RTL Group launches digital hub

FremantleMedia parent RTL Group has set up a new central division to oversee its digital video and multi-channel network (MCN) interests following a string of investments over the past two years.

Marcel Reichart

The RTL Digital Hub team will manage the group’s various acquisitions in the digital space, such as online fashion network StyleHaul, and provide support for future international expansion.

It will be led in the US and Europe by Marcel Reichart, who will hold the title of executive VP, RTL Digital Hub, in addition to his current role as executive VP, digital development at RTL parent company Bertelsmann.

In line with RTL Group’s decentralised organisation, the CEOs of subsidiaries including StyleHaul, BroadbandTV, SpotXchange and Divimove will continue to have full responsibility for their operations, the company said.

RTL Group bolstered its online operations by buying a majority stake in StyleHaul for US$107m last year, as part of its plan to expand its presence in the online video space in North America.

The RTL Digital Hub will work alongside the broadcast channels in the group as well as its global production arm, FremantleMedia, while searching for further investments in online video.

RTL Group’s MCNs serve a combined base of 42,000 content creators, which includes famous YouTube stars such as Zoella (StyleHaul), Fernanfloo (BroadbandTV) and El Rubius (Divimove).

“The creation of the RTL Digital Hub underlines our strategic goal to become a global force in online video and to further increase our presence in North America,” said Anke Schaferkordt and Guillaume de Posch, co-CEOs of RTL Group.