Subject category:
Entrepreneurship
Published by:
Stanford Business School
Version: 20 June 2014
Length: 27 pages
Data source: Field research
Abstract
In 2013, Mathias Dopfner, CEO of the publishing house Axel Springer SE, a premier source of content in Germany, with its popular newspapers and magazines such as Bild and Die Welt, was evaluating the progress of his company’s digital transformation. The advent of the digital revolution at the end of the twentieth century had caused an appreciable shift in the publishing industry. Traditional print media players were confronted with major technological advancements and changes in consumer tastes and how news was consumed. Thus, the challenge for Axel Springer was in finding fresh ways to distribute, monetize, and further develop its old product. This had required the firm to re-evaluate and adapt its corporate strategy to most effectively align with the new age.
Time period
The events covered by this case took place in 2013-2014.Geographical setting
Region:
Europe
Country:
Germany
Featured company
Axel Springer
Employees:
10000+
Turnover:
USD 3.9 billion
Industry:
Paper; Digital; Classifieds; Media; Publishing
Featured protagonist
- Mathias Dopfner (male), CEO
About
Abstract
In 2013, Mathias Dopfner, CEO of the publishing house Axel Springer SE, a premier source of content in Germany, with its popular newspapers and magazines such as Bild and Die Welt, was evaluating the progress of his company’s digital transformation. The advent of the digital revolution at the end of the twentieth century had caused an appreciable shift in the publishing industry. Traditional print media players were confronted with major technological advancements and changes in consumer tastes and how news was consumed. Thus, the challenge for Axel Springer was in finding fresh ways to distribute, monetize, and further develop its old product. This had required the firm to re-evaluate and adapt its corporate strategy to most effectively align with the new age.
Settings
Time period
The events covered by this case took place in 2013-2014.Geographical setting
Region:
Europe
Country:
Germany
Featured company
Axel Springer
Employees:
10000+
Turnover:
USD 3.9 billion
Industry:
Paper; Digital; Classifieds; Media; Publishing
Featured protagonist
- Mathias Dopfner (male), CEO