Bertelsmann AG Publishes Corporate Responsibility Report
Bertelsmann has announced the publication of a Corporate Responsibility Report 2010/2011 documenting its social responsibility effort. The report entitled “Taking Action”, illustrates the ways in which the international media company takes responsibility along its value chains. Bertelsmann also sponsors a wide range of socially relevant projects, either initiated by the company itself or in cooperation with other partners.
“Bertelsmann considers itself to be an active part and partner to society around the world. We’ve achieved a great deal in the area of corporate responsibility in recent years,” comments Thomas Rabe, Chairman & CEO of Bertelsmann. “Yet, we feel it goes without saying that we want to improve our performance in this area. As an international media company, we are aware of our special responsibility: Acting responsibly must never be merely an accessory, but should be an integral part of everyday business activity.”
Bertelsmann is particularly active in the areas concerning the responsibility towards its employees, the promotion of reading and media literacy, appeals for aid and donations through media, content responsibility, and environmental and climate protection, with a focus on paper sourcing.
Among other things, during the reporting period Bertelsmann founded an international academy to promote independent journalism. The group’s various corporate divisions are engaged in efforts close to their respective core businesses: RTL Group raises millions of euros for charity each year with fund drives by its broadcasters throughout Europe; the Random House publishing group is active in the promotion of literacy and reading. Furthermore, the magazine subsidiary Gruner + Jahr places a priority on supporting quality journalism. And the outsourced services provider Arvato promotes environmentally friendly printing: currently, 77 per cent of Bertelsmann’s printing plants are certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).
This is Bertelsmann’s first CR Report written to comply with the guidelines issued by the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), which has awarded the company a grade of “B+”. The complete report was printed on FSC-certified recycled paper using climate-friendly methods, and is available in German and English. It may also be read online as an e-journal: http://www.bertelsmann.com/responsibility.
About Bertelsmann AG
Bertelsmann is an international media company whose core divisions encompass television (RTL Group), book publishing (Random House), magazine publishing (Gruner + Jahr), and outsourcing services (Arvato) in 50 countries. In 2010, the company’s businesses, with their 100,000 employees, generated revenues of €15.8 billion. Bertelsmann stands for a distinctive combination of creativity and entrepreneurship that empowers the creation of first-rate media, communications, and service offerings to inspire people around the world and to provide innovative solutions for customers.
For further questions, please contact:
Bertelsmann AG
Andreas Grafemeyer
Senior Vice President Media Relations
Phone: +49 – 52 41 / 80 24 66
andreas.grafemeyer@bertelsmann.de
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