Bertelsmann AG 2008 / Annual report

The primary function of Bertelsmann’s annual report is to communicate the key financials and financial situation of the group in the business year just past, and to present the group and its corporate divisions: RTL Group, Random House, Gruner + Jahr, Arvato and Direct Group. The financial section is preceded by an image section which this year was shaped by special portents: The onset of the worldwide economic crisis in the second half of 2008 made it necessary to find the “right tone” in designing and implementing an annual report and basically prohibited any exuberant posturing, instead calling for credible, sincere communications.