# C_2019364EN.01003201.xml

| 29.10.2019 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 364/32 |
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29.10.2019

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 364/32

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Prior notification of a concentration

(Case M.9463 — KKR/Axel Springer)

Candidate case for simplified procedure

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2019/C 364/12)

1.

On 18 October 2019, the Commission received notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1).

This notification concerns the following undertakings:

| — | KKR & Co. Inc (‘KKR’) (USA), |
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KKR & Co. Inc (‘KKR’) (USA),

| — | Axel Springer SE (‘Axel Springer’) (Germany). |
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Axel Springer SE (‘Axel Springer’) (Germany).

KKR acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) and 3(4) of the Merger Regulation joint control of the whole of Axel Springer SE (‘Axel Springer’) which is indirectly, solely controlled by Ms Friede Springer. Axel Springer is a media and technology company active in more than 40 countries, operating diverse media brands (e.g. BILD and WELT Group, Insider Inc., Politico.eu) and classifieds portals (e.g. StepStone, SeLoger, Immowelt).

The concentration is accomplished by way of purchase of shares.

2.

| — | for KKR: investment firm that provides asset management services and capital markets solutions, |
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for KKR: investment firm that provides asset management services and capital markets solutions,

| — | for Axel Springer: publishing of newspapers, journals and periodicals; other publishing activities; printing of newspapers; radio and television programming and broadcasting; news agency activities; advertising. |
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for Axel Springer: publishing of newspapers, journals and periodicals; other publishing activities; printing of newspapers; radio and television programming and broadcasting; news agency activities; advertising.

3.

On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of the Merger Regulation. However, the final decision on this point is reserved.

Pursuant to the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under the Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (2) it should be noted that this case is a candidate for treatment under the procedure set out in the Notice.

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4.

The Commission invites interested third parties to submit their possible observations on the proposed operation to the Commission.

Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. The following reference should always be specified:

M.9463 — KKR/Axel Springer

Observations can be sent to the Commission by email, by fax, or by post. Please use the contact details below:

Email: COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu

Fax +32 22964301

Postal address:

| European Commission |
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| Directorate-General for Competition |
| Merger Registry |
| 1049 Bruxelles/Brussel |
| BELGIQUE/BELGIË |

European Commission

Directorate-General for Competition

Merger Registry

1049 Bruxelles/Brussel

BELGIQUE/BELGIË

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(1)  OJ L 24, 29.1.2004, p. 1 (the ‘Merger Regulation’).

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(2)  OJ C 366, 14.12.2013, p. 5.

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