"Switzerland witnesses the formation of a collaborative endeavor between 'kicker' and Ringier"
In a strategic move, the sports news portal 'kicker' has entered into an exclusive marketing partnership with Ringier Advertising in Switzerland, effective from June 2023. This partnership is a significant step towards strengthening 'kicker's presence in the Swiss market.
The partnership is not a new development, as both parties have recognised the potential synergy between their digital innovation power and sports expertise, and Ringier's local strength in sport.ch. The new company, RSMG kicker Switzerland AG, aims to create a digital sports ecosystem.
Bárbara Schnell, CEO of Olympia-Verlag GmbH, views Switzerland as an important strategic market for 'kicker'. She emphasises the creation of an attractive offering for sports enthusiasts in Switzerland, a goal that the partnership with Ringier is crucial for achieving.
Robin Lingg, Chairman of the Board of RSMG, shares this sentiment. He states that the joint venture combines the digital innovation power and sports expertise of 'kicker' with the local strength of sport.ch, promising to set new standards and grow sustainably, subject to approval.
RSMG kicker Switzerland AG, the joint venture between Olympia-Verlag and Ringier Sports Media Group AG, is scheduled to start operations this fall. Markus Krienbühl, former media and communications manager and board member of FC Luzern, will take over the operational leadership of the new company.
The transaction requires approval from relevant antitrust authorities before it can commence. The antitrust authorities that must approve the merger of kicker Ventures GmbH and Ringier Sports Media Group AG are primarily the Bundeskartellamt (German Federal Cartel Office) in Germany and potentially the European Commission's Directorate-General for Competition if the merger meets thresholds for EU-level review.
There is currently little concrete information about RSMG kicker Switzerland AG. However, the company has promised to disclose "further content details" after the completion of the regulatory process. What is clear is that the exclusive marketing of the sports news portal by Ringier Advertising is a part of the overall strategy to provide an attractive offering for sports enthusiasts in Switzerland, covering the entire DACH region.
The 'kicker' has gained a strong partner in Ringier Sports Media Group, who possesses crucial local market knowledge. Bárbara Schnell, CEO of Olympia-Verlag GmbH, highlights this partnership as vital for the success of 'kicker' in the Swiss market. As the regulatory process unfolds, sports enthusiasts in Switzerland can look forward to an enhanced digital sports experience.
