Media giant Axel Springer names new Middle East director based in Abu Dhabi
European media and technology conglomerate Axel Springer is to expand into the UAE for the first time after naming a new Middle East managing director to be based in Abu Dhabi. Frank Mahlberg, who currently serves as chief operating officer of Germany's Bild Group, will take up the newly created role in the capital on October 1. Axel Springer , which was established in 1946 and is based in…
Axel Springer, a European media and technology conglomerate, has announced the appointment of a new Middle East managing director, set to be based in Abu Dhabi. Frank Mahlberg, the current chief operating officer of Germany's Bild Group, will assume this newly created role on October 1. Axel Springer, established in 1946 and headquartered in Berlin, is keen to strengthen its media portfolio by venturing into the UAE, a leading destination for technology and innovation.
In April, the company completed a £575 million ($782 million) acquisition of the UK's Telegraph Media Group, previously owned by RedBird IMI. RedBird IMI, a joint venture between RedBird Capital Partners and IMI, had acquired the Telegraph titles and The Spectator magazine in 2023, but a change in British law necessitated a new buyer.
The Spectator was subsequently sold for £100 million to hedge fund manager Paul Marshall. Mahlberg's responsibilities will encompass building new partnerships and identifying growth opportunities for Axel Springer's brands and products across the region. Axel Springer, which publishes popular titles like Bild, Business Insider, and Politico, aims to leverage its presence in the dynamic Middle East market to foster new relationships and partnerships.
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