Axel Springer SE

Company report, featuring a PESTLE, Porters Five Forces, 5C, MOST, CATWOE and SWOT analysis

Introduction

This study on Axel Springer SE is part of our coverage of the 10,000 largest companies in the world. We update it regularly to ensure that its content remains as current as possible.

Only Premium members have full access to this study on Axel Springer SE. The SWOT analysis, PESTLE, 5C analysis, CATWOE, Porters Five Forces, MOST analysis and a myriad of additional high value sections are available exclusively for Premium members.

We identify potential new products and services, forecast future market trends, and evaluate potential synergies between Axel Springer SE and other organisations, all independent of our analysis-driven sections.

Company Description

Axel Springer SE is a German media company headquartered in Berlin, Germany, founded in 1946. Its main products and services include newspapers, magazines, digital media, radio, television, and more. Axel Springer SE serves markets in Europe, Asia, and the Americas, with a focus on Germany, France, and Poland.

Industry Overview

Axel Springer SE operates in the digital publishing and media industry. This industry is estimated to be worth around $348 billion (US Dollars) and employs over 7 million people globally. These employees are primarily based in Europe, the USA, India and China. The company's services are used by over 700 million people worldwide.

Industry Classification

In terms of formal classification, Platform Executive has tagged Axel Springer SE as a business operating within the Media industry.

1. Introduction
2. Company Description
3. Industry Overview
    3.1 Industry Classification
4. Intellectual Property
5. Major Products and Services
6. Key Competitors
7. Stakeholders
8. Value Proposition
9. Customers and Cohorts
10. Competitive Advantages
11. Market Trends
12. Key Performance Indicators
13. Financials (BETA)
    13.1 Highlights
    13.2. Board members
    13.3 Share Performance
    13.4 Income Statement
14. PESTLE Analysis
15. Potential Products/Services
16. Potential Synergies
17. Porter's Five Forces
18. CATWOE Analysis
19. SWOT Analysis
    19.1 Strengths
    19.2 Weaknesses
    19.3 Opportunities
    19.4 Threats
20. 5C Analysis
21. MOST Analysis
22. Innovation Scorecard
23. Appendices

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Intellectual Property

Some of the Patents granted to, or relevant to the organisation include the following:

Patent Title: Method and system for providing content for further processing in a web environment
Patent ID: US20180217095
Date: Jun 7, 2018

Patent Title: Method and system for providing media content through a web environment
Patent ID: US20180217093
Date: Jun 7, 2018

Patent Title: Method and system for providing content in a web environment
Patent ID: US20180217092
Date: Jun 7, 2018

Patent Title: Method and system for providing content in a web environment
Patent ID: US20180217091
Date: Jun 7, 2018

Patent Title: Method for determining a score for a content item
Patent ID: US20180217089
Date: Jun 7, 2018

Patent Title: Method and system for providing content in a web environment
Patent ID: US20180217088
Date: Jun 7, 2018

Patent Title: Method and system for providing content in a web environment
Patent ID: US20180217087
Date: Jun 7, 2018

Patent Title: Method and system for providing content in a web environment
Patent ID: US20180217086
Date: Jun 7, 2018

Patent Title: Method and system for providing content in a web environment
Patent ID: US20180217085
Date: Jun 7, 2018

Patent Title: Method and system for providing content in a web environment
Patent ID: US20180217084
Date: Jun 7, 2018

Patent Title: Method and system for providing content in a web environment
Patent ID: US20180217082
Date: Jun 7, 2018

Major Products & Services

The main products and/or services commercialised by this business include the following:

Digital media and classified advertising, including websites such as Bild and Welt
Magazines and newspapers, including Die Welt and Bild
Financial information and services, including the financial news magazine Euro am Sonntag
Radio and television stations, including N24 and RTL
Advertising and marketing services, including online marketing
Online shopping and e-commerce services
Business intelligence and data analytics services
Events and conferences, including the Axel Springer NOAH Berlin conference
Venture capital investments and start-up incubation services

Key Competitors

We have identified the following organisations as being key competitors:

Bertelsmann SE & Co. KGaA
ProSiebenSat.1 Media SE
BurdaForward GmbH
RTL Group
Verlagsgruppe Georg von Holtzbrinck GmbH
Ringier AG
Hubert Burda Media
Funke Mediengruppe GmbH & Co. KGaA
Mediengruppe RTL Deutschland GmbH
Gruner + Jahr GmbH & Co. KG

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Key Stakeholders

Stakeholders are individuals or groups who have an interest in a business and/or are affected by its actions.

These stakeholders can have different requirements and expectations from the business, which must be taken into account when making decisions.

By understanding their stakeholders’ requirements, a business can make informed decisions that benefit all involved.

Below is the list of internal and external stakeholders we have identified for this business:

1. Customers: Consumers and businesses who purchase products, services or advertising from Axel Springer SE.

2. Employees: Those who work for Axel Springer SE and are integral to its success.

3. Suppliers: Those who supply Axel Springer SE with products, services, or materials.

4. Shareholders: Those who own shares in the company or have a financial interest in its success.

5. Creditors: Those who have lent money to Axel Springer SE and are expecting repayment.

6. Government: The government, which may impose regulations and taxes on Axel Springer SE.

7. Competitors: Other companies in the same industry, who compete with Axel Springer SE for market share.

8. Media: Journalists, bloggers and other media outlets who report on Axel Springer SE's activities.

Value Proposition

A value proposition explains the unique value and/or benefits that an organisation provides to its customers, partners, stakeholders and the overall market. It outlines what makes a company like Axel Springer SE different from its competitors, along with what it can offer that key competitors cannot.

A corporate value proposition can be used with the competitive advantages section of this report in order to better understand Axel Springer SE and its position within the marketplace.

Axel Springer SE is the leading European media company with a comprehensive portfolio of media and information services, including news, publishing, advertising, and information technology. The company's aim is to create value for its shareholders, employees, and customers.

Competitive Advantages

Competitive advantages are unique attributes, strategies, resources, or capabilities that allow an organisation to outperform its competitors and achieve superior market position and profitability.

Competitive advantages for the business include the following:

Strong Brand Recognition: Axel Springer SE has developed a strong brand recognition among consumers and businesses in Europe. This has helped the company to expand its presence in the region and gain a competitive edge.

Diversified Portfolio: Axel Springer SE has a diversified portfolio of media, digital and advertising services, which it can use to reach a wide range of audiences.

Global Reach: Axel Springer SE's presence in more than 40 countries worldwide gives it access to a large customer base.

Expertise in Digital Technologies: Axel Springer SE has invested heavily in digital technologies, which has allowed it to stay ahead of the competition by offering innovative services.

Experienced Leadership: The company has an experienced leadership team with a strong track record of success, which provides the company with a competitive edge.

Customers & Cohorts

As part of this competitive intelligence study, we have identified the main customers of the organisation.

These include the following cohorts:

Private consumers
Professional customers
Businesses
Government agencies
Advertising and media partners
Educational institutions
Non-profit organisations

Market Trends

Market trends can impact an organisation by influencing consumer behavior, altering supply and demand dynamics, and affecting the organisation's ability to remain competitive in the market.

As part of this study, we have identified a number of potential short-term to medium-term trends that could impact the organisation. These include the following:

Digital Advertising: Digital advertising has been the largest and most profitable source of revenue for Axel Springer SE over the past several years and is expected to grow significantly in the coming years. This growth will be driven by the increasing number of users accessing the Internet, the growth of mobile and connected devices, and the increasing sophistication of targeted advertising.

Online Content Accessibility: As more content is consumed online, Axel Springer SE will need to ensure its content is accessible across all devices and platforms. This will require investment in technology to optimize content for different devices, as well as partnerships with distribution platforms to ensure its content is widely available.

Data-Driven Advertising: Data-driven advertising is becoming increasingly important and Axel Springer SE will need to ensure its advertising strategies are tailored to the data it collects on its users. This will involve leveraging data to create more targeted and personalised campaigns, as well as to optimize the performance of its campaigns.

Subscription-Based Business Models: The rise of subscription-based business models such as Netflix and Spotify has made it easier for consumers to access content online. This trend has the potential to disrupt Axel Springer SE’s traditional advertising-based business model and could force it to re-evaluate its monetization strategies.

Key Performance Indicators

Below is a list of KPI's that we have identified as being strategically relevant to this organisation:

Financials (BETA)

The key financials for Axel Springer SE include income statements, which can be found in their annual reports. These financial statements provide information on the organisation's financial performance and health, including revenue, expenses, and profits. This information, along with other indicators are used by investors, analysts and other stakeholders to evaluate the company's performance and future prospects.

Where a financial does not match, we have included those of the parent company (if a listed entity). If the financials are missing please contact us and we will prioritise the update.

Key Personnel

Income Statement

Highlights

Top-level corporate stats and financial highlights for the listed entity, include:

Share Performance

Below is the current (EOD) share performance for the company, or its listed parent:

Potential Products/Services

As part of this study we have attempted to prognosticate potential products and/or services this organisation could develop in the short to medium-term.

Digital Advertising Agency: Axel Springer SE could create a digital advertising agency to offer clients an integrated approach to digital marketing and advertising. Such an agency could provide services such as social media marketing, digital display advertising, content creation, and search engine optimisation.

Content Management System: Axel Springer SE could create a content management system to help clients manage their online content more effectively. The system could be tailored to the client's specific needs and allow them to easily create and update content, as well as track user engagement.

Video Streaming Service: Axel Springer SE could create a video streaming service to complement its existing news and entertainment websites. The service could offer viewers access to a variety of subscription-based video content from its own library, as well as from a select group of third-party providers.

Mobile App Development: Axel Springer SE could create a mobile app development service for clients looking to create custom apps for their businesses. The service could provide clients with an end-to-end solution, including design, development, testing, and deployment.

Data Analysis and Visualization: Axel Springer SE could create a data analysis and visualization service to help clients make sense of their data. The service could provide clients with tools to visualize their data, build custom reports, and gain insights into their customer base and market trends.

Potential Synergies

Using our product and portfolio-matching algorithm, we have determined that the following organisations have potential synergies with the company:

1. Microsoft
2. Google
3. Yahoo
4. Facebook
5. Apple
6. Amazon
7. IBM
8. Oracle
9. SAP
10. Deutsche Telekom

Porter's Five Forces

Created by Harvard Business School Professor Michael Porter in 1979, Porter's Five Forces model is designed to help analyse the particular attractiveness of an industry; evaluate investment options; and better assess the competitive environment.

The five forces are as follows:

Competitive rivalry
Supplier power
Buyer power
Threat of substitution
Threat of new entries

The Porters 5 forces for Axel Springer SE are:

1. supplier power - HIGH

2. Buyer power - HIGH

3. Competitive rivalry - HIGH

4. Threat of substitutes - LOW

5. Threat of new entrants - MEDIUM

The company scores relatively HIGH in relation to these forces.

PESTLE Analysis

This PESTLE analysis is a strategic planning tool that assesses key external factors affecting the organisation, including the following:

Political
Economic
Social
Technological
Legal
Environmental

Each of these factors is analysed to determine their impact on the organisations strategy, objectives, and operations.

By utilising a PESTLE analysis, the organisation can make better decisions and develop strategies to address potential risks and opportunities.

CATWOE Analysis

The CATWOE analysis is used to investigate each stakeholders perspectives in order to enable the business to make informed decisions.

The CATWOE analysis is a problem-solving tool consisting of six elements:

Customers
Actors
Transformation process
World view
Owners
Environmental constraints

We view the CATWOE as being most useful when used in conjunction with other problem-solving tools such as a SWOT analysis.

Customers: Axel Springer SE’s customers are primarily newspaper and magazine readers, online news consumers, digital services and advertising customers.

Actors: The main actors involved in Axel Springer SE’s operations are the employees, shareholders, board of directors, customers, suppliers and other stakeholders.

Transformation process: Axel Springer SE’s transformation process involves developing and publishing digital and print content, providing digital services, and engaging in advertising activities.

World view: Axel Springer SE believes in the power of media and digital technologies to inform, educate, entertain and inspire people. The organisation seeks to be a leader in the digital transformation of the media industry.

Owners: Axel Springer SE is owned by the Axel Springer family, who have majority control of the company.

Environmental constraints: Axel Springer SE is subject to the same environmental constraints as other companies in the media industry, including governmental regulations, technological advances, and competition from other media companies.

SWOT Analysis

This SWOT analysis is a strategic planning tool used to assess the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of the Axel Springer SE business.

When creating this SWOT the team at Platform Executive have taken into consideration the corporate strategy; brand; key financials; the competitive landscape; along with the products and/or services offered.

To offer increased context for future innovation and product development we also consider the historical context for the business and industry; and perceived direction of travel.

Upon researching the company, we have uncovered a number of strategic and operational strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats.

Strengths

Below is a list of the strengths we have identified for the business:

1. Axel Springer SE has a strong focus on digital transformation and is a leading digital publisher in Europe.

2. The company has a diversified portfolio of brands and businesses, including some of the most popular news and media sites in Germany.

3. Axel Springer SE has a strong financial profile, with a solid balance sheet and strong cash flow generation.

4. The company has a strong track record of execution, delivering on its strategic objectives and delivering shareholder value.

Opportunities

Below is a list of opportunities we have identified for the business:

1. Leverage data analytics to drive growth: By leveraging data analytics, Axel Springer SE can gain valuable insights into customer behaviours and preferences that can be used to drive marketing and product development strategies that can increase revenue.

2. Expand customer base: Axel Springer SE should focus on expanding its customer base by targeting new markets and developing new products and services. This can be done through strategic partnerships with organisations in different regions, as well as through digital initiatives that can broaden its reach.

3. Explore new technology: Axel Springer SE should also explore new technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning to create new products, services, and processes that can help the company stay ahead of the competition.

4. Improve operational efficiency: Axel Springer SE should also focus on improving its operational efficiency by streamlining processes, automating manual tasks, and using technology to reduce costs. Implementing an enterprise resource planning system can help the company better manage its resources and processes.

Weaknesses

Below is a list of the weaknesses we have identified for the business:

1. Lack of focus: Axel Springer SE is a conglomerate with interests in a wide range of businesses, from news media to real estate. This lack of focus can make it difficult for the company to allocate resources and make decisions in a strategic manner.

2. Over-reliance on print media: Despite the fact that Axel Springer SE has made some investments in digital media, the company is still heavily reliant on print media. This reliance could become a problem as print media continues to decline in popularity.

3. Lack of scale: Axel Springer SE is a large company, but it is not one of the largest media companies in the world. This lack of scale can make it difficult to compete against larger companies in the industry.

4. Limited international presence: The vast majority of Axel Springer SE’s businesses are based in Germany. This limited international presence can make it difficult to expand into new markets and reach new audiences.

Threats

Below is a list of the threats we have identified for the business:

1. The ever-increasing competition in the digital media space is a strategic threat to Axel Springer SE. The competition is coming from both established media companies and new entrants, with new technologies and business models, such as streaming media, mobile applications, and cloud-based services, which are challenging Axel Springer's core products and services. This competition has resulted in a loss of market share for many of Axel Springer's core products and services.

2. A second strategic threat is the volatility of the global economy. Axel Springer SE is highly exposed to changes in economic conditions, as its revenues are dependent on the advertising and subscription fees from its media products. If economic conditions deteriorate, this could lead to a decrease in advertising and subscription revenues for Axel Springer SE.

3. An operational threat to Axel Springer SE is its reliance on third-party vendors for technology and content. Axel Springer SE has to ensure that these vendors are able to provide quality products and services in order to remain competitive. If these vendors fail to deliver, Axel Springer SE could lose potential customers and revenue.

4. A fourth operational threat is the changing media landscape. The rise of social media and mobile applications has changed the way people consume media, and Axel Springer SE must be able to adapt to these changes in order to remain competitive. If Axel Springer SE is unable to keep up with the changing media landscape, it could result in a decrease in market share and revenue.

5C Analysis

The 5C Analysis is a marketing framework that can be used to provide insight into the key drivers of success, as well as the risk exposure to various environmental factors.

This (concise) 5C analysis examines the external and internal environment for Axel Springer SE. It includes analysing the company's customers, competitors, collaborators, context, and capabilities. We have produced this short analysis to identify potential opportunities and threats to Axel Springer SE, as well as areas where the company needs to improve its operations or strategy.

Company: Axel Springer SE is a German digital publishing house and one of the largest digital publishing companies in Europe. It was founded in 1946 and has grown to become a leading publisher of digital and print media.

Collaborators: Axel Springer SE works with a number of partners and collaborators to create and distribute content, including media companies, advertisers, and technology providers.

Customers: The company’s customers include readers, subscribers, and advertisers who access its content through a variety of platforms, including online, mobile, and print.

Competitors: The company’s main competitors include other digital media companies such as Bertelsmann, ProSiebenSat.1, and Media.net.

Content: Axel Springer SE produces and distributes content across a variety of topics, including news, business, lifestyle, and entertainment. Its content is available in multiple languages and formats, including print, audio, video, and mobile.

MOST Analysis

The MOST analysis framework is commonly used to identify an organisation's strategic goals, assess its strengths and weaknesses, and develop a plan to achieve its objectives. This analysis helps organisations to focus on what they want to achieve and how to achieve it, while also identifying potential roadblocks or obstacles that may arise along the way.

Mission
Objectives
Strategy
Tactics

We have created this analysis from a 3rd person perspective.

Innovation Scorecard

As part of our research and analysis activity, the team at Platform Executive assesses and then benchmarks businesses and the industry verticals in which they operate using a proprietary scoring mechanism.

First, we allocate a score of A-E for the industry vertical, gauged on the key organisations operating within the space; and then score the individual business using a 1-5 score.

A score of D-E within an industry means that it is potentially ripe to be disrupted by a new entrant into the marketplace; and/or vulnerable to technological change.

Likewise, a high score of 4-5 for the company in question indicates that in the view of the analysis team it lags behind notable businesses in terms of innovation and product pipeline.

Below is a guide to each score:

Industry score:

A	The industry is amongst the most innovative; with the leading players all driving the sector forward. Example industry: PaaS
B	The industry and its leading players have a good track record of innovation; and can quickly react to change. Example industry: Pharmaceutical
C	Companies operating within the sector have adequate levels of innovation; and engage in R&D activities when appropriate. Example industry: FMCG
D	Businesses operating in the industry do not invest enough time and resource into innovation. The sector is stagnant and a good candidate for disruption. Example industry: Retail Banking
E	The major players in the sector seem to lack suitable product development roadmaps; and as a result the sector is highly vulnerable to industry change. Example industry: Publishing

Company score:

1	The business is amongst the leading players in terms innovation and product pipeline. This will fulfil and reinforce the operations of the business in the medium to long-term.
2	The business has a good track record of innovation, in terms of its products and/or its business model. It is therefore more likely to be able to react and adapt to any changes to the industry.
3	The business is deemed to have an adequate innovation plan, build on research and development and sustainability where appropriate. The business has a product development strategy.
4	The business needs to invest more resource and/or intellectual capital in product development, pipelines and/or its business model. The business is at risk of stagnation.
5	The business seems to lack a suitable product development roadmap; and as a result is vulnerable to any notable industry change and/or new entrants in the marketplace.

The team at Platform Executive has judged Axel Springer SE as having an innovation score of D2.

Appendices

The appendices section of this report contains supplementary information that the team at Platform Executive deems helpful in providing a more comprehensive understanding of the report's contents.

This information is not considered an essential part of the study but serves as a useful supplement to the main text.

Methodology

This study on Axel Springer SE forms part of our series of competitive intelligence reports, which focuses on 10,000 of the largest corporates.

The information and data included are updated on a timely schedule to ensure that our Premium members receive the most up to date information .

The report is based on information and learning from the following sources:

Corporate websites
Proprietary research databases
SEC Filings
Corporate press releases
News articles
Financial data API's
Product-matching algorithm

Further Information

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Disclaimer

Reproduction of the content produced in this report is prohibited without the prior permission of the publisher, Platform Executive Pty Ltd.

The facts of this report have been gathered in good faith from both primary and secondary sources. It is believed to be correct at the time of publication, but cannot be guaranteed. As such Platform Executive can accept no liability whatever for actions taken based on any information that may subsequently prove to be incorrect.

Changelog

Premium members: To request a priority update to this report, please contact us. Our standard turnaround time is normally 48 hours.

The changelog for this report can be found below, complete with the next scheduled update:

v1.1: Initial load of report
Date: 1st March 2023

Key Financials added (BETA)
Date: 17th March 2023

Next scheduled update: 18th April 2023

Industry Keywords

Related keywords:

advertising digital media Publishing

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