NHST Media Group expands its PR Services business

The Norwegian NHST Media Group expands its presence within PR services by acquiring the German company ddp direct GmbH.  Since the acquisition of Stockholm based Mynewsdesk in 2008, the PR services business has become the fastest growing area within NHST Media Group.

ddp direct has in the last three years emerged as the second largest and fastest growing PR services business in the German market,  based on a combination of distribution, multimedia and innovative web-based PR tools.  This acquisition strengthens NHST Media Group’s position in this exciting and growing segment.

Through Mynewsdesk and ddp direct NHST Media Group now operates its PR Services business in Sweden, UK, Germany, Norway, Denmark, Singapore and Finland, with a total of 130 employees.

“Since Mynewsdesk came onboard in 2008 we have had great success within PR services, with annual growth rates above 20%. PR services is now an important driver of our growth strategy. We are enthusiastic about the potential of the German PR services market. ddp direct, as the fastest growing player in the German market, gives us a kick start in Germany.  With a strong and successful management and team in place we are confident in the continued success of ddp direct”, says Mr. Gunnar Bjørkavåg, CEO of NHST Media Group.

Previously ddp direct was owned by the Munich based HQTA Holding AG.

Caspar Schilgen, chairman HQTA AG: “Amongst all bidders, NHST Media Group was strongest in proving a firm commitment through-out the transaction to find a sustainable solution for the 26 employees of ddp direct. The integration into the internationally operating group gives the high-quality team of ddp direct the ability continue to write its success story.“

Wolfgang Zehrt, Managing Director of ddp direct: “This deal is a great opportunity to expand innovative technology solutions for the German PR market  and to intensify the cooperation with publishers along with our colleagues from NHST Media Group.”

Andreas Emblem, Head of Corporate Development, NHST Media Group: “This deal will give us a real opportunity to change the dynamics of German PR services, building on what has already been achieved”.

Terms of the deal have not been disclosed.

About ddp direct

ddp direct is the second largest PR services business in Germany. The Leipzig-based company was founded in 2009 and today reaches 90 % of the German daily press. ddp direct is the leading online-distributor for press releases in Germany.

About HQTA Holding

The HQTA AG (formerly dapd media holding AG) is a Munich based media company. HQTA is the parent Company of airmotion, spot on news and ddp images.

About NHST Media Group

Founded in 1889, NHST Media Group owns the leading business newspaper in Norway (Dagens Næringsliv) and a number of English-language industry news publishers (Tradewinds, Upstream, Intrafish and Recharge). Since 2008 the group has built a significant and fast growing presence in digital PR services with MyNewsdesk. The group currently employs around 700 people in 12 countries and is traded on the OTC list in Oslo.  For more information, please refer to www.nhst.com.

Contact details, ddp direct GmbH 

Wolfgang Zehrt, Managing Director
Wolfgang.zehrt@ddpdirect.de
+49 341 35058715

 Contacts details HQTA Holding

Press Officer Tobias Lobe
lobe@hqta.de
+49 89 55 27 90 330 

Contact details NHST Media Group

Gunnar Bjørkavåg, Group CEO
gunnar.bjorkavag@nhst.com
+47 9003 1029

Andreas Emblem, Head of Corporate Development
andreas.emblem@nhst.com
+47 9325 6068