Ringier AG (Ringier) is a privately-held, diversified Swiss media company that operates print media, digital media, television, radio, entertainment, and e-commerce businesses, as well as digital real estate, job, vehicle, and e-commerce marketplaces. Ringier produces over 120 newspapers and magazines and operates eighty web and mobile platforms. Its portfolio includes 110 subsidiary brands in the print media, digital media, mobile, radio, television, film, ticketing, entertainment, e-commerce, and technology sectors. Ringier also invests in innovative digital start-ups as a venture capital investor. Ringier was founded in 1833 and is headquartered in Zürich, with operations in eighteen countries in Europe, Asia and Africa. The company's stated mission is to "stand for innovation, independence, and freedom of expression."
Ringier was founded in 1833 by Johann Rudolf Ringier, who opened a print shop in Zofingen, Switzerland. In 1874, his son, Franz Emil Ringier, assumed control of the company and established Ringier as a commercial printing and publishing house. In the early half of the twentieth century, Ringier expanded its news and entertainment printing operations and became the largest publishing house in Switzerland. In 1969, Ringier established it film production branch, Rincovision. The Ringier School of Journalism, a private institution for journalism training and the first Swiss school of journalism, was opened in 1974. In 1984, Ringier expanded into television production with the establishment of Zürivision. Ringier expanded its operations into Asia in 1987. In 1996, Ringier launched its first websites and established its internet presence. In the 2000s, Ringier continued to acquire companies and expand its print, film, television, and digital operations. In 2020, Ringier employed nearly 6,800 employees in eighteen countries and generated revenue of 1 billion Swiss francs, with over 70% of operating profit from its digital businesses.
Ringier's portfolio of brands is comprised of 110 subsidiaries, divided into its media portfolio, digital marketing portfolio, and technology portfolio:
- The media portfolio includes media brands such as news platforms, newspapers, magazines, digital TV, radio, and events, delivering independent journalism and entertainment in Switzerland, Eastern Europe, Africa and Asia
- The digital marketplaces portfolio consists of online platforms in real estate, cars, jobs, and horizontals, to empower consumers and customers across Switzerland, Eastern Europe and emerging markets
- The technology portfolio focuses on scalable marketplace and media technology solutions, secure data protection, and user experience, to enable its business units with scalable and adaptable technology solutions.
Subsidiary companies of Ringier include Aktuality, Avantaje, Blick, Elevate, NRJ, GEO, HZ, L'illustre, Noizz, Onet, Pulse.ng, RingierSports, Tele, Unica, vod.pl, students.ch, sport.sk, AirConsole, autobazar.eu, Blok, CarForYou, CV Market, home.ch, LaModa, Lalafo, Lendi, Skoove, Yamo, OneLog, Star, Delphi, Ring Publishing, and Ringier Connect+.
In addition to its media operations, Ringier invests in digital startups as a venture capital investor. Ringier has invested in GetYourLawyer, Lamudi, foodspring, and Homsters. Ringier's notable exits include Lamudi.
