Thielen: “We are prepared for IPO”

Dr. Gunter Thielen, Chairman & CEO of Bertelsmann AG, made the following comment on today's announcement by GBL that in May 2006 it will exercise its right to request the IPO of Bertelsmann to sell its stake in the stock market: “We have made the necessary efforts in the last years to prepare for a possible IPO. We manage our company on the basis of internationally recognised financial parameters and we prepare our financial statements according to International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). We obtained financing from the debt capital markets and have strong credit ratings, and active investor relations. In short: We are prepared for an IPO. Bertelsmann has developed strongly in the last years and increased its profits considerably. Our divisions hold leading positions in their markets. Bertelsmann is an exciting company with a promising future.”

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Bertelsmann AG

Andreas Grafemeyer

Media Relations

Phone: +49 – 52 41 – 80 – 8 99 23

andreas.grafemeyer@bertelsmann.de