DPG Media Partners with EIB for €120 Million Loan to Drive Digital Transformation

DPG Media Partners with EIB for €120 Million Loan to Drive Digital Transformation

(IN BRIEF) DPG Media Group has secured a €120 million loan from the European Investment Bank (EIB) as part of its ongoing digital transformation, which involves investing €392 million in the period 2024-2026. The loan will help accelerate the company’s digitalisation efforts, particularly in AI and content distribution, aligning with the Digital Europe Programme. This follows a prior loan for media platform digitalisation signed in 2022. DPG Media plans to further develop its digital platforms for users and advertisers, invest in AI and text-to-speech technologies, and improve cybersecurity. The company’s advertising platform, ‘Trusted Web,’ enables advertisers to bypass big tech tools. Additionally, DPG Media has improved its audio technologies, digital magazines, and streaming platforms.

(PRESS RELEASE) LUXEMBOURG, 12-Feb-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — DPG Media Group has secured a new lending agreement with the European Investment Bank (EIB), aimed at furthering its digitalisation and innovation efforts. This follows a prior loan signed in 2022 that supported the digitalisation of the Group’s media platforms. The new €120 million loan is part of DPG Media’s broader strategy to invest €392 million in digital transformation over the period 2024-2026, with 30% of this funding coming from the EIB. The financing is set to accelerate DPG Media’s role as a key player in digital innovation, particularly within the realms of artificial intelligence and content distribution, aligning with the goals of the EU’s Digital Europe Programme.

EIB Vice-President Robert de Groot stressed the importance of digitalisation and the development of advanced technologies in strengthening Europe’s competitiveness. He noted that these efforts are critical in supporting European businesses and entrepreneurs. “DPG’s investments in digitising its services are fully aligned with European ambitions. EIB loans are designed to foster this kind of forward-thinking development,” de Groot commented.

Erik Roddenhof, CEO of DPG Media, expressed enthusiasm for the new loan, highlighting its importance in enabling the company to continue offering independent, strong media services in an increasingly competitive market dominated by global players. “This financing allows us to diversify our debt portfolio while affirming the creditworthiness of DPG Media and reinforcing our commitment to digital transformation,” Roddenhof stated. He also underscored the loan as a significant endorsement of the company’s ongoing digital efforts.

As part of its digital transformation, DPG Media plans to enhance its platform for end-users and advertisers, incorporating AI and text-to-speech technology. In recent years, the Group has made substantial investments in its advertising platform, ‘Trusted Web,’ which allows advertisers to bypass big tech platforms and directly manage campaigns within DPG Media.

The company has also committed significant resources to improving its audio technology, digitising its magazines, and enhancing its streaming platforms, which now serve multiple users, including VTM GO, Streamz, and RTL Play. In addition, DPG Media has implemented a robust cybersecurity strategy to safeguard its platforms against emerging threats.

Background information

The European Investment Bank (ElB) is the long-term lending institution of the European Union, owned by its Member States. Built around eight core priorities, it finances investments that contribute to EU policy objectives by bolstering climate action and the environment, digitalisation and technological innovation, security and defence, cohesion, agriculture and bioeconomy, social infrastructure, high-impact investments outside the EU, and the Capital Markets Union.

All projects financed by the EIB Group are in line with the Paris Climate Agreement, as pledged in our Climate Bank Roadmap. Almost 60% of the EIB Group’s annual financing supports projects directly contributing to climate change mitigation, adaptation, and a healthier environment.

DPG Media Group’s mission is to inform, entertain and inspire people. The headquarters of the international media group, which is active in the Belgian, Dutch and Danish markets, are in Antwerp. DPG Media Group has a workforce of 5,396 employees and a portfolio of 90 strong publishing, broadcasting and services brands. Every day, the DPG Media Group brands reach a total of 15 million media users, both online and offline.

Media Contact:

Tim Smit
t.smit@eib.org
+352 4379 – 89076

Press Office
press@eib.org
+352 43791

SOURCE: European Investment Bank