
prehensive income were recognized in profit or loss.
(f) Non-controlling interests
The non-controlling interests mainly related to the follow-
ing companies:
€ millions
12/31/2012 12/31/2011
Ringier Axel Springer Media
Axel Springer Digital Classifieds
ZANOX
Other companies
179.7
120.3
21.0
44.5
179.7
0.0
21.0
35.9
Non-controlling interests
365.6
236.6
(12) Share-based payment
A virtual stock option plan was set up for entitled Execu-
tive Board members as of January 1, 2012 (hereinafter
2012 virtual stock option plan). Two additional virtual
stock option plans were set up in July 2009 (hereinafter
2009 virtual stock option plan) and October 2011 (two
tranches, hereinafter 2011a and 2011b virtual stock
option plan). The material parameters of the virtual stock
option plans are shown below:
Virtual stock option plans
2012
2012
2012
2012
2011a
2011a
2011a
2011a
2011b
2011b
2011b
2011b
2009
2009
2009
2009
Grant date
01/01/2012 10/01/2011 10/01/2011 07/01/2009
Term in years
Qualifying
period in years
6
4
4
2
6
4
6
4
Option rights
granted
450
thousands
473
thousands
473
thousands
1,125
thousands1)
Underlying
€ 30.53
€ 30.00
€ 35.00
€ 20.291)
Maximum
payment
Value at grant
date
Total value at
grant date
€ 61.06
€ 60.00
€ 70.00
€ 40.571)
€ 5.26
€ 2.74
€ 2.31
€ 4.221)
€ 2.4 million € 1.3 million € 1.1 million € 4.7 million1)
1) Adjusted due to the share split in June 2011.
If the employment relationship of the right holder is ter-
minated prior to the end of the individual qualifying peri-
od, but no earlier than the day prior to the first anniver-
sary of the issue date of the option rights, then the
option rights become vested pro rata temporis in propor-
tion to the qualifying period (2009 and 2012 virtual stock
option plans) or at 50 % (2011a virtual stock option plan)
or at 25 % (2011b virtual stock option plan) for each
completed year of the individual qualifying period. An
additional requirement for vesting to occur is that, within
a period of one year prior to the end of the qualifying
period, during a period of 90 consecutive calendar days
Consolidated Financial Statements 115
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(2009 and 2012 virtual stock option plans) or three con-
secutive calendar months (2011 virtual stock option plan),
either the price of the Axel Springer share is at least 30 %
higher than the individual base value or the percentage
by which the price of the Axel Springer share averages
above the individual base value exceeds the average
percentage development of the DAX price index.
Exercise of the option rights is only possible if the aver-
age share price of Axel Springer AG in the 90 calendar
days (2009 and 2012 virtual stock option plans) or three
months (2011 virtual stock option plan) prior to exercise
is at least 30 % above the base value and the percentage
price increase of the Axel Springer share exceeds the
development of the DAX price index in the corresponding
period. Each option grants a payment claim in the
amount of the growth in value of the Axel Springer share,
restricted to a maximum of 200 % of the base value,
which corresponds to the difference between the vol-
ume-weighted average price during the last 90 calendar
days prior to exercise and the base value.
The right holders are obligated to hold one share of Axel
Springer AG as their own investment for each ten op-
tions. Disposal of these shares prior to exercise of the
options leads to a lapse of the options in the proportion
of one share for each ten options.
The value of the options was determined by application
of a Black-Scholes model in a Monte-Carlo simulation at
the grant date. The options will be remeasured at each
reporting date and recognized proportionally in accor-
dance with the projected vesting.
The development of the options is shown below:
Option rights
in thousands
01/01/2011
Grant
Lapse
12/31/2011
Grant
12/31/2012
Virtual stock option plans
2012
2011a
2011b
0
0
0
0
450
450
0
473
0
473
0
473
0
473
0
473
0
473
2009
1,125 1)
0
– 84
1,041
0
1,041
1) Adjusted due to the share split in June 2011.
The expenses and income in the reporting year, as well
as the portfolio of liabilities and provisions at the report-
ing date are shown below:
€ millions
Expenses
Expenses
Expenses
Expenses
2012
2012
2012
2012
Income /
expenses 2011
Carrying
Carrying
Carrying
Carrying
amount as of
amount as of
amount as of
amount as of
12/31/2012
12/31/2012
12/31/2012
12/31/2012
Carrying
amount as of
12/31/2011
Virtual stock option plans
2012
2011a
2011b
2009
–––– 1.41.41.41.4
–––– 1.11.11.11.1
–––– 1.01.01.01.0
–––– 1.01.01.01.0
0.0
– 0.5
– 0.3
1.3
1.41.41.41.4
1.61.61.61.6
1.31.31.31.3
10.710.710.710.7
0.0
0.5
0.3
9.7
116 Annual Report 2012 Axel Springer AG
In May 2012, in the context of a stock participation pro-
gram, 184 thousand treasury shares were issued by
conversion of variable compensation tied to performance
of the employees of the Group at its fair value at the time
of issue in the amount of € 33.08. Personnel expenses
of € 2.5 million were incurred by granting increases in
the conversion amounts. This amount had already been
placed in a provision at December 31, 2011.
In May 2011, in the context of a stock participation pro-
gram, 266 thousand treasury shares (before share split:
89 thousand) were issued by conversion of variable
compensation tied to performance of the employees
of the Group at its fair value at the time of issue in the
amount of € 35.57 (before share split: € 106.71). Per-
sonnel expenses of € 3.5 million were incurred by grant-
ing increases of the conversion amounts.
Various free share and stock option programs existed at
our subsidiary SeLoger at the acquisition date. They
provide for exercise by the right holders in the years
2009 to 2013, linked with a subsequent holding period
of two years. The option rights, whose weighted average
exercise price lies at € 20.93, lapse in the years 2017 to
2019. In the prior year, the right holders were offered
call-and-put-option agreements to transfer all shares
from these programs (a maximum of 525 thousand) to
Axel Springer against cash payment in the context of the
acquisition of SeLoger. The call and put options are not
linked to any market-related or company-related or any
other conditions, and vest immediately after the issuance
of the shares to the employees. The purchase price
upon exercise amounts to € 38.05 (squeeze-out price)
multiplied by the ratio of the volume-weighted 1-month-
average rate of the Axel Springer share on the last day
of trading prior to exercise of the options to the volume-
weighted 1-month-average rate of the Axel Springer
share on the last trading day before squeeze-out
(€ 36.15 when taking the share split of 2011 into account).
Following the principle of substance over form, the pro-
grams are treated by us as virtual stock option programs
granting a payment claim in the amount of the difference
between the exercise price and the purchase price.
Measurement is based on the Black-Scholes model or
the current share price, considering future dividends. At
the grant date, the weighted fair value was € 28.83 per
option right or a total of € 15.1 million. The options will
be remeasured at each reporting date and recognized
proportionally in accordance with the projected vesting.
The development of the virtual option rights, the resulting
expenses and income in the reporting year, and the
balance of liabilities and provisions at the reporting date
are shown below:
in thousands
Option rights as of January 1
Exercise
Lapse
Option rights as of December 31
€ millions
Personnel expenses
Other operating income (+) / expenses (-)
Liabilities as of December 31
2012
403
– 93
0
310
2012
3.5
– 0.3
10.1
2011
525
– 107
– 15
403
2011
3.0
0.6
8.8
auFeminin.com S.A. granted its senior executives sub-
scription rights for free shares and stock options. These
share-based payments must be settled with shares of
auFeminin.com S.A.
In November 2010, 300 thousand warrants for acquisi-
tion of one share of auFeminin.com S.A., each with an
exercise price of € 17.15, were issued to senior employ-
ees. These options vested upon expiration of the first
(50 %) and second (50 %) years after the grant date,
insofar as the earnings target established for the individ-
ual tranche (EBITDA 2010 or EBITDA 2011) was
achieved. Once they have vested, the options can be
exercised for a total of five (50 %) or four (50 %) years.
Consolidated Financial Statements 117
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
The exercise prices for the options outstanding on the
reporting date remained as in the prior year between
€ 8.94 and € 21.21. The weighted average remaining
term of these options was 2.9 years (PY: 3.9 years).
The compensation expenses for the share-based pay-
ment programs of auFeminin.com S.A. recorded in per-
sonnel expense amounted to € 0.2 million in fiscal year
2012 (PY: € 0.4 million). The additional paid-in capital
was increased by the same amount.
(13) Pension obligations
Under its defined contribution pension plans, the Group
mainly contributes to public-sector pension insurance
carriers by virtue of the applicable laws. The current
contribution payments are presented as social security
costs within personnel expenses and amount to
€ 52.5 million (PY: € 41.9 million).
Provisions for pensions were created to account for the
obligations arising from vested pension rights and cur-
rent benefits for former and active employees of the Axel
Springer Group and their survivors. The different pension
plans within the Group are organized in accordance with
the legal, tax-related, and economic conditions of each
country. The provision for defined benefit pension plans
corresponds to the present value of the obligations at the
reporting date net of the fair value of the plan assets.
The measurement was based on the following parameters:
Information in %
Discount rate
2012
2011
1.75 – 3.6
2.25 – 5.0
Expected return on plan assets
3.0 – 5.0
3.5 – 5.0
Expected return on reimbursement rights
5.0
4.6
1.0 – 1.75
1.0 – 1.75
0.25 – 1.75 0.25 – 1.75
In June 2009, 300 thousand warrants for acquisition of
one share of auFeminin.com S.A. each with an exercise
price of € 8.94 were issued to senior employees. These
options vested upon expiration of the first (50 %) and
second (50 %) years after the grant date, insofar as the
earnings target established for the individual tranche
(EBITDA 2009 or EBITDA 2010) was achieved. Once
they have vested, the options can be exercised for a
total of five (50 %) or four (50 %) years.
Ninety-nine thousand stock options granted in April 2008,
each one entitling the holder to purchase one share of
auFeminin.com S.A. (exercise price: € 20.46), as well as
the 74 thousand stock options that had already been
granted at the date of acquisition of auFeminin.com S.A.
in July 2007 (exercise price: € 18.60 or € 21.21), will
become vested in equal annual installments over a peri-
od of four years. The option grant is not conditioned on
any further earnings or market conditions. These options
can be exercised for the first time at the end of the fourth
year after the options were granted and for a total of four
years thereafter.
The number of options and the weighted average exer-
cise price developed as follows:
2012
2011
Options in
thousands
Exercise
price1) in €
Options in
thousands
Exercise
price1) in €
576
– 80
0
0
15.05
14.07
–
–
640
– 63
0
– 2
15.21
16.90
–
8.94
496
15.20
576
15.05
Balance as of
January 1
Lapse
Issuance
Exercise
Balance as of
December 31
Thereof
exercisable
496
15.20
233
11.03
Salary trend
1) Weighted average exercise price.
Pension trend
The weighted average stock price at the date of exercise
of the options in 2011 was € 18.17.
118 Annual Report 2012 Axel Springer AG
The amount of the provision was calculated as follows:
The fair value of the plan assets showed the following
changes:
€ millions
12/31/2012 12/31/2011
Present value of defined benefit
obligations financed by fund
489.2
424.6
Fair value of plan assets
– 199.5
– 141.2
Present value of defined benefit
obligations not financed by fund
Provision
Reimbursement right
Net obligation
54.4
344.2
– 29.4
314.7
43.1
326.5
– 27.2
299.2
The changes in the present value of the pension obliga-
tions are presented in the table below:
€ millions
Obligation as of January 1
Current service cost
Interest expense
Actuarial gains/losses
Payments by employees
Transfer of pension obligation
Exchange rate change
Payments to retirees
Past service cost
2012
467.7
6.6
20.3
71.5
5.5
– 1.1
1.1
2011
476.6
6.9
19.7
– 19.8
5.4
0.8
2.4
– 28.0
– 25.0
0.0
0.7
Obligation as of December 31
543.6
467.7
In fiscal year 2013, contributions to fund-financed de-
fined benefit plans are expected to total € 37.6 million
(PY: € 58.8 million).
€ millions
Plan assets as of January 1
Expected income from plan assets
Employee contribution
Employer contribution
Benefits paid
Actuarial gains/losses
Transfer of plan assets
Exchange rate changes
2012
141.2
5.9
2.1
2.5
– 9.0
– 1.1
57.3
0.6
2011
87.2
3.4
2.0
2.4
– 5.2
– 0.9
50.3
1.9
Plan assets as of December 31
199.5
141.2
The transfers related to real estate assets previously held
in fully consolidated special-purpose entities with fair
values of € 33.9 million (PY: € 24.3 million) less transac-
tion costs of € 1.6 million, as well as cash of
€ 25.0 million (PY: € 25.2 million).
The investment portfolio broke down as follows:
Bonds
Shares
Real Estate
Others
Total
12/31/2012 12/31/2011
44.8 %
48.3 %
0.8 %
1.0 %
36.8 %
28.6 %
17.6 %
22.1 %
100.0 %
100.0 %
Consolidated Financial Statements 119
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
The fair value of the plan assets includes real estate used
by the company itself in the amount of € 50.4 million (PY:
€ 20.8 million).
The expenses for defined benefit pension plans broke
down as follows:
Axel Springer AG is entitled to reimbursement of pension
obligations or pension expenses arising in connection
with them in the context of the contribution of rotogra-
vure printing operations to an affiliated company in 2005.
The reimbursement right is presented as a separate
asset (see note (36)), whereas in the income statement,
the income from the reimbursement is netted with the
corresponding pension expenses. The value of the reim-
bursement claim was € 29.4 million in the reporting year
(PY: € 27.2 million). The changes in the reporting period
consisted of compounding effects of € 1.3 million (PY:
€ 1.3 million), actuarial gains of € 3.3 million (PY: losses
of € 1.0 million), and reimbursement of pension pay-
ments of € 2.4 million (PY: € 2.5 million).
€ millions
Current service cost
Interest expense
Expected income from plan assets
Expected income from reimbursement
rights
Past service cost
Pension expenses
Actual income from plan assets
Actual income from reimbursement rights
2012
6.6
20.3
– 5.9
– 1.3
0.0
19.7
4.8
4.6
2011
6.9
19.7
– 3.4
– 1.3
0.7
22.7
2.6
0.3
Service cost is presented within the personnel expenses.
The interest portion contained in the pension expenses
and the expected income from the plan assets and inter-
est reimbursements are presented as components of
interest expenses.
At the reporting date, actuarial losses before factoring in
tax effects amounting to € 70.2 million (PY: € 0.9 million)
were accounted for in accumulated other comprehensive
income.
The development of the present values of the obligations,
the fair value of plan assets, and the experienced-based
adjustments to plan assets and liabilities are summarized
in the table below:
€ millions
12/31/2012 12/31/2011 12/31/2010 12/31/2009 12/31/2008
Present value of defined benefit obligations financed by fund
Fair value of plan assets
Present value of defined benefit obligations not financed by fund
Experience-based adjustments to plan liabilities
Experience-based adjustments to plan assets
489.2
199.5
54.4
– 2.8
– 1.1
424.6
141.2
98.7
87.2
80.2
72.1
83.6
76.2
43.1
377.9
351.3
336.1
– 0.1
– 0.9
– 3.1
– 0.8
– 3.9
– 0.5
2.8
0.0
120 Annual Report 2012 Axel Springer AG
(14) Other provisions and accruals
The other provisions and accrued liabilities broke down as follows:
€ millions
Other obligations towards employees
Partial early retirement program (Altersteilzeit)
Returns
Structural measures
Litigation expenses
Discounts and rebates
Dismantling obligations
Other taxes
Other
Other provisions
Balance as of
01/01/2012
Utilization
Reversals
Additions
Other
changes
Balance as of
12/31/2012
68.4
33.6
27.0
16.6
8.0
6.5
4.3
4.1
15.9
184.5
– 52.4
– 9.9
– 24.2
– 10.8
– 0.2
– 6.1
– 0.1
– 0.9
– 8.3
– 112.8
– 2.6
0.0
– 0.7
– 1.8
– 0.5
– 0.4
– 1.0
0.0
– 2.4
– 9.4
69.1
10.7
25.5
15.0
0.9
5.1
0.4
0.5
4.8
132.0
0.2
0.8
0.0
0.0
0.5
0.0
0.2
0.0
0.2
1.9
82.7
35.1
27.6
19.0
8.8
5.1
3.8
3.7
10.2
196.2
Other obligations towards employees primarily included
variable compensation tied to performance and loyalty
bonuses. Provisions for structural measures were mainly
allocated to the segments Newspapers National, Maga-
zines National, and Services/Holding. Provisions for
returns comprise the expected sales returns of publish-
ing products.
The other changes resulted from the initial consolidation
of acquired companies, currency translation differences,
and compound interest.
Non-current provisions are primarily contained in the
provisions for partial early retirement programs (Alters-
teilzeit), dismantling obligations, and structural measures.
Payments are expected to occur predominantly within
the next five years.
(15) Financial liabilities
The financial liabilities comprised liabilities from a promis-
sory note loan in the amount of € 498.8 million (PY:
€ 0.0 million), liabilities due to banks amounting to
€ 151.2 million (PY: € 693.9 million), and finance leases
amounting to € 53.6 million (PY: € 23.0 million).
In April 2012, in order to refinance expiring credit lines,
we placed a promissory note loan with a nominal volume
of € 500.0 million and a term of four years (nominal value
of € 269.5 million) or six years (nominal value of
€ 230.5 million) on the capital market.
The promissory note loan was characterized by the
following utilizations, interest rates, and maturities.
2012 €
millions
2011 €
millions
Interest rate in %
Maturity
178.5
143.0
126.5
52.0
-
-
-
-
3.06 04/11/2018
2.38 04/11/2016
6-month EURIBOR + 1.0 04/11/2016
6-month EURIBOR + 1.3 04/11/2018
The liabilities due to banks were characterized by utiliza-
tion, interest rates, and maturities set forth in the table
below. All liabilities were denominated in euros. Short-
term loans are not presented in the table.
2012 €
millions
134.0
9.0
4.8
-
-
-
2011 €
millions
Interest rate in %
Maturity
- 1-month EURIBOR + 0.575 09/18/2017
Total
9.7
5.09 11/30/2013
5.3
3-month EURIBOR + 0.30 10/15/2022
635.0
3-month EURIBOR + 0.15 08/14/2013
29.9
10.3
5.64 10/31/2012
5.65 03/31/2012
The interest rates were mainly equivalent to the effective
rates of interest. In the case of fixed-interest loans, the
interest rates are fixed until the maturity date.
Furthermore, at the reporting date additional unused
short-term and long-term credit facilities amounted to
€ 786 million (PY: € 885 million).
Consolidated Financial Statements 121
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
The finance leases resulted primarily from lease agree-
ments for office buildings that were contributed to the
plan assets and subsequently leased back. The lease
agreements with a term through August 2031 include
lease adjustment clauses based on average leases of
comparable real estate, as well as residual value guaran-
tees from the lessor.
The future minimum lease payments arising from
finance leases can be reconciled to their cash value
as of December 31, 2012 as follows:
€ millions
Due in up to one year
Due in one to five years
Due in more than five
years
Minimum
lease
payments
Interest
portion
Present
value
3.5
13.7
93.4
110.5
3.2
12.7
41.0
56.9
0.3
1.0
52.4
53.6
The reconciliation as of December 31, 2011 breaks
down as follows:
€ millions
Due in up to one year
Due in one to five years
Due in more than five
years
Total
Minimum
lease
payments
Interest
portion
Present
value
1.7
5.9
40.8
48.4
1.4
5.4
18.7
25.4
0.3
0.5
22.2
23.0
At the reporting date, we expect future cash provided by
subleasing of € 2.4 million (PY: € 2.0 million).
The increase in other liabilities primarily derived from the
initial consolidation of acquired companies, particularly
recognition of contingent liabilities resulting from put
options in respect of business combinations, along with
other purchase price adjustments.
Liabilities due to employees related to outstanding wage
and salary payments, management bonuses, and sever-
ance award claims.
Accrued liabilities contain liabilities resulting from over-
time and unused vacation.
122 Annual Report 2012 Axel Springer AG
(16) Other liabilities
The other liabilities broke down as follows:
€ millions
12/31/2012 12/31/2011
Contingent consideration
Debit balances in accounts receivable
Liabilities due to employees
Liabilities from derivatives
Other
201.5
22.6
18.8
8.1
57.3
88.2
19.7
17.6
15.5
35.4
Other financial liabilities
308.3
176.4
Prepaid subscriptions
Liabilities from other taxes
Accrued liabilities
Advance payments
Capital investment subsidies
Liabilities due to social insurance carriers
Liabilities for duties and contributions
Other
Other non-financial liabilities
Other liabilities
84.5
53.5
23.4
19.0
18.3
10.7
6.8
76.1
292.4
600.6
85.4
33.4
22.9
21.7
20.9
7.9
6.7
52.9
252.0
428.3
(17) Maturity analysis of financial liabilities
The contractually agreed (undiscounted) payments relat-
ed to financial liabilities are presented in the following
table:
€ millions
Financial liabilities
Contingent consideration
Other non-derivative financial liabilities
Derivative financial liabilities
Carrying
amount as of
12/31/2012
703.7
201.5
405.2
8.1
Undiscounted cash outflows
2013
2014– 2017
2018 ff
27.9
5.6
391.8
7.2
456.7
206.9
8.6
0.9
281.1
0.0
4.9
0.1
Consolidated Financial Statements 123
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
€ millions
Financial liabilities
Contingent consideration
Other non-derivative financial liabilities
Derivative financial liabilities
Carrying
amount as of
12/31/2011
716.9
88.2
362.6
15.5
Undiscounted cash outflows
2012
2013– 2016
2017 ff.
51.5
0.8
350.9
9.4
654.1
79.0
7.5
6.0
23.8
15.8
4.2
0.1
Notes to the consolidated statement of
comprehensive income
(19) Other operating income
The other operating income broke down as follows:
(18) Revenues
The revenues broke down as follows:
€ millions
Revaluation of contingent consideration
Income from reversal of provisions
€ millions
Advertising revenues
Circulation revenues
Printing revenues
Other revenues
Revenues
2012
2011
Foreign exchange gains
1,758.1
1,606.8
Write-ups
1,162.6
1,204.5
Miscellaneous operating income
53.8
57.6
Other operating income
335.8
316.0
3,310.3
3,184.9
2012
25.5
9.4
8.2
5.2
39.9
88.2
2011
3.1
13.8
13.9
2.2
40.4
73.3
The revenues from barter transactions amounted to
€ 61.6 million in 2012 (PY: € 57.0 million). These reve-
nues were generated mainly from the bartering of adver-
tising services.
The increase in operating revenues year-on-year resulted
particularly from the initial consolidation of acquired
companies.
The miscellaneous operating income included a large
number of circumstances with immaterial amounts.
(20) Purchased goods and services
The purchased goods and services broke down as follows:
€ millions
2012
2011
Raw materials and supplies and
purchased merchandise
Purchased services
250.3
806.5
265.1
790.6
Purchased goods and services
1,056.8
1,055.7
Raw materials and supplies and purchased merchandise
comprised paper costs amounting to € 170.1 million (PY:
€ 181.7 million).
124 Annual Report 2012 Axel Springer AG
The cost of purchased services was predominantly
composed of purchased third-party printing services
and professional fees, as well as publisher services in
the context of performance-based marketing. The
purchased third-party printing services also included
paper costs.
(21) Personnel expenses
The personnel expenses broke down as follows:
€ millions
Wages and salaries
Social security
Pension expenses
Expenses for share-based payments
Other benefit expenses
Personnel expenses
2012
772.4
127.6
8.9
8.1
3.4
2011
728.9
105.4
8.8
5.0
3.4
920.4
851.6
The average number of employees in the Group is
shown below:
Salaried employees
Editors
Wage-earning employees
2012
9,166
3,529
956
2011
8,216
3,685
984
Total employees
13,651
12,885
The increase in personnel figures compared to the prior
year resulted particularly from the initial consolidation of
acquired companies and from staff increases in the
strongly growing digital business units.
(22) Depreciation, amortization, and impairments
The depreciation, amortization, and impairments broke
down as follows:
€ millions
Impairment losses in goodwill
Amortization of other intangible assets
Impairment losses in other intangible
assets
Depreciation of property, plant, and
equipment
Impairment losses in property, plant, and
equipment
Depreciation of investment property
Depreciation, amortization, and
impairments
2012
17.4
85.5
2011
7.8
68.1
4.1
0.6
62.8
61.0
0.8
1.4
0.0
1.3
172.2
138.8
Impairment losses in goodwill primarily affected the Digi-
tal Media segment, while in the prior year it was primarily
the Print International segment.
The increase in the amortization of other intangible assets
primarily resulted from increased effects of purchase
price allocations.
Impairment losses in non-current financial assets applied
in the reporting year are included in the income from
investments.
Consolidated Financial Statements 125
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(23) Other operating expenses
The other operating expenses broke down as follows:
€ millions
Advertising expenses
Mailing and postage expenses
Expenses for non-company personnel
Commissions and gratuities
Rental and leasing expenses
Maintenance and repairs
Travel expenses
Services provided by related parties
Allowances for doubtful receivables
Foreign exchange losses
Other taxes
Miscellaneous operating expenses
Other operating expenses
2012
186.4
170.7
123.2
66.3
39.7
33.2
24.9
21.8
12.3
11.7
6.1
123.6
820.0
2011
201.4
163.0
111.7
71.2
39.7
32.4
22.2
20.7
7.9
11.7
7.1
95.0
783.9
The increase in miscellaneous operating expenses re-
sulted primarily from losses on the sale of the online
game provider gamigo.
The following professional fees for the services rendered
by the auditor Ernst & Young GmbH were recognized:
€ millions
2012
2011
Audits of the annual financial statements
Other certification or appraisal services
Tax advisory services
Other services
Total professional fees
0.9
0.2
0.3
0.3
1.7
0.7
0.1
0.2
0.1
1.1
The professional fees for the audit of financial statements
include the audit of the separate financial statements of
Axel Springer AG and other German subsidiaries, and
the audit of the consolidated financial statements. The
other certification and appraisal services include fees for
the auditor’s review of the quarterly financial statements,
the semi-annual financial statement, and the audits to
verify compliance with certain contractual agreements.
The tax advisory fees include support provided with
regard to specific tax questions.
(24) Income from investments
The investment income in the reporting year of
€ 7.9 million (PY: € 9.5 million) was influenced by im-
pairment losses of € 11.2 million (PY: € 10.1 million).
These losses were partially compensated for by the profit
earned on the sale of shares in Jahr Top Special Verlag
(€ 1.9 million).
(25) Net financial result
The net financial result broke down as follows:
€ millions
2012
2011
Interest income from bank accounts
Interest income from loans and securities
Other interest income
Interest income
2.1
1.2
8.0
11.3
2.5
0.1
19.5
22.1
Interest expenses on liabilities due to
banks and on promissory note
– 14.6
– 13.4
Interest expenses on pension provisions,
less reimbursements
Interest expenses from derivatives
Miscellaneous interest expenses
Interest and similar expenses
Other financial result
Financial result
– 13.0
– 17.8
– 12.5
– 58.0
0.2
– 15.0
– 7.8
– 9.3
– 45.4
0.2
– 46.5
– 23.1
126 Annual Report 2012 Axel Springer AG
In the prior year, the other interest income mainly com-
prised interest income from tax credits and the lapse of
accrued tax-related interest.
The income tax expense applying the tax rate of
Axel Springer AG reconciles to the income tax expense
recognized in the income statement as follows:
The total interest income and expenses for those finan-
cial assets and liabilities that were not measured at fair
value through profit or loss are presented in the table
below:
€ millions
Income before income taxes
2012
401.4
2011
421.3
Tax rate of Axel Springer AG
31.19 %
31.19 %
Expected tax expenses
125.2
131.4
€ millions
Total interest income
Total interest expenses
2012
7.0
2011
9.6
– 30.9
– 24.3
(26) Income taxes
The income taxes paid or owed and the deferred taxes
are recognized under income taxes. The income taxes
consisted of the trade tax, corporate income tax, and
solidarity surcharge, and the corresponding foreign in-
come taxes. The income tax expenses are broken down
below:
Differing tax rates
Changes in tax rates
Permanent differences
Adjustments to carrying amounts of
deferred taxes
Current income taxes for prior years
Deferred income taxes for prior years
Non-deductible operating expenses
Tax-exempt income
Trade tax additions/deductions
Other effects
Income taxes
– 4.4
0.2
8.2
– 12.5
6.2
0.3
15.6
– 5.5
– 0.5
12.8
2.4
– 4.5
3.4
6.2
– 13.3
– 12.6
2.9
– 2.7
0.8
– 1.9
125.7
132.0
€ millions
Current taxes
Deferred taxes
Income taxes
2012
157.6
– 31.9
125.7
2011
145.3
– 13.3
132.0
Companies having the legal form of a corporation resi-
dent in Germany are subject to corporate income tax at
the rate of 15 % and solidarity surcharge of 5.5 % of the
corporate income tax owed. In addition, the profits of
these companies are subject to trade tax, for which the
amount is municipality-specific. Companies having the
Consolidated Financial Statements 127
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
The increase in deferred tax liabilities in intangible assets
resulted particularly from purchase price allocations in
connection with business combinations that occurred in
the reporting year. The contribution of real estate assets
and cash to plan assets led particularly to an increase in
deferred taxes in receivables and other assets, and liabili-
ties. The change in impairments on deferred tax claims
for tax loss carry-forwards resulted in an increase in
deferred tax assets in the amount of € 18.6 million.
The net balance of deferred tax items from January 1 to
December 31, 2012, was derived as follows:
€ millions
Deferred tax assets as of January 1
2012
27.5
2011
30.6
Deferred tax liabilities as of January 1
– 253.3
– 164.3
Net tax position as of January 1
– 225.8
– 133.7
Deferred tax of current year
31.9
13.3
Changes in deferred taxes recognized in
other comprehensive income
17.1
– 8.9
Changes in consolidation group
– 91.8
– 96.5
Net tax position as of December 31
– 268.7
– 225.8
Deferred tax assets as of December 31
61.2
27.5
Deferred tax liabilities as of December 31
– 329.8
– 253.3
Of the deferred tax assets, an amount of € 16.5 million
(PY: € 12.4 million), and of the deferred tax liabilities, an
amount of € 8.3 million (PY: € 0.8 million) can be realized
in the short term.
The amount of deferred tax assets to be disclosed in
accordance with IAS 12.82 was € 26.8 million (PY:
€ 16.6 million). It is expected that this amount can be
realized by application against the available operating
income.
legal form of a partnership are subject to trade tax exclu-
sively. The net income is assigned to the shareholder for
purposes of corporate income tax. The effects of differ-
ent tax rates for partnerships and for foreign income
taxes from the tax rate applicable to Axel Springer AG
are explained in the reconciliation in the item differing tax
rates. The permanent differences of the prior year result-
ed mainly from impairment losses in goodwill and de-
consolidation effects that were not taken into account for
tax purposes. The adjustments made to the carrying
amounts of deferred taxes included € 4.7 million (PY:
€ 2.2 million) for the non-recognition of deferred taxes
on tax loss carry-forwards. In addition, effects from the
utilization of non-capitalized loss carry-forwards or initial
recognition are included in the amount of € 21.0 million.
Deferred tax assets and liabilities were recognized to
account for temporary differences and tax loss carry-
forwards, as follows:
12/31/2012
12/31/2011
Deferred
tax
assets
Deferred
tax
liabilities
Deferred
tax
assets
Deferred
tax
liabilities
€ millions
Intangible assets
20.9
269.7
19.2
181.5
Property, plant, and
equipment and
investment property
Non-current financial
assets
Inventories
Receivables and other
assets
Pension provisions
Other provisions
Liabilities
1.0
114.5
0.5
120.3
3.5
0.9
17.5
12.0
8.3
23.3
0.3
0.0
1.7
0.1
3.5
1.2
1.6
0.8
9.4
9.7
6.6
19.0
0.9
0.0
1.3
0.6
3.9
1.3
Temporary differences
87.4
391.1
66.8
309.8
Tax loss carry-forwards
35.1
0.0
17.2
0.0
Total
Offsetting
122.4
391.1
84.0
309.8
– 61.3
– 61.3
– 56.5
– 56.5
Amounts as per balance
sheet
61.2
329.8
27.5
253.3
128 Annual Report 2012 Axel Springer AG
At the reporting date, deferred taxes in the total amount
of € 22.0 million (PY: € 4.9 million) were recognized
directly in equity, as they relate to matters that were
likewise recognized directly in equity.
In fiscal year 2012, no deferred tax assets were recog-
nized with respect to corporate income tax loss carry-
forwards amounting to € 152.1 million (PY:
€ 187.3 million), and with respect to trade tax loss carry-
forwards amounting to € 13.7 million (PY: € 17.8 million)
because it did not appear probable that sufficient taxable
income could be generated for these amounts in the near
future. Of these tax loss carry-forwards, an amount of
€ 20.2 million (PY: € 14.9 million) can be carried forward
for up to five years and an amount of € 11.2 million (PY:
€ 10.5 million) can be carried forward for six to ten years.
The utilization of tax loss carry-forwards that had not
previously been recognized as deferred tax assets
caused a reduction in income tax expenses of
€ 1.4 million (PY: € 3.2 million). In the past fiscal year,
there were corrections of recognized tax loss carry-
forwards due to tax audits or differing tax assessments in
the amount of € 0.2 million (PY: € 1.6 million).
As a rule, deferred taxes must be recognized to account
for the difference between the Group’s interest in the
equity of the subsidiaries and the corresponding invest-
ment balances recognized in the financial statements for
tax purposes. Such differences can result from the reten-
tion of earnings. Deferred tax liabilities were not recog-
nized on differences of € 8.6 million (PY: € 6.0 million)
because a realization is not planned at the present time.
In the case of sale or profit distribution, the gain on dis-
posal or the dividend, respectively, would be subject to
taxation at 5 % in Germany; in addition, foreign withhold-
ing taxes might be incurred.
(27) Earnings per share
The earnings per share were determined as follows:
2012
2011
Net income attributable to
shareholders of Axel Springer AG € millions
238.1
257.8
Weighted average shares
outstanding
Net income attributable to
shareholders of Axel Springer
AG per share (basic/diluted)
000s
98,728
98,517
€
2.41
2.62
Consolidated Financial Statements 129
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(28) Other income/loss
The other income/loss broke down as follows:
2012
2011
€ millions
Before tax
Tax effect
Net
Before tax
Tax effect
Net
Actuarial gains/losses from defined benefit pension
obligations
Currency translation differences
Changes in fair value of available-for-sale financial assets
Changes in fair value of derivatives in cash flow hedges
Other income/loss from investments accounted for using
the equity method
Other income/loss
– 69.2
21.0
– 48.2
14.1
– 2.0
15.5
– 0.3
– 42.0
0.0
0.7
– 4.6
0.0
17.1
14.1
– 1.3
10.9
– 0.3
– 24.9
17.9
– 9.6
2.4
5.1
0.0
15.9
– 5.6
0.0
– 1.7
– 1.6
0.0
– 8.9
12.3
– 9.6
0.7
3.5
0.1
7.0
Notes to the consolidated statement of
cash flows
The acquisition costs, cash payments as well as pur-
chased assets and liabilities for business acquisitions are
presented in the following table:
(29) Other disclosures
The cash and cash equivalents were composed of short-
term available cash in banks, securities, cash on hand,
and checks.
Capital expenditures of € 2.5 million (PY: € 2.0 million)
had not yet been realized as cash payments. This related
to additions in both intangible assets and property, plant,
and equipment.
€ millions
Intangible assets
Property, plant, and equipment
Non-current financial assets
Trade receivables
Other assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Provisions and liabilities
Deferred tax liabilities
Net assets
Acquisition cost (preliminary)
Thereof paid
2012
364.5
26.4
1.4
27.1
15.8
20.7
– 31.3
– 90.8
333.7
683.3
537.7
2011
278.7
1.5
2.8
19.3
6.6
49.1
– 59.0
– 93.8
205.2
751.2
641.3
130 Annual Report 2012 Axel Springer AG
The amounts from the purchases of shares in consoli-
dated subsidiaries and business units less cash and
cash equivalents acquired reported in the cash flow
statement, in addition to cash payments and acquired
funds, also include payments for acquisitions of the
previous years.
The following table provides details of sales proceeds,
paid up amounts as well as disposed assets and liabili-
ties arising from the divestitures:
The other financing in the cash flow from financing activities
particularly included the contributions from co-shareholders
in the context of jointly effected company acquisitions.
Notes to the consolidated segment report
(30) Basic principles of segment reporting
The segment reporting reflects the internal management
and reporting structures.
€ millions
Goodwill
Other intangible assets
Property, plant, and equipment
Non-current financial assets
Trade receivables
Other assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Provisions and other liabilities
Deferred tax liabilities
Disposal net assets
Net realizable value
Thereof paid-up
2012
2011
1.6
9.9
2.4
1.7
2.9
3.9
5.5
– 3.7
– 0.5
23.7
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.5
0.6
5.5
– 0.6
0.0
6.0
0.7
0.7
The disclosure of cash inflows and outflows from divesti-
tures in the cash flow statement is made under proceeds
from disposals of consolidated subsidiaries and business
units less cash and cash equivalents given up as well as
under the changes in cash and cash equivalents due to
changes in companies included in consolidation.
In the reporting year, we contributed both € 25.0 million
(PY: € 25.2 million) in cash and also real estate assets
with carrying amounts of € 31.3 million (PY: € 17.3 million)
to our plan assets to secure and service existing pension
obligations of Axel Springer (see note (13)).
The reporting format is structured according to the oper-
ating business areas of the Axel Springer Group and
comprises the reporting segments Digital Media, News-
papers National, Magazines National, Print International,
and Services/Holding.
Segmentation of assets, liabilities, and investments
based on the operating segments does not occur as
these measures are not used for decision making at
segment level.
(a) Operating segments
The online and broadcasting activities are comprised
within the Digital Media segment. In particular, this seg-
ment comprises online activities derived from print
brands and the activities of Axel Springer Digital Classi-
fieds, ZANOX, Onet, Idealo, and auFeminin. Furthermore,
this segment also comprises the investment in the TV
broadcast company Do⁄an TV.
The Newspapers National segment includes daily news-
papers and Sunday newspapers, national and regional
subscription newspapers, and advertising supplements.
This segment also included investments in German
newspaper publishing companies.
The Magazines National segment includes TV program
guides, women’s magazines, computer, car, sports, and
music magazines, as well as investments in magazine
publishing companies in Germany.
Consolidated Financial Statements 131
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
The newspapers and magazines published in foreign
countries are comprised within the Print International
segment.
The Services/Holding segment comprises the remaining
business activities, including services such as customer
service, sales, logistics, direct marketing, and office
buildings, as well as purely internal departments like IT,
accounting, personnel, and corporate staff departments.
Our three offset printing plants, and the rotogravure
printing company PRINOVIS are likewise included in the
Services/Holding segment.
(b) Geographical information
The activities of the Axel Springer Group are conducted
mainly in Germany and in other European countries.
Non-recurring effects include effects from the acquisition
and disposal of subsidiaries, business divisions, and
investments, as well as impairment and write-ups of
investments, effects from the sale of real estate, and
special depreciation and write-ups of real estate used
by the company.
The non-recurring effects of € – 11.4 million in the Digital
Media segment related particularly to income from the
revaluation of contingent liabilities (€ 23.1 million), the
loss on the sale of the online game provider gamigo
(€ – 16.9 million), expenses in connection with completed
business combinations (€ – 6.9 million), and impairment
losses on financial assets (€ – 8.4 million). Income from
sales of investments in the Magazines National segment
and impairments on financial assets in the Print Interna-
tional segment were recognized as non-recurring effects.
For purposes of geographical segment reporting, the
revenues are segmented according to the location of the
customer’s registered office and the non-current assets
according to the location of the legal entity.
In the prior year, the non-recurring effects primarily rec-
orded impairments on financial assets in the Print Inter-
national segment (€ – 8.1 million).
The effects of purchase price allocations mainly consist-
ed of amortization and depreciation on remeasured
assets acquired in the context of business combinations.
They also contain impairment losses on goodwill in the
amount of € 17.4 million in the Digital Media segment
(PY: € 6.5 million in the Print International segment and
€ 1.2 million in the Services/Holding segment).
(31) Segment information
The segment information was compiled on the basis of
the recognition and measurement methods applied in
the consolidated financial statements.
The external revenues comprise circulation revenues
from the sale of publishing products, advertising reve-
nues, and revenues from rendering services. The internal
revenues consist of revenues from the exchange of
goods and services between the various segments. The
transfer pricing is based on cost coverage.
We use the performance figure EBITDA (earnings before
interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) to mea-
sure segment earnings. In calculating this performance
figure, non-recurring effects are eliminated.
132 Annual Report 2012 Axel Springer AG
The reconciliation of the income from investments and
depreciation, amortization, and impairments is shown
below:
€ millions
2012
2011
tual obligations. The financial key figures we used for
management purposes are primarily earnings-driven. The
goals, methods, and processes of our capital manage-
ment are subordinate to the earnings-driven financial key
figures.
Income from investments included in
EBITDA
Non-recurring effects included in income
from investments
Income from investments
18.3
19.1
– 10.3
7.9
– 9.6
9.5
We can utilize the funds derived from the promissory
note loan placed in the reporting year (€ 500.0 million)
and also draw down our credit facility (€ 900.0 million)
both for general business purposes as well as to
finance acquisitions.
Depreciation, amortization, impairments,
and write-ups (except from purchase price
allocations)
Thereof write-ups
Effects of purchase price allocations as far
as depreciation, amortization, and
impairments are affected
Depreciation, amortization, and
impairments
– 90.5
– 82.0
– 5.2
– 2.2
– 76.5
– 54.7
– 172.2
– 138.8
The non-current segment assets include intangible as-
sets, goodwill, property, plant, and equipment, as well as
investment properties.
Other disclosures
(32) Capital management
Beyond the provisions of German law applicable to stock
corporations, Axel Springer AG is not subject to any
further obligations relating to capital preservation, wheth-
er from its own Articles of Incorporation or from contrac-
The promissory note loan was placed in the capital mar-
ket to refinance the credit facility in the amount of
€ 500.0 million that expired in August 2012. The promis-
sory note loan has a term of four years (nominal value of
€ 269.5 million) or six years (nominal value of
€ 230.5 million). In addition, we have arranged a new
credit facility in the amount of € 900.0 million and thus
replaced the credit line in the amount of € 1.0 billion that
expires in August 2013. Drawdowns of this new credit
facility will become due and payable in September 2017.
The drawdown of the credit facilities is tied to compli-
ance with the credit terms. Since the existence of the
credit facilities we have fully complied with all credit
terms.
For the purpose of maintaining and adjusting the capital
structure, the company can adjust the dividend pay-
ments to its shareholders or purchase treasury shares
representing up to 10.0 % of the subscribed capital.
Treasury shares can be used for acquisition financing or
they can be retired. As of December 31, 2012, the
treasury shares represented 0.2 % (PY: 0.3 %) of the
company’s subscribed capital.
Consolidated Financial Statements 133
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(33) Financial assets and liabilities
The balance sheet items comprising financial assets and liabilities can be attributed to the measurement categories
according to IAS 39 as follows:
€ millions
Assets 12/31/2012
Other non-current investments and securities
Loans and advances
Other non-current financial assets
Trade receivables
Receivables due from related parties
Derivatives designated as a hedging instrument
Other
Other assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Liabilities 12/31/2012
Financial liabilities
Trade payables
Liabilities due to related parties
Derivatives designated as a hedging instrument
Derivatives not designated as a hedging instrument
Contingent consideration
Other
Other liabilities
Assets 12/31/2011
Other non-current investments and securities
Loans and advances
Other non-current financial assets
Trade receivables
Receivables due from related parties
Derivatives not designated as a hedging instrument
Other
Other assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Liabilities 12/31/2011
Financial liabilities
Trade payables
Liabilities due to related parties
Derivatives designated as a hedging instrument
Derivatives not designated as a hedging instrument
Contingent consideration
Other
Other liabilities
Carrying
amount
Loans and
recei-
vables
Financial
liabilities
28.5
28.5
502.6
11.5
143.8
143.8
254.1
25.5
25.5
442.4
14.7
157.1
157.1
244.0
417.8
28.5
446.3
502.6
40.9
0.7
175.3
176.0
254.1
703.7
282.2
25.5
1.2
6.9
201.5
391.0
600.6
430.4
25.5
455.9
442.4
41.9
0.4
184.2
184.6
244.0
716.9
272.1
27.6
14.8
0.7
88.2
324.6
428.3
650.0
282.2
13.4
98.7
98.7
693.9
272.1
17.9
72.7
72.7
Financial
assets
and
liabilities
held for
trading
No
category
according
to IAS 39
Available-
for-sale
financial
assets
417.8
417.8
430.4
430.4
29.4
0.7
31.5
32.2
53.6
12.1
1.2
201.5
292.4
495.1
27.2
27.1
27.1
23.0
9.7
14.8
88.2
252.0
355.0
6.9
6.9
0.4
0.4
0.7
0.7
134 Annual Report 2012 Axel Springer AG
With the exception of the following financial assets and
liabilities, the valuation is at amortized cost.
The fair values mainly depending on the future develop-
ment of net income of the corresponding companies
developed as follows:
Fair value
based on
market
price
Fair value
based on
observable
market
data
Fair value
not based
on
observable
market
data
€ millions
January 1
2012
88.2
Initial consolidation
142.0
88.1
Thereof
Onet
Thereof
Immoweb
0.0
0.0
46.0
€ millions
December 31, 2012
Other non-current
investments and securities
22.1
Derivatives designated as a
hedging instrument (positive
fair value)
Derivatives designated as a
hedging instrument (negative
fair value)
Derivatives not designated
as a hedging instrument
(negative fair value)
Contingent consideration
December 31, 2011
Other non-current
investments and securities
22.7
Derivatives designated as a
hedging instrument (negative
fair value)
Derivatives not designated
as a hedging instrument
(positive fair value)
Derivatives not designated
as a hedging instrument
(negative fair value)
Contingent consideration
0.7
1.2
6.9
14.8
0.4
0.7
2011
87.1
30.7
– 38.8
– 0.5
6.5
Divestment
Payment
Revaluation not
affecting net income
Revaluation affecting
net income
0.0
– 2.9
– 5.5
– 23.5
1.3
0.0
– 0.8
Thereof other
operating income
– 25.5
Thereof other
operating
expenses
201.5
Compound
1.9
3.1
1.3
0.3
December 31
201.5
89.7
– 3.1
2.3
4.1
88.2
0.1
46.1
Thereof revaluation
affecting net income
Thereof revaluation not
affecting net income
172.4
89.7
46.1
54.3
29.0
0.0
0.0
33.9
88.2
With the exception of the financial liabilities presented
below, the carrying amounts of the non-derivative finan-
cial assets and liabilities were identical to their fair values.
€ millions
Liabilities
Thereof promissory
note loan
Thereof due to
banks
12/31/2012
12/31/2011
Carrying
amount Fair value
Carrying
amount Fair value
650.0
663.6
693.9
695.2
498.8
512.1
-
-
151.2
151.5
693.9
695.2
Consolidated Financial Statements 135
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
The net gains and losses of financial instruments (exclud-
ing interest and dividends) recognized in the income
statement are presented in the following table:
€ millions
2012
2011
Loans and receivables and financial
liabilities
Available-for-sale financial assets
Financial assets and liabilities held for
trading
8.6
– 11.8
– 5.6
– 1.4
– 0.1
– 0.1
The net gains and losses in the categories of “loans and
receivables” and “financial liabilities” consisted mainly of
contingent liabilities, valuation allowances, and the result
from the currency translation. They were allocated to
financial liabilities measured at fair value affecting net
income in the amount of € 23.5 million.
The net gains or losses of “available-for-sale financial
assets” consisted mainly of the gains and losses on the
disposal of these financial assets. The net gains and
losses in the category of “financial assets and liabilities
held for trading” mostly resulted from valuation changes
and other expenses for financial derivatives assigned to
this category.
Relating to available-for-sale financial assets, negative
fair value changes of € 2.0 million were recognized di-
rectly in equity for the remeasurement of our investment
in iProperty (PY: positive fair value adjustments of
€ 5.0 million). In the reporting year, as in the prior year,
none of the amounts recognized in equity were reversed
by recognition in the income statement.
(34) Financial risk management
With respect to its financial assets and liabilities, the
Axel Springer Group is exposed to financial market risks,
liquidity risks, and credit risks. The task of financial risk
management is to limit these risks by means of targeted
measures.
(a) Financial market risks
Financial market risks for financial assets and liabilities
mainly consist of interest rate risks and exchange rate
risks.
With regard to selected financial instruments, compliance
with prescribed loss limits is monitored on a daily basis.
In principle, the effects of these risks on the value can be
assessed promptly and, where applicable, the loss risks
can be reduced.
Selected derivative hedging instruments are used to
hedge risks. The use of financial derivatives is governed
by appropriate guidelines of the Group. These guidelines
define the relevant responsibilities, permissible actions,
and reporting requirements, and prescribe the strict
separation of trading and back-office functions.
To hedge the interest rate risk, we employ interest rate
derivatives such as interest rate swaps, collars, forward
rate agreements, and interest futures. The degree of
hedging specified in the Axel Springer finance regulations
ranges between 30 % and 100 % of the underlying trans-
action volume. In the annual average, 73 % (PY: 56 %) of
the liabilities to banks have been hedged. At the report-
ing date, an amount of € 37.5 million (PY: € 360.0 million)
of the variable-interest liabilities due to banks was not
hedged.
136 Annual Report 2012 Axel Springer AG
The effects of market interest rate changes on variable-
interest financial instruments not hedged with financial
derivatives are calculated using a sensitivity analysis.
Assuming a parallel shift in the yield curve of 50 basis
points, the financial result would change by € 1.6 million
(PY: € 1.8 million).
Further effects of market interest rate changes in financial
derivatives designated as hedging instruments in the
context of cash flow hedges are likewise determined
using a sensitivity analysis. Assuming a parallel shift in
the yield curve of 50 basis points, the change in the
market value of interest rate derivatives would amount to
€ 0.6 million (PY: € 1.9 million). This effect in the amount
of € 0.5 million would be recognized in the financial
result, as these financial derivatives while effectively
being economic hedges, do not any more meet the
hedge accounting criteria since the refinancing of the
credit facilities made in the reporting year. This effect
would have to be recorded in accumulated other com-
prehensive income.
Risks of changes in value due to exchange rate fluctua-
tions in future foreign currency payments are mainly
avoided in that operating costs are incurred in the coun-
tries in which we sell our products and services. Remain-
ing currency risks from operations are insignificant to the
Group since the majority of EBITDA is earned in the euro
currency zone. In the reporting period, the share of
EBITDA not earned in euros was 14 % (PY: 11 %). Cur-
rency risks from foreign currency claims and liabilities
(without contingent compensation) with net exposures
starting at € 5 million per foreign currency are hedged by
means of coordinated forward exchange transactions.
Cash and cash equivalents in local currency that are
generated in non-euro countries are either reinvested to
develop the local business activities, placed at Axel
Springer AG and secured by forward exchange transac-
tions, or distributed. Therefore, the foreign exchange risk
from fluctuating exchange rates for foreign currency cash
and cash equivalents is limited.
Effects from the currency translation of statements pre-
pared by subsidiaries in foreign currencies are recorded
directly in accumulated other comprehensive income.
Therefore, Axel Springer does not hedge such currency
effects.
(b) Liquidity risk
We continually monitor the availability of financial re-
sources to fund the company’s operating activities and
investments by means of a Group-wide liquidity planning
system and monthly cash flow analyses. The liquidity and
financial flexibility of the Axel Springer Group is secured
by firmly promised credit facilities in the amount of
€ 900.0 million (until 2017) as well as a promissory note
loan placed in the reporting year (€ 500.0 million). Note
(17) contains an analysis of the due dates of our financial
obligations. The payment obligations for financial obliga-
tions that have been contractually agreed but not yet
recorded are presented in note (39).
(c) Credit risk
Financial assets may be impaired if business partners do
not adhere to payment obligations. The maximum expo-
sure to risk from financial assets, which are fundamental-
ly subject to credit risk, correspond to their carrying
amounts.
Consolidated Financial Statements 137
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Significant risk items are contained in trade receivables,
receivables due from related parties, other assets, and
funds.
The majority of our business models are based on a
widely distributed and heterogeneous customer base.
We therefore estimate the risk of significant defaults to
be low. To the extent that credit risks are discernible, we
reduce them using active management of receivables,
credit limits, and credit checks of our business partners.
Appropriate allowances are formed to account for dis-
cernible default risks.
A deferred purchase price of € 100.0 million (PY:
€ 125.0 million) carried in other assets and related inter-
est claims in connection with the sale of investments in
regional newspapers are hedged by a contractual lien on
the shares sold.
Investments in securities are made only in instruments
with first-class ratings according to our finance regula-
tions. Investment in time deposits occurs exclusively at
financial institutions that belong to the deposit protection
fund and are classified by leading rating agencies as
being at least of Investment Grade Status (BBB, Baa).
(35) Financial derivatives
(a) Financial derivatives designated as hedging
instruments
In 2012, designated hedging instruments were used in
particular to hedge against the interest rate risks of long-
term liabilities. The cash flows were hedged through
interest rate derivatives (interest rate swaps and collars).
The maturities and nominal amounts of the interest rate
derivatives were chosen to match the corresponding
tranches of the variable-interest loans (hedged items).
The interest rate derivatives were measured at fair value.
The changes in the fair value are recognized in accumu-
lated other comprehensive income until the hedged item
is realized.
The fair value measurement of the interest rate deriva-
tives at the reporting date yielded negative fair values of
€ – 1.2 million (PY: € – 14.8 million). In connection with
the refinancing of our credit facilities the hedging rela-
tionship of the individual interest rate derivatives did not
apply in the reporting year. Unrealized losses from the
revaluation of interest rate derivatives were recognized in
the accumulated other comprehensive income as ex-
penses in the amount of € 10.5 million.
In addition, as of the balance sheet date there existed
the hedging relationship through the forward exchange
contracts with a positive fair value of € 0.7 million (PY:
€ 0.0 million). This derivative secured the payment of the
purchase price adjustment for the acquisition of Onet
made in Polish zlotys at the beginning of 2013 (expected
nominal value of € 8.4 million).
Fair value changes in the net amount of € – 0.2 million
(PY: € – 10.7 million) after taxes were recognized in ac-
cumulated other comprehensive income.
(b) Financial derivatives not designated as
hedging instruments
As of December 31, 2012, loans in the nominal amount
of € 280.0 million (PY: € 280.3 million) were hedged.
These derivatives, while being economic hedges, do not
meet hedge accounting criteria. The accounting for the
interest rate derivatives was therefore recognized at fair
value through profit or loss. The valuation of these de-
rivatives resulted in the negative fair values of
€ – 6.7 million as of the balance sheet date (PY:
€ 0.0 million).
As of December 31, 2012, currency swaps regarding
loans of foreign subsidiaries with a negative fair value of
€ – 0.2 million (PY: € – 0.7 million) had a nominal amount
of € 26.5 million (PY: € 9.7 million). In addition, the previ-
ous year`s currency swaps regarding loans of foreign
subsidiaries with a positive fair value of € 0.4 million had
a nominal amount of € 15.2 million.
138 Annual Report 2012 Axel Springer AG
In order to secure our investment in Do⁄an TV, we con-
cluded several guarantee agreements (derivatives) with
the seller. As a reliable fair value measurement of our
investment in Do⁄an TV is not possible, the valuation of
the derivatives is at amortized cost according to the
recognition of our investment.
(36) Relationships with related parties
Related parties are defined as those persons and com-
panies that control, are jointly managed, or can exert a
significant influence over the Axel Springer Group, or that
are controlled, jointly managed, or subject to significant
influence by the Axel Springer Group. Accordingly, the
members of the Springer family, the companies con-
trolled, jointly managed, or subject to significant influence
by this family, as well as companies in whose manage-
ment they hold a key position have been defined as
related parties for the Axel Springer Group. Control of
the Group is exercised by Axel Springer Gesellschaft für
Publizistik GmbH & Co or its parent company, Friede
Springer GmbH & Co. KG, a majority of which is attribut-
able to Dr. h. c. Friede Springer. In addition, the subsidi-
aries and associated companies of the Axel Springer
Group have been defined as related companies. In addi-
tion to the active members of the Executive Board and
Supervisory Board of Axel Springer AG (including their
family members) and their majority holdings, the institu-
tions managing the plan assets of the Axel
Springer Group must also be considered related parties.
Besides the business relationships with the consolidated
subsidiaries, the following business relationships existed
with related parties:
€ millions
Balance sheet
Loans
Receivables
Thereof trade
Thereof allowances
Provisions
Liabilities
Thereof trade
Income statement
Goods and services supplied
Goods and services received
Financial result
Total
Associated
companies
Other related
parties
Total
Associated
companies
Other related
parties
12/31/2012
12/31/2011
3.1
40.9
9.1
28.1
6.2
25.5
13.0
2012
63.4
101.3
0.3
2.3
39.1
8.8
2.4
0.0
7.0
7.0
61.1
70.7
0.2
0.8
1.8
0.4
25.8
6.2
18.5
6.1
2.2
30.7
0.1
1.5
41.9
12.2
27.3
7.4
27.6
14.6
2011
90.3
101.9
0.4
0.7
39.7
11.4
2.6
0.0
9.4
6.4
87.9
75.5
0.0
0.8
2.1
0.8
24.7
7.4
18.2
8.3
2.3
26.4
0.4
Consolidated Financial Statements 139
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
measurement of the share-based compensation granted
to the Executive Board of Axel Springer AG gave rise to
personnel expense of € 2.3 million in the reporting year.
In the prior year, this resulted in other operating income
of € 1.3 million. Guaranteed pension payments to mem-
bers of the Executive Board resulted in a personnel ex-
pense of € 0.3 million in fiscal year 2012 (PY:
€ 0.2 million).
The compensation of the members of the Supervisory
Board amounted to € 2.5 million (PY: € 2.5 million). This
figure included variable compensation of € 0.5 million
(PY: € 0.5 million). A Supervisory Board member received
a compensation of € 0.1 million (PY: € 0.1 million) for his
services as an author.
The compensation of the members of the Management
and Supervisory Board is described in the compensation
report, which is part of the notes to the consolidated
financial statements. The compensation report is includ-
ed in the section “Corporate Governance Report”.
An amount of € 2.3 million (PY: € 2.2 million) was paid to
former Executive Board members and special directors
and their survivors. A total amount of € 32.5 million (PY:
€ 25.6 million) was allocated to the provisions for pen-
sion obligations.
For transactions with the institutions managing the plan
assets of the Axel Springer Group, please find the expla-
nations in note (13).
(37) Contingent liabilities
As of December 31, 2012, contingent liabilities from
guarantees existed in the amount of € 12.7 million (PY:
€ 16.2 million). In the prior year, obligations from contingent
considerations also existed in the amount of € 3.6 million,
but we considered their occurrence as not probable.
The changes in the allowances for receivables due to
related parties are presented in the table below:
€ millions
Balance as of January 1
Reversals
Additions
Other changes
2012
27.3
– 0.4
1.2
0.0
2011
25.0
– 0.1
1.3
1.1
Balance as of December 31
28.1
27.3
As of December 31, 2012, receivables in the amount of
€ 40.7 million (PY: € 40.5 million) were neither past due
nor subject to valuation allowances. With regard to these
receivables, there were no indications at the reporting
date that would suggest that the related parties would
not fulfill their payment obligations.
The receivables due from associated companies included
a reimbursement right for pension obligations in the
amount of € 29.4 million (PY: € 27.2 million) (see note (13)).
The provisions referred to pension obligations owed to
members of the Executive Board. The liabilities include
obligations from share-based remuneration owed to
members of the Executive Board in the amount of
€ 12.1 million (PY: € 9.7 million).
Goods and services provided to related companies were
mostly related to the distribution of newspapers and
magazines. The services received from related compa-
nies mainly comprised purchased publishing products
and printing services. A master agreement for the print-
ing of magazines is in effect with PRINOVIS until Decem-
ber 31, 2019. Under this agreement, services in the
amount of € 53.6 million (PY: € 57.5 million) were ren-
dered for companies of the Axel Springer Group in 2012.
In 2012, the fixed compensation of the members of the
Executive Board of Axel Springer AG amounted to
€ 9.2 million (PY: € 8.7 million). The variable compensa-
tion amounted to € 10.7 million (PY: € 8.3 million). The
140 Annual Report 2012 Axel Springer AG
(38) Contingent assets
Contingent assets were due from KirchMedia GmbH &
Co KGaA i.L. in the amount of € 269.8 million (PY:
€ 273.0 million). In addition, claims to future tax conces-
sions existed in relation to capital investment grants of
€ 7.1 million (PY: € 8.5 million).
Insofar as advance payments are announced in the
context of the insolvency proceedings against KirchMe-
dia GmbH & Co. KGaA i. L., we recognize them as
receivables. The receivables accepted in the table of
claims by the insolvency administrator originally totaled
€ 325.0 million. A total of € 3.3 million (PY: € 6.8 million)
was paid in the reporting year.
(39) Other financial commitments
The other financial commitments broke down as follows:
€ millions
12/31/2012 12/31/2011
Purchase commitments for
- intangible assets
- property, plant, and equipment
- inventories
2.7
4.1
9.8
15.5
4.0
9.9
Future payments under operating leases
132.3
113.3
Future payments under finance leases
Long-term purchase obligations
Other financial obligations
73.0
150.8
372.8
32.6
173.5
348.9
The long-term purchase obligations resulted from paper
supply contracts.
The future obligations under minimum lease payments
from operating leases at December 31, 2012 are broken
down in the following table:
€ millions
Due in up to one year
Due in one to five years
Due in more than five years
2012
35.7
86.4
10.2
2011
31.1
69.9
12.3
Total
132.3
113.3
(40) Events after the reporting date
There were no significant events after the reporting date.
(41) Declaration of Conformity with the German
Corporate Governance Code
Axel Springer AG published the Declaration of Conformi-
ty with the German Corporate Governance Code issued
by the Executive Board and Supervisory Board in ac-
cordance with Section 161 of the German Stock
Corporations Act (AktG) on the company’s Web site
www.axelspringer.de → Investor Relations → Corporate
Governance, where it is permanently available to share-
holders. The Declaration of Conformity is also printed in
the Corporate Governance section of this Annual Report.
Consolidated Financial Statements 141
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(42) Companies included in the consolidated
financial statements and share property
No. Company
Share-
hold-
ing
in %
via
No.
1
Axel Springer Aktiengesellschaft, Berlin (Parent company)
-
-
71 Axel Springer Norway AS (vormals StepStone AS), Oslo, Norway
100.0
10
No. Company
48 StepStone GmbH, Berlin
49 Transfermarkt GmbH & Co. KG, Hamburg
50 Ullstein GmbH, Berlin
51 Umzugsauktion GmbH & Co. KG, Schallstadt
52 Visual Meta GmbH, Berlin
53 VVDG Verlags- und Industrieversicherungsdienste GmbH, Berlin
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
40
15
1
1
6)
100.0
15
100.0
1
6)
70.0
10
54 WBV Direktzustell-GmbH, Hamburg
55 WBV Wochenblatt Verlag GmbH, Hamburg
56 ZANOX.de AG, Berlin
Other countries
Other countries
Other countries
Other countries
57 alFemminile s.r.l., Milan, Italy
58 Amiado Group AG, Zurich, Switzerland
59 Amiado Online AG, Zurich, Switzerland
60 APM Print d.o.o., Belgrade, Serbia
6)
6)
6)
6)
6)
6)
6)
6)
6)
6)
6)
6)
7)
6)
7)
7)
100.0
100.0
100.0
8
1
1
100.0
10
100.0
100.0
1
1
100.0
14
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
50
15
37
61 AR Technology SAS, Paris, France
62 AS-NYOMDA Kft, Kecskemét, Hungary
63 auFeminin.com Productions SARL, Paris, France
64 auFeminin.com S.A., Paris, France
65 Autoreflex.com SAS, Paris, France
66 Axel Springer - Budapest Kiadói Kft, Budapest, Hungary
67 Axel Springer - Magyarország Kft, Tatabánya, Hungary
68 Axel Springer Digital Classifieds France SAS, Paris, France
69 Axel Springer España S.A., Madrid, Spain
70 Axel Springer France S.A.S., Neuilly-sur-Seine, France
72
"Axel Springer Russia" Geschlossene Aktiengesellschaft, Moscow,
Russia
73 Axel Springer Schweiz AG, Zurich, Switzerland
74 Azet.sk a.s., Zilina, Slovakia
75 Belles Demeures S.A.S., Paris, France
76 Bonial SAS, Paris, France
77 Digital Window Inc., Wilmington, USA
78 Digital Window Limited, London, Great Britain
79 DreamLab Onet.pl sp. z o.o., Krakow, Poland
80 EMAS Digital SAS, Neuilly-sur-Seine, France
81 enFemenino SARL, Madrid, Spain
82 Etoilecasting.com SAS, Paris, France
83 Grupa Onet.pl SA, Krakow, Poland
84
85
Immoweb SA, Brussels, Belgium
IT-Jobbank A/S, Copenhagen, Denmark
86 Les Publications Grand Public S.A.S., Neuilly-sur-Seine, France
1
6)
87 Marmiton SAS, Paris, France
56
12
64
10
10
9
1
9
55
1
37
21
12
1
48
7)
7)
7)
6)
7)
6)
88 Népújság Kft, Békéscsaba, Hungary
89 Netmums Limited, Watford, Great Britain
90 NIN d.o.o., Belgrade, Serbia
91 ofeminin.pl Sp. z o.o., Warsaw, Poland
92 Petöfi Lap- és Könyvkiadó Kft, Kecskemét, Hungary
93 Poliris S.A.S., Paris, France
94 PressImmo On Line S.A.S., Paris, France
95 RAS Online d.o.o., Belgrad, Serbia
96 Ringier Axel Springer CZ a.s., Prague, Czech Republic
97 Ringier Axel Springer d.o.o., Belgrade, Serbia
98 Ringier Axel Springer Management AG, Zurich, Switzerland
99 Ringier Axel Springer Media AG, Zurich, Switzerland
100 Ringier Axel Springer Polska Sp. z o.o., Warsaw, Poland
Share-
hold-
ing
in %
100.0
51.0
100.0
51.0
77.7
100.0
100.0
100.0
via
No.
6)
7)
9
26
22
38
37
22
55
7)
6)
1
6)
52.5
10
100.0
100.0
100.0
64
73
58
74.9 117
25.1
86.5
100.0
100.0
82.2
100.0
92.9
93.5
100.0
100.0
100.0
97
80
67
64
15
61
1
1
9
1
1
100.0
100.0
3
1
70.0 102
100.0
100.0
100.0
50.1
100.0
50.0
100.0
100.0
94
27
78
56
83
70
64
64
100.0 118
80.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
94.0
100.0
99.7
51.0
68
48
70
64
22
64
97
64
49.0 100
94.0
22
93.0 103
7.0
94
100.0 103
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
50.0
100.0
97
99
99
99
15
99
3)
3)
Fully consolidated subsidiaries
Germany
Allesklar.com Aktiengesellschaft, Bad Honnef
AS Osteuropa GmbH, Berlin
AS TV-Produktions- und Vertriebsgesellschaft mbH, Hamburg
ASV Direktmarketing GmbH, Hamburg
Axel Springer Asia GmbH, Hamburg
Axel Springer Auto-Verlag GmbH, Hamburg
Axel Springer Digital Classifieds GmbH, Berlin
Axel Springer Digital Classifieds Holding GmbH, Berlin
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Axel Springer Digital GmbH (previously Axel Springer Venture
GmbH), Berlin
11 Axel Springer Digital TV Guide GmbH, Berlin
12
Axel Springer Digital Ventures GmbH (previously Achtundfünfzigste
"Media" Vermögensverwaltungsges. mbH), Berlin
13 Axel Springer Financial Media GmbH, Munich
14
15
Axel Springer International GmbH (previously Fünfundfünfzigste
"Media" Vermögensverwaltungsges. mbH), Berlin
Axel Springer International Holding GmbH (previously AS Online
Beteiligungs GmbH), Berlin
16 Axel Springer Mediahouse Berlin GmbH, Berlin
17 Axel Springer Media Impact Dienstleistungs-GmbH, Berlin
18 Axel Springer Media Logistik GmbH, Berlin
19 Axel Springer Medien Accounting Service GmbH, Berlin
20 Axel Springer Services & Immobilien GmbH, Berlin
21 Axel Springer TV Productions GmbH, Hamburg
22
"Axel Springer Verlag" Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH, Berlin
23 Axel Springer Vertriebsservice GmbH, Hamburg
24
Bergedorfer Buchdruckerei von Ed. Wagner (GmbH & Co.),
Hamburg
25 BERLINER WOCHENBLATT Verlag GmbH, Berlin
100.0
55
26 BILD digital GmbH & Co. KG, Berlin
100.0
27 Bonial International GmbH (previously Juno Internet GmbH), Berlin
74.9
28
Buch- und Presse-Großvertrieb Hamburg GmbH & Co. KG,
Hamburg
29 B.Z. Ullstein GmbH, Berlin
30 Commerz-Film GmbH, Berlin
31 comparado GmbH, Lüneburg
32 COMPUTER BILD Digital GmbH, Hamburg
33 eprofessional GmbH, Hamburg
34
finanzen.net GmbH, Karlsruhe
35 Gofeminin.de GmbH, Cologne
36 hamburg.de GmbH & Co. KG, Hamburg
37
38
39
Idealo Internet GmbH, Berlin
Immonet GmbH, Hamburg
ims Internationaler Medien Service GmbH & Co. KG, Hamburg
40 meinestadt.de Holding GmbH, Berlin
41 Niendorfer Wochenblatt Verlag GmbH & Co. KG, Hamburg
42 PACE Paparazzi Catering & Event GmbH, Berlin
43 Panther Holding GmbH, Berlin
44 Schwartzkopff TV-Productions GmbH & Co. KG, Hamburg
45 Smarthouse Media GmbH, Karlsruhe
46 Sohomint GmbH, Hamburg
47 StepStone Deutschland GmbH, Düsseldorf
69.8
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
55.0
100.0
51.0
74.9
88.7
55.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
91.0
72.6
100.0
142 Annual Report 2012 Axel Springer AG
No. Company
101 Ringier Axel Springer Print CZ a.s., Prague, Czech Republic
102 Ringier Axel Springer Slovakia a.s., Bratislava, Slovakia
103 SeLoger.com SA, Paris, France
104 SmartAdServer SAS, Paris, France
105 soFeminine.co.uk Limited, London, Great Britain
106 StepStone (UK) Ltd., Guildford, Great Britain
107 StepStone A/S, Copenhagen, Denmark
108 StepStone AB, Stockholm, Sweden
109 StepStone B.V., Leiden, Netherlands
110 StepStone France SAS, Paris, France
111 StepStone Ltd., Cork, Ireland
112 StepStone NV, Brussels, Belgium
113 StepStone Österreich GmbH, Vienna, Austria
114 StepStone Schweiz GmbH, Härkingen, Switzerland
115 StepStone Services Sp. z o.o., Warsaw, Poland
116 Totaljobs Group Limited, London, Great Britain
117 Trans Press d.o.o., Belgrade, Serbia
118 Vidalia Investments Sp. z o.o., Warsaw, Poland
119 Villaweb SARL, Rennes, France
Share-
hold-
ing
in %
via
No.
100.0
100.0
98.8
0.5
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
96
99
68
9
64
64
48
48
48
48
48
71
48
0.0 113
8)
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
75.0
100.0
47
48
48
48
97
99
94
120 Viviana Investments Sp. z o.o., Warsaw, Poland
100.0 100
121 zanox B.V., Amsterdam, Netherlands
122 ZANOX Hispania SL, Madrid, Spain
123 zanox Inc., Chicago, USA
124 zanox ltd., London, Great Britain
125 zanox Reklam Hizmetleri Limited Şirketi, Istanbul, Turkey
126 zanox SAS, Paris, France
127 zanox Sp. z o.o., Warsaw, Poland
128 zanox SRL, Milan, Italy
129
ZANOX VEICULAÇÃO DE PUBLICIDADE NA INTERNET LTDA.,
São Paulo, Brazil
130 zanox we create partners AB, Stockholm, Sweden
131
ZÖLD ÚJSÁG Tömegkommunikációs és Kiadói Zrt, Budapest,
Hungary
Other subsidiaries 1)1)1)1)
Other subsidiaries
Other subsidiaries
Other subsidiaries
Germany
Germany
Germany
Germany
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
99.9
0.1
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
0.0
100.0
56
56
56
56
56
33
56
56
56
56
33
56
132 Achtunddreißigste "Media" Vermögensverwaltungsges. mbH, Berlin 100.0
133 Alster Wochenblatt Verlag GmbH, Hamburg
134 AS Buchversand GmbH, Munich
135
Axel Springer IdeAS GmbH (previously Einundsechzigste "Media"
Vermögensverwaltungsges. mbH), Berlin
136 Axel Springer Security GmbH, Berlin
137 BILD digital Verwaltungs GmbH, Berlin
138 B.Z. Media GmbH, Berlin
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
22
55
22
1
1
1
No. Company
150 I.S.I. TV Productions GmbH, Berlin
151 Jobanova GmbH, Munich
152 kinkaa GbR, Berlin
153 meinestadt stellenmarkt GmbH, Siegburg
154 Mein Gutscheincode GmbH, Berlin
155
156
myPass GmbH (previously Dreiundfünfzigste "Media"
Vermögensverwaltungsges. mbH), Berlin
Neunundfünfzigste "Media" Vermögensverwaltungsges. mbH,
Berlin
Share-
hold-
ing
in %
via
No.
100.0
100.0
50.0
50.0
100.0
30.0
100.0
100.0
44
48
43
37
2
37
3)
1
1
157
Schwartzkopff TV-Productions Verwaltungsgesellschaft mbH,
Hamburg
100.0
21
158 Scubia GbR, Berlin
159
Sechsundsechzigste "Media" Vermögensverwaltungsges. mbH,
Berlin
160 Sechzigste "Media" Vermögensverwaltungsges. mbH, Berlin
161 SmartAdServer GmbH, Berlin
162 Tarif24 GmbH, Berlin
163 TOPS Online Publications GbR, Lüneburg
50.0
50.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
90.0
10.0
43
37
1
1
64
37
31
37
164 Totaljobs Gruppe GmbH, Munich
100.0 116
165 Transfermarkt Verwaltungs GmbH, Hamburg
166 Umzugsauktion Verwaltungs GmbH, Schallstadt
51.0
51.0
167 Vierundfünfzigste "Media" Vermögensverwaltungsges. mbH, Berlin 100.0
168 Vierundsechzigste "Media" Vermögensverwaltungsges. mbH, Berlin 100.0
169 VISION MEDIA Holding GmbH, Hamburg
100.0
26
38
1
1
1
170 Zanox 1 AG, Berlin
100.0
56
171 Zweiundfünfzigste "Media" Vermögensverwaltungsges. mbH, Berlin 100.0
172
Zweiundsechzigste "Media" Vermögensverwaltungsges. mbH,
Berlin
100.0
1
1
Other countries
Other countries
Other countries
Other countries
173 Alpha Real spol. s.r.o., Zilina, Slovakia
8)
174 Automotive Exchange Private Limited, Navi Mumbai, India
175 Axel Springer Editions SAS, Neuilly-sur-Seine, France
100.0
67
176 Axel Springer Group Inc., New York, USA
177 Axel Springer Hírszolgálat Kft, Tatabánya, Hungary
178 Axel Springer International Finance B.V., Amsterdam, Netherlands 100.0
179 Axel Springer International Group Limited, London, Great Britain
180 Axel Springer Media France S.A.R.L., Neuilly-sur-Seine, France
181 Axel Springer Media Italia s.r.l., Milan, Italy
100.0
100.0
100.0
1
1
70
1
182
Axel Springer Publishing International Limited, London, Great
Britain
100.0 179
183 Axel Springer TV International Limited, London, Great Britain
100.0 179
184 Azet.sk – katalóg s.r.o., Zilina, Slovakia
100.0
185 Communications Smart AdServer Canada inc., Montreal, Canada
100.0
100.0
29
186 CompuTel Telefonservice AG, Chur, Switzerland
139 "Dating Café" Vermittlungsagentur GmbH, Hamburg
100.0
140 Dreiundsechzigste "Media" Vermögensverwaltungsges. mbH, Berlin 100.0
141 Dreizehnte "Media" Vermögensverwaltungsges. mbH, Hamburg
142 Druck- und Verlagshaus Bergedorf GmbH, Hamburg
143 Finanzen Corporate Publishing GmbH, Berlin
144
Fünfundsechzigste "Media" Vermögensverwaltungsges. mbH,
Berlin
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
2
1
1
1
1
1
187 Cpress Media s.r.o., Zilina, Slovakia
188 Euro Blic Press d.o.o., Banja Luka, Bosnia-Herzegovina
189 eurobridge Inc., New York, USA
190 EUROPRESS POLSKA Sp. z o. o., Warsaw, Poland
191 Handelszeitung Medien AG, Zurich, Switzerland
192 Harvest Choice Company Limited, Beijing, China
193 Immostreet ES, Barcelona, Spain
145 hamburg.de Beteiligungs GmbH, Hamburg
100.0
36
194 Jean Frey AG, Zurich, Switzerland
146
Hammerich & Lesser Zeitschriften- und Buchverlag GmbH,
Hamburg
147 Hauptstadtsee 809. VV GmbH, Berlin
148 ims Verwaltungs GmbH, Hamburg
149 Informationsmedien Handels GmbH, Hamburg
100.0
100.0
55.0
100.0
1
1
1
1
195 Périclès Atlantique S.A.R.L, Casablanca, Morocco
196 Poradca podnikatela a.s., Zilina, Slovakia
197 Reed Advertising (Beijing) Company Limited, Beijing, China
100.0 116
198 Shanghai Springer Advertising Company Ltd. i. L., Shanghai, China 100.0
6
100.0
53.9
74
6
100.0 146
100.0
1
100.0 131
74
64
73
74
97
1
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0 100
100.0
73
85.0 116
100.0
100.0
51.0
16.0
51.0
94
73
93
94
96
Consolidated Financial Statements 143
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
No. Company
Share-
hold-
ing
in %
via
No.
199 Shanghai Springer Distribution Company Ltd. i. L., Shanghai, China 100.0
200 SMART ADSERVER DO BRASIL LTDA., São Paulo, Brazil
201 Smart AdServer España S.L., Madrid, Spain
202 Smart AdServer Italia S.r.l., Milano, Italy
203 Smart Adserver Limited, London, Great Britain
204 Smart AdServer Polska Sp. z o.o., Krakow, Poland
205 SPORT.SK s.r.o., Zilina, Slovakia
206 SunWeb sp. z o.o., Krakow, Poland
207 zanox Schweiz AG, Schlieren, Switzerland
Fully consolidated special purpose entities
Fully consolidated special purpose entities
Fully consolidated special purpose entities
Fully consolidated special purpose entities
Germany
Germany
Germany
Germany
208
Axel-Springer-Immobilien-Fonds-III-Ostflügel Dr. Rühl & Co. KG,
Düsseldorf
Investments accounted for using the equity method
Investments accounted for using the equity method
Investments accounted for using the equity method
Investments accounted for using the equity method
100.0
100,0
100,0
100.0
100,0
66.7
100.0
100.0
6
64
64
64
64
64
74
83
56
Germany
Germany
Germany
Germany
209 buecher.de GmbH & Co. KG, Augsburg
210 PRINOVIS Ltd. & Co. KG, Hamburg
Other countries
Other countries
Other countries
Other countries
211
Editions Mondadori Axel Springer (EMAS) S.E.N.C., Montrouge
Cedex, France
212 INFOR BIZNES Sp. z o.o., Warsaw, Poland
213 Prvni novinova spolecnost a.s., Prague, Czech Republic
Other associated companies and joint ventures 2)2)2)2)
Other associated companies and joint ventures
Other associated companies and joint ventures
Other associated companies and joint ventures
Germany
Germany
Germany
Germany
214 autohaus24 GmbH, Pullach
215 Berlin 1 Fernsehen Beteiligungs GmbH & Co. KG, Berlin
216
Blitz-Tip Medien-Beteiligungsges. mbH & Co. KG, Bad Soden am
Taunus
33.3
25.1
1
1
50.0
70
49.0 100
27.0
99
50.0
27.4
7
1
33.3
55
217 Blitz-Tip Medien Verwaltungs GmbH, Bad Soden am Taunus
33.3
55
218
Blitz-Tip Radio Hessen Beteiligungsges. mbH & Co. KG, Bad Soden
am Taunus
33.3
55
219 Bonial Ventures GmbH, Berlin
220 buecher.de Verwaltungs GmbH, Augsburg
221
BZV Berliner Zustell- und Vertriebsgesellschaft für
Druckerzeugnisse mbH, Berlin
222 "Direkt" Redaktionsservice GmbH, Hamburg
223 elbe WOCHENBLATT Verlagsges. mbH & Co., Hamburg
224 Filmgarten GmbH, Berlin
225
Gesellschaft für integrierte Kommunikationsforschung mbH & Co.
KG, Munich
226
Gesellschaft für integrierte Kommunikationsforschung Verwaltungs
GmbH, Munich
227 Hamburg 1 Fernsehen Beteiligungs GmbH, Hamburg
228 Harburger Zeitungsverwaltungsgesellschaft mbH, Hamburg
229 Intermedia Standard Presse-Code GmbH, Hamburg
230 InterRed GmbH, Haiger
231 ISPC Intermedia Standard Presse-Code GmbH & Co., Hamburg
232 KG Hamburg 1 Fernsehen Beteiligungs GmbH & Co., Hamburg
233
"Lühmanndruck" Harburger Zeitungsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG,
Hamburg
234 media kombi nord GbR, Hamburg
74.9
33.3
5)
1
1
33.3
50
24.8
24.9
42.0
25.0
25.0
27.0
24.8
32.0
24.0
32.0
27.0
24.8
35.7
55
55
37
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
4.8
24
4.8 233
-
-
245
Verwaltungsgesellschaft MSV Medien Special Vertrieb m.b.H.,
Hamburg
No. Company
235 Motor-Talk GmbH, Berlin
236 MSV Medien Special Vertrieb GmbH & Co. KG, Hamburg
237 Myby Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH i. L., Düsseldorf
238 Myby GmbH & Co. KG i. L., Düsseldorf
239 Qivive GmbH i. L., Bad Homburg
240 Radio Hamburg GmbH & Co. KG, Hamburg
241
TVB Transportvermittlungs- und Vertriebsgesellschaft in Bergedorf
mbH, Hamburg
242 Verlag Hans-Jürgen Böckel GmbH, Glinde
243 Verlags-Gesellschaft Hanse mbH & Co. KG, Hamburg
244 Verwaltungsgesellschaft elbe WOCHENBLATT mbH, Hamburg
246 Volksdorfer Verlagsgesellschaft mbH, Hamburg
247
V.V. Vertriebs-Vereinigung Berliner Zeitungs- und Zeitschriften-
Grossisten GmbH & Co. KG, Berlin
248
Wochenblatt Verlag Schrader GmbH & Co. KG, Buchholz i.d.
Nordheide
249
Wochenblatt Verlag Verwaltungsgesellschaft mbH, Buchholz i.d.
Nordheide
250 WVV Werbevertrieb-Verwaltungs- und Beteiligungs-GmbH, Berlin
251 Zeitungs- und Zeitschriften Vertrieb Berlin GmbH, Berlin
Other countries
Other countries
Other countries
Other countries
252 Asocijacija Privatnih Media, Belgrade, Serbia
253 BULGARPRESS OOD, Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria
254 CZ Press s.r.o., Prague, Czech Republic
255 DISPANA S.L., Madrid, Spain
256 HARLEQUIN MAGYARORSZÁG Kft, Budapest, Hungary
257 HUNGAROPRESS Sajtóterjesztö Kft, Budapest, Hungary
258 ITAS Media Private Limited, Delhi, India
259 PRINOVIS Ltd., London, Great Britain
260 SOKOWEB TECHNOLOGIES, S.L., Barcelona, Spain
261 Today Merchandise Private Limited, New-Delhi, India
262 VINA WOMAN UK LTD., London, Great Britain
Other significant investments
Other significant investments
Other significant investments
Other significant investments
Other countries
Other countries
Other countries
Other countries
Share-
hold-
ing
in %
via
No.
20.0
50.0
25.1
25.1
33.3
35.0
12
28
1
1
1
1
20.0
24
24.8
50.0
24.8
24
55
55
50.0
28
50.0
55
48.5
1
24.8
55
24.8
55
33.3
35.5
20.0
25.5
50.0
33.3
45.0
24.0
49.0
25.1
36.5
19.1
30.0
50
1
97
1
23
69
1
1
6
1
27
6
4)
64
263 iProperty Group Limited, Sydney, Australia
264 Doğan TV Holding A.S., Istanbul, Turkey
17.3
103
19.9
30
1) No full consolidation due to immaterial impact (relation of net income and balance sheet total of the
company to net income and balance sheet total of the Group).
2) No at equity consolidation due to immaterial impact (relation of net income of the company to net
income of the Group).
3) Control due to existing option rights.
4) Significant influence due to existing option rights.
5) Control and profit transfer agreement with the parent company.
6) The company has exercised the exemption options of Section 264 (3) of the German Commercial
Code (Handelsgesetzbuch – HGB).
7) The company has exercised the exemption options of Section 264b of the German Commercial
Code (Handelsgesetzbuch – HGB).
8) Shares less than 0.1 %.
144
Boards
Supervisory Board
The Supervisory Board is composed of the following persons:
Name, occupation
Dr. Giuseppe Vita
Chairman of the Supervisory Board of
Axel Springer AG
Seats on other mandatory
supervisory boards
Seats on comparable boards
in Germany and abroad
Dussmann Verwaltungs AG (until April 2012)
Medical Park AG (until December 2012)
Peter Dussmann-Stiftung (member of the Board of Trustees, until
April 2012)
Allianz S.p.A., Italy (Chairman of the Board of Directors,
until May 2012)
Barilla G. e R. Fratelli S.p.A., Italy (Board of Directors, until May 2012)
Gruppo Banca Leonardo S.p.A., Italy (Chairman of the Board of
Directors, until April 2012)
Humanitas S.p.A., Italy (Board of Directors, until May 2012)
Pirelli & C. S.p.A., Italy (Board of Directors, from March until May 2012)
RCS MediaGroup S.p.A., Italy (Board of Directors, since May 2012)
UniCredit S.p.A., Italy (Chairman of the Board of Directors,
since May 2012)
ALBA Group plc & Co. KG (Advisory Board)
Dr. h. c. Friede Springer
Vice Chairwoman of the Supervisory Board of
Axel Springer AG
ALBA plc & Co. KGaA
ALBA Finance plc & Co. KGaA
Dr. Gerhard Cromme
Chairman of the Supervisory Board of
ThyssenKrupp AG
Allianz SE (Vice Chairman, until August 2012)
Siemens AG (Chairman)
ThyssenKrupp AG (Chairman)
Compagnie de Saint-Gobain, France (Board of Directors)
Oliver Heine
Attorney at law and partner in the
law firm Heine & Partner
Rudolf Knepper
Member of the Supervisory Board of Axel Springer AG
(since January 8, 2013)
Klaus Krone
Member of the Supervisory Board of
Axel Springer AG
Dr. Nicola Leibinger-Kammüller
President and Chairwoman of the Managing Board of
TRUMPF GmbH + Co. KG
Lufthansa AG
Siemens AG
Voith GmbH
Prof. Dr. Wolf Lepenies
University Professor (emer.) FU Berlin;
Permanent Fellow (emer.) at Wissenschaftskolleg zu
Berlin
Michael Lewis
Investment Manager (until September 30, 2012)
Dr. Michael Otto
Chairman of the Supervisory Board of
Otto GmbH & Co KG
Otto GmbH & Co KG (Chairman)
YooApplications AG, Switzerland (Board of Directors)
Cheyne Capital Management Limited, Great Britain (Non-Executive)
OIC 07178 Limited, Great Britain (Executive)
Oceana Capital Partners LLP, Great Britain (Executive Partner)
Oceana Concentrated Opportunities Fund Limited, Jersey, Channel
Islands (Non-Executive)
Oceana Fund Managers (Jersey) Limited, Jersey, Channel Islands
(Non-Executive)
Oceana Investment Corporation Limited, Great Britain
(Executive Chairman)
Oceana Investment Partners LLP, Great Britain (Executive Partner)
United Trust Bank Limited, Great Britain (Non-Executive)
UTB Partners Limited, Great Britain (Non-Executive)
Strandbags Holdings Pty Limited, Australia (Non-Executive Chairman)
Peltours Limited, Israel (Non-Executive)
Shidonni Limited, Israel (Non-Executive)
The Foschini Group Limited, South Africa (Non-Executive)
Histogenics Inc., USA (Non-Executive Director and Chairman)
FORUM Grundstücksgesellschaft m.b.H. (Chairman of the Advisory
Board)
Robert Bosch Industrietreuhand KG (Partner)
Boards 145
Executive Board
The Executive Board is composed of the following persons:
Executive Board member
Dr. Mathias Döpfner
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Journalist
Jan Bayer
President WELT Group and Printing
Media scholar
Ralph Büchi
President International Division
Master’s degree in business administration
Seats on mandatory
supervisory boards
Seats on comparable boards
in Germany and abroad
B.Z. Ullstein GmbH (Advisory Board)
RHJ International SA, Belgium (Board of Directors)
Axel Springer Schweiz AG, Switzerland
(Chairman of the Board of Directors)
Time Warner Inc., USA (Board of Directors)
Allesklar.com AG (since October 2012)
ZANOX.de AG (Chairman)
Immoweb SA, Belgium (Chairman of the Board of Directors,
since November 2012)
AR Technology SAS, France (Board of Directors)
auFeminin.com S.A., France (Board of Directors)
Autoreflex.com SAS, France (Board of Directors)
SeLoger.com S.A., France
(Supervisory Board, since July 2012 Chairman)
Automotive Exchange Private Limited, India (Non-Executive Director)
ITAS Media Private Limited, India (Non-Executive Director)
Today Merchandise Private Limited, India
(Non-Executive Director)
Grupa Onet.pl S.A., Poland (Chairman of the Supervisory Board,
since November 2012)
Amiado Group AG, Switzerland (Chairman of the Board of Directors)
Amiado Online AG, Switzerland (Chairman of the Board of Directors)
Axel Springer Schweiz AG, Switzerland (Vice Chairman of the
Board of Directors)
CompuTel Telefonservice AG, Switzerland (inactive; Chairman of
the Board of Directors)
Handelszeitung Medien AG, Switzerland (inactive; Chairman of
the Board of Directors)
Ringier Axel Springer Management AG, Switzerland
(Chairman of the Board of Directors, since June 2012)
Ringier Axel Springer Media AG, Switzerland (Chairman of the
Board of Directors)
Axel Springer España S.A., Spain (Board of Directors)
esmt European School of Management and Technology GmbH
(Supervisory Board)
Axel Springer Digital Classifieds GmbH (Chairman of the
Supervisory Board, since May 2012)
Independent News & Media PLC, Ireland
(Board of Directors, until June 2012)
Axel Springer International Finance B.V., Netherlands
(Supervisory Board)
Ringier Axel Springer Management AG, Switzerland
(Board of Directors, since June 2012)
Ringier Axel Springer Media AG, Switzerland (Board of Directors)
Do⁄an TV Holding A.S., Turkey (Supervisory Board)
B.Z. Ullstein GmbH (Advisory Board)
Jahr Top Special Verlag GmbH & Co. KG (Advisory Board, until
December 2012)
StepStone GmbH (Chairman of the Supervisory Board, since
July 2012)
auFeminin.com S.A., France (Board of Directors)
SeLoger.com S.A., France (Supervisory Board, until July 2012)
PRINOVIS Limited, Great Britain (Board of Directors, since
January 2012)
Lothar Lanz
Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer
Master’s degree in business administration
Dr. Andreas Wiele
President BILD Group and Magazines
Lawyer
ZANOX.de AG
dpa Deutsche Presse-Agentur GmbH
Financial Calendar
March 6, 2013
Annual Report, annual financial statements press
conference, investor/analyst teleconference
April 24, 2013
Annual shareholders’ meeting, Berlin
May 7, 2013
Quarterly financial report as of March 31, 2013
August 7, 2013
Interim financial report as of June 30, 2013
November 6, 2013
Quarterly financial report as of September 30, 2013
Imprint
Address
Axel Springer AG
Axel-Springer-Strasse 65
10888 Berlin
Phone: +49 (0) 30 25 91-0
Investor Relations
ir@axelspringer.de
Phone: +49 (0) 30 25 91-7 74 21/-7 74 25
Fax: +49 (0) 30 25 91-7 74 22
Corporate Communications
information@axelspringer.de
Phone: +49 (0) 30 25 91-7 76 60
Fax: +49 (0) 30 25 91-7 76 03
Design
Axel Springer AG
Corporate Communications
Photos
Daniel Biskup (p. 2, p. 4)
Matti Hillig (p. 4, p. 5)
The Annual Report and up-to-date information about
Axel Springer are also available on the Internet at
www.axelspringer.com
The English translation of the Axel Springer AG annual
report is provided for convenience only. The German
original is definitive.