Bertelsmann continues building the business according to the corporate strategy, with investments in education providers in Brazil and the U.S., financing rounds for startups in India, and a strategic partnership in China.
Among other things, the Group acquires shares in Alliant International University in the U.S. as well as in the Brazilian market leader in corporate training, Affero Lab, and strengthens its e-learning subsidiary Relias Learning with acquisitions. In September, Bertelsmann merges its fast-growing education businesses into a separate corporate unit: the Bertelsmann Education Group.
In China, BMG signs a comprehensive distribution agreement with Alibaba, which gives the artists and songwriters of the Bertelsmann music subsidiary broad access to the Chinese market and a strong ally in matters of copyright protection. In India, Bertelsmann increases its investments in the domestic music-streaming service Saavn and the online furniture retailer Pepperfry.
In November, Bertelsmann announces the bundling of its offset and gravure printing activities under the umbrella of the new Bertelsmann Printing Group, creating Europe’s largest printing group.