Aurelius SE & Co. KGaA

M&A Activity • Jul 1, 2014

News Details

Corporate | 1 July 2014 07:15

AURELIUS successfully completes its acquisition of Publicitas

AURELIUS AG / Key word(s): Acquisition

01.07.2014 / 07:15

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AURELIUS successfully completes its acquisition of Publicitas

– Transaction closed on June 30, 2014

– Transformation into a cross-media advertising services provider

– Other interesting transactions expected in 2014

Munich, July 1, 2014 – The AURELIUS Group (ISIN DE000A0JK2A8) successfully completed its purchase of the internationally active advertising services marketer Publicitas from the exchange-listed Swiss PubliGroupe. The transaction was closed on June 30, 2014. As of July 1, 2014, therefore, this Switzerland-based company is a member of the AURELIUS Group. Publicitas generated gross revenues (including the value of advertising space) of more than EUR 657 million in 2013. (Net revenues amounted to EUR 110 million). That makes this transaction one of the biggest in the history of AURELIUS. The purchase price of an amount in the lower double-digit million euros includes deferred components. The seller PubliGroupe will focus on its digital business and on growth markets in the future.

The roughly 860 employees of Publicitas advise advertisers and advertising agencies handling more than 10,000 advertisements on how best to place their advertising messages to reach the intended target groups. The company boasts a strong brand name and a history that goes back 124 years. It is represented worldwide, with 70 offices in 20 countries. Publicitas maintains long-term partnerships with media providers and advertisers. The company’s extensive international network assures closeness to advertising clients throughout the world. The name Publicitas is associated with the increasingly automated planning, booking and execution of advertisements in all media categories. Publicitas will pursue the same strategy under the roof of AURELIUS.

“In Publicitas, we have acquired another exciting company with a very good positioning and a strong brand. We see tremendous potential in the further transformation into a cross-media and increasingly technology-based services provider,” said Dr. Dirk Markus, Chairman of the Executive Board of AURELIUS AG. “Also in the second half of the year, we anticipate brisk transaction activity, including both acquisitions and exits.”

ABOUT AURELIUS

AURELIUS has been successfully operating in the international market for company acquisitions for many years. The focus is on companies and corporate spin-offs in markets with plenty of potential for development. Once under the AURELIUS umbrella, the acquisitions are given a long-term strategic orientation and their potential developed. Building on active operational support, the subsidiaries benefit from the management experience and financial strength of the parent company. This is what makes AURELIUS a “good home” for companies and their employees.

At present, the AURELIUS Group encompasses 20 subsidiaries around the globe with facilities in Europe, Asia and the United States. Among others, these include traditional names like Blaupunkt and Berentzen together with numerous industrial enterprises. Companies are acquired in accordance with strict investment criteria, although there is no specific industry focus. Shares of AURELIUS AG are listed in the m:access segment of the Munich Stock Exchange and are traded on all German stock exchanges under ISIN DE000A0JK2A8.

To find out more, visit www.aureliusinvest.de .

CONTACT

Anke Banaschewski

Investor Relations & Corporate Communications

Phone +49 (89) 544799 – 0

Fax +49 (89) 544799 – 55

investor@aureliusinvest.de

End of Corporate News

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