The Swiss Federal Competition Commission (ComCo) has approved the planned takeover of the Goldbach Group by Tamedia without any conditions or requirements. Following the successful offer process, in which 96.90 percent of the maximum number of Goldbach shares to which the offer related have already been tendered to Tamedia, a further condition of the offer in accordance with the offer prospectus has been fulfilled and the takeover can now be completed. Completion will take place within the next ten trading days, and Tamedia will compensate the remaining minority shareholders and delist the Goldbach Group once the delisting procedure has been completed. Christoph Tonini, CEO of Tamedia: "We are pleased with the positive decision of the ComCo. This means that the last major hurdle for the successful takeover of the Goldbach Group has been overcome."

Strengthen position in the Swiss advertising market

With this strategic partnership, the Tamedia media group and the marketer Goldbach want to strengthen their position in the Swiss advertising market and at the same time expand their international business, particularly in the neighboring countries of Germany and Austria. Together, the two companies - in addition to the out-of-home provider Neo Advertising, in which Tamedia holds a majority stake - will be able to offer their customers high-reach advertising services on all channels.

Existing management continues to run the business

The Goldbach Group will continue to be managed independently by the existing management at its current headquarters in Küsnacht. CEO Michi Frank will join Tamedia's management board as an additional member. He is also pleased about the Weko's yes: "Together with Tamedia, we can continue to drive forward our growth strategy and meet the needs of our customers and partners even better in future. "In view of the postponed closing due to the in-depth review by the Weko, a second trading line was opened in May for the Goldbach shares tendered into the purchase offer. The second trading line will remain open until three trading days before completion of the offer.

Following the successful offer process, in which 96.90 percent of the maximum number of Goldbach shares to which the offer related have already been tendered to Tamedia, a further condition of the offer in accordance with the offer prospectus has been fulfilled and the takeover can now be completed. Completion will take place within the next ten trading days. After completion of the delisting procedure, Tamedia will compensate the remaining minority shareholders and delist the Goldbach Group. Christoph Tonini, CEO of Tamedia, said in a press release: "We are delighted with the positive decision of the ComCo. This means that the last major hurdle for the successful takeover of the Goldbach Group has been overcome."

With this strategic partnership, the Tamedia media group and Goldbach want to strengthen their position in the Swiss advertising market and at the same time expand their international business, particularly in the neighboring countries of Germany and Austria. Together, the two companies - in addition to the out-of-home provider Neo Advertising, in which Tamedia holds a majority stake - can offer their customers high-reach advertising services on all channels.

The Goldbach Group will continue to be managed independently by the existing management at its current headquarters in Küsnacht. CEO Michi Frank will join Tamedia's management board as an additional member. He is also pleased about the Weko yes: "Together with Tamedia, we can continue to drive forward our growth strategy and meet the needs of our customers and partners even better in future."

In view of the postponed completion due to the in-depth review by the Swiss Competition Commission, a second trading line was opened in May for the Goldbach shares tendered into the purchase offer. The second trading line will remain open until three trading days before completion of the offer.