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Axel Springer AG / Key word(s): Strategic Company Decision/Joint Venture 06.03.2012 12:53 Dissemination of an Ad hoc announcement according to § 15 WpHG, transmitted by DGAP - a company of EquityStory AG. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Berlin, March 6, 2012 Ad hoc Publication pursuant to Sec. 15 of the German Securities Trading Act (WpHG) Axel Springer and General Atlantic agree on future strategic partnership for growth initiative in the Online Classified Business Today, Axel Springer and the US-American investor General Atlantic have entered into an agreement which relates to a future 30% participation of General Atlantic in the Online Classifieds Business of Axel Springer. For this purpose, both parties plan the establishment of a new entity named Axel Springer Digital Classifieds GmbH with its registered seat in Germany. To this new joint venture, Axel Springer shall contribute the French real-estate portal SeLoger.com, the German real-estate portal Immonet and the European job portal StepStone. As main shareholder, Axel Springer shall hold 70%, and General Atlantic shall hold 30%, in Axel Springer Digital Classifieds GmbH. By pooling the Online Classifieds Business in a separate new entity and involving General Atlantic as a partner, Axel Springer will be even better positioned for organic and acquisition-based growth in the Online Classifieds Business. The transaction is based on a valuation of the participations to be contributed in the amount of EUR 1.25 billion. In the context of the transfer of the participations certain receivables will accrue for Axel Springer. These will subsequently be converted into a loan for the benefit of Axel Springer in an aggregate amount of EUR 460 million. Based on an equity value of then EUR 790 million General Atlantic shall pay a purchase price of EUR 237 million for the 30% participation to Axel Springer. The transaction is still subject to prior consultation with the relevant employee representatives in France, the exercise of an option right by Axel Springer and merger clearance by the competent competition authorities. Axel Springer AG Axel-Springer-Straße 65 10888 Berlin Germany Investor Relations contact: Daniel Fard-Yazdani Tel.: +49 (030) 2591-77425 daniel.fard-yazdani@axelspringer.de 06.03.2012 DGAP's Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases. Media archive at www.dgap-medientreff.de and www.dgap.de --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Language: English Company: Axel Springer AG Axel-Springer-Straße 65 10888 Berlin Germany Phone: +49 (0)30 2591-77421 Fax: +49 (0)30 2591-77422 E-mail: ir@axelspringer.de Internet: www.axelspringer.de ISIN: DE0005501357, DE0005754238 WKN: 550135, 575423 Indices: MDAX Listed: Regulierter Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Freiverkehr in Berlin, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Hannover, München, Stuttgart End of Announcement DGAP News-Service ---------------------------------------------------------------------------